Amazon Stock Is on a Roll. Here’s Why It’s on This Firm’s ‘Best Ideas List.’

Amazon reported strong first-quarter results, with revenue and operating income ahead of expectations. The company delivered operating income of $15.3 billion, above consensus of $11.3 billion, while reporting better-than-expected growth in both Amazon Web Services (+17.2% year over year versus Street +15%) and advertising (+24.3% Y/Y versus Street +23.5%). Amazon has now reported operating income above the high end of its guidance range for five consecutive quarters, and the company has a number of drivers for further margin expansion in place, including continued cost efficiencies within its fulfillment network as well as the ongoing mix shift toward higher-margin AWS and advertising revenue.