[Sigia-l] Raising a Dead Horse

[Listera]

"Manu Sharma" wrote:

> Just to get the facts straight, Amazon posted its first ever profits in the
> last quarterly results of 2001. If I remember correctly, the stock market
> responded positively too.
> 
> I’m not endorsing what Paula said... only stating the _facts_.

Since you're the one who asked for it, let me clue you in on the 'facts'.

My statement:
----------------------------
> Amazon is uniquely positioned to continue to make money in a 'down market'...

'Continue to make money' and Amazon in the same sentence? Strange.

Predicting when or if Amazon will ever be profitable has been an analysts'
sport over the last five years or so, during which, of course, Amazon has
never made a dime of profit.
----------------------------
was made on Jan 09, 2002 - 01:29:29 EST

I followed up on Jan, 11 2002 - 18:12:07 EST with:
----------------------------
So Amazon is neither unique nor is it continuing to make money, which is all
I said.

> It remains to be seen what will happen to Amazon.

Exactly. Nobody knows because the company has never been able to show a
profit. Since virtually all other pure-play dotcom companies that couldn't
show demonstrable profits have vanished, you are correct to be skeptical.
It's supportable to say this and hope Amazon's investments will someday pay
off. It's silly to argue that Amazon is unique or will *continue* to make
money, since it never has.
----------------------------

Amazon announced its Q4 2001 results on Jan 22, 2002. (1)

You do the math. (2)

Best,

Ziya

(1) For historical accuracy and perspective: there was a lot of debate then
about Amazon's reshuffling of its financials to show a profit in Q4 to ease
the stifling pressure from the Street. Amazon showed a miniscule Q4 01
profit of $5 million on sales of $1.12 billion. In the very next quarter,
Amazon reported a net loss of $23 million.

(2) This is my last post on this subject. At least until the next decade,
when it might get resurrected, again.