Amazon Stock Has a Secret Weapon That Could Deliver Monster Returns for Investors

Core Viewpoint - Amazon's growth is increasingly driven by its high-margin divisions, AWS and advertising, rather than its traditional commerce business, which is experiencing slower growth and lower margins [2][5][14]. Group 1: Revenue Breakdown - In Q1, Amazon's total sales reached $143.3 billion, with online stores generating $57.4 billion and third-party seller services contributing $36.5 billion, making these two segments the majority of Amazon's revenue [4]. - The growth rates for online stores and third-party seller services were 5% and 6% year-over-year, respectively, which are slower compared to Amazon's overall growth rate of 9% for the quarter [5]. Group 2: Profit Margins - Amazon's commerce segments have slim operating margins, similar to those of traditional retailers like Walmart and Target, which typically hover around 5% [6]. - AWS generated $29.3 billion in revenue with a 39% operating margin, accounting for 63% of Amazon's total operating profits in Q1 despite representing only 19% of total revenue [8]. - Advertising has been Amazon's fastest-growing segment, with Q1 revenue rising 18% year-over-year, although specific operating margins are not disclosed [10][11]. Group 3: Future Outlook - The rapid growth of AWS and advertising is expected to continue driving Amazon's profit growth, offsetting the slower growth in its commerce business [12][14]. - As long as AWS and advertising maintain their performance, Amazon's operating margin is likely to improve, leading to long-term outperformance for shareholders [14].