Amazon's Q1 Earnings Exceed Expectations with Strong Growth in AWS and Advertising

Key Points:

• Amazon's Q1 revenue reached $143.3 billion, beating the expected $142.7 billion.
• Earnings per share were $0.98, above the forecasted $0.83.
• AWS revenue increased by 17%, and advertising revenue grew by 24% year-over-year.
• Overall operating income soared to $15.3 billion from $4.8 billion a year ago.
• Amazon's stock rose 5% in after-hours trading and is up over 70% in the past year.

Dive Insight:

Amazon's first-quarter earnings surpassed expectations, with a significant revenue of $143.3 billion and earnings per share of $0.98, beating analysts' predictions. The company's two primary profit engines, AWS and advertising, demonstrated strong year-over-year growth, contributing 17% and 24% increases in revenue, respectively. AWS continues to be a powerhouse, now achieving a $100 billion annual revenue run rate, supported by the rising demand for AI tools.

Operating income soared to $15.3 billion, a substantial increase from $4.8 billion a year ago, reflecting Amazon's robust financial health. This impressive performance led to a 5% rise in after-hours trading, with Amazon's stock showing a remarkable 70% increase over the past year.

Online stores generated $54.6 billion in revenue, up 7%, while third-party seller services saw a 16% rise to $34.6 billion. Shipping costs also grew by 10% to $21.8 billion, as Amazon emphasized faster delivery speeds and regional fulfillment centers. The company's physical stores, including Whole Foods and Amazon Go, reported $5.2 billion in revenue, marking a 6% increase despite recent closures of some clothing-focused locations.

Amazon's workforce expanded by 4% to 1.52 million employees, even after significant layoffs last year. Prime subscription services continued to thrive, with revenue up 11% to $10.7 billion.

Looking ahead, Amazon forecasts Q2 sales between $144 billion and $149 billion, slightly below estimates, with operating income expected to range from $10 billion to $14 billion. This cautious guidance reflects the company's strategic investments and ongoing efforts to streamline operations while continuing to drive growth in key areas such as cloud computing and advertising.