Amazon Com Stock Price, News & Analysis

Amazon announced the launch of the new Kindle and Kindle Kids, both featuring a 6-inch, 300 ppi high-resolution display, USB-C charging, and up to six weeks of battery life. The Kindle is priced at $99.99, while Kindle Kids is available for $119.99 and includes a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+. Pre-orders start today, with shipping commencing on October 12. Key highlights include improved storage capacity, a glare-free screen, and sustainability initiatives focusing on reducing carbon emissions and recyclable packaging.

Amazon announced exclusive offers for Prime members ahead of the Thursday Night Football season kickoff on September 15. Members can access deals on NFL-licensed products and home entertainment devices through amazon.com/TNFcentral. An interactive kickoff event in Los Angeles will feature Hall of Famer Jerry Rice and exclusive VIP experiences await Prime members at all 15 TNF games. This initiative aims to enhance the value of Prime membership, making live sports a key attraction for customers.

Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) announced that its new series, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, attracted over 25 million global viewers on its first day, setting a record for Prime Video. The series launched in more than 240 countries and territories and will continue releasing episodes weekly until the season finale on October 14. Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, expressed gratitude to the creative team and fans, noting the series' significance in the fantasy genre.

VMware and Amazon Web Services (AWS) showcased innovations in VMware Cloud on AWS at VMware Explore 2022, emphasizing faster cloud migrations and cost reductions. New features claim to improve cloud performance, flexibility, and security with significant savings opportunities—46% faster migrations and 57% lower total cost of ownership. Customers like Lotte and Quality Bicycle Products have benefited from expedited transitions and enhanced operations. The service is now available in 21 regions globally, including AWS GovCloud. VMware aims to streamline cloud consumption through the AWS Marketplace.

Amazon has signed an agreement with Plug Power to supply 10,950 tons of green hydrogen annually for its operations starting in 2025. This green hydrogen will power 30,000 forklifts and 800 heavy-duty trucks as part of Amazon's commitment to achieve net-zero carbon by 2040. As a leader in renewable energy procurement, Amazon aims to decarbonize sectors reliant on fossil fuels and expand the hydrogen economy. The company plans to increase its use of hydrogen fuel-cells and has invested in developing electrolyzer technology to boost green hydrogen production.

iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT) reported a revenue decline to $255.4 million in Q2 2022, down from $365.6 million in Q2 2021, primarily due to unexpected order reductions and cancellations from retailers. The company posted a GAAP operating loss of $63.9 million and a GAAP net loss per share of $1.60. In a separate announcement, iRobot confirmed its acquisition by Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) for $61.00 per share, valuing the deal at approximately $1.7 billion. iRobot plans restructuring actions expected to yield $5 million to $10 million in savings for 2022.

Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) has announced a definitive merger agreement to acquire iRobot (NASDAQ:IRBT) for $61 per share, totaling approximately $1.7 billion, including net debt. The acquisition is pending shareholder and regulatory approval, with iRobot's CEO Colin Angle remaining post-acquisition. This merger aims to enhance Amazon's product offerings in smart home innovations, capitalizing on iRobot's expertise in robotic cleaning solutions that have gained customer loyalty since the launch of Roomba in 2002.