TLDR
- Amazon remains resilient against tariffs due to its lowest-cost online retailer position and AWS AI growth potential
- Meta Platforms reaches 3.43 billion daily users across its apps, with AI driving content recommendations and business messaging opportunities
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals launched two new drugs in 2024-2025: Alyftrek for cystic fibrosis and Journavx for non-opioid pain treatment
- Shopify holds over 12% of US e-commerce market share as online retail continues growing from current 16.2% of total transactions
- Both Vertex and Shopify face recent challenges but maintain strong long-term growth prospects through 2035
Amazon (AMZN) continues to demonstrate resilience in the face of potential tariff pressures from the Trump administration. The e-commerce giant has maintained its position as the lowest-cost online US retailer for eight consecutive years according to Profitero rankings.
This cost advantage stems from Amazon’s scale and operational efficiency. Many customers choose Amazon for its convenience and competitive pricing that competitors struggle to match.
AI Powers Amazon Web Services Growth
Amazon Web Services remains a key profit driver for the company. The cloud services division benefits from artificial intelligence demand more than it faces pressure from trade policies.
AWS maintains its position as a major player in the cloud services market. The division continues generating strong profit margins for Amazon’s overall business.
Amazon’s long-term growth opportunities extend beyond e-commerce and cloud services. Project Kuiper satellite internet service represents a new revenue stream for the company.
The e-commerce business still has room for expansion. Online retail accounts for a relatively small percentage of total retail transactions in the United States.
Meta Platforms serves 3.43 billion daily active users across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. This represents roughly 42% of the world’s 8.2 billion population.
Advertisers continue investing heavily to reach Meta’s massive user base. The company’s advertising revenue model benefits from this consistent demand for audience access.
Artificial Intelligence Drives User Engagement
AI technology helps Meta Platforms (META) recommend content to users across its platforms. Increased user engagement time directly correlates with higher advertising revenue potential.
AI also assists with content creation on Meta’s platforms. The company expects AI-powered business messaging to create opportunities on Messenger and WhatsApp.
Smart glasses could become a growth driver for Meta over the next five to ten years. CEO Mark Zuckerberg predicts a large percentage of the world’s billion-plus eyeglass wearers will adopt AI glasses.
Meta faces some challenges including potential tariff impacts on advertising revenue. The company also deals with antitrust litigation related to its Instagram and WhatsApp acquisitions.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) commands a legal monopoly in treating the underlying genetic causes of cystic fibrosis. The company remains the only provider of medicines addressing CF’s root causes.
Vertex received FDA approval for Alyftrek in December 2024. This new CF drug offers once-daily dosing compared to Trikafta’s twice-daily requirement and reduces sweat chloride levels more effectively.
The company also won FDA approval for Journavx earlier this year. This non-opioid pain medication is expected to become a blockbuster drug in the pain management market.
Vertex plans regulatory filings for zimislecel in severe type 1 diabetes and povetacicept for IgA nephropathy in 2026. Another filing for inaxaplin in APOL1-mediated kidney disease may follow soon after.
Shopify (SHOP) holds over 12% of the US e-commerce market by gross merchandise volume. The company provides comprehensive services including marketing, payment processing, and inventory management for online merchants.
E-commerce represented just 16.2% of US retail transactions in the first quarter of 2025. This percentage is expected to grow over the next decade as more consumers shift to online shopping.
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