Amazon's Quarterly Beats: Don't Sweat the Dings

Amazon's recent quarterly earnings report was a mixed bag, with strong beats overshadowed by a couple of dings that investors seemed to focus on. But let's not sweat the small stuff and take a closer look at what really matters for Amazon's long-term growth trajectory.

Amazon reported a stronger-than-expected fourth quarter, driven by robust cloud growth, AI investments, and a strong holiday shopping season. The company's earnings per share (EPS) of $1.43 beat estimates by $0.11, while revenue of $158.87 billion surpassed expectations by $3.17 billion. However, the stock fell roughly 4% in after-hours trading due to a first-quarter 2025 forecast that missed estimates and a larger-than-expected capital expenditure plan.



Despite the market's focus on these dings, there are several reasons why investors shouldn't sweat them too much:

1. Strong Earnings Growth: Amazon's earnings growth is a testament to the company's ability to maintain growth across multiple segments. The strong performance in the fourth quarter demonstrates that Amazon is still a formidable player in the market.
2. Shift towards Higher-Margin Businesses: Amazon is transitioning towards higher-margin advertising and AWS revenue, which is expected to significantly boost the company's profitability. This shift is a strategic move to improve long-term margins and drive sustainable growth.
3. Investment in Long-Term Initiatives: Despite concerns regarding Project Kuiper's expenses, Wedbush remains optimistic about Amazon's long-term margin trajectory. The company's investments in long-term initiatives like Project Kuiper and AI indicate a commitment to future growth.
4. Growth in Key Segments: Amazon's cloud segment, Amazon Web Services (AWS), is a significant driver of growth. Although AWS revenue missed estimates in the recent quarter, it still grew to $28.79 billion, demonstrating the segment's resilience and long-term potential.

In conclusion, Amazon's recent earnings and guidance changes reflect the company's long-term growth trajectory by showcasing strong earnings growth, a shift towards higher-margin businesses, investment in long-term initiatives, and growth in key segments like AWS. While the market may focus on the dings, investors should not sweat them too much, as Amazon's fundamentals remain strong and its long-term growth prospects are intact.