Amazon.com Inc. announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2012. For the fourth quarter, the company reported net sales of $21,268 million against $17,431 million a year ago. Income from operations was $405 million against $260 million a year ago. Income before income taxes was $337 million against $273 million a year ago. Net income was $97 million or $0.21 per diluted share against $177 million or $0.38 per diluted share a year ago. Net cash provided by operating activities was $5,081 million against $4,269 million a year ago. Purchases of property and equipment, including internal-use software and website development was $2,025 million against $550 million a year ago.

For the year, the company reported net sales of $61,093 million against $48,077 million a year ago. Income from operations was $676 million against $862 million a year ago. Income before income taxes was $544 million against $934 million a year ago. Net loss was $39 million or $0.09 per diluted share against net income of $631 or $1.37 per diluted share million a year ago. Net cash provided by operating activities was $4,180 million against $3,903 million a year ago. Purchases of property and equipment, including internal-use software and website development was $3,785 million against $1,811 million a year ago. Free cash flow decreased 81% to $395 million compared with $2,090 million for the trailing twelve months ended December 31, 2011.

The company provided earnings guidance for the first quarter of 2013. Net sales are expected to be between $15.0 billion and $16.6 billion, or to grow between 14% and 26% compared with first quarter 2012. Operating income is expected to be between a loss of $285 million and an income of $65 million, compared to $192 million in the prior year period.