This excerpt taken from the AMZN 8-K filed Feb 1, 2007.
Other Income (Expense)
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Other income (expense) consists primarily of gains or losses on marketable securities, foreign-currency transaction gains and losses, and other miscellaneous gains and losses.
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Foreign-currency transaction gains (losses) primarily relate to the interest payable on our 6.875% PEACS, as well as foreign-currency gains and losses on cross-currency investments.
Since interest payments on our 6.875% PEACS are settled in Euros, the balance of interest payable is subject to gains or losses resulting from changes in exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and Euro between reporting dates and payment.
