Core Viewpoint - Jim Cramer encourages Amazon investors to remain patient and trust the company's significant spending strategy despite risks to profits, expressing confidence in CEO Andy Jassy's leadership [1] Financial Performance - Amazon shares fell 5.6% to $210 after announcing a 2026 capital expenditure forecast of $200 billion, significantly higher than the expected $146.6 billion [1] - The company provided a lower-than-expected earnings outlook for the current quarter, although fourth-quarter results showed revenue and operating income exceeding expectations [1] - Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud growth accelerated to 24% year-over-year, marking the fastest growth in 13 quarters [1] Capital Expenditures and Cash Flow - The $200 billion capex forecast for 2026 is $50 billion above expectations, leading to concerns about minimal free cash flow, which was estimated at $37 billion prior to the announcement [1] - AWS backlog reached $244 billion, up 40% year-over-year and 22% quarter-over-quarter, indicating strong demand [1] Competitive Landscape - Analysts express concerns that AWS is lagging behind competitors like Google Cloud, which grew 48%, and Microsoft Azure, which grew 39% [1] - There are worries about Amazon's retail business facing a "structural disadvantage" if it does not integrate AI platforms more effectively [1] Analyst Reactions - Several Wall Street firms have cut Amazon's price targets, with Wedbush lowering it to $300 from $340, Cantor Fitzgerald to $250 from $260, and D.A. Davidson to $175 from $300 while downgrading the stock to neutral [1] - Despite the high capex, analysts believe Amazon's long-term strategy may pay off, but short-term volatility is expected [1] Industry Context - Other tech giants like Alphabet and Meta are also increasing spending, but investors perceive clearer near-term returns from their AI investments compared to Amazon [1] - Nvidia's CEO defended the rising capital expenditures in Big Tech, stating they are "appropriate and sustainable," highlighting Nvidia's position as a major beneficiary of this spending [1]

Core Viewpoint - The major tech companies, including Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon, are projected to spend nearly $700 billion in 2025 to enhance their AI capabilities, but this aggressive spending may lead to significant declines in free cash flow and increased reliance on debt and equity markets [1][2][4]. Group 1: Capital Expenditures and Free Cash Flow - The four major tech companies are expected to increase capital expenditures by over 60% from historic levels in 2025, driven by investments in high-priced chips and new facilities [2]. - In 2024, these companies generated a combined free cash flow of $200 billion, down from $237 billion in 2023, indicating a downward trend [3]. - Analysts project Alphabet's free cash flow to drop nearly 90% in 2025 to $8.2 billion from $73.3 billion in 2024 due to increased capital expenditures [10]. Group 2: Company-Specific Insights - Amazon plans to spend $200 billion in 2025 and is projected to have negative free cash flow of almost $17 billion in 2026, with estimates from Bank of America suggesting a deficit of $28 billion [5]. - Alphabet is investing heavily in its cloud infrastructure and AI models, with capital expenditures expected to reach up to $185 billion in 2025, and projections of $250 billion by 2027 [9]. - Meta's capital expenditures are projected to reach as high as $135 billion, with analysts forecasting a nearly 90% drop in free cash flow [12]. Group 3: Market Position and Future Outlook - The four leading tech companies have accumulated over $420 billion in cash and equivalents, providing them with a significant advantage over smaller AI startups [16]. - Analysts believe that the infrastructure buildout by these companies is creating a "meaningful moat" in the AI sector, which is viewed as a generational opportunity with potential revenues in the trillions [17]. - Despite the aggressive spending and potential cash flow challenges, analysts maintain bullish ratings on these stocks, indicating confidence in their long-term growth prospects [11].

Group 1 - The fourth quarter earnings season is ongoing, with significant results from major companies like Alphabet, Amazon, AMD, Qualcomm, and Palantir [1] - As of February 6, 59% of S&P 500 companies have reported their fourth quarter results, with analysts estimating a 13% increase in earnings per share, marking the 10th consecutive quarter of annual earnings growth for the index [2][4] - Analysts initially expected an 8.3% increase in earnings per share for the fourth quarter, a decrease from the previous quarter's 13.6% growth rate, but have since raised expectations, particularly for tech companies [4] Group 2 - Major capital expenditures by Big Tech are influencing the AI trade, with ongoing themes from 2025, such as artificial intelligence and economic policies, continuing to impact investor sentiment [5] - Upcoming earnings reports are anticipated from companies including Coca-Cola, Spotify, Robinhood, Lyft, Ford, Rivian, Moderna, Airbnb, and Coinbase [6]

Investors were watching closely when Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) released its latest financial report after the market close on Wednesday. As one of the "Big Three" cloud providers and a force in artificial intelligence (AI), the company is among several bellwethers of what's happening in the space. Furthermore, what's happening at one company can offer additional insight into a competitor's results, providing greater context. Amazon's results sent the stock reeling but provided an unexpected tailwind for Alph ...

Big Tech is getting hammered during their earnings season. Software and tech stocks are getting hit in general—and I'm buying into the software meltdown for the record—but specifically for our hyperscalers, it's beenNewsletter Author | Investment Advisor | Top 5% of Experts on TipRanks | Long Signal, Short Noise | The Macro Obsession newsletter is a weekly brief on current events and trends in finance, tech, and the real economy. I am a macro-oriented and data-driven investor who obsesses over connecting do ...

Shares of mobile game advertising engine Applovin (NASDAQ: APP) plunged this week, falling 14.9% this week through Friday as of 3:15 p.m. EDT, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. Applovin's stock fell on generalized fear over two new innovations in the mobile game world. Late last week, Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL) unveiled Project Genie, an AI-powered tool that allows users to create virtual worlds. Second, a new AI-based digital advertising start-up, CloudX, became generall ...

Core Viewpoint - The Super Bowl LX is generating significant attention and investment opportunities through various sectors, particularly gaming, technology, and advertising, as companies leverage the event for marketing and engagement strategies [1] Group 1: Gaming Sector - The Amplify Video Game Leaders ETF (GAMR) includes key players like Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), which has transformed its Madden NFL franchise into a cultural phenomenon, with annual Super Bowl simulations gaining popularity [1] - EA's stock represents 2.6% of GAMR, while Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) and Sony Group Corp. (6758) are also significant holdings at 9.3% and 4.6% respectively, highlighting the competitive landscape of gaming hardware [1] - Roblox Corp. (RBLX) is expanding the Super Bowl simulation trend into game streaming, with notable engagement on platforms like YouTube, where creators are simulating NFL seasons [1] Group 2: Halftime Show and Technology - The Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show featuring Bad Bunny will prominently display Apple Inc. (AAPL), which holds a 15% position in the Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) [1] - Sony's music distribution arm, The Orchard, plays a role in the halftime show, while Live Nation Entertainment Inc. (LYV) is involved through co-production, with Live Nation representing 10.4% of the MUSQ Global Music Industry Index ETF [1] Group 3: Advertising and Social Media - Early ad releases on social media are becoming a trend, with Comcast Corporation's (CMCSA) Xfinity commercial featuring the original Jurassic Park cast, representing 4.8% of the Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) [1] - Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) is showcasing its Gemini AI in a new commercial, holding a combined 20.9% of XLC through its Class A and Class C shares [1] - Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) has also released an early Alexa spot, making it the largest holding in the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) at 23.4% [1]

Artificial intelligence remains the defining investment theme of this cycle, and few developments reinforce that view more clearly than the latest spending plans from Amazon ((AMZN) and Alphabet ((GOOGL). Both companies recently updated investors on their capital expenditure outlooks, signaling an aggressive push to expand data center capacity and AI infrastructure. Combined, the two technology leaders are expected to invest close to $400 billion this year to support the next phase of data center expansion. ...

Big Tech is on a spending spree, forecast to drop a staggering $650 billion on artificial intelligence (AI) in 2026 alone—and that’s just for Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon. The companies are ramping up their investment in an increasingly competitive, high-stakes arms race, pouring hundreds of billions into massive data centers and semiconductors, in hopes of establishing a long-term strategic advantage in their quest to dominate the future of technology. Most Read from Fast Company With all four ...

Group 1 - The Dow Jones Industrial Average surpassed 50,000 points for the first time, gaining over 1,000 points in a single day, which is an increase of more than 2.2% [1] Group 2 - Chip stocks experienced a surge due to expectations of increased spending on AI data centers by Amazon and Alphabet, with shares of Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices, and Broadcom rising by more than 7% [2] - Amazon's stock fell nearly 7% after announcing a plan to increase capital expenditures by over 50% this year in response to the AI race, following a similar announcement from Alphabet [2]