[naviga:h3]January auto sales up over last year[/naviga:h3]

DETROIT — January’s U.S. auto sales were a little better than a year ago, but most analysts and automakers predict a small full-year decline despite economic factors that favor the industry.

Automakers reported a 1 percent increase last month to 1.15 million vehicles, according to Autodata Corp.

But Mike Jackson, CEO of AutoNation, the country’s largest dealership group, said late-model used cars coming off leases are pulling buyers from higher-priced new vehicles. Despite tax reform, low unemployment and strong consumer confidence, he sees new-car sales falling to 16.8 million from last year’s 17.2 million.

During the past few years, automakers pushed leasing to around 30 percent of sales.

Now, Jackson says 4 million well-equipped used cars will be available for an average price of $25,000. “You have to say ‘who is going to buy all these things when they come back?”’ Jackson said. “Of course there’s going to be a cannibalization and a substitution.”

Car sales fell nearly 11 percent while truck and SUV sales were up 8 percent.

[naviga:h3]Amazon posts top quarterly profit[/naviga:h3]

NEW YORK — It was a prime holiday season for Amazon: The online retailing giant posted its biggest quarterly profit yet Thursday as it sold more voice-activated Echo devices and added more Prime members.

The Seattle-based company reported net income of $1.9 billion, or $3.75 per share, in the three months ending Dec. 31. That blew past the $1.88 per share analysts expected, according to FactSet.

Revenue soared 38 percent to $60.5 billion in the fourth quarter, beating the $59.8 billion analysts expected.

Amazon.com Inc.’s stock rose more than 4 percent in after-hours trading Thursday.

[naviga:h3]Mattel reports disappointing totals[/naviga:h3]

NEW YORK — Mattel reported a surprise loss and disappointing sales in the fourth quarter as the nation’s largest toy company still reels from troubles at Toys R Us and a weak appetite for some of its brands.

Its stock fell more than 8 percent in after-hours trading after the earnings report Thursday.

Like many toy companies, Mattel has been struggling with shoppers’ increasing shift online and children’s growing appetite for video games and mobile devices. Moreover, the bankruptcy of Toys R Us last fall has put more pressure on Mattel and others.

Toys R Us announced last month that it was closing up to 182 stores after struggling during the holiday season. It operates about 900 stores including Babies R Us stores. Toys R Us accounts for about 11 percent of Mattel’s annual sales, according to Stephanie Wissink, an analyst at Jefferies LLC.