Q3 performance shows growth potential, receiving high praise from Wall Street. Is Amazon close to dividends and buybacks?
Amazon's third-quarter performance exceeded market expectations, and Wall Street analysts are optimistic about its growth prospects and stock price upside. Morgan Stanley analysts pointed out that retail EBIT surpassed expectations, while Wedbush analysts emphasized that operating profits have exceeded guidance for seven consecutive quarters. Evercore ISI analysts recommend a bullish outlook, believing that AWS and advertising revenue will drive future profit growth. Analysts mentioned that Amazon may pay dividends and conduct buybacks as profitability improves, with cash reserves exceeding $100 billion
According to Zhitong Finance APP, Amazon (AMZN.US) reported third-quarter revenue, earnings per share, and operating profit all exceeding market expectations. Wall Street analysts are optimistic about this and excited about Amazon's growth prospects and the potential for further increases in its stock price.
Morgan Stanley analyst Brian Nowak stated that concerns about the e-commerce giant's recent profitability across the company and its management through investments in low-cost essentials have been exaggerated. He noted that the retail business's EBIT was 15% higher than expected.
Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives emphasized that Amazon has reported operating profits above the high end of its guidance range for the seventh consecutive quarter, and the company has many drivers for future margin growth. Ives mentioned that these profit drivers include ongoing cost efficiencies in its delivery network and a continued shift towards higher-margin AWS and advertising revenues.
Evercore ISI analyst Mark Mahaney and his team stated that they continue to recommend a bullish outlook on Amazon, as they see more room for accelerated growth in AWS, and that the profitability of Amazon Prime Video is just beginning.
Mahaney also pointed out that Amazon is leveraging several new promising growth initiatives, such as Pharmacy and Kuiper. Interestingly, Mahaney mentioned the idea of Amazon paying dividends and conducting new buybacks. He wrote, "Finally, with improving profitability and cash reserves exceeding $100 billion, the inevitability of substantial capital returns is also rising."
Seeking Alpha analyst Abdullah Al-Rezwan emphasized that Amazon has once again delivered an impressive quarterly performance. He noted that every part of the company's business seems to be performing well and moving in the right direction