Key Highlights
- AMZN shares reached their best closing price since November 2025, trading merely 1.4% beneath the all-time record close of $254.
- Truist Securities increased its price objective to $285, projecting 25% AWS revenue expansion in Q1 fueled by artificial intelligence demand.
- TD Cowen analyst John Blackledge maintained his Buy recommendation with a $300 price objective, anticipating Q1 figures will surpass market expectations.
- Street consensus forecasts Q1 earnings per share at $1.63 alongside revenue of approximately $177.15 billion, reflecting 14% annual growth.
- The e-commerce giant announced plans to purchase Globalstar for roughly $12 billion while establishing a satellite connectivity partnership with Apple.
The Seattle-based tech titan has been enjoying a remarkable rally. Shares have climbed in nine out of the last 10 trading days, posting an impressive 20% gain throughout April. Since the beginning of the year, the stock has advanced 8.6% and currently hovers tantalizingly close to its all-time record closing level.
Shares ticked up 0.3% on Friday to reach $250.56, marking the highest closing price observed since November 3, 2025. The all-time closing peak stands at $254 — representing less than a 1.4% distance from current levels.
As the company prepares to report first-quarter results on April 29, analyst sentiment is becoming decidedly optimistic. Market forecasts point to earnings per share of $1.63, marginally higher than the $1.59 reported in the same period last year, while total revenue is anticipated to climb 14% to approximately $177 billion.
Truist Securities analyst Youssef Squali elevated his price objective on Friday from $280 to $285 while maintaining his Buy recommendation. His forecast calls for AWS revenue expansion of 25% during Q1, an improvement from the 23% registered in Q4. According to Squali, this acceleration stems from an expanding roster of artificial intelligence collaborations — notably including OpenAI and Anthropic.
Squali further anticipates North America marketplace revenue will increase roughly 10% compared to last year, characterizing macroeconomic challenges such as elevated fuel prices as “manageable” — provided they remain temporary.
Street Sentiment Turns Increasingly Positive Before April 29
Separately, TD Cowen’s John Blackledge, who holds a 5-star ranking, reaffirmed his Buy stance alongside a $300 price target — suggesting approximately 20% potential appreciation from present trading levels. His projections indicate Q1 revenue will edge marginally above consensus forecasts, while operating income should land about 4% higher than Street expectations.
Blackledge identifies high-margin segments like advertising and AWS as the primary profit catalysts, complemented by ongoing improvements in fulfillment operations.
Looking toward Q2 2026, his revenue and operating income projections exceed Wall Street consensus by 1.5% and 5% respectively, suggesting continued AWS momentum.
The overall Street perspective on AMZN reflects a Strong Buy consensus, comprising 42 Buy recommendations against only 3 Hold ratings. The mean price objective stands at $284.77 — representing roughly 14% upside potential from current price levels.
During the fourth quarter of 2025, AWS delivered 24% year-over-year revenue growth. Chief Executive Andy Jassy characterized it as the division’s “strongest growth rate in 13 quarters.” Market watchers now anticipate this positive trend will extend into the first quarter.
Satellite Network Ambitions Take Shape
Beyond quarterly results, Amazon has been actively pursuing strategic transactions. This past Tuesday, the company revealed intentions to acquire Globalstar at an equivalent price of $90 per share, placing the satellite operator’s valuation just below $12 billion.
This strategic acquisition positions the company to develop its own orbital broadband infrastructure — a sector presently led by Elon Musk’s Starlink operation.
The tech giant simultaneously executed an arrangement with Apple to deliver satellite connectivity capabilities for existing and upcoming iPhone and Apple Watch functionalities. This partnership builds upon an existing Globalstar agreement that Apple previously established.
The S&P 500 advanced 1.2% on Friday, while the Dow posted a 1.8% gain. AMZN’s 0.3% movement that session appeared relatively subdued in comparison, yet the equity’s extended upward momentum approaching earnings has captured significant analyst interest.
The consensus Wall Street price target of $284.77 presently implies approximately 14% appreciation potential from the stock’s latest close at $250.56.
