Amazon earns record profit amid tariff uncertainty

In the United States, Amazon reported its fiscal second-quarter results on July 30, 2025, showcasing remarkable growth in both profit and sales compared to the same period last year. The company earned $18.16 billion, or $1.68 per share, marking an increase from $13.49 billion, or $1.26 per share, a year earlier. Revenue also rose significantly from $147.9 billion to $167.7 billion during this time. Notably, the reported sales figures do not include the revenue impact from Amazon's Prime Day event, which took place shortly after the end of the quarter from July 8 to July 11. Analysts had projected earnings per share of $1.33 and anticipated sales of $162.19 billion, making Amazon's results particularly noteworthy. Despite ongoing uncertainties regarding tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, Amazon managed to provide a sales outlook for the current quarter that exceeded analysts' expectations. The company forecasts sales between $174 billion and $179.5 billion, with analysts estimating an average of $173.27 billion. Amazon's ability to adapt to market conditions is highlighted by CEO Andy Jassy's comments about the unpredictable impacts of tariffs on prices and consumption. Companies, including Amazon, have sought to import goods before the tariff implementation, allowing them to mitigate potential price increases. Alongside its financial performance, Amazon is investing heavily in generative artificial intelligence technology, spending billions to enhance its data centers that support this advancement in AI and cloud computing. The company is also committed to developing its own computer chips, alongside those created by Nvidia, and expanding its AI models while integrating this technology across its business operations. These investments reflect Amazon's ambition to maintain its competitive advantage in the tech sector. In addition to technological investments, Amazon is focusing on improving its delivery network to provide faster service to customers located in less densely populated areas. As part of this initiative, the service is now available in 1,000 of the more than 4,000 smaller cities and rural communities targeted for development by year-end 2025. Early customer feedback has been positive, indicating increased shopping frequency and a higher demand for household essentials, further solidifying Amazon's role in reshaping retail in the United States.