...Corporate Credit Rating: B/Stable/-- Standard & Poor's said today that Amazon.com's improved fourth-quarter 2000 and full-year 2000 financial results have no impact on the company's credit rating or outlook. Amazon.com's fourth-quarter unadjusted EBITDA loss narrowed modestly to $37.3 million from $45.6 million in the third quarter but was significantly better than the $161.6 million loss reported in the fourth quarter of 1999. On an annual basis, the company's EBITDA loss declined to $201 million from $287 million in 1999. Amazon.com continues to successfully increase its customer count and lower its operating expenses. The company has indicated that it plans to be profitable in the fourth quarter of 2001. However, Amazon.com's business model remains unproven. Growth in its core music and book business is slowing, and the company is reducing staff, consolidating its distribution and customer service center network, and taking a $150 million charge ($50 million will be cash) associated...
