Core Viewpoint - Amazon's stock has been trading sideways, down 3% in 2026 and 6% over the last year, with a 13% decline from its all-time high in November [1] Earnings Expectations - Earnings per share (EPS) is expected to be $1.98, a 5% increase year-over-year, and about three cents better than the previous quarter [3] - Revenue is projected at $211.46 billion, reflecting a 13% year-over-year increase [4] - Amazon Web Services (AWS) revenue is anticipated to reach $34.9 billion, a 21% increase from the same quarter last year [4] - Online store sales are expected to hit $82.3 billion, up approximately 9% [4] - Advertising revenue is forecasted to be $21.2 billion, showing significant growth from $17.3 billion in Q4 of 2024 [4] Capital Expenditure (Capex) Insights - Capex is expected to be a key focus, with projections of $34.9 billion for the quarter, up from $34.2 billion in the previous quarter [5][6] - The CFO indicated plans to spend $125 billion in 2025, with continued increases in 2026 to meet AI demand [6] Restructuring and Layoffs - Amazon announced the layoff of 16,000 employees and the closure of Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores, indicating potential restructuring [7] Market Sentiment and Volatility - The market is anticipating a 7% move in Amazon's stock following the earnings report, with increased volatility expected [14] - A cautious approach is being taken by investors, with some looking to buy on dips [9][13]

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Core Insights - Walmart Inc. achieved a $1 trillion market capitalization on February 3, 2026, marking the first traditional retailer to reach this milestone, driven by a 28% stock surge over the past year [1][2]. Group 1: Factors Contributing to Growth - Walmart's transformation into a tech-driven ecosystem was pivotal, integrating AI into its supply chain and enhancing inventory forecasting and search functionality [4]. - The company reported a 27% increase in global e-commerce sales for Q3 of fiscal 2026, successfully competing with Amazon through services like curbside pickup and fast delivery [4]. - Walmart has developed a $4 billion advertising business, Walmart Connect, which has higher operating margins than traditional retail, significantly boosting overall profitability [5]. - The "Everyday Low Price" (EDLP) strategy attracted higher-income shoppers during inflationary periods, expanding Walmart's customer base [5]. Group 2: Future Outlook - Walmart's inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 indicates its ambition to be valued like a high-growth tech stock, with analysts optimistic about its expansion into pharmacy-based healthcare and the growth of Walmart+ [6]. - Continued investments in AI, including a partnership with OpenAI for product browsing via ChatGPT, are expected to further enhance share price [7]. Group 3: Investment Opportunities - ETFs holding significant stakes in Walmart are highlighted as a way for investors to gain exposure to its growth without the risks associated with individual stocks [3][8]. - Key ETFs to consider include: - State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) with $16.81 billion AUM, 11.88% weight in Walmart, and a 9.4% gain over the past year [10][11]. - Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) with $7.7 billion in net assets, 15.07% weight in Walmart, and an 8.1% gain over the past year [12]. - Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) with $1.39 billion in net assets, 14.95% weight in Walmart, and a 7.8% gain over the past year [13]. - VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) with $267.6 million in net assets, 12.50% weight in Walmart, and a 9.4% gain over the past year [14].

Time now for Options Corner. Joining us to take a deeper look at the chart is Rick Ducat, lead market technician. All right, investors ready to key in on this one, especially given the trends we've already seen this earning season.So, what trends do you notice on the chart for Amazon, Rick. >> Yes, Amazon uh underperforming not only its own consumer discretionary sector, but the S&P to a a rather large degree. S&P up 13.5%.Amazon down about 1.3% here. When we do break it down and look at the Mag 7, it has t ...

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) will release earnings results for its fourth quarter, after the closing bell on Thursday, Feb. 5.Analysts expect the Seattle, Washington-based company to report quarterly earnings at $1.97 per share, up from $1.86 per share in the year-ago period. The consensus estimate for Amazon's quarterly revenue is $211.32 billion, versus $187.79 billion a year earlier, according to data from Benzinga Pro.The company has beaten analyst estimates for revenue in nine of the last 10 quarters ...

Core Insights - Layoffs announced by U.S. employers surged in January, reaching the highest level for the month in 17 years, driven by losses of business contracts and an uncertain economic environment [1] Group 1: Layoff Trends - The number of layoffs in January marked a significant increase compared to previous years, indicating a troubling trend in the labor market [1] - This surge in layoffs reflects broader economic challenges faced by companies, including contract losses and economic uncertainty [1] Group 2: Economic Environment - The uncertain economic environment is contributing to the rise in layoffs, suggesting that companies are adjusting their workforce in response to changing market conditions [1] - The data indicates that businesses are becoming more cautious, potentially leading to further employment challenges in the near future [1]

I'm testing out Spotify's new feature for audiobooks called page match, which allows you to scan a physical copy of the book you're reading and continue listening at the same spot in the audiobook version. You can also do the reverse if you want to continue reading where you left off in the audiobook. The page match feature will help you find the right page in your physical book.I got to test it out early and it works pretty fast. It also works with books you have on an e-reader. One thing I will point out ...

Core Viewpoint - German antitrust officials imposed a fine of approximately $70 million on Amazon.com for breaching competition law through its tools that filter out listings from third-party vendors [1] Group 1 - The fine reflects regulatory scrutiny on major tech companies regarding their market practices [1] - The decision highlights ongoing concerns about competition and fairness in the e-commerce sector [1] - Amazon's practices are under examination as part of broader antitrust investigations in Europe [1]

Market Overview - U.S. stock futures showed volatility with the Dow Jones declining after a shift away from tech stocks, while major benchmark indices had mixed futures [1] - The Nasdaq Composite fell approximately 351 points as investors redirected their focus [1] - Corporate earnings reports are expected to be the main market driver, with Amazon.com Inc. set to report after market close [1] Economic Indicators - Market participants are analyzing the latest weekly jobless claims report for insights into the U.S. labor market's resilience [2] - The 10-year Treasury bond yield is at 4.27%, while the two-year bond yield stands at 3.55% [2] - The CME Group's FedWatch tool indicates a 90.1% probability that the Federal Reserve will maintain current interest rates in March [2] Company Performance - Alphabet (GOOG) is noted for maintaining a strong price trend across short, medium, and long terms, with a solid quality ranking [3] - Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) shares increased by 0.11% ahead of its earnings report, with analysts expecting earnings of $1.97 per share on revenue of $211.32 billion [6] - Workday Inc. (WDAY) experienced a decline of 2.44% after announcing a 2% workforce reduction and anticipated $135 million in restructuring charges, yet it maintains a strong price trend [6] - Shell PLC (SHEL) fell by 2.40% after reporting adjusted earnings of $3.26 billion for the fourth quarter, which was below analyst expectations [5] Sector Performance - Energy, materials, and real estate sectors led gains, while information technology and communication services stocks contributed to market declines during a rotation away from growth [8] Analyst Insights - BlackRock maintains a "pro-risk" stance, viewing recent market fluctuations as a reshuffling rather than an end to the AI trade, identifying infrastructure as a key beneficiary of trends like AI and low-carbon transitions [9] - The nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Fed Chair has led to a significant repricing across asset classes, with expectations of a stronger focus on inflation control [10] - BlackRock suggests that Warsh's experience may stabilize the U.S. dollar and mitigate risks of global market spillovers, while cautioning that persistent inflation could limit aggressive rate cuts in 2026 [11]

Core Point - Amazon is closing approximately 60 Amazon Fresh stores in the US, leading to significant job losses for employees in the grocery business [1][2] Group 1: Store Closures and Employee Impact - The closure of Amazon Fresh stores will affect thousands of employees, with around 3,900 workers impacted in California alone due to the shutdown of roughly 20 stores [2] - Amazon Fresh employees will receive their normal pay and benefits for 90 days following the announcement, or until April 28, whichever comes first [4] - Employees will have the opportunity to apply for open roles within Amazon and will receive career transition services to assist in finding new positions [5] Group 2: Severance and Transfer Options - If employees do not secure a new job within Amazon by late April, they will receive severance pay calculated at one week of pay for every six months of service, with a minimum of four weeks' pay and a potential maximum of 20 weeks [6] - Workers interested in transferring within Amazon are encouraged to look for similar positions at Whole Foods or Amazon grocery warehouses through the internal A to Z portal [6] Group 3: Employee Compensation - Grocery associates at Amazon Fresh typically earned between $16 and $20 per hour, according to data from job search site Indeed [7]