Amazon.com Inc (AMZN) Quote

"It Changes The Math": Biden's Tariff Crackdown Throws Amazon And Walmart's Sneaky China Plans Into Chaos


Under mounting pressure from Chinese retail giants like Shein and Temu, American behemoths Amazon and Walmart have been cooking up a scheme to dodge tariffs and slash costs - but a new move by the Biden administration might just rain on their parade.

For months, these U.S. retailers have been quietly plotting to overhaul their business models, aiming to ship more goods directly from Chinese factories straight to your doorstep. By doing so, they'd cut out pricey U.S. warehouses and stores, all while skirting hefty tariffs using a little-known loophole in a century-old trade law.


Amazon has been preparing a new discount service that would ship products directly to consumers, allowing those goods to bypass tariffs.Credit...Octavio Jones for The New York Times
This loophole, known as "de minimis," lets importers bypass U.S. taxes and tariffs on shipments valued under $800. The result? Chinese platforms like Shein and Temu have been flooding the market with dirt-cheap products, leaving American companies scrambling to keep up.

But on Friday, the Biden administration threw a wrench in the works. In a surprise announcement, officials declared plans to slam the door on many Chinese imports exploiting the de minimis rule—especially clothing items. The crackdown aims to curb the tsunami of duty-free packages pouring into the country, predominantly from China.

While the changes won't happen overnight - the proposal will undergo industry scrutiny before finalization - the message is clear: The free ride is coming to an end, the NY Times reports.

Amazon had been gearing up to launch a discount service capitalizing on direct-to-consumer shipments from China, insiders revealed. Walmart, even if reluctant to shake up its model, felt the heat to consider similar tactics to stay competitive.

"It's get on board or get left behind," said Steve Story, executive vice president for customs and international trade at Apex Logistics International. "If you don't get online and embrace this, you're going to be overshadowed by Shein, Temu, and Alibaba."

Story admitted he's assisted Chinese sellers in dodging tariffs by shipping through Amazon's fulfillment centers, thanks to a 2020 customs ruling allowing Chinese firms to act as "non-resident importers." Essentially, they can send products tariff-free to themselves via Amazon warehouses scattered across the U.S.

Traditionally, retailers hauled shipping containers loaded with goods from China to U.S. ports, then trucked them to warehouses and stores before reaching consumers. Now, many are bypassing this route, opting to individually package and ship items directly from China under the de minimis rule. This method not only avoids tariffs but also skirts the need for extensive warehousing.

The numbers are staggering. Packages entering the U.S. under the de minimis rule have skyrocketed to over one billion in 2023, up from a mere 140 million a decade ago. China is the chief contributor, sending more packages than all other countries combined.

American businesses are pissed - saying that the rules create an uneven playing field since brands with U.S. stores and warehouses are subject to more in tariffs compared to those shipping directly to consumers.

"De minimis is like a big tax incentive the U.S. is giving you to take the job somewhere else," lamented Peter Bragdon, general counsel at Columbia Sportswear. "It changes the math."

Mike Hesse, CEO of Nebraska-based Blue Ox, which manufactures tow bars for RVs, discovered Chinese knockoffs of his products being sold on Amazon and slipping into the country via de minimis.

"They're a safety issue, plus consumers are duped into thinking they're buying an American-made product," Hesse fumed. "That's how de minimis is affecting me."


Traditionally, to bring goods into the country, retailers would arrange for a shipping container of products to be brought into U.S. ports from overseas.Credit...Kristen Zeis for The New York Times
Some companies have accused Chinese firms of dirty tricks, like falsifying invoices to sneak pricier items under the $800 threshold or faking shipping documents to send bulk goods duty-free.

Meanwhile, some retailers have shifted warehouses to Canada or Mexico. From there, they can swiftly and legally ship items duty-free into the U.S. when orders roll in - taking more American jobs with them.

As the Biden administration tightens the screws on de minimis shipments from China, fears are mounting that imports from our neighbors might surge as companies look for new loopholes.

Even Chinese giants are bracing for impact. Shein says it's open to reforming the tariff exemption and will adapt to keep customers happy. Temu has started highlighting products from "local warehouses," a move seen as hedging against regulatory changes.

"This is clearly a strategic move to limit exposure to any regulatory shifts," noted Juozas Kaziukenas, founder of e-commerce intelligence firm Marketplace Pulse.

All eyes are now on Washington. While lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have floated proposals to narrow the de minimis exemption, it's uncertain whether they'll rally behind a unified plan.

"The reason we really would like to see certainty is so everybody can plan business accordingly," said Donald Tang, executive chairman of Shein, just a day before the administration's bombshell announcement. "If everything is hanging in the middle... it's not good for the business planning process."

For Amazon, Walmart, and countless others, the race is on to adapt—or risk being left in the dust.

NHS Digital launches NHS login with AWS
https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/publicsector/nhs-digital-launches-nhs-login-aws/

Amazon share price is still in the same Triple Top Breakout mode since 11-Sep-2024.

My timing to add more about that time was good. GLTA

Consumer demand slowing significantly Amazon Mandates Office Return

Amazon has announced a new policy requiring its corporate employees to work from the office five days a week.. This shift marks a significant change from the company’s current three-day hybrid model. According to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, in-person work fosters collaboration, innovation, and the company’s sense of culture.

This move makes Amazon one of the strictest return-to-office policy holders among Seattle’s tech giants, although some companies have been gradually increasing in-person requirements recently. The new policy aims to promote a sense of community and teamwork, which Jassy believes is essential for Amazon’s success.

The change comes as more companies are pulling back on remote work, and Amazon’s decision may set a precedent for other Big Tech companies to follow. Other executives, such as Elon Musk and Marc Benioff, have also advocated for a return to pre-pandemic norms of office culture.

It remains to be seen how employees will respond to this new policy, as some may have grown accustomed to the flexibility of remote work. However, Amazon’s move is a significant development in the ongoing debate about the future of work and the role of offices in the modern workplace.

All of a sudden they had an opinion....and what had happened was .

I've dealt with these individuals.....

They thinking tough Amazon's and snu snu words like pennies.....and their profit margins....

I've had amazon since 06.....I like the dolphins and the yahoo commercials better 10 years back slap from that...

Amazon is investing an additional $2.1 billion in the Delivery Service Partner program—its biggest investment yet.

I’m always humbled by the incredible teams across Amazon’s Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program making magic for customers. This program started in 2018 to empower small business entrepreneurs to grow thriving delivery companies. Since then, I’ve loved watching over 4,400 passionate owners build and scale their businesses, create 390,000 driving jobs, and generate $58 billion in total revenue for their companies.

Nice. I may go visit yo see the Brazilian butts

Amazon's AWS to invest $1.8 billion in Brazil through 2034
By Reuters
September 11, 20244:18 PM EDT
Look out .................

One of these days this chit is going to run. I am in for the long haul

Amazon share price Triple Top Breakout today on 11-Sep-2024. GLTA

Amazon Unit Launches Global Passport Program to Support Businesses in International Expansion
11:58:03 AM ET, 09/06/2024 - MT Newswires
11:58 AM EDT, 09/06/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Amazon.com (AMZN) said Thursday its Amazon Web Services unit has launched the Global Passport Program to assist independent software vendors expand their businesses internationally.

The service includes strategic planning workshops, technical support for multi-region deployments and guidance on regulatory compliance for different regions.

Amazon Web Services also partnered with growth consultancy firm Think and Grow to offer additional strategic consulting to support independent software vendors in scaling their businesses.

PS: Adding more shares last Friday was timely with the price jump today of $4.15 (2.42%), at this time today. GLTA

I think it is a good price. And, I added more shares.

I will keep on buying in steps should it continue going down.

My average cost now stands at $165 per share.

Cheers & GLTA

Is Amazon $AMZN cheap here at 42 times earnings?
By: TrendSpider | September 1, 2024

• Is Amazon cheap here at 42 times earnings?



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$AMZN Net Options Delta: +702K shares
By: Theta Warrior | August 30, 2024

• $AMZN Net Options Delta: +702K shares.



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Amazon $AMZN flow is starting to get active
By: Cheddar Flow | August 26, 2024

• $AMZN & $SMCI flow is starting to get active



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Aight bruh, been accumulating, let’s goooooooooooo amzn

$AMZN 200-day reclaimed, earnings gap filled...
By: TrendSpider | August 25, 2024

• 200-day reclaimed, earnings gap filled...

$AMZN looks ready to rock.



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$AMZN Debt-to-Equity Ratio The signs of a healthy business
By: TrendSpider | August 22, 2024

• Stock Price

Debt-to-Equity Ratio

The signs of a healthy business. $AMZN



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Cathie Wood Is Buying Tons of This Hot Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock, and It Might Surprise You
By Jennifer Saibil – Aug 18, 2024 at 7:17AM
It's AMZN

Yeee haaaaa. Finally.

Maybe this has something to do with the SPIKE T0DAY!
Sales at US retailers unexpectedly surged in July, the Commerce Department said Thursday, rising by a solid 1% from the prior month, up from June’s downwardly revised 0.2% decline. That trounced economists’ expectations of a 0.3% gain.

Will easily be $300 by 2026.

AWS is a monster profit machine.

AMZN is unstoppable.

Adding again - nice

$AMZN Millions worth of more tech call LEAPS again today
By: Cheddar Flow | August 14, 2024

• $AMZN, $CRM Millions worth of more tech call LEAPS again today.



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Cathie Wood & Ark Invest's Buys 7,055 Shares of Amazon com Inc. (AMZN)
By: Markets & Mayhem | August 9, 2024

• Cathie Wood and Ark Invest's trade activity from today 8/9.





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Amazon $AMZN 2nd consecutive weekly close below the 200D moving average
By: Barchart | August 9, 2024

• 2nd consecutive weekly close below the 200D moving average for Amazon $AMZN.



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$AMZN The best kind of divergence. Price goes up, but it's cheaper to own.
By: TrendSpider | August 9, 2024

• The best kind of divergence. $AMZN

Price goes up, but it's cheaper to own.



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Large $5.3 Million Institutional Block Call LEAPS on Amazon $AMZN
By: Cheddar Flow | August 9, 2024

• Large $5.3M Institutional Block Call LEAPS on $PYPL, $CRM & $AMZN

It looks like this institution might be rebalancing their tech exposure



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Today Amazon, Inc. (AMZN) is the best performer in the DJIA
By: Thom Hartle | August 9, 2024

• Today (8:32 CST), the best performer in the DJIA is Amazon, Inc. AMZN.



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Cathie Wood & Ark Invest's Buys 3,579 Shares of Amazon com Inc. (AMZN)
By: Ark Invest Daily | August 7, 2024

• Cathie Wood and Ark Invest's trade activity from today 8/7.







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Cathie Wood & Ark Invest's Buys 44,204 Shares of Amazon com Inc. (AMZN)
By: Ark Invest Daily | August 6, 2024

• Cathie Wood and Ark Invest's trade activity from today 8/6.







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Huge $AMZN Calls this morning
By: Cheddar Flow | August 7, 2024

• Huge $PYPL & $AMZN Calls this morning

2 of these were ATM call LEAPS that were bought to open (Vol>OI)

Based on the timing and size, it looks like it was the same institution that purchased them



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Today Amazon, Inc. (AMZN) is the best performer in the DJIA
By: Thom Hartle | August 7, 2024

• Today (8:32 CST), the best performer in the DJIA is Amazon, Inc. AMZN.



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I have schooled you on 3 stocks just this week. Take a seat, class is in session

Cathie Wood & Ark Invest's Buys 139,284 Shares of Amazon com Inc. (AMZN)
By: Ark Invest Daily | August 5, 2024

• Cathie Wood and Ark Invest's trade activity from today 8/5.



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I picked up a few more this morning also

same here grabbed starter, will add if it opens lower tomorrow but markets will eventually get tech bounce, also been scooping other actives bit by bit gl.

Doood, when it dips, you buy. Lol. I will buy more stock today than you have ever owned

So teacher... meet me after class... school me some more?

I think it's time you sit down and let the grown ups talk.

So tell us your moves before you buy or sell. Don’t make bullchit up to fuel your narcissism. Ain’t nobody believe dat boochit.

It is easy to get on the boards and lie about your sells. Lol. Everyone sells high. Bwahaaaaaaa

I bought a ton more under$170. Sit back Jr., class is in session

Dude, yea, right, bwahaaaaa. Everyone buys low and sells high. Lol. You have yet to ever predict anything correctly here

Amazon (AMZN) Upgrades/Downgrades - Equity ratings changes direct from brokerage firms
By: Evan | August 2, 2024

Goldman Sachs today lowered its price target on Amazon $AMZN to $230 down from $250 while maintaining its Buy rating

JPMorgan lowered its price target on Amazon $AMZN to $230 down from $240 while maintaining its Overweight rating

Barclays raised its price target on Amazon $AMZN to $235 up from $220 while maintaining its Overweight rating

Piper Sandler lowered its price target on Amazon $AMZN to $220 down from $215 while maintaining its Overweight rating

Stifel today lowered its price target on Amazon $AMZN to $224 down from $228 while maintaining its Buy rating

Jefferies lowered its price target on Amazon $AMZN to $225 down from $235 while maintaining its Buy rating

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AWS Saves Amazon
By: 24/7 Wall St. | August 2, 2024

• Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) earnings upset investors, even though they beat expectations.
• Perhaps those investors are concerned about the wrong thing.

Investors were upset by earnings at Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), which is odd because they beat most expectations. Revenue rose 10% from the same quarter a year ago to $148 billion. Its profits were $13.5 billion, much higher than the $6.7 billion a year ago.

The stock sold off because investors worried about rising artificial intelligence (AI) expenditures. However, almost every mega tech company is doing that. Amazon’s capex rose to $17.6 billion, up by almost 50%.

Amazon’s ancient e-commerce business has stopped being the center of earnings releases. The AWS segment pushes Amazon’s stock up or down over the long term, which may still be true. No one knows when big tech AI investments, which run into the billions of dollars, will pay off. It could be a year or more. So, the timing of AI’s future contribution to earnings is a guess.

AWS is still the largest cloud business in the world based on revenue. Its primary competitor, Microsoft’s Azure, stumbled when it released earnings. If that should have worried anyone about the success of AWS, it should not have.

AWS revenue hit $26.3 billion, up from $21.1 billion a year ago. That means AWS is only 18% of Amazon’s revenue. The AWS operating income was $9.3 billion, up from $5.4 billion. That means that AWS was 64% of Amazon’s entire operating income.

Maybe people should stop worrying about Amazon’s AI investment and look at its dominant AWS numbers.

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Amazon.com (AMZN) Stock Headed for Worst Day in Over 2 Years
By: Schaeffer's Investment Research | August 2, 2024

• A disappointing current-quarter forecast is weighing on the shares

• Options traders are chiming in on today's bear gap

Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) is falling sharply on the charts today, following the company's lower-than-expected second-quarter revenue and disappointing current-quarter forecast. Amazon Web Services (AWS) has been thriving, however, with revenue increasing 19% in the second quarter.

Amid the broad-market selloff, AMZN was last seen down 10.9% at $164.06 and headed for its largest single-day percentage drop since April 2022. Jim Cramer is making headlines after posting on X that the panic is "a little overdone," while a handful of analysts adjusted their price targets in both directions.

Now trading at its lowest levels since its early February bull gap and quickly moving away from its July 8 record high of $201.20, the equity is still up 6.2% year to date. It's worth noting that the stock's 14-day relative strength index (RSI) of 32.7 sits on the cusp of "oversold" territory, however, which typically precedes a short-term bounce.

Amazon.com stock is seeing plenty of activity in the options pits. So far, 532,000 calls and 364,000 puts have crossed the tape, which is triple the overall volume typically seen at this point. The weekly 8/2 165-strike put is the most popular, followed by the 160-strike put in the same series, with new positions opening at both.

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I flipped after posting that I caught the downtrend on other boards and profited very very nicely.

Lol