5 Things to Know About Amazon Stock Before You Buy

Core Business Segments - Amazon operates primarily in two core businesses: e-commerce and Amazon Web Services (AWS), with a third segment, satellite-based broadband service through Project Kuiper, on the horizon [4][9] - The e-commerce segment has evolved to include a significant contribution from third-party sellers, which account for 62% of paid units, and advertising revenue exceeding $60 billion in the past year [6][7] - AWS remains the largest cloud computing platform globally, generating $116 billion in revenue over the trailing 12 months, with an 18% growth rate and a 36.8% operating margin [8] Revenue Growth and Market Position - Amazon is poised to become the largest revenue generator globally, having surpassed Walmart in quarterly revenue in Q4 2024, with annual revenue growth at 13.3% compared to Walmart's 4.8% [10][11] - For the 12-month period ending in June, Amazon generated $670 billion in revenue, while Walmart generated $693 billion, indicating a potential shift in market leadership [11] AI Strategy and Investments - Amazon's investment in AI through its stake in Anthropic, which has seen its annualized revenue run rate grow from $1 billion to $7 billion, positions the company favorably in the AI landscape [13][14] - Anthropic's focus on software coding applications and the use of Amazon's in-house designed chips (Trainium and Inferentia) provide a cost advantage and enhance Amazon's cloud computing revenue [15][16] Valuation and Financial Metrics - Amazon's current valuation stands at 33 times 2025 earnings estimates, which is considered undemanding for a leading tech company, especially given its reinvestment strategy [18][20] - The company has shown margin improvements across its segments, with operating margins increasing in North American e-commerce from 5.6% to 7%, and in AWS from 33.4% to 36.8% [19] Leadership and Management - CEO Andy Jassy, who has been with Amazon since 1997, embodies the strategic vision of founder Jeff Bezos, ensuring continuity in leadership and innovation [21][22] - Bezos remains involved in Amazon's entrepreneurial ventures, particularly in AI, which supports the company's ongoing success [22]