“For the first time in recent memory, Amazon.com has handed investors a surprise — the positive kind, that is,” according to a Business Week report by Robert D. Hof. “After a seemingly interminable string of earnings disappointments, the online retailer on July 26 reported better-than-expected earnings and sales for its second quarter.” According to the report, “Investors went wild.” Says one analyst, “It’s amazing how long the negative sentiments have lingered. But they had a good quarter.”