Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) stock has reached new heights, marking a two-year peak after the company delivered impressive Q4 results. The tech giant’s robust performance echoes the trend seen in fellow FAANG member Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META), which also experienced a stock boost, while Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) faced a decline in shares due to less-than-expected earnings.
In contrast to Meta Platforms, which openly declared 2023 as the “year of efficiency” with substantial cost-cutting measures, last year witnessed a general theme of belt-tightening across major tech firms. Amazon’s CFO, Brian Olsavsky, emphasized that although 2024 won’t be officially labeled as an “efficiency-focused year,” the company remains committed to ongoing cost reduction. Olsavsky stated, “Where we can find efficiencies and do more with less, we’re going to do that as well.”
Amazon’s Q4 Earnings Report
Amazon reported an outstanding net profit of $10.6 billion in Q4, surpassing the prior quarter’s record of $9.9 billion. The company’s Q4 operating income soared to $13.2 billion, nearly five times higher than the same quarter last year and exceeding its guidance by over $2.2 billion. The full-year operating income amounted to $36.9 billion, more than triple the figure reported in 2022.
In a significant turnaround, Amazon generated free cash flows of $36.8 billion in 2023, a notable improvement from the negative free cash flow of $11.6 billion in the previous year. This positive shift followed heavy investments in expanding capacities to meet escalating demand.
Amazon’s Forward Guidance
Amazon anticipates Q1 revenues ranging between $138 billion and $143.5 billion, indicating a year-over-year growth between 8% and 13%. The company projects an operating income between $8 billion and $12 billion for Q1, substantially higher than the $4.8 billion reported in Q1 2023. Despite the impressive financials, Olsavsky emphasized cautious investment strategies and did not rule out the possibility of layoffs, reflecting the company’s commitment to optimizing efficiency.
Analyst Optimism and Stock Forecast
Analysts, particularly bullish on Amazon among FAANG stocks before the earnings release, have seen their optimism validated. Amazon’s stock has surged over 6.7% following the announcement, approaching its all-time high of $188.65 set in July 2021. The mean target price of $182.95 suggests a potential 15% increase from the previous day’s closing prices, with a low target of $123 and a high target of $230. The strong earnings and guidance may prompt further upward adjustments to the stock’s target price.
Why Amazon’s Rally Continues
While Amazon’s focus on cost-cutting and efficiency supports its bottom line, the stabilization of top-line growth is also a key factor in the ongoing stock rally. Even Amazon Web Services (AWS), which experienced declining revenue growth in recent quarters, reported a YoY increase of 13%, surpassing the previous quarter’s low of 12%. The company attributes AWS’s slowing growth to customer-side cost optimizations, expressing optimism about its future outlook.
Amazon’s CEO, Andy Jassy, highlighted generative AI as a pivotal long-term growth driver, anticipating it to contribute tens of billions of dollars to the company’s revenue in the coming years. The introduction of Rufus, a generative AI shopping assistant, is expected to enhance conversion rates through improved product recommendations. With a robust outlook and multiple growth catalysts, Amazon’s stock rally is poised to continue, potentially reaching new highs throughout the year.
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Author Faith Yakubu 
