Amazon Stock Soars 11%: Seattle, WA – Shares of Amazon experienced a remarkable 11% surge in Friday afternoon trading, just a day after the company reported exceptional second-quarter earnings and delivered optimistic guidance for the future. The sharp rise puts Amazon’s stock on track for its best day since November 10, 2022, when it skyrocketed by an impressive 12%.
Investors responded enthusiastically to Amazon’s blowout second-quarter results. The company easily surpassed expectations on the top line, reporting earnings of 65 cents per share, exceeding the Refinitiv consensus estimate of 35 cents per share. Amazon achieved its most substantial profit beat since 2020, a feat driven by the aggressive cost-cutting efforts of CEO Andy Jassy.
The e-retailer’s revenue also impressed, surging 11% year over year to reach $134.4 billion, outperforming the single-digit revenue expansion it had previously experienced. Analysts had anticipated revenue of $131.5 billion. Looking ahead, Amazon expects sales to remain robust in the third quarter, forecasting figures between $138 billion and $143 billion, which exceed consensus estimates of $138.25 billion according to Refinitiv.
Amazon Stock Soars 11%: Wall Street analysts commended Amazon’s strong results for Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the improved margins in its retail division. Bernstein analysts noted that AWS has stabilized and showed signs of future growth. Meanwhile, the performance of the retail sector held up well despite weakened consumer demand, and North American retail margins have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating an impressive acceleration alongside a reduction in fulfillment timelines.
The success of Amazon’s retail business has been attributed to growing efficiencies resulting from the adoption of a regional fulfillment model rather than a national “hub-and-spoke” strategy. By adopting this approach, Amazon has increased delivery speed and simultaneously reduced costs, generating further enthusiasm among investors.
Morgan Stanley analysts dubbed this shift as the “next retail flywheel” for Amazon and expressed their optimism with an overweight rating on Amazon’s shares. They emphasized Amazon’s revelation that faster delivery speed translates to lower costs when the right infrastructure is in place, as one-day and same-day shipping options historically lead to higher conversion rates and consumer spending growth. This combination, together with improved unit economics, could potentially signal a period of sustained faster growth and enhanced profitability for Amazon’s North American retail business.
Overall, the market’s response to Amazon’s second-quarter performance was overwhelmingly positive, reflecting confidence in the company’s ability to capitalize on its various segments and strategic initiatives. As of now, Amazon’s stock is trading at $140.67, reflecting a 9.12% increase. Investors and analysts are closely monitoring the e-commerce giant’s ongoing efforts to maintain its momentum and drive growth across its diverse portfolio.
