Activist hedge fund firm ValueAct Holdings has taken a significant stake in Amazon.com Inc, acquiring 536,900 shares valued at approximately $119m during the fourth quarter of 2024, according to a report by Benzinga citing a recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Amazon’s continued expansion and strong financial performance appear to be key drivers behind ValueAct’s investment. The e-commerce giant reported fourth-quarter net sales of $187.8bn, a 10% increase from the previous year and above analyst projections of $187.3bn.
Amazon Web Services (AWS), the company’s cloud division, played a major role in its success, generating $28.8bn in revenue — a 19% year-over-year rise.
JPMorgan analyst Doug Anmuth recently named Amazon his “Best Idea” for 2025, citing accelerating e-commerce trends. Despite a slight dip in market share to 46.1% in the fourth quarter, Amazon remains the dominant player in US e-commerce, having delivered over nine billion items within a single day last year.
Beyond e-commerce, Amazon is making key moves in entertainment. Its MGM Studios division recently secured greater creative control over the James Bond franchise through a joint venture with longtime producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. The development has sparked speculation about the next 007, with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos engaging with fans over potential casting choices.
ValueAct’s investment aligns with its strategy of backing technology and growth companies. The San Francisco-based hedge fund, founded by Jeff Ubben in 2000, has continued to evolve beyond its founder’s leadership since his departure in 2020.
