Amazon launches 1-hour shipping in US cities to challenge Walmart | Reuters Skip to main content Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionalsLearn more aboutRefinitiv Boxes lie on a conveyor belt during Cyber Monday at Amazon's fulfillment center in Robbinsville, New Jersey, U.S., December 2, 2024. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab NEW YORK, March 17 (Reuters) - Amazon (AMZN.O), opens new tabis ramping up its speedy delivery service by offering 1-hour an ...

Core Insights - The U.S. Navy has signed its largest robotics deal with Gecko Robotics, aimed at enhancing fleet maintenance through robotic technology [1][2] - The initial contract is valued at $54 million, with a potential ceiling of $71 million over five years [1] Group 1: Deal Overview - The deal involves the use of Gecko's robots and sensors to monitor the health of the Navy's assets, starting with 18 ships in the Pacific Fleet [2] - Gecko Robotics has been collaborating with the Navy for four years, leading to the development of a preventative maintenance plan that impressed Navy officials [6] Group 2: Technology and Benefits - Gecko's robots will create detailed digital replicas, or "digital twins," of each ship, allowing for better monitoring and maintenance recommendations [3] - The technology aims to reduce maintenance times and costs, ultimately helping the Navy achieve its goal of 80% ship readiness by 2027, as currently only 40% of the fleet is operational at any time [4] Group 3: Financial Implications - The Navy spends between $13 billion to $20 billion annually on maintenance, highlighting the critical need for efficient asset management [5] - The implementation of robotic systems is expected to minimize downtime and extend the lifespan of naval assets [7]

Core Insights - Amazon is launching one-hour and three-hour delivery services in parts of the U.S. to meet consumer demand for faster delivery options [1] - The three-hour delivery service is available in approximately 2,000 cities and towns, while one-hour delivery is available in hundreds of those areas [1] - Over 90,000 products, including pantry items, cleaning supplies, medications, clothing, and toys, are eligible for delivery within three hours or less [2] Service Expansion - The service began with small-scale tests late last year and is expected to expand to more areas in the coming months [3] - Amazon aims to innovate delivery speed while maintaining low prices and a wide selection, continuing the legacy of its Prime service [3] User Experience Enhancements - A new storefront shopping page has been added for areas with these delivery options, allowing users to filter search results for products eligible for one-hour or three-hour delivery [4] - Customers can also check ultrafast delivery options on Amazon's dedicated getitfast site [4]

Core Insights - Consumer staples stocks are generally considered defensive, showing resilience during bear and bull markets, with a history of profitability and consistent dividend growth [1] Group 1: Costco Wholesale - Costco Wholesale has shown impressive performance, with total returns of approximately 220% over the past five years, compared to 82% for the S&P 500 [4] - The stock currently trades at a forward earnings multiple of 49.5, which is higher than other retailers like Amazon and Walmart, indicating a potentially overvalued status [6] - For the last quarter, Costco reported revenue of $69.6 billion and earnings of $4.55 per share, reflecting year-over-year increases of 8.1% in sales and 10.9% in earnings [7] Group 2: Altria Group - Altria Group has historically been a strong performer in wealth generation among consumer staples, with shares recently outperforming the S&P 500 despite a long-term decline in cigarette usage [9] - The company offers a high dividend yield of 6.13%, and reinvestment of dividends has led to a total return of 23% over the past year [11] - Altria's ability to maintain a secure dividend yield and potential for growth in smokeless products could enhance its long-term valuation [14] Group 3: Walmart - Walmart has outperformed the S&P 500 in total returns over the past decade, largely due to its successful transition to e-commerce [15] - The stock currently trades at 42 times forward earnings, raising questions about its valuation, but potential catalysts for growth include further e-commerce expansion and AI integration [17][18] - Walmart's dividend yield is currently 0.74%, with a recent increase of 9.2%, suggesting that future dividend growth could contribute significantly to total returns [19]

As market attention has shifted to the conflict in the Middle East, one might not have expected Amazon (AMZN +1.93%) to be at the center of controversy, but both external and internal threats have affected the company in recent days.The Iran conflict hit Amazon directly when drones struck three of its data centers in the Middle East. Additionally, a "software deployment code" error caused ordering issues on its e-commerce site. And Amazon Web Services' generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools were foun ...

Core Insights - Goldman Sachs analysts anticipate a rebound in stocks despite a modest pullback due to the ongoing conflict in Iran, suggesting portfolio adjustments are necessary as the war enters its third week [1][2]. Market Overview - The S&P 500 has declined approximately 2.5% since the U.S. and Israel initiated strikes against Iran, primarily driven by rising oil prices and the associated macroeconomic uncertainty [2]. - The Cboe Volatility Index, which measures market fear, has decreased sharply but remains above 20, indicating a jittery market environment [2]. Sector Analysis - Goldman Sachs has shifted its outlook for various sectors due to the war, maintaining a constructive baseline outlook for U.S. equities while recognizing increased downside risks [2][4]. - The firm is overweight in the healthcare and materials sectors, while it no longer recommends stocks related to middle-income consumers or non-residential construction, as these areas are expected to be negatively impacted by rising gas prices, which have surged about 25% in the past two weeks [5][6]. Defensive Positioning - The healthcare sector is viewed as a protective investment during economic slowdowns, having historically outperformed during oil shocks by 1.5 percentage points compared to the broader market [6][7]. - Non-residential construction may face challenges due to elevated energy and transportation costs, alongside increased economic uncertainty [5]. Emerging Opportunities - Outside of defensive sectors, Goldman Sachs sees potential for solar and cybersecurity stocks to benefit from the conflict, as rising oil prices may drive demand for renewable energy and increased cyber threats could enhance the appeal of cybersecurity investments [8][9]. - The hyperscalers, including Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta, may regain leadership in the AI sector as economic conditions evolve, despite current pressures from uncertainty regarding their AI investments [10][11].

Core Insights - Lonnie Ruscito's book "Split, Not Shattered" has achieved the 1 ranking on Amazon in multiple categories, including Divorce, Stepparenting and Blended Families, and Dysfunctional Relationships, indicating a strong demand for practical advice on co-parenting and emotional resilience [2][6] Group 1: Book Overview - The book provides informative and personal advice aimed at families experiencing divorce, focusing on creating better lives for both parents and children [1][2] - Ruscito challenges the perception of divorce as a family ending, presenting it instead as a new chapter that can lead to positive outcomes [3][4] Group 2: Key Themes - Emphasizes the importance of dignity, communication, and respect in co-parenting, advocating for custody agreements that prioritize children's best interests [4][5] - Encourages parents to focus on personal healing while ensuring their children's needs are met, promoting cooperation over bitterness [4][5] Group 3: Author's Mission - Ruscito aims to demonstrate that divorce does not have to destroy a family's future, advocating for a mindset shift towards forgiveness and healthy relationships [5][7] - His personal experiences as a father and entrepreneur inform his guidance on conflict resolution and personal growth, helping families create supportive environments [7]

Core Viewpoint - Federal regulators are considering new rules that could restrict small shareholders from submitting proposals on proxy ballots, with business groups advocating for higher ownership thresholds similar to those implemented in Texas [1][26]. Group 1: Regulatory Changes - The SEC is looking to raise the minimum ownership threshold for shareholders to submit proposals, potentially to $2,000 or higher, which could limit the influence of small investors [1][26]. - The SEC has decided not to evaluate company objections to shareholder proposals for the 2026 proxy season, allowing corporations to unilaterally exclude resolutions from ballots [7][8]. - Business groups, including the Business Roundtable and the National Association of Manufacturers, are pushing for restrictions on proxy access, advocating for higher ownership thresholds and limiting proposal topics [8][26]. Group 2: Impact on Small Shareholders - Governance watchdogs warn that the proposed changes could suppress the voices of small shareholders, including individual investors and activist groups [2][26]. - Small shareholders often struggle to gain majority support for their proposals, and even when successful, the non-binding nature of resolutions means companies are not obligated to comply [4][26]. - The SEC's decision to refrain from evaluating proposals has been described as a significant setback for small investors, with some activists labeling it the "worst attack ever" on their rights [15][26]. Group 3: Corporate Responses - Companies like Amazon have been frequently targeted by small investors, receiving the highest number of proposals in recent proxy seasons, with 40 proposals from 2023 to 2025 [12][26]. - Amazon has rejected various proposals, citing that the costs of implementation outweigh the benefits and that some proposals attempt to micromanage the business [11][14][26]. - In the 2025 proxy season, companies submitted 363 requests for no-action letters, with the SEC agreeing with about 194 of those requests, indicating a significant level of corporate pushback against shareholder proposals [10][26]. Group 4: Historical Context and Activism - The tradition of shareholder activism dates back to the 1930s and 1940s, with early activists ensuring that companies allowed shareholder proposal votes [18][26]. - Activists have historically pressured corporations to adopt better governance practices, with recent campaigns leading to changes in policies at companies like FedEx and Netflix [4][26]. - The current political climate has intensified the battle for proxy access, with accusations that some shareholder proposals are politically motivated rather than focused on shareholder value [22][26].

Core Viewpoint - Amazon.com shares are experiencing an upward trend due to continued gains in e-commerce market share and strong engagement from merchants and brands, as discussed at the Prosper Show 2026 conference [1] Group 1: Seller Pricing and Market Dynamics - Many sellers have not raised prices despite rising oil and shipping costs, as they fear losing market share [2] - There is growing uncertainty about the macro environment, with sellers considering price increases only if cost pressures persist [2] - The seller base is shrinking, with new seller registrations falling 44% year over year in 2025, leading to increased traffic per seller by 31% since 2021 [3] Group 2: Market Share and Seller Performance - Larger merchants are capturing a bigger share of shopper traffic, with the number of sellers generating over $100 million in gross merchandise value (GMV) rising to 235 from 50 in 2021 [4] Group 3: AI Tools and Retail Media - Sellers are investing heavily in generative AI tools to enhance product listings and visibility in AI-driven search systems [5] - Retail media spending increased by 33% year over year in Q4 2025, potentially reaching $108 billion in 2026, with Amazon holding a dominant 79% market share [6] - AI-optimized product listings can increase GMV by up to 80% and boost unit sales by 75% within two weeks [8] Group 4: E-commerce Growth Drivers - Price and delivery speed remain key drivers of e-commerce growth, with Amazon improving Prime delivery speeds for the third consecutive year in 2025 [9] - Despite concerns over Amazon's referral fees, sellers continue to rely on the platform due to its large customer base driving significantly higher sales [10] - Amazon shares were up 1.19% at $210.15 at the time of publication [10]

About this content About Emily Jarvie Emily began her career as a political journalist for Australian Community Media in Hobart, Tasmania. After she relocated to Toronto, Canada, she reported on business, legal, and scientific developments in the emerging psychedelics sector before joining Proactive in 2022. She brings a strong journalism background with her work featured in newspapers, magazines, and digital publications across Australia, Europe, and North America, including The Examiner, The Advocate, ...