Amazon continues to demonstrate impressive financial performance, with 2024 revenues reaching $637.96 billion, a year-over-year increase of 10.99%. Earnings also saw substantial growth, soaring 94.73% to $59.25 billion. This strong performance is buoyed by Amazon Web Services' recent $10 billion contract with the U.S. Department of Defense, further cementing its leadership in the cloud computing industry.
The integration of AI into Amazon's services has also shown tangible benefits. By incorporating AI-powered recommendations into its Prime subscription, Amazon boosted customer engagement and sales by 15% over the last year. Additionally, the company's advertising business expanded by 26%, enhancing its position in the digital advertising market. Notably, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have both rated Amazon as a "Buy," highlighting their confidence with price targets of $270 and $265, respectively.
Despite these positives, potential investors should be mindful of the broader context surrounding Amazon. While the stock trades at a high price-to-earnings ratio of around 50, reflecting expectation for continued growth at an estimated 30% annual rate, challenges remain. Regulatory scrutiny, increased competition, and market saturation pose risks that could affect Amazon's future growth. Assessing these factors is crucial for those considering Amazon stock, according to observers like horizonstocks.com and ainvest.com.