Could Amazon Stock Gain 79% This Year? 1 Wall Street Analyst Thinks So.

Core Viewpoint - Amazon's stock has been declining, down 12% over the past year, despite strong performance and significant investment in artificial intelligence (AI), creating potential buying opportunities for investors [1][8] Investment in AI - Amazon plans to invest $200 billion in AI this year, the highest among major competitors, with CEO Andy Jassy emphasizing the company's expertise in understanding demand signals and generating returns on invested capital [3] - The company's cloud division, Amazon Web Services (AWS), has a run rate of $142 billion, with a 24% year-over-year sales increase in the fourth quarter, marking the highest growth rate in years [3][6] Market Position and Growth - Amazon is transitioning clients from on-premises solutions to cloud services, positioning itself to capitalize on this shift [4] - The company continues to lead in e-commerce, launching services like Amazon Now for rapid delivery, which has significantly increased shopping frequency among Prime members in markets like India [6] Advertising and Future Growth - The advertising segment is experiencing high growth, with a 22% year-over-year sales increase in the fourth quarter, and Prime Video ads attracting 315 million viewers [7] - Amazon is also advancing in its satellite business and other areas, providing additional avenues for future growth [7] Market Sentiment - Despite current market challenges, Wall Street analysts largely view Amazon as a buy, with a consensus target suggesting a potential 42% gain over the next 12 to 19 months, and one analyst predicting a 79% increase [1][8]