Ebay has experienced strong sales around the world

The San Jose, California-based firm posted fourth-quarter net profit of $142.5m, up from $87m a year ago.

Chief finance officer Rajiv Dutta said eBay planned to continue investing internationally in countries like China, and developing new products.

EBay also said its US sales grew by more than a third, and international sales almost doubled to $210m.

Net revenue jumped 57% to $648.4m from $413.9m last year.

EBay stock has so far defied the bursting of the dot.com bubble, and the company was recently named in a list of the most influential online sites.

In after-hours trading its shares rose to above $66 after falling nearly 2% to $64 in regular trading.

The auction site, which sells anything from stuffed animals to antique cocktail shakers, has become an internet phenomenon.