Is Amazon Stock Still a Buy After Hitting All-Time Highs?

Core Viewpoint - Amazon's stock is nearing an all-time high, but several growth catalysts suggest potential for further increases in the coming months [3]. Group 1: Cloud Computing - Amazon Web Services (AWS) reported a 20.2% year-over-year revenue growth, reaching $33 billion in the third quarter, driven by increased enterprise spending on AI infrastructure [4]. - AWS has a backlog of $200 billion, providing strong multiyear revenue visibility [4]. - The introduction of custom silicon chips like Graviton and Trainium enhances AWS's price-performance advantage over competitors [6]. - Amazon plans to double its data center capacity by 2027, which is expected to lower costs and attract larger workloads [6]. Group 2: Capital Investment - Amazon anticipates capital investments of $125 billion in 2025, with plans for even higher investments in 2026, primarily focused on expanding AI infrastructure [7]. Group 3: Advertising and Retail - Advertising revenue increased by 22% year-over-year to $17.7 billion in the third quarter, becoming the second most significant growth driver for the company [7]. - The advertising strategy includes leveraging Prime Video and live sports to enhance brand awareness, while sponsored products improve conversion rates [8]. - Analyst John Blackledge projects advertising will generate $68 billion in revenue and account for 35% of total operating income by 2025, indicating its higher profitability compared to AWS and retail [9]. Group 4: Stock Performance - Despite reaching an all-time high, Amazon's stock is entering a new phase of accelerated growth, making it a viable option for long-term investors [10].