Beth Cox

Just days before its quarterly earnings report is due, name-your-own-price travel company Priceline Tuesday launched new marketing and security initiatives, expanding its relationship with Visa U.S.A. Norwalk, Conn.-based Priceline.com said it will be the first online travel company to implement “Verified by Visa,” a password-based authentication system for Visa cardholders. The service will be made […]

Auction giant eBay Inc. on Monday held its annual financial analyst conference, reaffirming its aggressive growth targets despite the harsh business climate and its ongoing “Auction for America” — the online charity initiative that raises funds for Sept. 11th victims, families and communities in lieu of its bottom line. eBay officials told analysts gathered in […]

E-commerce sales have largely returned to normal following the events of Sept. 11, says a new report, with the one exception being (no surprise here) the travel sector. Reston, Va.-based comScore Networks said its data for domestic e-commerce transactions for the five weeks from Sept. 11, through Oct. 21 shows online sales of hard goods […]

Analysts remain positive for Web travel sites despite a terse announcement from Continental Airlines eliminating commissions on travel booked through the Internet. Airlines, of course, are scrambling to preserve every cent of revenue following the events of Sept. 11, and it’s likely more carriers may follow suit, as they often play follow-the-leader when fares are […]

Internet postage outfit Stamps.com said it has named an internal task force to brainstorm outside of the box, looking “to utilize the security inherent” in its online postage solution. The Santa Monica, Calif.-based company said that its service can provide extensive information regarding a sender’s identity, point of origination and the path taken through the […]

Amazon.com shares were sinking today as the impact of its slowing revenue growth became apparent to investors. But elsewhere, there was positive news on the earnings front from other e-commerce companies such as 1-800-Flowers.com and Ticketmaster. Goldman Sachs analysts told clients that despite slower top-line growth as consumer spending weakens, Amazon “remains positioned to achieve […]

If Amazon.com really is a bellwether e-tailer, then it may well be a merry online Christmas this year as the company, reporting its earnings after the bell, reiterated its prediction that it will achieve pro forma profitability in the fourth quarter. For the third quarter, the company reported that its pro forma net loss, which […]

Saying that “volatile economic and public market conditions hampered the company’s efforts to raise equity capital,” MerchantOnline.com Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection while it attempts to reorganize. The Boca Raton, Fla.-based company , trading on the OTC Bulletin Board at about 13 cents a share, provides real-time processing for e-commerce transactions by hosting […]

VeriSign Inc., which has been aggressively launching new products in the past few months, delivered a new payment services platform that lets international ISPs deliver co-branded online payment services to merchants doing business in all parts of the globe. The move expands the Mountain View, Calif.-based digital trust and payment services company’s secure payment services […]

Come Monday, it’s a level playing field, taxwise, for e-businesses as the Internet tax moratorium expires without any action by the Senate. And come Monday, “…there’s an opportunity for considerable economic mischief,” according to one senator. Still, “I don’t think Western civilization is going to end” because the moratorium was not immediately renewed,” Sen. Ron […]

Bucking a tide of red ink in dot com earnings across the country, online trading giant eBay Inc. Thursday posted pro forma net earnings of $34.9 million or 12 cents per share on record revenues, beating analysts’ estimates of 10 cents a share. The San Jose, Calif.-based company reported fully diluted third-quarter net income was […]

Looking to expand its real-world presence with consumers, Comcast Cable Communications Inc. signed a deal with electronics retailer Best Buy to push marketing of its high-speed Internet and digital cable TV services in the stores. Beginning this month, customers visiting any of the more than 60 Best Buy stores in Comcast’s service area can use […]