Can Amazon’s Q4 Earnings Reap Rewards from AWS Dominance?

Amazon Stock

Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) is poised to unveil its fourth-quarter 2023 results on Feb 1, with expectations high for positive outcomes driven by the robust performance of its cloud service division.

The Amazon Web Services (AWS) arm continues to assert its dominance in the cloud market, riding on increasing adoption and popularity. This strength is anticipated to be evident in the company’s upcoming fourth-quarter financial results.

The formidable momentum experienced by AWS has been instrumental in Amazon’s ability to generate substantial margins from its cloud business, a trend expected to persist in the yet-to-be-reported quarter.

In the third quarter of 2023, AWS reported revenues of $23.06 billion, constituting 12.3% of net sales and marking a 16.1% year-over-year increase. Furthermore, its operating income reached $6.98 billion, reflecting a 29.1% year-over-year growth.

The continued expansion of the customer base, coupled with enticing discounts for long-term deals, is likely to have propelled AWS’s top-line growth in the reviewed quarter.

The Consensus Estimate for AWS net sales in the fourth quarter of 2023 stands at $24.32 billion, signaling a 13.8% improvement from the corresponding figure reported in the previous year.

Key Considerations

The strength of AWS during the fourth quarter is expected to stem from its enhanced cloud services portfolio, driven by generative AI technology and the expansion of data center networks.

The positive impact of an increased number of AWS regions and availability zones is likely to have continued. Notably, AWS launched its second infrastructure region in Canada, located in Calgary, during the reviewed quarter.

All these factors are expected to contribute to Amazon’s ability to maintain momentum among existing cloud customers and attract new ones.

During the fourth quarter, Trip.com (NASDAQ:TCOM) selected AWS as its strategic cloud provider, utilizing AWS’ robust infrastructure and cloud services to facilitate global expansion and enhance the travel experience through cost-effective booking services and hassle-free on-the-go customer service support.

Additionally, prominent organizations such as Hyundai, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, SCAYLE, BYD, Axiata Group Berhad, Aerodyne, Cathay, and The Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited (Krungsri) opted for AWS as their preferred cloud provider, indicating a broad spectrum of industries leveraging AWS’s capabilities.

Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) also partnered with AWS during the quarter to harness its cloud solutions, utilizing generative AI for developing advanced therapies and enhancing the manufacturing throughput of medicines.

The expanding customer base and strategic partnerships are expected to have driven AWS’s top-line growth in the fourth quarter.

Featured Image: Unsplash

Please See Disclaimer

About the author: Stephanie Bédard-Châteauneuf has over seven years of experience writing financial content for various websites. Over the years, Stephanie has covered various industries, with a primary focus on tech stocks, consumer stocks, market news, and personal finance. She has an MBA in finance.