eBay said its users transacted a record $4.6 billion in gross merchandise sales (GMS) during the fourth quarter, 2002. GMS is the total value of items sold. The amount represents a 68% year-over-year increase from the $2.74 billion reported in the fourth quarter 2001. eBay's gross profit for the quarter totaled a record $331.3 million.

eBay released financials for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2002 on Thursday. The company reported consolidated net revenues for the quarter totaled a record $413.9 million, and consolidated net income of $87 million.

"Our Q4 results capped our most successful year ever," said Meg Whitman, President and CEO of eBay. "Our success goes hand in hand with the success of our vibrant community of users. The strength of our community, the growth of e-commerce, and our commitment to business excellence, all led to these great results."

The best-performing categories in the fourth quarter, all of which generated more than $1 billion worldwide GMS, were: - eBay Motors at $4.3 billion - Computers at $1.9 billion - Consumer Electronics at $1.8 billion - Books/Movies/Music at $1.4 billion - Sports at $1.2 billion

In the fourth quarter, eBay had 27.7 million active users (those who bid, bought or listed over the trailing 12 months); hosted 195 million listings; and had 43,000 U.S. Stores in its storefront service.