Is Amazon the Best Mag 7 AI Stock to Buy Before Earnings?

Artificial intelligence stocks have driven the 2025 stock market boom. Wall Street bulls pushed the Nasdaq and S&P 500 to new all-time highs on Friday.Stocks are trading at records as the third-quarter earnings season for AI, big tech, and the overall stock market enters a crucial phase.See the Zacks Earnings Calendar to stay ahead of market-making news.Five of the Mag 7 tech stocks—Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft—are set to report their Q3 earnings during the last week of October.Today, we focus on Amazon stock, which earns a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), ahead of its Q3 earnings report on Thursday, October 30. Investors might want to buy the Mag 7 stock and AI hyperscaler before a potential breakout.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchThe Bull Case for Amazon Stock Amazon AMZN already operates the world’s largest cloud-computing business. AWS holds roughly 30% of the global cloud infrastructure market, surpassing Microsoft’s MSFT 20% and Alphabet’s 12%.AWS has helped transform Amazon into an economic and technology giant. It also provides a strong foundation for rapid AI growth.Amazon is among the few AI hyperscalers racing to shape the future of AI by building data centers everywhere to support the growth of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and beyond. AI applications are still in their infancy overall. Many see a future where AI becomes far more advanced and integrated, transforming nearly every part of the economy.Amazon is betting heavily on playing a major role in future AI developments, regardless of how applications evolve.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchThe e-commerce leader, which controls 40% of the U.S. market, is also integrating AI into every part of its business to innovate, cut costs, and improve customer experiences.Additionally, Amazon’s Prime business is expanding into streaming to better compete with Netflix and others. Its digital advertising segment is growing rapidly. The strength of its higher-margin AWS and ad segments, along with a focus on efficiency, is boosting Amazon’s earnings.Post-COVID, Amazon has focused on profits amid higher interest rates. Last year, AMZN grew its GAAP earnings per share (EPS) by 91%. It’s projected to grow EPS by 24% in 2025 and 12% in FY26, reaching $7.67 per share, up from $2.90 in 2023.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchAmazon’s earnings outlook has improved since its Q2 report, with its most accurate estimates also well above consensus, earning it a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). It has beaten EPS estimates by an average of 23% over the past four quarters.AMZN is expected to increase sales by about 11% this year and next, reaching $783 billion in 2026—an increase of $145 billion over FY24.Buy Amazon Stock for Value, 20% Upside, and Breakout Potential  Amazon stock has surged 2,600% over the past 15 years, outpacing Tech’s 710% and Microsoft’s 1,900%. However, in the last five years, Amazon has underperformed the tech sector, up only 40% compared to 130% for the sector. Microsoft jumped 150% during this period. Amazon stock has climbed just 2% in 2025, while Tech surged 24%.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchIt is trying to break above its 50-day moving average and the top of a trading range it’s been in since December 2024. A strong earnings report could trigger a breakout, especially since the stock is trading 20% below its average Zacks price target and 7% below its highs.Amazon could quickly reverse its recent performance if it proves its profit growth is sustainable because its valuation is attractive. It trades at a 95% discount to its all-time highs and 55% below its 20-year median, at 29.5X forward 12-month earnings.Despite its historic outperformance, Amazon’s forward earnings multiple is near its lowest levels since the 2008 financial crisis. It is also trading in line with Tech.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchOverall, investors might consider buying Amazon for a potential post-earnings surge and as a long-term hold for AI growth and more. Wall Street largely agrees, with 52 of the 58 brokerage recommendations Zacks has for Amazon resting at a “Strong Buy.”Zacks Names #1 Semiconductor StockThis under-the-radar company specializes in semiconductor products that titans like NVIDIA don't build. It's uniquely positioned to take advantage of the next growth stage of this market. And it's just beginning to enter the spotlight, which is exactly where you want to be.With strong earnings growth and an expanding customer base, it's positioned to feed the rampant demand for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things. Global semiconductor manufacturing is projected to explode from $452 billion in 2021 to $971 billion by 2028.See This Stock Now for Free >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN): Free Stock Analysis Report Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks