Amazon jumps as Q1 beat and strong Q2 guidance spotlight accelerating AWS growth
Amazon shares are higher after the company reported Q1 results that topped expectations, with AWS revenue rising 28% year over year to $37.6 billion and net income increasing to $30.3 billion ($2.78 per share). Investors also focused on Q2 guidance calling for $194–$199 billion in net sales and $20–$24 billion in operating income.
1. What’s moving the stock
Amazon stock is rising Thursday, April 30, 2026, after the company’s first-quarter report and outlook reinforced a re-acceleration narrative in cloud and AI. The key swing factor was AWS momentum: AWS revenue came in at $37.6 billion, up 28% year over year, while the company posted sharply higher net income of $30.3 billion, or $2.78 per diluted share.
2. The numbers investors are trading
For Q1, Amazon reported net sales of $181.5 billion (+17% year over year) alongside higher profitability, including AWS segment operating income of $14.2 billion. Management’s Q2 guide was also a focal point, projecting net sales of $194–$199 billion and operating income of $20–$24 billion, framing expectations for continued operating leverage even as investment spending remains elevated.
3. Key drivers and what to watch next
Beyond headline revenue and earnings, investors are parsing the durability of AI-driven demand inside AWS and whether incremental capacity build keeps pace without compressing margins. Another important contributor to the quarter’s bottom line was a large non-operating gain tied to Amazon’s investment in Anthropic, which helped lift reported net income and can make year-over-year comparisons look stronger than underlying operating trends alone.