Amazon Surges On Cloud Momentum As Apple Falls On Soft Guidance In A Splintered Big Tech Earnings Season

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

August 3, 2026

Amazon and Apple reported quarterly results that beat Wall Street expectations, but investors reacted differently as attention shifted to outlooks, artificial intelligence spending and future growth. While Amazon shares rose in premarket trading Friday after strong cloud results, Apple came under pressure after issuing weaker-than-expected guidance despite beating estimates on revenue, earnings and iPhone sales.

Amazon Sees Strong Cloud Growth

Revenue at Amazon Web Services, the company’s cloud computing division, increased 37% year over year, marking its fastest growth since 2021. Growth in AWS reassured investors that demand for cloud infrastructure remains strong as AI adoption accelerates.

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To support that expansion, Amazon raised its 2026 capital expenditure forecast to $220 billion from $200 billion, reflecting continued investment in AI infrastructure.

“AWS’s strong growth is a clear indicator that its infrastructure investments are meeting market demand rather than outpacing it,” Tracy Woo, principal analyst at Forrester, said in a note.

Apple Outlook Weighs On Shares

Apple exceeded Wall Street expectations for revenue, earnings and iPhone sales, but forecast revenue growth of 9% to 11% for the current quarter, below analysts’ expectations of 12%, according to LSEG.

Supply constraints remain a challenge, particularly for memory components used across the company’s product portfolio. Those pressures have already contributed to higher prices for Macs and iPads, while analysts expect iPhone prices to increase later this year.

Investors Focus On AI Execution

The contrasting market reaction highlights how closely investors are watching AI-related investment and growth across the technology sector. Before Friday’s move, Amazon shares had gained about 4% this year, compared with roughly 23% for Apple.

Elsewhere in the sector, Meta shares fell 8% on Thursday, while Microsoft gained 15%, reflecting differing investor views on AI investment strategies and expected returns.

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Shein Targets $25 Billion Valuation In Hong Kong IPO As Growth Slows

by News Editor

August 17, 2026

Shein is reportedly targeting a valuation of around $25 billion in its planned Hong Kong IPO, a sharp decline from the nearly $100 billion valuation the online fashion retailer achieved in a 2022 fundraising round.

Two people familiar with the plans said the company was likely to target about $25 billion, while another source put the expected range at $25 billion to $28 billion based on the proposed price band.

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IPO Valuation Falls Sharply

Shein plans to sell up to 8% of its shares in the offering, according to a person familiar with the plans. At a $25 billion valuation, that would translate into an IPO of as much as $2 billion.

The latest target is also below the $30 billion to $40 billion valuation the company was seeking earlier this month as it began meeting with potential investors.

Founded in China in 2012 and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein sells low-cost clothing to consumers in about 160 countries. The company is expected to launch its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO later this week.

Trade Restrictions Weigh On Growth

Shein’s valuation has come under pressure as major markets tighten rules affecting low-cost e-commerce shipments. The European Union, for example, has moved to impose additional fees on cheap parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu. EU Tightens Rules On Low-Cost E-Commerce Parcels

In the U.S., the removal of an import duty exemption for small packages has also affected the company. Shein reported a $99 million quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2026 as sales growth slowed, while a one-time accounting charge further weighed on its results. Shein Reports First-Quarter Loss Ahead Of IPO

Investors Question Shein’s Growth Prospects

The steep reduction in valuation reflects growing concerns over slower growth, higher trade costs, regulatory pressure and stronger competition across global e-commerce.

Some investors who reviewed Shein’s recent financial statements or attended IPO presentations told Reuters they were skeptical that the company could return to the growth rates that supported its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022. Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite

A lower IPO valuation could also affect Shein’s existing investors. Under the terms of its IPO filing, the company may have to issue additional shares to certain pre-IPO investors if its valuation falls below agreed thresholds.

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