Amazon Prime Day Investment Challenge: For Every Purchase, Buy The Same Amount Of Stocks

Amazon Prime Day on July 16 and 17 is set to offer exceptional deals on millions of products, with discounts of up to 50% from top brands. Amid the anticipated spending, a viral investment challenge encourages consumers to invest in Amazon stock equal to their Prime Day purchases. This challenge is timely as Amazon shares are trading significantly lower than in June 2023, despite the company's recent $2.01 trillion market capitalisation.

Amazon's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is currently 53.98, lower than its average of 89.42 and far below last year's high of 309.88. An investment of $1,000 during last year's Prime Day would now be worth nearly $1,500, reflecting a 50% profit. The company is at a pivotal moment, expanding its AI capabilities and revamping e-commerce operations amidst stiff competition. In Q1 2024, Amazon reported a 13% year-over-year increase in net sales to $143.3 billion, driven by a 17% growth in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) division. Analysts remain optimistic as net income tripled to $10.4 billion.

In May, Amazon announced plans to reduce prices by up to 30% on over 4,000 grocery items via its Fresh service, aiming to boost cash flow and productivity. The company operates 11 robotic fulfilment centres globally, enhancing operational safety and efficiency. Additionally, Amazon has introduced the GenAI-powered assistant Rufus in its shopping app to improve customer experience. AWS, now a significant profit driver, has reached a $100 billion annual revenue run rate, with ongoing investments in AI and new data centres in Saudi Arabia and Mexico. (Full story)

In a recent interview, Lauren Sánchez revealed that her fiancé, Jeff Bezos, has established an eight-story, 63,000-square-foot homeless shelter within an Amazon office building in Seattle. Partnering with Mary's Place, the facility provides comprehensive support for up to 200 people nightly, including a health clinic, kitchen, playrooms for children, and legal aid services. The shelter, which opened in May 2020, offered emergency housing to over 85 families that year and encourages Amazon employees to volunteer directly within the building. Separate entrances and acoustic insulation ensure privacy for both the shelter and Amazon's operations. Amazon employees are encouraged to volunteer at the shelter, contributing to its daily operations and supporting the families residing there. This initiative helps the facility assist up to 100 families at once and potentially serve around 1,000 families annually. (Full story)

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Burger King has faced significant backlash after firing manager Shakayla Dixon, her son Corderrion Valentine, and three of his friends from a branch in Clinton, Mississippi. According to Dixon, their dismissal was due to accusations of nepotism after she hired her son and his friends for summer jobs. The controversy escalated when Dixon's celebratory Facebook post went viral, gaining widespread attention, including a share from actor Nick Cannon. Dixon explained, "The concerns she had were the fact that Corderrion is my son and how much money they were getting paid."

During the termination, Dixon received a call from her area manager and district leader expressing concerns about her hiring practices and the wages paid to the minors. Dixon added, "She told me that a minor is supposed to get paid differently than an adult. It was never brought to my attention beforehand." Following the dismissal, Corderrion expressed his heartbreak, stating that he only wanted to be a positive role model for his community. Despite the controversy, the incident highlights the importance of clear communication and fair hiring practices in maintaining workplace integrity. (Full story)

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon champions second chances for ex-felons, arguing that skills matter more than past mistakes. The company, with over 240,000 employees, is committed to hiring individuals with criminal records. In a recent LinkedIn interview, Dimon highlighted that around nine percent of the bank’s US hires in 2023 had prior criminal records, reflecting the firm's inclusive hiring practices.

JPMorgan’s Second Chance Agenda has led to the employment of over 4,600 individuals with criminal backgrounds in 2022. The company’s data indicates that hiring ex-felons not only supports their reintegration into the workforce but also contributes positively to the economy. National statistics reveal that one in three Americans has a criminal record, and despite fulfilling their legal obligations, they often face significant employment barriers. By removing the criminal history disclosure requirement from job applications, JPMorgan has made substantial progress in reducing these barriers and expanding access to meaningful careers in the financial services sector. The Second Chance Business Coalition, of which JPMorgan is a part, further advocates for these inclusive hiring practices, highlighting the economic benefits of reintegrating ex-felons into the workforce. (Full story)