Amazon Surpasses Walmart in Revenue

For the first time, Amazon has surpassed Walmart in quarterly revenue, marking a significant milestone in the tech giant’s rise across multiple industries. Amazon’s revenue for Q4 2024 reached $187.8 billion, outpacing Walmart’s $180.5 billion. Walmart had held the title of the top revenue generator since it surpassed Exxon Mobil in 2012, but Amazon’s diversified business model, spanning retail and cloud computing, helped it achieve this feat.

Stock Market Movements

Following a strong earnings report, Alibaba’s shares surged by 8.1% in the U.S. on Thursday and rose as much as 12% in Hong Kong on Friday. Its Cloud Intelligence Group saw a 13% year-on-year increase in sales, which fueled investor optimism.

Meanwhile, U.S. markets saw declines on Thursday, with the S&P 500 falling 0.43%, the Dow Jones dropping 1.01%, and the Nasdaq Composite losing 0.47%. In contrast, stocks in Asia-Pacific markets reacted positively, particularly Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index, which jumped more than 3.4%, reaching its highest level since February 2022.

Japan’s Inflation on the Rise

Japan’s inflation rate reached 4% in January, the highest in a year. Core inflation, which excludes fresh food prices, hit 3.2%, surpassing economists’ expectations. This marks the 34th consecutive month that inflation has exceeded the Bank of Japan’s 2% target.

GameStop CEO Invests in Alibaba

GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen has reportedly increased his personal stake in Alibaba to around $1 billion, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.

KKR Eyes Thames Water Buyout

Private equity firm KKR is offering £4 billion ($5 billion) to acquire Thames Water, a U.K. utility struggling with mounting debt. The utility has warned it could run out of cash by March 24, and the buyout would prevent asset sales or a breakup of the company.

Market Reactions to Walmart’s Forecast

When Walmart, the largest U.S. retailer, announced its forecast for slower profit growth in the current fiscal year, investors responded negatively, leading to a broader market sell-off on Thursday. This reaction highlighted Walmart’s role as a key indicator of consumer spending trends.

Geopolitical Shifts: Russia’s Changing Stance on the U.S.

In a shift from its previous stance, Russia appears to be softening its opposition to the U.S., especially under President Donald Trump’s administration. This change is evident as Russian President Vladimir Putin recently praised Trump for his diplomatic restraint, signaling a possible shift toward negotiations and economic reintegration with the West. This comes as tensions between Trump and Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy escalate, with Trump calling Zelenskyy a “dictator.”

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