Amazon on Wednesday reported bumper sales and profits as the weaker US dollar and higher oil prices helped boost sales overseas. Shares in the online bookseller jumped as much as 8 per cent as investors reacted to the news.

Amazon on Wednesday said that growth had remained robust during the three months ending in June, lending credence to the idea that online retailers might fare better than their bricks-and-mortar counterparts in the slower economic environment, as high fuel costs make shoppers more reluctant to drive to stores.