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Dec 31, 2021

Amazon Q4 2021 Earnings Report

Amazon announced its Q4 2021 financial results, with net sales increasing by 9% and net income increasing significantly due to a pre-tax valuation gain from its investment in Rivian Automotive, Inc.

Key Takeaways

Amazon's fourth quarter 2021 results showed a 9% increase in net sales to $137.4 billion, and a rise in net income to $14.3 billion, or $27.75 per diluted share, compared to $7.2 billion, or $14.09 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2020. The quarter's net income included a pre-tax valuation gain of $11.8 billion from Amazon's investment in Rivian Automotive, Inc.

Net sales increased by 9% to $137.4 billion in Q4 2021, compared to $125.6 billion in Q4 2020.

Operating income decreased to $3.5 billion in Q4 2021, compared to $6.9 billion in Q4 2020.

Net income increased to $14.3 billion in Q4 2021, or $27.75 per diluted share, compared to $7.2 billion, or $14.09 per diluted share, in Q4 2020; this includes a pre-tax valuation gain of $11.8 billion from investment in Rivian.

AWS grew 40% year-over-year and now has a $71 billion revenue run rate.

Total Revenue
$137B
Previous year: $126B
+9.4%
EPS
$0.29
Previous year: $0.7
-58.6%
Operating Margin
2.5%
Previous year: 5.5%
-54.5%

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon Revenue by Segment

Forward Guidance

Amazon's first quarter 2022 guidance anticipates net sales between $112.0 billion and $117.0 billion, representing growth between 3% and 8% compared with the first quarter 2021. Operating income is expected to be between $3.0 billion and $6.0 billion, compared with $8.9 billion in the first quarter 2021. This guidance includes approximately $1.0 billion lower depreciation expense due to increases in the estimated useful lives of servers and networking equipment.

Positive Outlook

  • Net sales are expected to grow between 3% and 8% compared with first quarter 2021.
  • Guidance includes approximately $1.0 billion lower depreciation expense due to increases in the estimated useful lives of servers and networking equipment.

Challenges Ahead

  • Net sales guidance anticipates an unfavorable impact of approximately 150 basis points from foreign exchange rates.
  • Operating income is expected to be between $3.0 billion and $6.0 billion, compared with $8.9 billion in first quarter 2021.