Amazon (AMZN) reported impressive third-quarter earnings on Thursday, surpassing analyst expectations and driving stock prices up in after-hours trading. The e-commerce giant posted adjusted earnings of 94 cents per share on $143.1 billion in revenue for the quarter ending in September.

According to estimates compiled by FactSet, analysts had anticipated adjusted earnings of 59 cents per share on revenue of $141.5 billion. This significant beat demonstrates Amazon's continued growth and dominance in the market.

Comparing this year's numbers to the same quarter last year, Amazon reported a substantial increase in earnings. In Q3 of 2020, the company recorded adjusted earnings of 28 cents per share and sales of $127.1 billion. This year's earnings represented a remarkable growth trajectory, showcasing Amazon's resilience even during challenging times.

One of the key highlights in the report was the performance of Amazon Web Services (AWS), the company's highly influential cloud business. AWS displayed a year-over-year sales increase of 12%, reaching $23.1 billion. While slightly below analysts' expectations of $23.2 billion, this growth illustrates the unwavering demand for cloud services.

Prior to the earnings announcement, Amazon stock experienced a modest decline, closing trading down 1.3% at $119.83. However, the strong earnings report quickly fueled a subsequent 4% surge, demonstrating investor confidence in the company's future prospects.

Amazon's impressive performance in Q3 reflects its ability to adapt and evolve, continually finding ways to meet and exceed market demands. With the holiday season fast approaching, the company's robust financials position it well for continued success.

As Amazon continues to dominate various industries and expand its worldwide reach, investors and stakeholders eagerly await further updates from the company.