Amazon.com, Inc. ( AMZN ) is reporting Q4 '25 on Thursday after the bell. The stock hasn’t exactly been the market’s favorite over the past year. What we’re seeing happen withI’m a retired Wall Street PM specializing in TMT; since kickstarting my career, I’ve spent over two decades in the market navigating the technology landscape, focusing on risk mitigation through the dot com bubble, credit default of ‘08, and, more recently, with the AI boom. In one word, what I’d like my service to revolve around is mo ...

The fizzled tie-up is a setback for Amazon's efforts to gain a bigger foothold in high-end sales. ...

Core Insights - The article highlights the significant American companies that have shaped the nation's identity and economy as it approaches its 250th birthday, emphasizing their cultural and historical impact rather than just financial metrics [1][2]. Group 1: Visa - Visa was established in 1958 as BankAmericard, launching the first consumer credit card in the U.S. [3][6] - The company rebranded as Visa in 1976 and went public in 2008, currently holding a market cap of $632 billion [4][6]. - Visa operates in over 220 countries and territories, accepted at more than 175 million merchants [7]. Group 2: Meta (Facebook) - Facebook was founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and quickly grew to 1 billion users by 2012, later rebranding to Meta in 2021 [9][13][14]. - The platform has faced controversies regarding user data and misinformation but remains a dominant social media service with over 3 billion regular users [15]. Group 3: Boeing - Boeing, established in 1916, is a leading aerospace company known for producing commercial jets and military aircraft [15][16]. - The company has faced challenges in recent years, including safety allegations and COVID-19 impacts, but continues to be a major player in the industry with a market cap of $185 billion [20][21]. Group 4: Tesla - Tesla was founded in 2003, with Elon Musk joining in 2004, and has become synonymous with electric vehicles, launching the Model 3 in 2017 as the best-selling electric car [23][27]. - The company has a market cap of $1.4 trillion and is recognized for driving electric vehicles into the mainstream [28]. Group 5: Patagonia - Patagonia was founded in 1973 by Yvon Chouinard, known for its commitment to sustainability and donating 1% of sales to environmental causes [30][33]. - The company has expanded from climbing gear to a wide range of outdoor apparel and is estimated to have a market cap of $3 billion [33]. Group 6: Intel - Intel was founded in 1968 and became a leader in semiconductor technology, introducing the first programmable microprocessor in 1971 [34][35]. - The company has maintained a significant market presence, controlling approximately 75% of the CPU market as of 2025 [38]. Group 7: HP - HP was established in 1939, initially focusing on sound equipment and later becoming a leader in personal computers and printers [40][42]. - The company split into HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprises in 2015, with HP Inc. having a market cap of $18 billion [45]. Group 8: Nike - Nike was founded in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports and rebranded in 1971, becoming a dominant player in the sportswear market with a 14% share in 2024 [46][50]. - The company gained fame through its endorsement deal with Michael Jordan, significantly boosting its brand recognition [48]. Group 9: Kodak - Kodak was founded in 1888 and became a pioneer in photography, introducing innovations like roll film and the first digital camera [51][54]. - The company filed for bankruptcy in 2012 and now focuses primarily on commercial printing and imaging [56]. Group 10: IBM - IBM was established in 1911 and became synonymous with computing, initially focusing on tabulating machines and later dominating the PC market [59][62]. - The company has shifted its focus to consulting, software, and cloud computing, with a market cap of $291 billion [67]. Group 11: Paramount Pictures - Paramount Pictures, founded in 1912, is recognized as the longest-operating major studio in Hollywood, producing numerous iconic films [68][70]. - The studio has undergone various mergers and continues to be a significant player in the entertainment industry with a market cap of $12 billion [74]. Group 12: Netflix - Netflix was founded in 1997 as a DVD rental service and transitioned to streaming in 2007, becoming a leader in the industry [77][80]. - The company has a market cap of $351 billion and announced plans to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in 2025 [81]. Group 13: FedEx - FedEx was founded in 1971, revolutionizing overnight delivery with a centralized hub model [83][84]. - The company has introduced several innovations in the shipping industry and has a market cap of $74 billion [88]. Group 14: Motown - Motown Records, established in 1959, played a crucial role in integrating Black artists into mainstream pop music [91][92]. - The label produced numerous hits and helped launch the careers of many iconic artists, although it faded in prominence during the 1970s [94][96]. Group 15: PepsiCo - PepsiCo was formed in 1965 through the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company and Frito-Lay, becoming a leading global food and beverage brand [99][100]. - The company is known for its innovative marketing strategies and has a significant rivalry with Coca-Cola [101]. Group 16: Levi Strauss - Levi Strauss, founded in 1853, is known for creating the first riveted blue jeans, which have become a cultural staple [104][106]. - The company continues to sell a wide range of apparel and remains a significant player in the fashion industry [106]. Group 17: Microsoft - Microsoft was founded in 1975 and became a leader in software development, particularly with its Windows operating system [109][110]. - The company has expanded into gaming, cloud services, and AI, with a market cap of $7.8 billion [112]. Group 18: The Home Depot - The Home Depot was established in 1978, focusing on providing a wide range of building supplies and home improvement products [115][116]. - The company has a strong commitment to community initiatives, particularly supporting veterans, and has a market cap of $3.2 trillion [118]. Group 19: WK Kellogg Company - WK Kellogg Company was formed from the original Kellogg's brand, known for its iconic cereals and snacks [121][123]. - The company underwent a reorganization in 2023, with its cereal business spun off into a new entity [123].

Core Insights - Two of the Magnificent Seven stocks, Alphabet and Amazon, are set to report earnings this week, following four others that reported last week, which could impact market indexes and ETFs [1] Group 1: Alphabet - Analysts expect Alphabet to report Q4 earnings per share of $2.62 and revenue of $104.75 billion, compared to $2.15 and $96.47 billion in the same quarter last year [4] - Alphabet has consistently beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share for 11 consecutive quarters and for revenue in nine of the last ten quarters [4] - Price targets for Alphabet stock have been raised ahead of the earnings report, with Goldman Sachs maintaining a Buy rating and a $375 price target, highlighting monetization opportunities from its AI platform, Genie 3 [5][6][7] Group 2: Amazon - Analysts expect Amazon to report Q4 earnings per share of $1.96 and revenue of $211.33 billion, compared to $1.86 and $187.79 billion in the same quarter last year [8] - Amazon has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share for 12 consecutive quarters and for revenue in nine of the last ten quarters [8] - Following a low performance in 2025, expectations for Amazon in 2026 are higher, with analysts noting a potential "major technical breakout" as shares have been trading flat over the past year [9][10] Group 3: Recent Earnings Performance - The four companies that reported earnings last week all achieved double beats, exceeding analyst estimates for both earnings per share and revenue [11] - Meta Platforms was the standout performer, with shares surging post-earnings, while Microsoft saw a decline, and Apple and Tesla had mixed results [12]

box office surprise for Melania Trump's new documentary. The Amazon film, which follows the 20 days leading up to President Donald Trump's second inauguration, pulled in $7 million domestically in its opening weekend. That's above earlier forecasts of around 5 million, according to ComCore.That makes Melania the biggest non-music documentary debut in more than a decade with data showing a strong turnout from women, older viewers, and rural theaters even as critical reviews were mostly negative. ...

Core Insights - Amazon is laying off 2,198 employees in Washington as part of a corporate workforce reduction, with software development roles being the most affected [1][2] - The layoffs are part of a larger plan impacting 16,000 corporate employees globally, marking the largest workforce reduction in Amazon's history [3][4] - The company aims to streamline operations by reducing layers of management and bureaucracy, particularly within its technical teams [6] Layoff Details - Over 1,400 of the layoffs are in Seattle, with more than 600 in Bellevue, where Amazon has been expanding its office presence [3] - The layoffs include senior- and principal-level employees and primarily affect Amazon's core product and engineering organizations, along with other support functions [2][3] - Previous layoffs in October involved 2,303 employees in Washington, contributing to a total of over 4,500 corporate workers laid off in the state within a year [4][5] Company Strategy - Amazon's recent layoffs are part of a broader strategy to address corporate "bloat" and adapt to economic uncertainties, with many companies in the tech sector also reducing headcount [10] - The company has implemented a five-day return-to-office policy, which has faced some pushback but is intended to support local businesses [11] - Amazon is also closing all Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores nationwide, resulting in an additional 400 layoffs in Washington state, separate from the corporate layoffs [12] Economic Context - The Seattle area has experienced job losses across all sectors, with a total of 12,900 jobs lost last year, marking the first annual decrease since 2009 [10] - The broader layoffs in the tech sector may have implications for Seattle's commercial real estate market, which is currently facing high vacancy rates [11]

Markets are punishing ambiguity and rewarding candor as tech giants spell out the true cost—and confidence—behind their AI investment plans. ...

Core Insights - LVMH's champagne division, which includes brands such as Moet & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot, has reached an agreement with labor representatives to compensate workers for lost bonuses [1] Group 1 - The CGT union announced the deal regarding compensation for workers affected by lost bonuses [1]

Group 1 - The documentary "Melania" generated $7 million in its opening weekend, surpassing initial estimates of $1 million to $2 million and predictions of $5 million [1][2] - The film focuses on Melania Trump during the 20 days leading up to Donald Trump's second inauguration and was released in 1,778 theaters across the US and Canada [2] - Amazon purchased the film for $40 million and spent an additional $35 million on marketing, making it the most expensive documentary in history [3] Group 2 - The film received an 11% approval rating from professional critics but a 99% rating from regular viewers according to RottenTomatoes.com [2] - The premiere event was hosted by Amazon and the White House at the Kennedy Center, with promotional efforts including repositioning buses with Melania advertisements [4] - The film faces challenges in the streaming era, where audiences often prefer to skip theatrical releases for documentaries [5]

Core Viewpoint - Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) is expected to release its Q4 earnings on February 5th, and there is a sentiment of pausing further investments in the company at this time [1]. Group 1: Company Overview - Amazon is a major player in the e-commerce and cloud computing sectors, with significant market influence [1]. Group 2: Financial Insights - The company has a strong financial background, with a focus on analyzing financial statements and market trends to identify growth drivers [1].