Profits at online retailer Amazon.com soared 102 per cent to US$158 million (£79 million) in its second quarter to June 30.

That compares with US$78 million (£39 million) for the same period last year.

Sales jumped 41 per cent to US$4.06 billion (£2.03 billion) in the quarter compared with US$2.89 billion (£1.44 billion) in the second quarter of last year.

Revenues derived from outside the US climbed 47 per cent, helped by the dollar's decline against other currencies.

Sales of items such as books, CDs and DVDs rose 31 per cent to US$2.41 billion (£1.2 billion), while electronics and other general merchandise sales climbed 58 per cent to US$1.53 billion (£764.8 million).

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