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Amazon’s AI Bets and Cost-Cutting Measures Pay Off, Boosting Stock by 5%

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 1, 2024

Shares of Amazon surged over 5% in after-hours trading on Thursday after the company reported stronger-than-expected third-quarter earnings. Amazon announced earnings per share of $1.43, alongside revenue reaching $158.9 billion, surpassing analyst projections of $1.14 per share and $157.2 billion in revenue, according to FactSet.

Key Financial Highlights

North American Sales: Amazon’s North American segment recorded a 9% year-over-year sales increase, totalling $95.5 billion.
AWS Growth: Amazon Web Services (AWS), the company’s cloud unit, posted $27.5 billion in revenue, marking a 19% rise compared to the same period last year.
Stock Movement: Although Amazon’s stock initially fell over 3% on Thursday before earnings were released, it rebounded significantly in after-hours trading. So far, Amazon shares are up almost 24% year-to-date.

Background on Amazon’s Strategy

Amazon’s recent efforts include major cost-cutting moves, guided by CEO Andy Jassy, to streamline operations since 2022. This restructuring has led to over 27,000 layoffs and the closure of initiatives such as Amazon’s telehealth and same-day delivery services. Despite these reductions, Amazon is doubling down on other key areas, like a $52 billion investment in nuclear energy to support data centers in Virginia, Mississippi, and Ohio. The company is also moving forward with **Project Kuiper**, aiming to build a satellite network of 3,236 units to broaden internet access worldwide—a venture projected to involve over $10 billion in launch costs across five years, according to analysts from Wedbush Securities.

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Amazon’s Market Reach

July’s Prime Day achieved “record-breaking sales,” while the introduction of Amazon’s AI-powered shopping assistant, **Rufus** was rolled out to U.S. customers last month. Notably, Amazon had slightly missed expectations in the previous quarter and cautioned that intense news cycles could distract customers—a factor cited by CFO Brian Olsavsky during the second-quarter earnings call. Despite these challenges, the company’s annual revenue is expected to remain strong.

Noteworthy Figures

Amazon’s market capitalization has reached $1.96 trillion, making it the fifth-largest company globally, trailing behind Apple, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Google. Meanwhile, Jeff Bezos, who served as Amazon’s CEO until 2021, holds a net worth of $204.1 billion, much of which is tied to Amazon’s stock. Market fluctuations ahead of Amazon’s earnings report momentarily decreased Bezos’ wealth by around $6 billion. Bezos ranks as the second-richest American, after Elon Musk, on the Forbes 400 list.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Meridiam Takes Majority Stake In Great Sea Interconnector

by News Editor

August 6, 2026

French infrastructure investment group Meridiam has officially become the majority shareholder of the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), marking a significant step forward for the electricity link between Cyprus and Greece.

The agreement was signed on Wednesday at Greece’s Maximos Mansion in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who described the project as strategically important for regional energy security and for ending Cyprus’ energy isolation from the European electricity grid.

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Mitsotakis also said the deal demonstrates Greece’s ability to attract international investors and pledged continued government support to ensure the project moves forward.

Project Gains New Momentum

Alongside the shareholder agreement, Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO), GSI and French cable manufacturer Nexans signed a separate agreement covering seabed survey work, one of the next stages in the project’s development.

Greek officials said Meridiam’s entry strengthens the project’s financial position and credibility, creating better conditions to accelerate construction. IPTO will remain a strategic shareholder, retain technical responsibility for the project and operate the interconnector once it is completed.

The European Investment Bank is also assessing potential financing, while IPTO is preparing to submit a cost-benefit study for the planned Cyprus-Israel electricity interconnection to regulators in Cyprus and Israel.

Long-Term Infrastructure Investor

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Paris, Meridiam specialises in financing, developing and managing long-term infrastructure projects. Its portfolio includes more than 130 projects across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa, spanning sectors such as transport, energy and water infrastructure.

Among its flagship investments are the NeuConnect electricity interconnector between the UK and Germany, Sofia Airport in Bulgaria and the Florence tram network in Italy.