Amazon stock forecast: Where next for AMZN amid massive layoffs?
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In 2022, the Amazon (AMZN) stock price was slashed in half amid risk-off sentiment and fears of a global recession.
Rumours of massive layoffs taking place at the e-commerce giant have materialised as the retail giant’s CEO, Andy Jassy, confirmed that the company plans to let go more than 18,000 employees, the biggest reduction in Amazon’s workforce in its history.
Is this a signal that Amazon expects to take a stronger hit as the global recession unfolds, or are the layoffs simply a necessary step to stimulate business performance? Here we take a look at Amazon stock forecast and news driving the AMZN stock price.
Amazon (AMZN) live stock price
About Amazon
The company was founded in 1994 by entrepreneur Jeff Bezos. He recognised the e-commerce potential of the fast-growing internet.
Amazon was originally an online bookselling platform – being able to list all titles online gave the company an advantage over in-person booksellers who had to print long and expensive paper catalogues. In its early years, Amazon famously operated out of Bezos’s garage in Bellevue, Washington.
The firm officially debuted in October 1995, and in two months was earning $20,000 a week in sales. On 15 May 1997, the company went public at $18 a share, listing on the Nasdaq.
However, it would be several years before Amazon would turn a profit. In the fourth quarter of 2001 – amid the bursting of the dot com bubble that saw the destruction of many e-commerce companies – Amazon posted a profit of $5m.
The company would continue innovating over the following years, launching products and services, including two-day membership delivery Amazon Prime in 2005, electronic reading device Amazon Kindle in 2007, and electronic voice assistant Echo & Alexa in 2016.
Amazon also branched out into music and film with Amazon Music and Amazon Instant Video.
What is your sentiment on AMZN?
Amazon stock slashed in half in 2022
Amazon stock is currently trading at the levels not seen since the March 2020 market turmoil. The stock has enjoyed a bull run in 2021, reaching a record $188.65 intraday high on 13 July.
2022, however, has painted a different picture, with the war in Ukraine, soaring inflation and aggressive monetary tightening seeing AMZN stock losing 50% in the year.
Amazon stock price, 2018 - 2023
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Source: NASDAQ, via TradingView
Massive layoffs welcomed by the markets
In the press release confirming Amazon’s plan to lay off 18,000 employees, Jassy encouraged investors:
Market participants reacted negatively to the announcement, with the AMZN stock price falling 2.37% on the day.
AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould said in a note shared with Capital.com that even though the workforce reduction is the biggest in history, it becomes a “drop in the ocean” when viewed in the context of the 1.5 million total Amazon employees. He added:
Mould pointed out that the retail giant is likely to focus on its core e-commerce and Amazon Web Services cloud operations, noting that the announcement will be viewed positively by the shareholders as it signals higher returns.
US recession fears hurt the stock
In late April 2022, Amazon’s stock fell 14% on the day the company released its financial results for the first quarter of 2022. Back then, the company reported a $3.8bn net loss due to a $7.6bn markdown of its investment in Rivian (RIVN), the electric vehicle startup in which the company has a large stake.
The stock price has not recovered with the US Federal Reserve (Fed) bringing interest rates to 4.25%-4.5% at the December meeting. The aggressive monetary tightening coupled with the war in Ukraine has turned global investor sentiment sour, raising concerns about the US recession.
Amazon is a large e-commerce business with revenues primarily coming from its North American business. The performance of the US economy is highly relevant to determine how the company will perform financially in the future.
“Powell remained adamant, as we have noted, that he expects to maintain a significantly restrictive policy stance until incoming data support a high degree of confidence that inflation will fall to 2% on a sustained basis”, analysts from S&P Global commented in a December note.
Meanwhile, around 30% of the global economy could be poised to enter a recession according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), while the largest three economies in the world – the US, China, and the European Union – will be growing at a slower rate compared to 2022.
Amazon’s income fell in Q3 2022
Amazon reported the third quarter of 2022 results on 28 October. Net sales increased 15% to $127.1bn, compared to $110.8bn year-on-year. Excluding the $5.0bn of the unfavourable foreign exchange rate impact, net sales increased 19% compared to a year ago.
Operating income fell to $2.5bn from $4.9bn, while net income decreased to $2.9bn, or $0.28 per diluted share, compared to $3.2bn, or $0.31 per diluted share.
Third quarter 2022 net income included a pre-tax valuation gain of $1.1bn included in non-operating income from the investment in Rivian Automotive.
Amazon stock forecast for 2023 and beyond
According to data compiled by TipRanks as of 23 January, the consensus analyst forecast for Amazon stock price was bullish. A total of 35 out of 39 analysts rated the stock as a buy, while four gave it a hold rating.
The consensus AMZN stock forecast for the next 12 months stood at $133.04 a share. Meanwhile, the highest Amazon stock forecast for 2023 was $192 and the lowest was at $103.
Analysts have been lowering their price targets for Amazon in the past year. According to data from MarketBeat, UBS Group, Evercore ISI, JPMorgan & Chase, and Piper Sandler have been among the firms to slash their 12-month Amazon share price forecasts from November 2022 to January 2023.
Among the algorithm-based forecasting services, Gov Capital was holding a bearish short-term Amazon stock predictions stock based on an analysis of multiple technical indicators as of 23 January.
The website anticipated the stock to trade at $129.735 in December 2023. Their Amazon stock forecast for 2025 was more bullish, expecting shares to be valued at $406.624 by the end of the first semester, closing the year at $425.046.
The forecaster was far more optimistic about Amazon’s long-term future, predicting that the stock could hit $893.525 five years from now.
Final thoughts
Note that analysts’ and algorithm-based Amazon stock forecasts can be wrong and shouldn’t be used as a substitute for your own research. Always conduct your own due diligence before trading, looking at the latest news, technical and fundamental analysis and a wide range of expert commentary.
Remember, past performance does not guarantee future returns. And never trade more money than you can afford to lose.
FAQs
Is Amazon a good stock to buy?
According to data compiled by TipRanks as of 23 January, the consensus analyst forecast for Amazon stock price was bullish. A total of 35 out of 39 analysts rated the stock as a buy, while four gave it a hold rating. However, remember that analyst views can be wrong and only you can decide whether Amazon stock is a suitable investment for you. Remember, past performance does not guarantee future returns. And never trade more money than you can afford to lose.
Will Amazon stock go up?
No one can say for sure. The consensus AMZN stock forecast for the next 12 months stood at $145.87, according to the analyst views compiled by MarketBeat as of 23 January. Meanwhile, the highest Amazon stock forecast for 2023 was $270 while the lowest stood at $103. Remember, analyst predictions can be wrong and should not be used as a substitute for your own due diligence.
Should I invest in Amazon stock?
Whether Amazon is a suitable investment for you would depend on your risk tolerance, investing goals and portfolio composition. Always perform your own due diligence before investing. Remember, past performance does not guarantee future returns. And never trade more money than you can afford to lose.
