Edgar Filing: AMAZON COM INC

AMZN-2014.03.31-10Q

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

____________________________________

Form 10-Q

____________________________________

(Mark One)



x	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014



¨	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to .

Commission File No. 000-22513

____________________________________

Amazon.com, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

____________________________________



Delaware		91-1646860
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

410 Terry Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109-5210

(206) 266-1000

(Address and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

____________________________________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.



Large accelerated filer	x	Accelerated filer	¨

Non-accelerated filer	¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company	¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

460,167,404 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of April 16, 2014

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AMAZON.COM, INC.

FORM 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2014

INDEX



		Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1	Financial Statements	3
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	3
	Consolidated Statements of Operations	4
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	5
	Consolidated Balance Sheets	6
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item 2	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	16
Item 3	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	27
Item 4	Controls and Procedures	28

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1	Legal Proceedings	30
Item 1A	Risk Factors	30
Item 2	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	38
Item 3	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	38
Item 4	Mine Safety Disclosures	38
Item 5	Other Information	38
Item 6	Exhibits	38
Signatures		39

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION



Item 1.	Financial Statements

AMAZON.COM, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)

(unaudited)



	Three Months Ended March 31,						Twelve Months Ended March 31,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	$	8,658		$	8,084		$	4,481		$	2,288
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	108			82			299			(87		)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation of property and equipment, including internal-use software and website development, and other amortization	1,010			700			3,563			2,402
Stock-based compensation	321			229			1,226			901
Other operating expense (income), net	35			31			117			139
Losses (gains) on sales of marketable securities, net	—			—			2			(7		)
Other expense (income), net	(50		)	68			48			306
Deferred income taxes	(185		)	(80		)	(261		)	(307		)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(121		)	—			(199		)	(390		)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Inventories	699			535			(1,245		)	(1,211		)
Accounts receivable, net and other	727			729			(849		)	(877		)
Accounts payable	(4,675		)	(4,187		)	1,400			2,141
Accrued expenses and other	(731		)	(703		)	708			864
Additions to unearned revenue	1,092			684			3,100			2,083
Amortization of previously unearned revenue	(732		)	(460		)	(2,564		)	(1,712		)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(2,502		)	(2,372		)	5,345			4,245
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment, including internal-use software and website development	(1,080		)	(670		)	(3,854		)	(4,068		)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired, and other	—			(103		)	(208		)	(798		)
Sales and maturities of marketable securities and other investments	593			599			2,299			3,098
Purchases of marketable securities and other investments	(437		)	(776		)	(2,487		)	(3,227		)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(924		)	(950		)	(4,250		)	(4,995		)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	121			—			199			390
Proceeds from long-term debt and other	65			25			426			3,319
Repayments of long-term debt, capital lease, and finance lease obligations	(361		)	(182		)	(1,182		)	(603		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(175		)	(157		)	(557		)	3,106
Foreign-currency effect on cash and cash equivalents	17			(124		)	55			(163		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(3,584		)	(3,603		)	593			2,193
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	$	5,074		$	4,481		$	5,074		$	4,481
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest on long-term debt	$	18		$	13		$	102		$	37
Cash paid for income taxes (net of refunds)	38			86			121			179
Property and equipment acquired under capital leases	716			340			2,243			993
Property and equipment acquired under build-to-suit leases	126			150			852			163

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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AMAZON.COM, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in millions, except per share data)

(unaudited)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2014			2013
Net product sales	$	15,705		$	13,271
Net services sales	4,036			2,799
Total net sales	19,741			16,070
Operating expenses (1):
Cost of sales	14,055			11,801
Fulfillment	2,317			1,796
Marketing	870			632
Technology and content	1,991			1,383
General and administrative	327			246
Other operating expense (income), net	35			31
Total operating expenses	19,595			15,889
Income from operations	146			181
Interest income	11			10
Interest expense	(42		)	(33		)
Other income (expense), net	5			(77		)
Total non-operating income (expense)	(26		)	(100		)
Income before income taxes	120			81
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(73		)	18
Equity-method investment activity, net of tax	61			(17		)
Net income	$	108		$	82
Basic earnings per share	$	0.23		$	0.18
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.23		$	0.18
Weighted average shares used in computation of earnings per share:
Basic	460			455
Diluted	468			463
_____________
(1) Includes stock-based compensation as follows:
Fulfillment	$	81		$	61
Marketing	27			16
Technology and content	169			120
General and administrative	44			32

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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AMAZON.COM, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in millions)

(unaudited)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2014		2013
Net income	$	108	$	82
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $0 and $(9)	27		(78		)
Net change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized gains (losses), net of tax of $(1) and $1	1		(2		)
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in “Other income (expense), net,” net of tax of $0 and $0	—		—
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	1		(2		)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	28		(80		)
Comprehensive income	$	136	$	2

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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AMAZON.COM, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions, except per share data)



	March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	5,074		$	8,658
Marketable securities	3,592			3,789
Inventories	6,716			7,411
Accounts receivable, net and other	3,945			4,767
Total current assets	19,327			24,625
Property and equipment, net	12,267			10,949
Goodwill	2,653			2,655
Other assets	2,117			1,930
Total assets	$	36,364		$	40,159
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	10,590		$	15,133
Accrued expenses and other	6,251			6,688
Unearned revenue	1,516			1,159
Total current liabilities	18,357			22,980
Long-term debt	3,147			3,191
Other long-term liabilities	4,532			4,242
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value:
Authorized shares — 500
Issued and outstanding shares — none	—			—
Common stock, $0.01 par value:
Authorized shares — 5,000
Issued shares — 484 and 483
Outstanding shares — 460 and 459	5			5
Treasury stock, at cost	(1,837		)	(1,837		)
Additional paid-in capital	10,019			9,573
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(157		)	(185		)
Retained earnings	2,298			2,190
Total stockholders’ equity	10,328			9,746
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	36,364		$	40,159

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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AMAZON.COM, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Note 1 — ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Unaudited Interim Financial Information

We have prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim financial reporting. These consolidated financial statements are unaudited and, in our opinion, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals necessary for a fair presentation of our consolidated balance sheets, operating results, and cash flows for the periods presented. Operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for 2014 due to seasonal and other factors. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in Item 8 of Part II, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Amazon.com, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and those entities in which we have a variable interest and of which we are the primary beneficiary (collectively, the “Company”). Intercompany balances and transactions between consolidated entities are eliminated.

Use of Estimates

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated using our weighted-average outstanding common shares. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using our weighted-average outstanding common shares including the dilutive effect of stock awards as determined under the treasury stock method. In periods when we recognize a net loss, we exclude the impact of outstanding stock awards from the diluted loss per share calculation as their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect.

The following table shows the calculation of diluted shares (in millions):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2014	2013
Shares used in computation of basic earnings per share	460	455
Total dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards	8	8
Shares used in computation of diluted earnings per share	468	463

Equity-method Investments

Equity investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting if the investment gives us the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over an investee. The total of our investments in equity-method investees, including identifiable intangible assets, deferred tax liabilities, and goodwill, is included within “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. Our share of the earnings or losses as reported by equity-method investees, amortization of the

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related intangible assets, and related gains or losses, if any, are classified as “Equity-method investment activity, net of tax” on our consolidated statements of operations. Our share of the net income or loss of our equity-method investees includes operating and non-operating gains and charges, which can have a significant impact on our reported equity-method investment activity and the carrying value of those investments. In the event that net losses of the investee reduce our equity-method investment carrying amount to zero, additional net losses may be recorded if other investments in the investee, not accounted for under the equity method, are at-risk even if we have not committed to provide financial support to the investee. We regularly evaluate these investments, which are not carried at fair value, for other-than-temporary impairment. We also consider whether our equity-method investments generate sufficient cash flows from their operating or financing activities to meet their obligations and repay their liabilities when they come due.

We record purchases, including incremental purchases, of shares in equity-method investees at cost. Reductions in our ownership percentage of an investee, including through dilution, are generally valued at fair value, with the difference between fair value and our recorded cost reflected as a gain or loss in our equity-method investment activity. In the event we no longer have the ability to exercise significant influence over an equity-method investee, we would discontinue accounting for the investment under the equity method.

Note 2 — CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND MARKETABLE SECURITIES

As of March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities primarily consisted of cash, U.S. and foreign government and agency securities, AAA-rated money market funds, and other investment grade securities. Cash equivalents and marketable securities are recorded at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. To increase the comparability of fair value measures, the following hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation methodologies used to measure fair value:

Level 1—Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.

Level 2—Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3—Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.

We measure the fair value of money market funds and equity securities based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. All other financial instruments were valued either based on recent trades of securities in inactive markets or based on quoted market prices of similar instruments and other significant inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data. We did not hold any cash, cash equivalents, or marketable securities categorized as Level 3 as of March 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

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The following table summarizes, by major security type, our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy (in millions):



	March 31, 2014										December 31, 2013
	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Total Estimated Fair Value			Total Estimated Fair Value
Cash	$	2,902	$	—	$	—		$	2,902		$	3,008
Level 1 securities:
Money market funds	2,490		—		—			2,490			5,914
Equity securities	3		—		—			3			4
Level 2 securities:
Foreign government and agency securities	617		2		(1		)	618			758
U.S. government and agency securities	2,128		2		(2		)	2,128			2,222
Corporate debt securities	755		3		—			758			741
Asset-backed securities	69		—		—			69			65
Other fixed income securities	34		—		—			34			36
	$	8,998	$	7	$	(3	)	$	9,002		$	12,748
Less: Restricted cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities (1)								(336		)	(301		)
Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities								$	8,666		$	12,447

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(1)

We are required to pledge or otherwise restrict a portion of our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as collateral for standby and trade letters of credit, guarantees, debt, and real estate lease agreements. We classify cash and marketable securities with use restrictions of less than twelve months as “Accounts receivable, net and other” and of twelve months or longer as non-current “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. See “Note 3 — Commitments and Contingencies.”

The following table summarizes the contractual maturities of our cash equivalent and marketable fixed-income securities as of March 31, 2014 (in millions):



	Amortized Cost		Estimated Fair Value
Due within one year	$	3,951	$	3,953
Due after one year through five years	1,781		1,784
Due after five years through ten years	129		129
Due after ten years	232		231
	$	6,093	$	6,097

Actual maturities may differ from the contractual maturities because borrowers may have certain prepayment conditions.

Note 3 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments

We have entered into non-cancellable operating, capital, and financing leases for equipment and office, fulfillment center, and data center facilities. Rental expense under operating lease agreements was $219 million and $168 million for Q1 2014 and Q1 2013.

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The following summarizes our principal contractual commitments, excluding open orders for purchases that support normal operations, as of March 31, 2014 (in millions):



	Nine Months Ended December 31,		Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2015		2016		2017		2018		Thereafter		Total
Operating and capital commitments:
Debt principal and interest	$	482	$	1,252	$	81	$	1,081	$	69	$	1,375	$	4,340
Capital leases, including interest	857		1,246		539		115		59		121		2,937
Financing lease obligations, including interest	37		48		48		49		49		496		727
Operating leases	679		697		655		582		514		2,241		5,368
Unconditional purchase obligations (1)	412		439		137		55		51		50		1,144
Other commitments (2) (3)	586		419		194		157		128		1,369		2,853
Total commitments	$	3,053	$	4,101	$	1,654	$	2,039	$	870	$	5,652	$	17,369

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(1)

Includes unconditional purchase obligations related to agreements to acquire and license digital video content that represent long-term liabilities or are not reflected on the consolidated balance sheets. For those agreements with variable terms, we do not estimate what the total obligation may be beyond any minimum quantities and/or pricing as of the reporting date. Purchase obligations associated with renewal provisions solely at the option of the content provider are included to the extent such commitments are fixed or a minimum amount is specified.


(2)	Includes the estimated timing and amounts of payments for rent and tenant improvements associated with build-to-suit lease arrangements that have not been placed in service.


(3)	Excludes $455 million of tax contingencies for which we cannot make a reasonably reliable estimate of the amount and period of payment, if any.

Pledged Assets

As of March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, we have pledged or otherwise restricted $505 million and $482 million of our cash, marketable securities, and certain property and equipment as collateral for standby and trade letters of credit, guarantees, debt, and real estate leases.

Legal Proceedings

The Company is involved from time to time in claims, proceedings, and litigation, including the matters described in Item 8 of Part II, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 8 — Commitments and Contingencies — Legal Proceedings” of our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as supplemented by the following:

In November 2012, Lexington Luminance LLC filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc. and Amazon Digital Services, Inc. in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The complaint alleges, among other things, that certain light-emitting diodes in certain Kindle devices infringe U.S. Patent No. 6,936,851, entitled “Semiconductor Light-Emitting Device And Method For Manufacturing Same.” The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages and an injunction or, in the absence of an injunction, a compulsory ongoing royalty. In March 2014, the Court invalidated the plaintiff’s patent and dismissed the case with prejudice, and the plaintiff appealed the judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter.

In May 2013, Adaptix, Inc. filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges, among other things, that certain Kindle devices infringe U.S. Patent Nos. 7,454,212 and 6,947,748, both entitled “OFDMA With Adaptive Subcarrier-Cluster Configuration And Selective Loading.” The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages, interest, injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees. In March 2014, the case was transferred to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter.

In August 2013, Cellular Communications Equipment, LLC filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges, among other things, that certain Kindle devices infringe U.S. Patent Nos.: 6,819,923, entitled "Method For Communication Of Neighbor Cell Information"; 7,215,962, entitled

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"Method For An Intersystem Connection Handover"; 7,941,174, entitled "Method For Multicode Transmission By A Subscriber Station"; and 8,055,820 entitled "Apparatus, System, And Method For Designating A Buffer Status Reporting Format Based On Detected Pre-Selected Buffer Conditions." In March 2014, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint that alleges, among other things, that certain Kindle devices infringe U.S. Patent No. 8,055,820, entitled “Apparatus, System, And Method For Designating A Buffer Status Reporting Format Based On Detected Pre-Selected Buffer Conditions.” The amended complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages and interest. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter.

Beginning in August 2013, a number of complaints were filed alleging, among other things, that Amazon.com, Inc. and several of its subsidiaries failed to compensate hourly workers for time spent waiting in security lines and otherwise violated federal and state wage and hour statutes and common law. In August 2013, Busk v. Integrity Staffing Solutions, Inc. and Amazon.com, Inc. was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, and Vance v. Amazon.com, Inc., Zappos.com Inc., another affiliate of Amazon.com, Inc., and Kelly Services, Inc. was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. In September 2013, Allison v. Amazon.com, Inc. and Integrity Staffing Solutions, Inc. was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, and Johnson v. Amazon.com, Inc. and an affiliate of Amazon.com, Inc. was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. In October 2013, Davis v. Amazon.com, Inc., an affiliate of Amazon.com, Inc., and Integrity Staffing Solutions, Inc. was filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. The plaintiffs variously purport to represent a nationwide class of certain current and former employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act and/or state-law-based subclasses for certain current and former employees in states including Arizona, California, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Nevada, and one complaint asserts nationwide breach of contract and unjust enrichment claims. The complaints seek an unspecified amount of damages, interest, injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees. We have been named in several other similar cases. In March 2014, the United States Supreme Court granted review of the Busk case. The cases filed in federal court have been stayed pending that review. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in these matters.

In December 2013, ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc. for patent infringement in the United States District Court for Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges, among other things, that certain digital rights management software used by various Kindle Fire software applications, including the Kindle Reader and Amazon Instant Video, infringe seven U.S. Patents: Nos. 6,963,859, entitled “Content Rendering Repository"; 7,523,072, entitled “System For Controlling The Distribution And Use Of Digital Works"; 7,269,576, entitled “Content Rendering Apparatus"; 8,370,956, entitled “System And Method For Rendering Digital Content In Accordance With Usage Rights Information"; 8,393,007, entitled “System And Method For Distributing Digital Content In Accordance With Usage Rights Information"; 7,225,160, entitled “Digital Works Having Usage Rights And Method For Creating The Same"; and 8,583,556, entitled “Method For Providing A Digital Asset For Distribution.” In January 2014, ContentGuard filed an amended complaint that, among other things, added HTC Corporation and HTC America as defendants. The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages, an injunction, enhanced damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, and interest. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter.

In March 2014, Kaavo, Inc. filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc. and Amazon Web Services, Inc. for patent infringement in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The complaint alleges, among other things, that Amazon Web Services’ Elastic Beanstalk and CloudFormation infringe U.S. Patent No. 8,271,974, entitled “Cloud Computing Lifecycle Management For N-Tier Applications.” The complaint seeks injunctive relief, an unspecified amount of monetary damages, costs, and interest. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter.

In March 2014, CRFD Research, Inc. filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc. and Amazon Web Services, Inc. in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The complaint alleges, among other things, that (1) Amazon Instant Video, Amazon Prime, Amazon Cloud Player, Amazon Games, Amazon GameCircle, and Amazon Whispersync infringe U.S. Patent No. 7,191,233, entitled “System for Automated, Mid-Session, User-Directed, Device-to-Device Session Transfer System”; and (2) Elastic Compute Cloud, Simple Storage Service, CloudFront, and AWS Marketplace infringe U.S. Patent No. 7,574,486, entitled “Web Page Content Translator.” The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages, interest, attorneys’ fees, and an injunction. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter.

The outcomes of our legal proceedings are inherently unpredictable, subject to significant uncertainties, and could be material to our operating results and cash flows for a particular period. In addition, for some matters for which a loss is probable or reasonably possible, an estimate of the amount of loss or range of loss is not possible and we may be unable to estimate the possible loss or range of losses that could potentially result from the application of non-monetary remedies.

See also “Note 7 — Income Taxes.”

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Note 4 — EQUITY-METHOD INVESTMENTS

LivingSocial’s summarized condensed financial information, as provided to us by LivingSocial, is as follows (in millions):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2014			2013
Statement of Operations:
Revenue	$	77		$	108
Gross profit	62			82
Operating expenses	98			107
Operating loss from continuing operations	(36		)	(25		)
Net loss from continuing operations	(26		)	(26		)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations (1)	203			(19		)
Net income (loss)	$	177		$	(45	)

___________________


(1)	In January 2014, LivingSocial completed the sale of its Korean operations for approximately $260 million and recognized a gain on disposal of $205 million, net of tax. The statement of operations information above has been recast to present the Korean operations as discontinued operations.

As of March 31, 2014, our total investment in LivingSocial is approximately 31% of voting stock and has a book value of $100 million.

Note 5 — LONG-TERM DEBT

In November 2012, we issued $3.0 billion of unsecured senior notes in three tranches as described in the table below (collectively, the “Notes”). As of March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, the unamortized discount on the Notes was $22 million and $23 million. We also have other long-term debt with a carrying amount, including the current portion, of $953 million and $967 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The face value of our total long-term debt obligations is as follows (in millions):



	March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
0.65% Notes due on November 27, 2015	$	750		$	750
1.20% Notes due on November 29, 2017	1,000			1,000
2.50% Notes due on November 29, 2022	1,250			1,250
Other long-term debt	953			967
Total debt	3,953			3,967
Less current portion of long-term debt	(784		)	(753		)
Face value of long-term debt	$	3,169		$	3,214

The effective interest rates of the 2015, 2017, and 2022 Notes were 0.84%, 1.38%, and 2.66%. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears in May and November. We may redeem the Notes at any time in whole, or from time to time, in part at specified redemption prices. We are not subject to any financial covenants under the Notes. We used the net proceeds from the issuance of the Notes for general corporate purposes. The estimated fair value of the Notes was approximately $2.9 billion as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, which is based on quoted prices for our publicly-traded debt as of those dates.

The other debt, including the current portion, had a weighted average interest rate of 5.6% and 5.5% as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. We used the net proceeds from the issuance of the debt to primarily fund certain international operations. The estimated fair value of the other long-term debt, which is based on Level 2 inputs, approximated its carrying value as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

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Note 6 — STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Stock Repurchase Activity

In January 2010, our Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $2.0 billion of our common stock with no fixed expiration. We have $763 million remaining under the $2.0 billion repurchase program.

Stock Award Activity

Common shares outstanding plus shares underlying outstanding stock awards totaled 476 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. These totals include all vested and unvested stock awards outstanding, including those awards we estimate will be forfeited. The following table summarizes our restricted stock unit activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014 (in millions):



	Number of Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding as of December 31, 2013	16.3		$	233
Units granted	0.8		366
Units vested	(0.9	)	174
Units forfeited	(0.5	)	237
Outstanding as of March 31, 2014	15.7		$	243

Scheduled vesting for outstanding restricted stock units as of March 31, 2014, is as follows (in millions):



	Nine Months Ended December 31,	Year Ended December 31,
	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	Thereafter	Total
Scheduled vesting—restricted stock units	4.5	5.7	3.4	1.8	0.2	0.1	15.7

As of March 31, 2014, there was $1.6 billion of net unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock-based compensation arrangements. This compensation is recognized on an accelerated basis with approximately half of the compensation expected to be expensed in the next twelve months, and has a weighted average recognition period of 1.1 years.

Note 7 — INCOME TAXES

Our tax provision or benefit from income taxes for interim periods is determined using an estimate of our annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period. Each quarter we update our estimate of the annual effective tax rate, and if our estimated tax rate changes, we make a cumulative adjustment.

Our quarterly tax provision, and our quarterly estimate of our annual effective tax rate, is subject to significant variation due to several factors, including variability in accurately predicting our pre-tax and taxable income and loss and the mix of jurisdictions to which they relate, changes in how we do business, acquisitions (including integrations) and investments, audit developments, foreign currency gains (losses), changes in law, regulations, and administrative practices, and relative changes of expenses or losses for which tax benefits are not recognized. Additionally, our effective tax rate can be more or less volatile based on the amount of pre-tax income. For example, the impact of discrete items and non-deductible expenses on our effective tax rate is greater when our pre-tax income is lower.

In 2014, our effective tax rate will be significantly affected by the favorable impact of earnings in lower tax rate jurisdictions and the adverse effect of losses incurred in certain foreign jurisdictions for which we may not realize a tax benefit. Income earned in lower tax jurisdictions is primarily related to our European operations, which are headquartered in Luxembourg. Losses for which we may not realize a tax benefit, primarily due to losses of foreign subsidiaries, reduce our pre-tax income without a corresponding reduction in our tax expense, and therefore increase our effective tax rate. We have recorded valuation allowances against the deferred tax assets associated with losses for which we may not realize a related tax benefit. Our effective tax rate may also be adversely impacted by the amount of our pretax income relative to our income tax expense, nondeductible expenses, and changes in tax law such as the expiration of the U.S. federal research and development credit at the end of 2013.

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Tax expense for Q1 2014 was $73 million. In Q1 2013, we recognized an income tax benefit of $18 million, which included $46 million of discrete tax benefits primarily resulting from the retroactive reinstatement of the federal research and development credit that was enacted in January 2013.

Cash paid for income taxes (net of refunds) was $38 million and $86 million in Q1 2014 and Q1 2013.

As of March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, tax contingencies were $455 million and $407 million. We expect the total amount of tax contingencies will grow in 2014. In addition, changes in state, federal, and foreign tax laws may increase our tax contingencies. The timing of the resolution of income tax examinations is highly uncertain, and the amounts ultimately paid, if any, upon resolution of the issues raised by the taxing authorities may differ from the amounts accrued. It is reasonably possible that within the next 12 months we will receive additional assessments by various tax authorities or possibly reach resolution of income tax examinations in one or more jurisdictions. These assessments or settlements may or may not result in changes to our contingencies related to positions on prior years’ tax filings.

We are under examination, or may be subject to examination, by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for the calendar year 2005 or thereafter. These examinations may lead to ordinary course adjustments or proposed adjustments to our taxes or our net operating losses. As previously disclosed, we have received Notices of Proposed Adjustment from the IRS for the 2005 and 2006 calendar years relating to transfer pricing with our foreign subsidiaries. The IRS is seeking to increase our U.S. taxable income by an amount that would result in additional federal tax over a seven year period beginning in 2005, totaling approximately $1.5 billion, subject to interest. To date, we have not resolved this matter administratively and, in December 2012, we petitioned the U.S. Tax Court to resolve the matter. We continue to disagree with these IRS positions and intend to contest them vigorously.

Certain of our subsidiaries are under examination or investigation or may be subject to examination or investigation by the French Tax Administration (“FTA”) for calendar year 2006 or thereafter. These examinations may lead to ordinary course adjustments or proposed adjustments to our taxes. While we have not yet received a final assessment from the FTA, in September 2012, we received proposed tax assessment notices for calendar years 2006 through 2010 relating to the allocation of income between foreign jurisdictions. The notices propose additional French tax of approximately $250 million, including interest and penalties through the date of the assessment. We disagree with the proposed assessment and intend to contest it vigorously. We plan to pursue all available administrative remedies at the FTA, and if we are not able to resolve this matter with the FTA, we plan to pursue judicial remedies. We are also subject to taxation in various states and other foreign jurisdictions including China, Germany, India, Japan, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom. We are under, or may be subject to, audit or examination and additional assessments by these particular tax authorities for the calendar year 2003 and thereafter.

Note 8 — SEGMENT INFORMATION

We have organized our operations into two segments: North America and International. We present our segment information along the same lines that our Chief Executive Officer reviews our operating results in assessing performance and allocating resources.

We allocate to segment results the operating expenses “Fulfillment,” “Marketing,” “Technology and content,” and “General and administrative,” but exclude from our allocations the portions of these expense lines attributable to stock-based compensation. We do not allocate the line item “Other operating expense (income), net” to our segment operating results. A majority of our costs for “Technology and content” are incurred in the U.S. and most of these costs are allocated to our North America segment. There are no internal revenue transactions between our reporting segments.

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Information on reportable segments and reconciliation to consolidated net income is as follows (in millions):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2014			2013
North America
Net sales	$	11,858		$	9,391
Segment operating expenses (1)	11,296			8,934
Segment operating income	$	562		$	457
International
Net sales	$	7,883		$	6,679
Segment operating expenses (1)	7,943			6,695
Segment operating income (loss)	$	(60	)	$	(16	)
Consolidated
Net sales	$	19,741		$	16,070
Segment operating expenses (1)	19,239			15,629
Segment operating income	502			441
Stock-based compensation	(321		)	(229		)
Other operating income (expense), net	(35		)	(31		)
Income from operations	146			181
Total non-operating income (expense)	(26		)	(100		)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(73		)	18
Equity-method investment activity, net of tax	61			(17		)
Net income	$	108		$	82

___________________


(1)	Represents operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation and “Other operating expense (income), net,” which are not allocated to segments.

Net sales of similar products and services were as follows (in millions):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2014		2013
Net Sales:
Media	$	5,467	$	5,058
Electronics and other general merchandise	13,017		10,214
Other (1)	1,257		798
	$	19,741	$	16,070

___________________


(1)	Includes sales from non-retail activities, such as Amazon Web Services (“AWS”), advertising services, and our co-branded credit card agreements.

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Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding guidance, industry prospects, or future results of operations or financial position, made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking. We use words such as anticipates, believes, expects, future, intends, and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Actual results could differ materially for a variety of reasons, including, among others, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, changes in global economic conditions and consumer spending, world events, the rate of growth of the Internet and online commerce, the amount that Amazon.com invests in new business opportunities and the timing of those investments, the mix of products sold to customers, the mix of net sales derived from products as compared with services, the extent to which we owe income taxes, competition, management of growth, potential fluctuations in operating results, international growth and expansion, the outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment and data center optimization, risks of inventory management, seasonality, the degree to which the Company enters into, maintains, and develops commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, payments risks, and risks of fulfillment throughput and productivity. In addition, the current global economic climate amplifies many of these risks. These risks and uncertainties, as well as other risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ significantly from management’s expectations, are described in greater detail in Item 1A of Part II, “Risk Factors.”

For additional information, see Item 7 of Part II, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Overview” of our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Judgments

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The SEC has defined a company’s critical accounting policies as the ones that are most important to the portrayal of the company’s financial condition and results of operations, and which require the company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. Based on this definition, we have identified the critical accounting policies and judgments addressed below. We also have other key accounting policies, which involve the use of estimates, judgments, and assumptions that are significant to understanding our results. For additional information, see Item 8 of Part II, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Note 1 — Description of Business and Accounting Policies,” of our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Item 1 of Part I, “Financial Statements — Note 1 — Accounting Policies,” of this Form 10-Q. Although we believe that our estimates, assumptions, and judgments are reasonable, they are based upon information presently available. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions, judgments, or conditions.

Inventories

Inventories, consisting of products available for sale, are primarily accounted for using the first-in first-out (“FIFO”) method, and are valued at the lower of cost or market value. This valuation requires us to make judgments, based on currently-available information, about the likely method of disposition, such as through sales to individual customers, returns to product vendors, or liquidations, and expected recoverable values of each disposition category. These assumptions about future disposition of inventory are inherently uncertain and changes in our estimates and assumptions may cause us to realize material write-downs in the future. As a measure of sensitivity, for every 1% of additional inventory valuation allowance as of March 31, 2014, we would have recorded an additional cost of sales of approximately $75 million.

Goodwill

We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Our annual testing date is October 1. We test goodwill for impairment by first comparing the book value of net assets to the fair value of the reporting units. If the fair value is determined to be less than the book value or qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, a second step is performed to compute the amount of impairment as the difference between the estimated fair value of goodwill and the carrying value. We estimate the fair value of the reporting units using discounted cash flows. Forecasts of future cash flows are based on our best estimate of future net sales and operating expenses, based primarily on expected category expansion, pricing, market segment share, and general economic conditions. Certain estimates of discounted cash flows involve businesses and geographies with limited financial history and developing revenue models. Changes in these forecasts could significantly change the amount of impairment recorded, if any.

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During the quarter, management monitored the actual performance of the business relative to the fair value assumptions used during our annual goodwill impairment test. For the periods presented, no triggering events were identified that required an update to our annual impairment test. As a measure of sensitivity, a 10% decrease in the fair value of any of our reporting units as of December 31, 2013 would have had no impact on the carrying value of our goodwill.

Financial and credit market volatility directly impacts our fair value measurement through our weighted average cost of capital that we use to determine our discount rate and through our stock price that we use to determine our market capitalization. During times of volatility, significant judgment must be applied to determine whether credit or stock price changes are a short-term swing or a longer-term trend. We have not made any significant changes to the accounting methodology used to evaluate goodwill impairment. Changes in our estimated future cash flows and asset fair values may cause us to realize material impairment charges in the future. As a measure of sensitivity, a prolonged 20% decrease from our March 31, 2014 closing stock price would not be an indicator of possible impairment.

Stock-Based Compensation

We measure compensation cost for stock awards at fair value and recognize it as compensation expense over the service period for awards expected to vest. The fair value of restricted stock units is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of our common stock. The estimation of stock awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment for the amount that will be forfeited, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from our current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are revised. We consider many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including employee class, economic environment, and historical experience. We update our estimated forfeiture rate quarterly. We have not made any significant changes to the accounting methodology used to evaluate stock-based compensation. Changes in our estimates and assumptions may cause us to realize material changes in stock-based compensation expense in the future. As a measure of sensitivity, a 1% change to our estimated forfeiture rate would have had an approximately $29 million impact on our Q1 2014 operating income. Our estimated forfeiture rate as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was 27%.

We utilize the accelerated method, rather than the straight-line method, for recognizing compensation expense. For example, over 50% of the compensation cost related to an award vesting ratably over four years is expensed in the first year. If forfeited early in the life of an award, the compensation expense adjustment is much greater under an accelerated method than under a straight-line method.

Income Taxes

We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating and estimating our provision and accruals for these taxes. During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Our effective tax rates could be adversely affected by earnings being lower than anticipated in countries where we have lower statutory rates and higher than anticipated in countries where we have higher statutory rates, losses incurred in jurisdictions for which we are not able to realize the related tax benefit, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, entry into new businesses and geographies and changes to our existing businesses, acquisitions (including integrations) and investments, changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, or changes in the relevant tax, accounting, and other laws, regulations, administrative practices, principles, and interpretations, including fundamental changes to the tax laws applicable to corporate multinationals. The U.S., many countries in the European Union, and a number of other countries are actively considering changes in this regard. In addition, we are subject to audit in various jurisdictions, and such jurisdictions may assess additional income tax liabilities against us. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the final outcome of tax audits and any related litigation could be materially different from our historical income tax provisions and accruals. Developments in an audit, litigation, or the relevant laws, regulations, administrative practices, principles, and interpretations could have a material effect on our operating results or cash flows in the period or periods for which that development occurs, as well as for prior and subsequent periods.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash flow information is as follows (in millions):



	Three Months Ended March 31,						Twelve Months Ended March 31,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Operating activities	$	(2,502	)	$	(2,372	)	$	5,345		$	4,245
Investing activities	(924		)	(950		)	(4,250		)	(4,995		)
Financing activities	(175		)	(157		)	(557		)	3,106

Our financial focus is on long-term, sustainable growth in free cash flow¹. Free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $1.5 billion for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $177 million for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2013. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for a reconciliation of free cash flow to cash provided by operating activities. The increase in free cash flow for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2014, compared to the comparable prior year period, was primarily due to higher operating cash flows and decreased capital expenditures. Operating cash flows and free cash flows can be volatile and are sensitive to many factors, including changes in working capital², the timing and magnitude of capital expenditures, and our net income. Working capital at any specific point in time is subject to many variables, including seasonality, inventory management and category expansion, the timing of cash receipts and payments, vendor payment terms, and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.

Our principal sources of liquidity are cash flows generated from operations and our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities balances, which, at fair value, were $8.7 billion and $12.4 billion as of March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013. Amounts held in foreign currencies were $3.7 billion and $5.6 billion as of March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, and were primarily British Pounds, Chinese Yuan, Euros, Hong Kong Dollars, and Japanese Yen.

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities was $(2.5) billion and $(2.4) billion for Q1 2014 and Q1 2013. Our operating cash flows result primarily from cash received from our consumer, seller, and enterprise customers, advertising agreements, and our co-branded credit card agreements, offset by cash payments we make for products and services, employee compensation (less amounts capitalized related to internal use software that are reflected as cash used in investing activities), payment processing and related transaction costs, operating leases, and interest payments on our long-term obligations. Cash received from our consumer, seller, and enterprise customers, and other activities generally corresponds to our net sales. Because consumers primarily use credit cards to buy from us, our receivables from consumers settle quickly. The increase in operating cash flow for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2014, compared to the comparable prior year period, was primarily due to the increase in net income, excluding depreciation, amortization, and stock-based compensation, partially offset by changes in working capital.

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities corresponds with capital expenditures, including leasehold improvements, internal-use software and website development costs, cash outlays for acquisitions, investments in other companies and intellectual property rights, and purchases, sales, and maturities of marketable securities. Cash provided by (used in) investing activities was $(924) million and $(950) million for Q1 2014 and Q1 2013, with the variability caused primarily by changes in capital expenditures, purchases, maturities, and sales of marketable securities and other investments, and changes in cash paid for acquisitions. Capital expenditures were $1.1 billion and $670 million during Q1 2014 and Q1 2013, with the increase primarily reflecting additional investments in support of continued business growth due to investments in technology infrastructure, including AWS, and additional capacity to support our fulfillment operations. We expect this trend to continue over time. Capital expenditures included $128 million and $111 million for internal-use software and website development during Q1 2014 and Q1 2013. Stock-based compensation capitalized for internal-use software and website development costs does not affect cash flows. We made cash payments, net of acquired cash, related to acquisition and other investment activity of $0 and $103 million during Q1 2014 and Q1 2013.

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities was $(175) million and $(157) million for Q1 2014 and Q1 2013. Cash outflows from financing activities result from payments on obligations related to capital leases and leases accounted for as financing arrangements and repayments of long-term debt. Payments on obligations related to capital leases and leases accounted for as financing arrangements and repayments of long-term debt were $361 million and $182 million in Q1 2014 and

______________________


⁽¹⁾	Free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property and equipment, including internal-use software and website development, both of which are presented on our consolidated statements of cash flows. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.


⁽²⁾	Working capital consists of accounts receivable, inventory, and accounts payable.

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Q1 2013. Property and equipment acquired under capital leases were $716 million and $340 million during Q1 2014 and Q1 2013, with the increase primarily reflecting additional investments in support of continued business growth due to investments in technology infrastructure, including AWS. Cash inflows from financing activities primarily result from proceeds from long-term debt and tax benefits relating to excess stock-based compensation deductions. Proceeds from long-term debt and other were $65 million and $25 million in Q1 2014 and Q1 2013. Tax benefits relating to excess stock-based compensation deductions are presented as financing cash flows. Cash inflows from tax benefits related to stock-based compensation deductions were $121 million for Q1 2014 and $0 for Q1 2013.

We recorded a tax provision of $73 million in Q1 2014 and a tax benefit of $18 million in Q1 2013. Except as required under U.S. tax law, we do not provide for U.S. taxes on our undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that have not been previously taxed since we intend to invest such undistributed earnings indefinitely outside of the U.S. If our intent changes or if these funds are needed for our U.S. operations, we would be required to accrue or pay U.S. taxes on some or all of these undistributed earnings. We have tax benefits relating to excess stock-based compensation deductions that are being utilized to reduce our U.S. taxable income. In 2013, we also had accelerated depreciation deductions on qualifying property that reduced our U.S. taxable income as a result of U.S. legislation that expired in December 2013. As such, cash taxes paid (net of refunds) were $38 million and $86 million for Q1 2014 and Q1 2013. As of December 31, 2013, our federal net operating loss carryforward was approximately $275 million and we had approximately $295 million of federal tax credits potentially available to offset future tax liabilities. The U.S. federal research and development credit expired in December 2013. As we utilize our federal net operating losses and tax credits, we expect cash paid for taxes to significantly increase. We endeavor to optimize our global taxes on a cash basis, rather than on a financial reporting basis.

Our liquidity is also affected by restricted cash balances that are pledged as collateral for standby letters of credit, guarantees, debt, and real estate lease agreements. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, restricted cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were $336 million and $301 million. To the extent we process payments for third-party sellers or offer certain types of stored value to our customers, some jurisdictions may restrict our use of those funds. This restriction would result in the reclassification of a portion of our cash and cash equivalents from “Cash and cash equivalents” to “Accounts receivable, net and other” on our consolidated balance sheets. See Item 1 of Part I, “Financial Statements — Note 3 — Commitments and Contingencies” for additional discussion of our principal contractual commitments, as well as our pledged assets. Purchase obligations and open purchase orders, consisting of inventory and significant non-inventory commitments, were $4.6 billion as of March 31, 2014. Purchase obligations and open purchase orders are generally cancellable in full or in part through the contractual provisions.

Because of our model we are able to turn our inventory quickly and have a cash-generating operating cycle³. On average, our high inventory velocity means we generally collect from consumers before our payments to suppliers come due. Inventory turnover⁴ was 9 and 10 for Q1 2014 and Q1 2013. We expect variability in inventory turnover over time since it is affected by several factors, including our product mix, the mix of sales by us and by other sellers, our continuing focus on in-stock inventory availability and selection of product offerings, our investment in new geographies and product lines, and the extent to which we choose to utilize outsource fulfillment providers.

We believe that cash flows generated from operations and our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities balances will be sufficient to meet our anticipated operating cash needs for at least the next 12 months. However, any projections of future cash needs and cash flows are subject to substantial uncertainty. See Item 1A of Part II, “Risk Factors.” We continually evaluate opportunities to sell additional equity or debt securities, obtain credit facilities, repurchase common stock, pay dividends, or repurchase, refinance, or otherwise restructure our debt for strategic reasons or to further strengthen our financial position. The sale of additional equity or convertible debt securities would likely be dilutive to our shareholders. In addition, we will, from time to time, consider the acquisition of, or investment in, complementary businesses, products, services, and technologies, which might affect our liquidity requirements or cause us to issue additional equity or debt securities. There can be no assurance that additional lines-of-credit or financing instruments will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all.

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⁽³⁾	The operating cycle is number of days of sales in inventory plus number of days of sales in accounts receivable minus accounts payable days.


⁽⁴⁾	Inventory turnover is the quotient of trailing twelve month cost of sales to average inventory over five quarter ends.

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Results of Operations

Net Sales

Net sales include product and services sales. Product sales represent revenue from the sale of products and related shipping fees and digital content where we are the seller of record. Services sales represent third-party seller fees earned (including commissions) and related shipping fees, digital content subscriptions, and non-retail activities such as AWS, advertising services, and our co-branded credit card agreements. Amazon Prime membership fees are allocated between product sales and services sales and amortized over the life of the membership according to the estimated delivery of services. Net sales information is as follows (in millions):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2014			2013
Net Sales:
North America	$	11,858		$	9,391
International	7,883			6,679
Consolidated	$	19,741		$	16,070
Year-over-year Percentage Growth:
North America	26		%	26		%
International	18			16
Consolidated	23			22
Year-over-year Percentage Growth, excluding effect of exchange rates:
North America	26		%	26		%
International	18			21
Consolidated	23			24
Net Sales Mix:
North America	60		%	58		%
International	40			42
Consolidated	100		%	100		%

Sales increased 23% in Q1 2014, compared to the comparable prior year period. Changes in currency exchange rates impacted net sales by $10 million and $(302) million for Q1 2014 and Q1 2013. For a discussion of the effect on sales growth of exchange rates, see “Effect of Exchange Rates” below.

North America sales increased 26% in Q1 2014, compared to the comparable prior year period. The sales growth primarily reflects increased unit sales, including sales by marketplace sellers, and AWS. Increased unit sales were driven largely by our continued efforts to reduce prices for our customers, including from our shipping offers, by sales in faster growing categories such as electronics and other general merchandise, by increased in-stock inventory availability, and by increased selection of product offerings. Due to AWS pricing changes, we expect future AWS revenue to be difficult to predict.

International sales increased 18% in Q1 2014, compared to the comparable prior year period. The sales growth primarily reflects increased unit sales, including sales by marketplace sellers. Increased unit sales were driven largely by our continued efforts to reduce prices for our customers, including from our shipping offers, by sales in faster growing categories such as electronics and other general merchandise, by increased in-stock inventory availability, and by increased selection of product offerings. Additionally, changes in currency exchange rates impacted International net sales by $24 million and $(301) million for Q1 2014 and Q1 2013. We expect that, over time, our International segment will represent 50% or more of our consolidated net sales.

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Supplemental Information

Supplemental information about outbound shipping results is as follows (in millions):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2014			2013
Outbound Shipping Activity:
Shipping revenue (1)(2)(3)	$	849		$	633
Shipping costs	(1,829		)	(1,396		)
Net shipping cost	$	(980	)	$	(763	)
Year-over-year Percentage Growth:
Shipping revenue	34		%	37		%
Shipping costs	31			24
Net shipping cost	28			14
Percent of Net Sales:
Shipping revenue	4.3		%	4.0		%
Shipping costs	(9.3		)	(8.7		)
Net shipping cost	(5.0		)%	(4.7		)%

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(1)	Excludes amounts earned on shipping activities by third-party sellers where we do not provide the fulfillment service.


(2)	Includes a portion of amounts earned from Amazon Prime memberships.


(3)	Includes amounts earned from Fulfillment by Amazon programs related to shipping services.

We expect our net cost of shipping to continue to increase to the extent our customers accept and use our shipping offers at an increasing rate, our product mix shifts to the electronics and other general merchandise category, we reduce shipping rates, we use more expensive shipping methods, and we offer additional services. We seek to mitigate costs of shipping over time in part through achieving higher sales volumes, optimizing placement of fulfillment centers, negotiating better terms with our suppliers, and achieving better operating efficiencies. We believe that offering low prices to our customers is fundamental to our future success, and one way we offer lower prices is through shipping offers.

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Net sales by similar products and services were as follows (in millions):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2014			2013
Net Sales:
North America
Media	$	2,825		$	2,513
Electronics and other general merchandise	7,829			6,128
Other (1)	1,204			750
Total North America	$	11,858		$	9,391
International
Media	$	2,642		$	2,545
Electronics and other general merchandise	5,188			4,086
Other (1)	53			48
Total International	$	7,883		$	6,679
Consolidated
Media	$	5,467		$	5,058
Electronics and other general merchandise	13,017			10,214
Other (1)	1,257			798
Total consolidated	$	19,741		$	16,070
Year-over-year Percentage Growth:
North America
Media	12		%	14		%
Electronics and other general merchandise	28			28
Other	60			64
Total North America	26			26
International
Media	4		%	1		%
Electronics and other general merchandise	27			28
Other	13			14
Total International	18			16
Consolidated
Media	8		%	7		%
Electronics and other general merchandise	27			28
Other	58			59
Total consolidated	23			22
Year-over-year Percentage Growth:
Excluding the effect of exchange rates
International
Media	4		%	7		%
Electronics and other general merchandise	26			32
Other	11			18
Total International	18			21
Consolidated
Media	8		%	10		%
Electronics and other general merchandise	27			30
Other	58			60
Total consolidated	23			24
Consolidated Net Sales Mix:
Media	28		%	31		%
Electronics and other general merchandise	66			64
Other	6			5
Total consolidated	100		%	100		%

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(1)	Includes sales from non-retail activities, such as AWS sales, which are included in the North America segment, and advertising services and our co-branded credit card agreements, which are included in both segments.

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Operating Expenses

Information about operating expenses with and without stock-based compensation is as follows (in millions):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2014									2013
	As Reported			Stock-Based Compensation			Net			As Reported			Stock-Based Compensation			Net
Operating Expenses:
Cost of sales	$	14,055		$	—		$	14,055		$	11,801		$	—		$	11,801
Fulfillment	2,317			(81		)	2,236			1,796			(61		)	1,735
Marketing	870			(27		)	843			632			(16		)	616
Technology and content	1,991			(169		)	1,822			1,383			(120		)	1,263
General and administrative	327			(44		)	283			246			(32		)	214
Other operating expense (income), net	35			—			35			31			—			31
Total operating expenses	$	19,595		$	(321	)	$	19,274		$	15,889		$	(229	)	$	15,660
Year-over-year Percentage Growth:
Fulfillment	29		%				29		%	39		%				38		%
Marketing	38						37			32						32
Technology and content	44						44			46						47
General and administrative	33						32			23						23
Percent of Net Sales:
Fulfillment	11.7		%				11.3		%	11.2		%				10.8		%
Marketing	4.4						4.3			3.9						3.8
Technology and content	10.1						9.2			8.6						7.9
General and administrative	1.7						1.4			1.5						1.3

Operating expenses without stock-based compensation are non-GAAP financial measures. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales consists of the purchase price of consumer products and digital content where we are the seller of record, including Prime Instant Video, inbound and outbound shipping charges, and packaging supplies. Shipping charges to receive products from our suppliers are included in our inventory, and recognized as cost of sales upon sale of products to our customers.

The increase in cost of sales in absolute dollars in Q1 2014, compared to the comparable prior year period, is primarily due to increased product, digital content, and shipping costs resulting from increased sales, as well as from expansion of digital offerings.

Consolidated gross profit and gross margin for each of the periods presented were as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2014			2013
Gross profit (in millions)	$	5,686		$	4,269
Gross margin	28.8		%	26.6		%

Gross margin increased in Q1 2014, compared to the comparable prior year period, primarily due to services sales increasing as a percentage of total sales. Services sales represent third-party seller fees earned (including commissions) and related shipping fees, and non-retail activities such as AWS, advertising services, and our co-branded credit card agreements.

We believe that income from operations is a more meaningful measure than gross profit and gross margin due to the diversity of our product categories and services.

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Fulfillment

Fulfillment costs as a percentage of net sales may vary due to several factors, such as payment processing and related transaction costs, our level of productivity and accuracy, changes in volume, size, and weight of units received and fulfilled, timing of fulfillment capacity expansion, the extent we utilize fulfillment services provided by third parties, mix of products and services sold, and our ability to affect customer service contacts per unit by implementing improvements in our operations and enhancements to our customer self-service features. Additionally, because payment processing and fulfillment costs associated with seller transactions are based on the gross purchase price of underlying transactions, and payment processing and related transaction and fulfillment costs are higher as a percentage of sales versus our retail sales, sales by our sellers have higher fulfillment costs as a percent of net sales.

The increase in fulfillment costs in absolute dollars in Q1 2014, compared to the comparable prior year period, is primarily due to variable costs corresponding with increased physical and digital product and services sales volume, inventory levels, and sales mix; costs from expanding fulfillment capacity; and payment processing and related transaction costs.

We seek to expand our fulfillment capacity to accommodate greater selection and in-stock inventory levels and meet anticipated shipment volumes from sales of our own products as well as sales by third parties for which we provide the fulfillment services. We evaluate our facility requirements as necessary.

Marketing

We direct customers to our websites primarily through a number of targeted online marketing channels, such as our Associates program, sponsored search, portal advertising, email marketing campaigns, and other initiatives. Our marketing expenses are largely variable, based on growth in sales and changes in rates. To the extent there is increased or decreased competition for these traffic sources, or to the extent our mix of these channels shifts, we would expect to see a corresponding change in our marketing expense.

The increase in marketing costs in absolute dollars in Q1 2014, compared to the comparable prior year period, is primarily due to increased spending on online marketing channels, such as our sponsored search programs and our Associates program, payroll and related expenses, and television advertising.

While costs associated with Amazon Prime memberships and other shipping offers are not included in marketing expense, we view these offers as effective worldwide marketing tools, and intend to continue offering them indefinitely.

Technology and Content

We seek to efficiently invest in several areas of technology and content such as technology infrastructure, including AWS, expansion of new and existing product categories and offerings, and initiatives to expand our ecosystem of digital products and services, as well as in technology infrastructure so we may continue to enhance the customer experience and improve our process efficiency. We expect spending in technology and content to increase over time as we continue to add employees and technology infrastructure.

The increase in technology and content costs in absolute dollars in Q1 2014, compared to the comparable prior year period, is primarily due to increases in payroll and related expenses, including those associated with our initiatives to expand our ecosystem of digital products and services, and increased spending on technology infrastructure, including AWS. We expect these trends to continue over time as we invest in these areas by increasing payroll and related expenses and adding technology infrastructure. See Item 7 of Part II, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Overview” of our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of how management views advances in technology and the importance of innovation.

During Q1 2014 and Q1 2013, we capitalized $150 million (including $22 million of stock-based compensation) and $130 million (including $19 million of stock-based compensation) of costs associated with internal-use software and website development. Amortization of previously capitalized amounts was $133 million and $101 million for Q1 2014 and Q1 2013. A majority of our technology costs are incurred in the U.S., most of which are allocated to our North America segment. Infrastructure, other technology, and operating costs incurred to support AWS are included in technology and content.

General and Administrative

The increase in general and administrative costs in absolute dollars in Q1 2014, compared to the comparable prior year period, is primarily due to increases in payroll and related expenses.

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Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation was $321 million and $229 million during Q1 2014 and Q1 2013. The increase is primarily due to an increase in the number of stock-based compensation awards granted to existing and new employees.

Other Operating Expense (Income), Net

Other operating expense (income), net was $35 million and $31 million for Q1 2014 and Q1 2013, and was primarily related to the amortization of intangible assets.

Income from Operations

For the reasons discussed above, income from operations decreased 19% to $146 million in Q1 2014, from $181 million in Q1 2013.

Interest Income and Expense

Our interest income was $11 million and $10 million during Q1 2014 and Q1 2013. We generally invest our excess cash in investment grade short- to intermediate-term fixed income securities and AAA-rated money market funds. Our interest income corresponds with the average balance of invested funds and the prevailing rates we are earning on them, which vary depending on the geographies and currencies in which they are invested.

The primary components of our interest expense are related to our long-term debt and capital and financing lease arrangements. Interest expense was $42 million and $33 million during Q1 2014 and Q1 2013.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net was $5 million and $(77) million during Q1 2014 and Q1 2013. The primary component of other income (expense), net is related to foreign-currency gains (losses).

Income Taxes

In 2014, our effective tax rate will be significantly affected by the favorable impact of earnings in lower tax rate jurisdictions and the adverse effect of losses incurred in certain foreign jurisdictions for which we may not realize a tax benefit. Income earned in lower tax jurisdictions is primarily related to our European operations, which are headquartered in Luxembourg. Losses for which we may not realize a related tax benefit, primarily due to losses of foreign subsidiaries, reduce our pre-tax income without a corresponding reduction in our tax expense, and therefore increase our effective tax rate. We have recorded valuation allowances against the deferred tax assets associated with losses for which we may not realize a related tax benefit. Our effective tax rate may also be adversely impacted by the amount of our pretax income relative to our income tax expense, nondeductible expenses, and changes in tax law such as the expiration of the U.S. federal research and development credit at the end of 2013.

Income tax expense for Q1 2014 was $73 million. In Q1 2013, we recognized an income tax benefit of $18 million, which included $46 million of discrete tax benefits primarily resulting from the retroactive reinstatement of the federal research and development credit that was enacted in January 2013.

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Equity-Method Investment Activity, Net of Tax

Equity-method investment activity, net of tax, was $61 million and $(17) million during Q1 2014 and Q1 2013. The primary component of this activity during Q1 2014 was our share of a gain recorded by LivingSocial related to the sale of its Korean operations. This gain was partially offset by operating losses incurred by LivingSocial during the period.

Effect of Exchange Rates

The effect on our consolidated statements of operations from changes in exchange rates versus the U.S. Dollar is as follows (in millions):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2014							2013
	At Prior Year Rates (1)		Exchange Rate Effect (2)			As Reported		At Prior Year Rates (1)		Exchange Rate Effect (2)			As Reported
Net sales	$	19,731	$	10		$	19,741	$	16,372	$	(302	)	$	16,070
Operating expenses	19,603		(8		)	19,595		16,179		(290		)	15,889
Income from operations	128		18			146		193		(12		)	181

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(1)	Represents the outcome that would have resulted had exchange rates in the reported period been the same as those in effect in the comparable prior year period for operating results.


(2)	Represents the increase or decrease in reported amounts resulting from changes in exchange rates from those in effect in the comparable prior year period for operating results.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Regulation G, Conditions for Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures, and other SEC regulations define and prescribe the conditions for use of certain non-GAAP financial information. Our measures of “Free cash flow,” operating expenses with and without stock-based compensation, and the effect of exchange rates on our consolidated statements of operations, meet the definition of non-GAAP financial measures.

Free cash flow is used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP and free cash flow should not be relied upon to the exclusion of GAAP financial measures.

Free cash flow, which we reconcile to “Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities,” is cash flow from operations reduced by “Purchases of property and equipment, including internal-use software and website development,” which are included in cash flow from investing activities. We use free cash flow, and ratios based on it, to conduct and evaluate our business because, although it is similar to cash flow from operations, we believe it typically will present a more conservative measure of cash flow from operations since purchases of property and equipment, including internal-use software and website development, are a necessary component of ongoing operations.

Free cash flow has limitations due to the fact that it does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures. For example, free cash flow does not incorporate the portion of payments representing principal reductions of debt, property and equipment acquired under capital leases and other leases accounted for as financing arrangements, or cash payments for business acquisitions. Therefore, we believe it is important to view free cash flow as a complement to our entire consolidated statements of cash flows.

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The following is a reconciliation of free cash flow to the most comparable GAAP measure, “Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities,” for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in millions):



	Twelve Months Ended March 31,
	2014			2013
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	5,345		$	4,245
Purchases of property and equipment, including internal-use software and website development	(3,854		)	(4,068		)
Free cash flow	$	1,491		$	177
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	$	(4,250	)	$	(4,995	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	$	(557	)	$	3,106

Operating expenses with and without stock-based compensation is provided to show the impact of stock-based compensation, which is non-cash and excluded from our internal operating plans and measurement of financial performance (although we consider the dilutive impact to our shareholders when awarding stock-based compensation and value such awards accordingly). In addition, unlike other centrally-incurred operating costs, stock-based compensation is not allocated to segment results and therefore excluding it from operating expenses is consistent with our segment presentation in our footnotes to the consolidated financial statements.

Operating expenses without stock-based compensation has limitations since it does not include all expenses primarily related to our workforce. More specifically, if we did not pay out a portion of our compensation in the form of stock-based compensation, our cash salary expense included in the “Fulfillment,” “Marketing,” “Technology and content,” and “General and administrative” line items would be higher.

Information regarding the effect of exchange rates, versus the U.S. Dollar, on our consolidated statements of operations is provided to show reported period operating results had the exchange rates remained the same as those in effect in the comparable prior year period.

Guidance

We provided guidance on April 24, 2014, in our earnings release furnished on Form 8-K as set forth below. These forward-looking statements reflect Amazon.com’s expectations as of April 24, 2014, and are subject to substantial uncertainty. Our results are inherently unpredictable and may be materially affected by many factors, such as fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, changes in global economic conditions and consumer spending, world events, the rate of growth of the Internet and online commerce, as well as those outlined in Item 1A of Part II, “Risk Factors.”

Second Quarter 2014 Guidance


•	Net sales are expected to be between $18.1 billion and $19.8 billion, or to grow between 15% and 26% compared with second quarter 2013.


•	Operating income (loss) is expected to be between $(455) million and $(55) million, compared to $79 million in second quarter 2013.


•	This guidance includes approximately $455 million for stock-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets, and it assumes, among other things, that no additional business acquisitions, investments, restructurings, or legal settlements are concluded and that there are no further revisions to stock-based compensation estimates.



Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk for the effect of interest rate changes, foreign currency fluctuations, and changes in the market values of our investments. Information relating to quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk is set forth below and in Item 2 of Part I, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

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Interest Rate Risk

Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment portfolio and our long-term debt. The fair value of our debt will generally fluctuate with movements of interest rates, increasing in periods of declining rates of interest and declining in periods of increasing rates of interest. All of our cash equivalent and marketable fixed income securities are designated as available-for-sale and, accordingly, are presented at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets. We generally invest our excess cash in investment grade short- to intermediate-term fixed income securities and AAA-rated money market funds. Fixed rate securities may have their fair market value adversely affected due to a rise in interest rates, and we may suffer losses in principal if forced to sell securities that have declined in market value due to changes in interest rates.

Foreign Exchange Risk

During Q1 2014, net sales from our International segment accounted for 40% of our consolidated revenues. Net sales and related expenses generated from our internationally focused websites, as well as those relating to www.amazon.ca (which is included in our North America segment), are denominated in the functional currencies of the corresponding websites and primarily include British Pounds, Chinese Yuan, Euros, Hong Kong Dollars, and Japanese Yen. The results of operations of, and certain of our intercompany balances associated with, our internationally-focused websites are exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Upon consolidation, as exchange rates vary, net sales and other operating results may differ materially from expectations, and we may record significant gains or losses on the remeasurement of intercompany balances. For example, as a result of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates throughout the period compared to rates in effect the prior year, International segment revenues in Q1 2014 increased by $24 million in comparison with Q1 2013.

We have foreign exchange risk related to foreign-denominated cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities (“foreign funds”). Based on the balance of foreign funds as of March 31, 2014, of $3.7 billion, an assumed 5%, 10%, and 20% negative currency movement would result in fair value declines of $185 million, $365 million, and $730 million. All investments are classified as “available-for-sale.” Fluctuations in fair value are recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss,” a separate component of stockholders’ equity.

We have foreign exchange risk related to our intercompany balances denominated in various foreign currencies. Based on the intercompany balances as of March 31, 2014, an assumed 5%, 10%, and 20% adverse change to foreign exchange would result in losses of $65 million, $135 million, and $305 million, recorded to “Other income (expense), net.”

See Item 2 of Part I, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Results of Operations — Effect of Exchange Rates” for additional information on the effect on reported results of changes in exchange rates.

Investment Risk

As of March 31, 2014, our recorded basis in equity investments was $188 million. These investments primarily relate to equity method and cost method investments in private companies. We review our investments for impairment when events and circumstances indicate that the decline in fair value of such assets below the carrying value is other-than-temporary. Our analysis includes review of recent operating results and trends, recent sales/acquisitions of the investee securities, and other publicly available data. The current global economic climate provides additional uncertainty. Valuations of private companies are inherently more difficult due to the lack of readily available market data. As such, we believe that market sensitivities are not practicable.



Item 4.	Controls and Procedures

We carried out an evaluation required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”), under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the 1934 Act, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the 1934 Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and to provide reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

During the most recent fiscal quarter, there has not occurred any change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives as specified above. Management does not expect, however, that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent or detect all error and fraud. Any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, is based upon certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that its objectives will be met. Further, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION



Item 1.	Legal Proceedings

See Item 1 of Part I, “Financial Statements — Note 3 — Commitments and Contingencies — Legal Proceedings.”



Item 1A.	Risk Factors

Please carefully consider the following risk factors. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition, operating results, and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. In addition, the current global economic climate amplifies many of these risks.

We Face Intense Competition

Our businesses are rapidly evolving and intensely competitive, and we have many competitors in different industries, including retail, e-commerce services, digital content and electronic devices, and web and infrastructure computing services. Some of our current and potential competitors have greater resources, longer histories, more customers, and/or greater brand recognition. They may secure better terms from vendors, adopt more aggressive pricing, and devote more resources to technology, infrastructure, fulfillment, and marketing.

Competition may intensify as our competitors enter into business combinations or alliances and established companies in other market segments expand to become competitive with our business. In addition, new and enhanced technologies, including search, web and infrastructure computing services, digital content, and electronic devices, may increase our competition. The Internet facilitates competitive entry and comparison shopping, and increased competition may reduce our sales and profits.

Our Expansion Places a Significant Strain on our Management, Operational, Financial, and Other Resources

We are rapidly and significantly expanding our global operations, including increasing our product and service offerings and scaling our infrastructure to support our retail and services businesses. This expansion increases the complexity of our business and places significant strain on our management, personnel, operations, systems, technical performance, financial resources, and internal financial control and reporting functions. We may not be able to manage growth effectively, which could damage our reputation, limit our growth, and negatively affect our operating results.

Our Expansion into New Products, Services, Technologies, and Geographic Regions Subjects Us to Additional Business, Legal, Financial, and Competitive Risks

We may have limited or no experience in our newer market segments, and our customers may not adopt our new offerings. These offerings may present new and difficult technology challenges, and we may be subject to claims if customers of these offerings experience service disruptions or failures or other quality issues. In addition, profitability, if any, in our newer activities may be lower than in our older activities, and we may not be successful enough in these newer activities to recoup our investments in them. If any of this were to occur, it could damage our reputation, limit our growth, and negatively affect our operating results.

We May Experience Significant Fluctuations in Our Operating Results and Growth Rate

We may not be able to accurately forecast our growth rate. We base our expense levels and investment plans on sales estimates. A significant portion of our expenses and investments is fixed, and we may not be able to adjust our spending quickly enough if our sales are less than expected.

Our revenue growth may not be sustainable, and our percentage growth rates may decrease. Our revenue and operating profit growth depends on the continued growth of demand for the products and services offered by us or our sellers, and our business is affected by general economic and business conditions worldwide. A softening of demand, whether caused by changes in customer preferences or a weakening of the U.S. or global economies, may result in decreased revenue or growth.

Our sales and operating results will also fluctuate for many other reasons, including due to risks described elsewhere in this section and the following:


•	our ability to retain and increase sales to existing customers, attract new customers, and satisfy our customers’ demands;

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•	our ability to retain and expand our network of sellers;


•	our ability to offer products on favorable terms, manage inventory, and fulfill orders;


•	the introduction of competitive websites, products, services, price decreases, or improvements;


•	changes in usage or adoption rates of the Internet, e-commerce, electronic devices, and web services, including outside the U.S.;


•	timing, effectiveness, and costs of expansion and upgrades of our systems and infrastructure;


•	the success of our geographic, service, and product line expansions;


•	the extent to which we finance, and the terms of any such financing for, our current operations and future growth;


•	the outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, which may include significant monetary damages or injunctive relief and could have a material adverse impact on our operating results;


•	variations in the mix of products and services we sell;


•	variations in our level of merchandise and vendor returns;


•	the extent to which we offer free shipping, continue to reduce prices worldwide, and provide additional benefits to our customers;


•	the extent to which we invest in technology and content, fulfillment, and other expense categories;


•	increases in the prices of fuel and gasoline, as well as increases in the prices of other energy products and commodities like paper and packing supplies;


•	the extent to which our equity-method investees record significant operating and non-operating items;


•	the extent to which operators of the networks between our customers and our websites successfully charge fees to grant our customers unimpaired and unconstrained access to our online services;


•	our ability to collect amounts owed to us when they become due;


•	the extent to which use of our services is affected by spyware, viruses, phishing and other spam emails, denial of service attacks, data theft, computer intrusions, outages, and similar events; and


•	terrorist attacks and armed hostilities.

We May Not Be Successful in Our Efforts to Expand into International Market Segments

Our international activities are significant to our revenues and profits, and we plan to further expand internationally. In certain international market segments, we have relatively little operating experience and may not benefit from any first-to-market advantages or otherwise succeed. It is costly to establish, develop, and maintain international operations and websites, and promote our brand internationally. Our international operations may not be profitable on a sustained basis.

In addition to risks described elsewhere in this section, our international sales and operations are subject to a number of risks, including:


•	local economic and political conditions;


•	government regulation of e-commerce and other services, electronic devices, and competition, and restrictive governmental actions (such as trade protection measures, including export duties and quotas and custom duties and tariffs), nationalization, and restrictions on foreign ownership;

•

restrictions on sales or distribution of certain products or services and uncertainty regarding liability for products, services, and content, including uncertainty as a result of less Internet-friendly legal systems, local laws, lack of legal precedent, and varying rules, regulations, and practices regarding the physical and digital distribution of media products and enforcement of intellectual property rights;


•	business licensing or certification requirements, such as for imports, exports, web services, and electronic devices;


•	limitations on the repatriation and investment of funds and foreign currency exchange restrictions;


•	limited fulfillment and technology infrastructure;


•	shorter payable and longer receivable cycles and the resultant negative impact on cash flow;

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•	laws and regulations regarding consumer and data protection, privacy, network security, encryption, payments, and restrictions on pricing or discounts;


•	lower levels of use of the Internet;


•	lower levels of consumer spending and fewer opportunities for growth compared to the U.S.;


•	lower levels of credit card usage and increased payment risk;


•	difficulty in staffing, developing, and managing foreign operations as a result of distance, language, and cultural differences;


•	different employee/employer relationships and the existence of works councils and labor unions;


•	laws and policies of the U.S. and other jurisdictions affecting trade, foreign investment, loans, and taxes; and


•	geopolitical events, including war and terrorism.

As international e-commerce and other online and web services grow, competition will intensify. Local companies may have a substantial competitive advantage because of their greater understanding of, and focus on, the local customer, as well as their more established local brand names. We may not be able to hire, train, retain, and manage required personnel, which may limit our international growth.

The People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) regulates Amazon’s and its affiliates’ businesses and operations in the PRC through regulations and license requirements restricting (i) foreign investment in the Internet, IT infrastructure, retail, delivery, and other sectors, (ii) Internet content, and (iii) the sale of media and other products and services. For example, in order to meet local ownership and regulatory licensing requirements, www.amazon.cn is operated by PRC companies that are indirectly owned, either wholly or partially, by PRC nationals. Although we believe these structures comply with existing PRC laws, they involve unique risks. There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation of PRC laws and regulations, and it is possible that the PRC government will ultimately take a view contrary to ours. If our Chinese business interests were found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations or if interpretations of those laws and regulations were to change, the business could be subject to fines and other financial penalties, have licenses revoked, or be forced to shut down entirely. In addition, the Chinese businesses and operations may be unable to continue to operate if we or our affiliates are unable to access sufficient funding or enforce contractual relationships with respect to management and control of such businesses.

If We Do Not Successfully Optimize and Operate Our Fulfillment Centers, Our Business Could Be Harmed

If we do not adequately predict customer demand or otherwise optimize and operate our fulfillment centers successfully, it could result in excess or insufficient inventory or fulfillment capacity, result in increased costs, impairment charges, or both, or harm our business in other ways. A failure to optimize inventory will increase our net shipping cost by requiring long-zone or partial shipments. Orders from several of our websites are fulfilled primarily from a single location, and we have only a limited ability to reroute orders to third parties for drop-shipping. We and our co-sourcers may be unable to adequately staff our fulfillment and customer service centers. As we continue to add fulfillment and warehouse capability or add new businesses with different fulfillment requirements, our fulfillment network becomes increasingly complex and operating it becomes more challenging. If the other businesses on whose behalf we perform inventory fulfillment services deliver product to our fulfillment centers in excess of forecasts, we may be unable to secure sufficient storage space and may be unable to optimize our fulfillment centers. There can be no assurance that we will be able to operate our network effectively.

We rely on a limited number of shipping companies to deliver inventory to us and completed orders to our customers. If we are not able to negotiate acceptable terms with these companies or they experience performance problems or other difficulties, it could negatively impact our operating results and customer experience. In addition, our ability to receive inbound inventory efficiently and ship completed orders to customers also may be negatively affected by inclement weather, fire, flood, power loss, earthquakes, labor disputes, acts of war or terrorism, acts of God, and similar factors.

Third parties either drop-ship or otherwise fulfill an increasing portion of our customers’ orders, and we are increasingly reliant on the reliability, quality, and future procurement of their services. Under some of our commercial agreements, we maintain the inventory of other companies, thereby increasing the complexity of tracking inventory and operating our fulfillment centers. Our failure to properly handle such inventory or the inability of these other companies to accurately forecast product demand would result in unexpected costs and other harm to our business and reputation.

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The Seasonality of Our Business Places Increased Strain on Our Operations

We expect a disproportionate amount of our net sales to occur during our fourth quarter. If we do not stock or restock popular products in sufficient amounts such that we fail to meet customer demand, it could significantly affect our revenue and our future growth. If we overstock products, we may be required to take significant inventory markdowns or write-offs, which could reduce profitability. We may experience an increase in our net shipping cost due to complimentary upgrades, split-shipments, and additional long-zone shipments necessary to ensure timely delivery for the holiday season. If too many customers access our websites within a short period of time due to increased holiday demand, we may experience system interruptions that make our websites unavailable or prevent us from efficiently fulfilling orders, which may reduce the volume of goods we sell and the attractiveness of our products and services. In addition, we may be unable to adequately staff our fulfillment and customer service centers during these peak periods and delivery and other fulfillment companies and customer service co-sourcers may be unable to meet the seasonal demand. We also face risks described elsewhere in this Item 1A relating to fulfillment center optimization and inventory.

We generally have payment terms with our retail vendors that extend beyond the amount of time necessary to collect proceeds from our consumer customers. As a result of holiday sales, as of December 31 of each year, our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities balances typically reach their highest level (other than as a result of cash flows provided by or used in investing and financing activities). This operating cycle results in a corresponding increase in accounts payable as of December 31. Our accounts payable balance generally declines during the first three months of the year, resulting in a corresponding decline in our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities balances.

Our Business Could Suffer if We Are Unsuccessful in Making, Integrating, and Maintaining Commercial Agreements, Strategic Alliances, and Other Business Relationships

We provide e-commerce and other services to businesses through commercial agreements, strategic alliances, and business relationships. Under these agreements, we provide web services, technology, fulfillment, computing, digital storage, and other services, as well as enable sellers to offer products or services through our websites. These arrangements are complex and require substantial infrastructure capacity, personnel, and other resource commitments, which may limit the amount of business we can service. We may not be able to implement, maintain, and develop the components of these commercial relationships, which may include web services, fulfillment, customer service, inventory management, tax collection, payment processing, hardware, content, and third-party software, and engaging third parties to perform services. The amount of compensation we receive under certain of our commercial agreements is partially dependent on the volume of the other company’s sales. Therefore, if the other company’s offering is not successful, the compensation we receive may be lower than expected or the agreement may be terminated. Moreover, we may not be able to enter into additional commercial relationships and strategic alliances on favorable terms. We also may be subject to claims from businesses to which we provide these services if we are unsuccessful in implementing, maintaining, or developing these services.

As our agreements terminate, we may be unable to renew or replace these agreements on comparable terms, or at all. We may in the future enter into amendments on less favorable terms or encounter parties that have difficulty meeting their contractual obligations to us, which could adversely affect our operating results.

Our present and future e-commerce services agreements, other commercial agreements, and strategic alliances create additional risks such as:


•	disruption of our ongoing business, including loss of management focus on existing businesses;


•	impairment of other relationships;


•	variability in revenue and income from entering into, amending, or terminating such agreements or relationships; and


•	difficulty integrating under the commercial agreements.

Our Business Could Suffer if We Are Unsuccessful in Making, Integrating, and Maintaining Acquisitions and Investments

We have acquired and invested in a number of companies, and we may acquire or invest in or enter into joint ventures with additional companies. These transactions create risks such as:


•	disruption of our ongoing business, including loss of management focus on existing businesses;


•	problems retaining key personnel;


•	additional operating losses and expenses of the businesses we acquired or in which we invested;


•	the potential impairment of tangible and intangible assets and goodwill, including as a result of acquisitions;

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•	the potential impairment of customer and other relationships of the company we acquired or in which we invested or our own customers as a result of any integration of operations;


•	the difficulty of incorporating acquired technology and rights into our offerings and unanticipated expenses related to such integration;


•	the difficulty of integrating a new company’s accounting, financial reporting, management, information and information security, human resource, and other administrative systems to permit effective management, and the lack of control if such integration is delayed or not implemented;


•	for investments in which an investee’s financial performance is incorporated into our financial results, either in full or in part, the dependence on the investee’s accounting, financial reporting, and similar systems, controls, and processes;


•	the difficulty of implementing at companies we acquire the controls, procedures, and policies appropriate for a larger public company;


•	potential unknown liabilities associated with a company we acquire or in which we invest; and


•	for foreign transactions, additional risks related to the integration of operations across different cultures and languages, and the economic, political, and regulatory risks associated with specific countries.

As a result of future acquisitions or mergers, we might need to issue additional equity securities, spend our cash, or incur debt, contingent liabilities, or amortization expenses related to intangible assets, any of which could reduce our profitability and harm our business. In addition, valuations supporting our acquisitions and strategic investments could change rapidly given the current global economic climate. We could determine that such valuations have experienced impairments or other-than-temporary declines in fair value which could adversely impact our financial results.

We Have Foreign Exchange Risk

The results of operations of, and certain of our intercompany balances associated with, our international websites and product and service offerings are exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Upon translation, operating results may differ materially from expectations, and we may record significant gains or losses on the remeasurement of intercompany balances. As we have expanded our international operations, our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations has increased. We also hold cash equivalents and/or marketable securities in foreign currencies including British Pounds, Chinese Yuan, Euros, Hong Kong Dollars, and Japanese Yen. If the U.S. Dollar strengthens compared to these currencies, cash equivalents, and marketable securities balances, when translated, may be materially less than expected and vice versa.

The Loss of Key Senior Management Personnel Could Negatively Affect Our Business

We depend on our senior management and other key personnel, particularly Jeffrey P. Bezos, our President, CEO, and Chairman. We do not have “key person” life insurance policies. The loss of any of our executive officers or other key employees could harm our business.

We Could Be Harmed by Data Loss or Other Security Breaches

As a result of our services being web-based and the fact that we process, store, and transmit large amounts of data, including personal information, for our customers, failure to prevent or mitigate data loss or other security breaches, including breaches of our vendors’ technology and systems, could expose us or our customers to a risk of loss or misuse of such information, adversely affect our operating results, result in litigation or potential liability for us, and otherwise harm our business. We use third party technology and systems for a variety of reasons, including, without limitation, encryption and authentication technology, employee email, content delivery to customers, back-office support, and other functions. Some subsidiaries had past security breaches, and, although they did not have a material adverse effect on our operating results, there can be no assurance of a similar result in the future. Although we have developed systems and processes that are designed to protect customer information and prevent data loss and other security breaches, including systems and processes designed to reduce the impact of a security breach at a third party vendor, such measures cannot provide absolute security.

We Face Risks Related to System Interruption and Lack of Redundancy

We experience occasional system interruptions and delays that make our websites and services unavailable or slow to respond and prevent us from efficiently fulfilling orders or providing services to third parties, which may reduce our net sales and the attractiveness of our products and services. If we are unable to continually add software and hardware, effectively upgrade our systems and network infrastructure, and take other steps to improve the efficiency of our systems, it could cause system interruptions or delays and adversely affect our operating results.

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Our computer and communications systems and operations could be damaged or interrupted by fire, flood, power loss, telecommunications failure, earthquakes, acts of war or terrorism, acts of God, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins, and similar events or disruptions. Any of these events could cause system interruption, delays, and loss of critical data, and could prevent us from accepting and fulfilling customer orders and providing services, which could make our product and service offerings less attractive and subject us to liability. Our systems are not fully redundant and our disaster recovery planning may not be sufficient. In addition, we may have inadequate insurance coverage to compensate for any related losses. Any of these events could damage our reputation and be expensive to remedy.

We Face Significant Inventory Risk

In addition to risks described elsewhere in this Item 1A relating to fulfillment center and inventory optimization by us and third parties, we are exposed to significant inventory risks that may adversely affect our operating results as a result of seasonality, new product launches, rapid changes in product cycles and pricing, defective merchandise, changes in consumer demand and consumer spending patterns, changes in consumer tastes with respect to our products, and other factors. We endeavor to accurately predict these trends and avoid overstocking or understocking products we manufacture and/or sell. Demand for products, however, can change significantly between the time inventory or components are ordered and the date of sale. In addition, when we begin selling or manufacturing a new product, it may be difficult to establish vendor relationships, determine appropriate product or component selection, and accurately forecast demand. The acquisition of certain types of inventory or components may require significant lead-time and prepayment and they may not be returnable. We carry a broad selection and significant inventory levels of certain products, such as consumer electronics, and we may be unable to sell products in sufficient quantities or during the relevant selling seasons. Any one of the inventory risk factors set forth above may adversely affect our operating results.

We May Not Be Able to Adequately Protect Our Intellectual Property Rights or May Be Accused of Infringing Intellectual Property Rights of Third Parties

We regard our trademarks, service marks, copyrights, patents, trade dress, trade secrets, proprietary technology, and similar intellectual property as critical to our success, and we rely on trademark, copyright, and patent law, trade secret protection, and confidentiality and/or license agreements with our employees, customers, and others to protect our proprietary rights. Effective intellectual property protection may not be available in every country in which our products and services are made available. We also may not be able to acquire or maintain appropriate domain names in all countries in which we do business. Furthermore, regulations governing domain names may not protect our trademarks and similar proprietary rights. We may be unable to prevent third parties from acquiring domain names that are similar to, infringe upon, or diminish the value of our trademarks and other proprietary rights.

We may not be able to discover or determine the extent of any unauthorized use of our proprietary rights. Third parties that license our proprietary rights also may take actions that diminish the value of our proprietary rights or reputation. The protection of our intellectual property may require the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources. Moreover, the steps we take to protect our intellectual property may not adequately protect our rights or prevent third parties from infringing or misappropriating our proprietary rights. We also cannot be certain that others will not independently develop or otherwise acquire equivalent or superior technology or other intellectual property rights.

Other parties also may claim that we infringe their proprietary rights. We have been subject to, and expect to continue to be subject to, claims and legal proceedings regarding alleged infringement by us of the intellectual property rights of third parties. Such claims, whether or not meritorious, may result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources, injunctions against us, or the payment of damages, including to satisfy indemnification obligations. We may need to obtain licenses from third parties who allege that we have infringed their rights, but such licenses may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. In addition, we may not be able to obtain or utilize on terms that are favorable to us, or at all, licenses or other rights with respect to intellectual property we do not own. These risks have been amplified by the increase in third parties whose sole or primary business is to assert such claims.

Our digital content offerings depend in part on effective digital rights management technology to control access to digital content. If the digital rights management technology that we use is compromised or otherwise malfunctions, we could be subject to claims, and content providers may be unwilling to include their content in our service.

We Have a Rapidly Evolving Business Model and Our Stock Price Is Highly Volatile

We have a rapidly evolving business model. The trading price of our common stock fluctuates significantly in response to, among other risks, the risks described elsewhere in this Item 1A, as well as:


•	changes in interest rates;

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•	conditions or trends in the Internet and the industry segments we operate in;


•	quarterly variations in operating results;


•	fluctuations in the stock market in general and market prices for Internet-related companies in particular;


•	changes in financial estimates by us or securities analysts and recommendations by securities analysts;


•	changes in our capital structure, including issuance of additional debt or equity to the public;


•	changes in the valuation methodology of, or performance by, other e-commerce or technology companies; and


•	transactions in our common stock by major investors and certain analyst reports, news, and speculation.

Volatility in our stock price could adversely affect our business and financing opportunities and force us to increase our cash compensation to employees or grant larger stock awards than we have historically, which could hurt our operating results or reduce the percentage ownership of our existing stockholders, or both.

Government Regulation Is Evolving and Unfavorable Changes Could Harm Our Business

We are subject to general business regulations and laws, as well as regulations and laws specifically governing the Internet, e-commerce, electronic devices, and other services. Existing and future laws and regulations may impede our growth. These regulations and laws may cover taxation, privacy, data protection, pricing, content, copyrights, distribution, mobile communications, electronic device certification, electronic waste, energy consumption, environmental regulation, electronic contracts and other communications, competition, consumer protection, web services, the provision of online payment services, unencumbered Internet access to our services, the design and operation of websites, and the characteristics and quality of products and services. It is not clear how existing laws governing issues such as property ownership, libel, and personal privacy apply to the Internet, e-commerce, digital content, and web services. Jurisdictions may regulate consumer-to-consumer online businesses, including certain aspects of our seller programs. Unfavorable regulations and laws could diminish the demand for our products and services and increase our cost of doing business.

We Do Not Collect Sales or Consumption Taxes in Some Jurisdictions

U.S. Supreme Court decisions restrict the imposition of obligations to collect state and local sales taxes with respect to remote sales. However, an increasing number of states have considered or adopted laws or administrative practices that attempt to impose obligations on out-of-state retailers to collect taxes on their behalf. We support a Federal law that would allow states to require sales tax collection under a nationwide system. More than half of our revenue is already earned in jurisdictions where we collect sales tax or its equivalent. A successful assertion by one or more states or foreign countries requiring us to collect taxes where we do not do so could result in substantial tax liabilities, including for past sales, as well as penalties and interest.

We Could be Subject to Additional Income Tax Liabilities

We are subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating and estimating our provision and accruals for these taxes. During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Our effective tax rates could be adversely affected by earnings being lower than anticipated in countries where we have lower statutory rates and higher than anticipated in countries where we have higher statutory rates, by losses incurred in jurisdictions for which we are not able to realize the related tax benefit, by changes in foreign currency exchange rates, by entry into new businesses and geographies and changes to our existing businesses, by acquisitions (including integrations) and investments, by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, or by changes in the relevant tax, accounting and other laws, regulations, administrative practices, principles, and interpretations, including fundamental changes to the tax laws applicable to corporate multinationals. The United States, many countries in the European Union, and a number of other countries are actively considering changes in this regard. In addition, we are subject to audit in various jurisdictions, and such jurisdictions may assess additional income tax liabilities against us. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the final outcome of tax audits and any related litigation could be materially different from our historical income tax provisions and accruals. Developments in an audit, litigation, or the relevant laws, regulations, administrative practices, principles, and interpretations could have a material effect on our operating results or cash flows in the period or periods for which that development occurs, as well as for prior and subsequent periods.

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Our Supplier Relationships Subject Us to a Number of Risks

We have significant suppliers, including licensors, and in some cases, limited or single-sources of supply, that are important to our sourcing, services, manufacturing, and any related ongoing servicing of merchandise and content. We do not have long-term arrangements with most of our suppliers to guarantee availability of merchandise, content, components, or services, particular payment terms, or the extension of credit limits. If our current suppliers were to stop selling or licensing merchandise, content, components, or services to us on acceptable terms, or delay delivery, including as a result of one or more supplier bankruptcies due to poor economic conditions, as a result of natural disasters, or for other reasons, we may be unable to procure alternatives from other suppliers in a timely and efficient manner and on acceptable terms, or at all. In addition, if our suppliers or other vendors violate applicable laws, regulations, our code of standards and responsibilities, or implement practices regarded as unethical, unsafe, or hazardous to the environment, it could damage our reputation, limit our growth, and negatively affect our operating results.

We May be Subject to Risks Related to Government Contracts and Related Procurement Regulations

Our contracts with U.S., as well as state, local, and foreign, government entities are subject to various procurement regulations and other requirements relating to their formation, administration, and performance. We may be subject to audits and investigations relating to our government contracts, and any violations could result in various civil and criminal penalties and administrative sanctions, including termination of contract, refunding or suspending of payments, forfeiture of profits, payment of fines, and suspension or debarment from future government business. In addition, such contracts may provide for termination by the government at any time, without cause.

We May Be Subject to Product Liability Claims if People or Property Are Harmed by the Products We Sell

Some of the products we sell or manufacture may expose us to product liability claims relating to personal injury, death, or environmental or property damage, and may require product recalls or other actions. Certain third parties also sell products using our e-commerce platform that may increase our exposure to product liability claims, such as if these sellers do not have sufficient protection from such claims. Although we maintain liability insurance, we cannot be certain that our coverage will be adequate for liabilities actually incurred or that insurance will continue to be available to us on economically reasonable terms, or at all. In addition, some of our agreements with our vendors and sellers do not indemnify us from product liability.

We Are Subject to Payments-Related Risks

We accept payments using a variety of methods, including credit card, debit card, credit accounts (including promotional financing), gift cards, direct debit from a customer’s bank account, consumer invoicing, physical bank check, and payment upon delivery. For existing and future payment options we offer to our customers, we may become subject to additional regulations, compliance requirements, and fraud. For certain payment methods, including credit and debit cards, we pay interchange and other fees, which may increase over time and raise our operating costs and lower profitability. We rely on third parties to provide payment processing services, including the processing of credit cards, debit cards, electronic checks, and promotional financing, and it could disrupt our business if these companies become unwilling or unable to provide these services to us. We are also subject to payment card association operating rules, including data security rules, certification requirements, and rules governing electronic funds transfers, which could change or be reinterpreted to make it difficult or impossible for us to comply. If we fail to comply with these rules or requirements, or if our data security systems are breached or compromised, we may be liable for card issuing banks’ costs, subject to fines and higher transaction fees, and lose our ability to accept credit and debit card payments from our customers, process electronic funds transfers, or facilitate other types of online payments, and our business and operating results could be adversely affected. We also offer co-branded credit card programs, which could adversely affect our operating results if terminated.

In addition, we provide regulated services in certain jurisdictions because we enable customers to keep account balances with us and transfer money to third parties, and because we provide services to third parties to facilitate payments on their behalf. In these jurisdictions, we may be subject to requirements for licensing, regulatory inspection, bonding and capital maintenance, the use, handling, and segregation of transferred funds, consumer disclosures, and authentication. We are also subject to or voluntarily comply with a number of other laws and regulations relating to payments, money laundering, international money transfers, privacy and information security, and electronic fund transfers. If we were found to be in violation of applicable laws or regulations, we could be subject to additional requirements and civil and criminal penalties, or forced to cease providing certain services.

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We Could Be Liable for Fraudulent or Unlawful Activities of Sellers

The law relating to the liability of providers of online payment services is currently unsettled. In addition, governmental agencies could require changes in the way this business is conducted. Under our seller programs, we may be unable to prevent sellers from collecting payments, fraudulently or otherwise, when buyers never receive the products they ordered or when the products received are materially different from the sellers’ descriptions. Under our A2Z Guarantee, we reimburse buyers for payments up to certain limits in these situations, and as our marketplace seller sales grow, the cost of this program will increase and could negatively affect our operating results. We also may be unable to prevent sellers on our sites or through other seller sites from selling unlawful goods, selling goods in an unlawful manner, or violating the proprietary rights of others, and could face civil or criminal liability for unlawful activities by our sellers.



Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.



Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.



Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.



Item 5.	Other Information

Not applicable.



Item 6.	Exhibits

See exhibits listed under the Exhibit Index below.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



	AMAZON.COM, INC. (REGISTRANT)

	By:	/s/ Shelley Reynolds
		Shelley Reynolds
		Vice President, Worldwide Controller
		(Principal Accounting Officer)

Dated: April 24, 2014

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EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit Number		Description

3.1		Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended March 31, 2000).

3.2		Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 18, 2009).

10.1		Form of Global Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Executive Officers.

31.1		Certification of Jeffrey P. Bezos, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Amazon.com, Inc., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

31.2		Certification of Thomas J. Szkutak, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Amazon.com, Inc., pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

32.1		Certification of Jeffrey P. Bezos, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Amazon.com, Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

32.2		Certification of Thomas J. Szkutak, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Amazon.com, Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

101		The following financial statements from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Consolidated Balance Sheets, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text and including detailed tags.