Headquartered in Seattle, WA, Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN - Free Report) is one of the largest online retailers in the world, with extensive operations in North America, and strong expansion across the globe.
The company, founded by Jeff Bezos in July 1994, went public in May 1997. It currently operates through the following segments: North America, International, and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Exceptionally Strong Q2 Results
The retail behemoth’s Q2 2018 earnings trounced street expectations, thanks to strong growth in its cloud and advertising businesses.
Net income surged to $2.5 billion or $5.07 per share, from $197 million, or $0.40 per share, in second quarter 2017. Earnings were significantly ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.49 per share
Net sales increased 39% to $52.9 billion from $38.0 billion in second quarter 2017. Sales however missed our estimate of $53.4 billion.
AWS revenues soared 48.9% year over year to $6.11 billion, thanks mainly to expanding customer base.
Prime Membership Exceeds 100 Million
The company held its fourth annual Prime Day on July 16. This was their biggest global shopping event ever. Members purchased more than 100 million products, and the best-selling items worldwide were the Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote and Echo Dot.
Earlier in April, the company had announced that it has more than 100 million Amazon Prime members globally. This was for the first time the company announced the number of Prime members.
Prime members enjoy free, unlimited two-day shipping, access to free music, movies and videos, and other perks. The membership fee was increased to $119 per year, recently.
Prime members now also get free two-hour delivery for Whole Foods orders over $35 in a number of cities, and 10% discounts on sale items at Whole Foods.
The company recently launched Prime Wardrobe, a “try before you buy” shopping service for its in-house as well as many designer brands.
Prime members tend to spend more on Amazon. Per Consumer Intelligence Research Partners, Prime members in the US spend $1,300 a year, while non-Prime members spend about $700.
Soaring Estimates
After an exceptionally strong quarterly report, analysts have significantly raised their estimates for the company.
Zacks Consensus Estimates for the current and the next fiscal year have jumped to $17.27 per share and $25.87 per share respectively, from $12.44 per share and $20.30 per share, before the results. The company has beaten Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the past four quarters, with an average quarterly surprise exceeding 1347%.
On Track to $1 Trillion Valuation?
Last week, Apple (AAPL) became the first U.S. company to reach $1 trillion market capitalization. Amazon is now the world’s second most valuable company, with a market capitalization exceeding $900 billion. Amazon’s shares have in fact risen fasten than Apple’s this year; they are up more than 55% year to date. The company is expected to join the $1 trillion stock club soon.
Bottom Line
Amazon was well known for not caring for short-term profits and instead focusing on longer-term investments. It invested heavily in multiple platforms and has now started reaping the benefits of all those investments made over the years.
This was Amazon’s most profitable quarter even though the company still continues to invest heavily.
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Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.
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Disclosure: I own shares of AMZN in my personal trading portfolio.
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
Headquartered in Seattle, WA, Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN - Free Report) is one of the largest online retailers in the world, with extensive operations in North America, and strong expansion across the globe.
The company, founded by Jeff Bezos in July 1994, went public in May 1997. It currently operates through the following segments: North America, International, and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Exceptionally Strong Q2 Results
The retail behemoth’s Q2 2018 earnings trounced street expectations, thanks to strong growth in its cloud and advertising businesses.
Net income surged to $2.5 billion or $5.07 per share, from $197 million, or $0.40 per share, in second quarter 2017. Earnings were significantly ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.49 per share
Net sales increased 39% to $52.9 billion from $38.0 billion in second quarter 2017. Sales however missed our estimate of $53.4 billion.
AWS revenues soared 48.9% year over year to $6.11 billion, thanks mainly to expanding customer base.
Prime Membership Exceeds 100 Million
The company held its fourth annual Prime Day on July 16. This was their biggest global shopping event ever. Members purchased more than 100 million products, and the best-selling items worldwide were the Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote and Echo Dot.
Earlier in April, the company had announced that it has more than 100 million Amazon Prime members globally. This was for the first time the company announced the number of Prime members.
Prime members enjoy free, unlimited two-day shipping, access to free music, movies and videos, and other perks. The membership fee was increased to $119 per year, recently.
Prime members now also get free two-hour delivery for Whole Foods orders over $35 in a number of cities, and 10% discounts on sale items at Whole Foods.
The company recently launched Prime Wardrobe, a “try before you buy” shopping service for its in-house as well as many designer brands.
Prime members tend to spend more on Amazon. Per Consumer Intelligence Research Partners, Prime members in the US spend $1,300 a year, while non-Prime members spend about $700.
Soaring Estimates
After an exceptionally strong quarterly report, analysts have significantly raised their estimates for the company.
Zacks Consensus Estimates for the current and the next fiscal year have jumped to $17.27 per share and $25.87 per share respectively, from $12.44 per share and $20.30 per share, before the results. The company has beaten Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the past four quarters, with an average quarterly surprise exceeding 1347%.
On Track to $1 Trillion Valuation?
Last week, Apple (AAPL) became the first U.S. company to reach $1 trillion market capitalization. Amazon is now the world’s second most valuable company, with a market capitalization exceeding $900 billion. Amazon’s shares have in fact risen fasten than Apple’s this year; they are up more than 55% year to date. The company is expected to join the $1 trillion stock club soon.
Bottom Line
Amazon was well known for not caring for short-term profits and instead focusing on longer-term investments. It invested heavily in multiple platforms and has now started reaping the benefits of all those investments made over the years.
This was Amazon’s most profitable quarter even though the company still continues to invest heavily.
Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?
Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.
Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.
See the pot trades we're targeting>>
Disclosure: I own shares of AMZN in my personal trading portfolio.
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
Get the latest research report on AMZN - FREE