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On Friday, Truist Securities adjusted its outlook on Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) shares, reducing the price target to $265 from the previous $270, still within the broader analyst range of $211-$306. The firm continues to endorse the stock with a Buy rating, aligning with the strong consensus recommendation of 1.39 (Strong Buy). The decision by Truist follows Amazon’s performance in the fourth quarter of 2024, where the company exceeded expectations, showcasing strong fundamentals across its retail, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and advertising segments. With trailing twelve-month revenue reaching $620.1 billion and EBITDA of $111.6 billion, Amazon continues to demonstrate its market dominance.
Despite the positive performance, Truist Securities foresees challenges ahead for Amazon, including increased capital expenditures (CapEx) and the impact of foreign exchange (FX) headwinds. These factors are anticipated to temper growth and margin expectations for 2025. As a result, Truist has revised its estimates and price target accordingly. According to InvestingPro analysis, Amazon maintains a healthy gross profit margin of 48.4% and operates with a moderate level of debt, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61.
The research firm remains optimistic about Amazon’s long-term prospects, citing the company’s position as a leading player in the ongoing growth of e-commerce, cloud services, advertising, and logistics-as-a-service. According to Truist, these sectors offer a compelling valuation for Amazon. The firm also highlighted Amazon’s North American Retail segment, which grew faster than the overall e-commerce market, and the record segment margin driven by cost-to-serve improvements. InvestingPro data reveals Amazon’s impressive 46.7% price return over the past six months, with 15+ additional ProTips available for subscribers.
Despite the lowered price target, Truist’s outlook for Amazon remains bullish. The firm believes that the company’s diverse business model and improvements in operational efficiency will continue to drive its success. The latest guidance from Amazon, which reflects caution due to higher forecasted CapEx and FX challenges, has been factored into Truist’s updated analysis.
Investors are watching closely as Amazon navigates the forecasted headwinds and continues to invest in its expansive portfolio of services. With the updated price target of $265, Truist Securities maintains confidence in Amazon’s ability to maintain its stronghold in its various business segments.
In other recent news, Amazon has seen several adjustments to its stock price target by different analyst firms. Benchmark raised its price target for Amazon from $265 to $270, maintaining a "Buy" rating. The firm noted that despite a decrease in revenue forecasts, an increase in profit projections led to the revised price target.
Stifel also increased its price target for Amazon, lifting it from $245 to $275, and reiterated a "Buy" rating. This adjustment follows Amazon’s plans for substantial capital expenditures, projecting about $100 billion for the year, a move that aligns with the company’s strategy to meet anticipated consumer demand.
Oppenheimer lifted its price target for Amazon to $260 from $230, maintaining an "Outperform" rating. The adjustment reflects a positive outlook based on higher financial estimates and a valuation extended to 2026. The firm highlighted significant demand signals for Amazon Web Services (AWS), despite current capacity constraints.
Raymond (NSE:RYMD) James increased the price target for Amazon to $275 from $260, reiterating a "Strong Buy" rating. The firm’s optimism is based on the performance of AWS and its AI business, which is showing rapid growth despite current constraints.
Lastly, Cantor Fitzgerald maintained an "Overweight" rating and a $270 price target for Amazon, indicating a robust core business despite substantial capital expenditure forecasts. The firm sees potential for margin growth within Amazon’s retail division and a clear path for accelerated growth in AWS. These recent developments highlight a generally positive outlook for Amazon among analyst firms.
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