Yahoo Finance·2026-01-21 15:01Core Viewpoint - Amazon.com Inc. is expected to regain its market leadership position after years of underperformance compared to its Big Tech rivals, driven by strong demand for its Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud-computing business and advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology [1][2]. Group 1: AWS and AI Impact - The demand for AWS is anticipated to benefit significantly from the growth of AI technology, which is also expected to enhance Amazon's e-commerce operations through improved advertising targeting and logistics efficiency [2]. - Portfolio managers believe that improvements in AWS will positively influence the stock's perception, which has been viewed as a laggard in the cloud sector [3]. Group 2: Stock Performance and Valuation - Amazon shares were the worst performers among the Magnificent Seven tech stocks in 2025, marking the seventh consecutive year of underperformance, with a 5% gain compared to a 20% increase in the Nasdaq 100 Index [4]. - The stock is currently trading at approximately 24 times projected earnings for the next 12 months, which is lower than competitors like Apple, Microsoft, and Alphabet, and significantly below its five-year average of 36 [5]. Group 3: Market Sentiment and Comparisons - Wall Street analysts point to Alphabet's recent stock rebound as a potential model for Amazon, noting that Alphabet was previously seen as a loser in the AI race but experienced a significant turnaround after launching its Gemini AI model [6]. - Following the release of the Gemini AI model, Alphabet's shares surged by 89%, leading to speculation that Amazon could be the next tech stock to benefit from a similar surge in AI enthusiasm [7].