eBay lowers forecasts for crucial fourth quarter Data firm ShopperTrak has forecast the slowest holiday sales growth since 2009, and last week, September retail sales showed U.S. shoppers were cautious, following a disappointing second quarter for many retailers. eBay expects revenue of between $4.5 billion and $4.6 billion for the current quarter, ending Dec. 31, compared with the $4.64 billion estimated by analysts, according to Reuters. "You could certainly point to consumer confidence that took a beating," said Colin Gillis, a technology analyst with BGC Partners. US consumer confidence slid last month to its lowest since May, according to a report released in late September by the Conference Board, an industry group. eBay's Net income for the third quarter was $689 million, or 53 cents a share, up from $597 million, or 45 cents a share, a year earlier. For the holiday quarter, eBay expects a profit of 79 cents to 81 cents a share, while Wall Street analysts estimate 83 cents. Revenue rose 14.3pc to $3.89bn. PayPal, eBay's online payments division, reported that total payments volume rose 24.7pc to $43.8bn.