eBay, the online auction company, is making slightly more profit than analysts predicted. However, the company still makes only about 1 percent profit. Investors also remain worried about pending computer costs. The company has recently suffered some periods when its website was down, annoying prospective buyers and sellers. eBay is trying to be as stable in its service as a utility. It is testing a back-up system, which would reduce outages to half an hour. The effect of the computer upgrades is expected to be that the share of revenues remaining after deducting the costs of providing the service will fall from over 80 percent to somewhere in the 70s.

The company is not unduly concerned about its economic health. Registered users rose from 5.6 million to 7.7 million from June to September 1999. It hosted 36.2 million auctions in the period, up from 9.2 million a year earlier. It is fifteen times as large as its nearest competitor. Its German operations are expanding rapidly. It is shortly introducing a payment service for its users. More aggressive marketing may also be considered.

(Updated December 1, 1999)