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Net profits for the period came in at $248.3m, rising to $342.9m to include elements not usually reported under standard accounting rules.

At the end of the first quarter in 2005, eBay boasted 147.1m. A year later that has risen 31 per cent to 192.9m.

The company predict net revenues for the whole year of $5.7bn-5.9bn, with $1.37bn-1.41bn in the second quarter.