# Amazon Reports Higher Operating Profit as AWS Sales Grow 39%

Third-quarter sales rose 12%, while net income declined and investment spending pushed annual free cash flow negative.

By Will Langan | 24X7 News
Published: 2026-10-29T21:00:40.252Z
Updated: 2026-10-29T21:00:40.252Z
Section: Business
Format: News
Canonical: https://24x7news.us/articles/amazon-third-quarter-results-october-29-2026

Amazon reported October 29 that third-quarter sales increased 12% to $201.9 billion and operating income rose to $28.1 billion from $17.4 billion a year earlier.

Amazon Web Services sales increased 39% to $46 billion, with operating income of $17.8 billion. North American sales rose 6% to $112.9 billion, while international sales increased 5% to $43.1 billion.

Net income declined to $20.7 billion, or $1.89 per diluted share, from $21.2 billion, or $1.95. Amazon attributed the comparison primarily to investment gains recorded in the year-earlier quarter.

For the trailing 12 months, free cash flow was negative $42.4 billion, compared with positive $14.8 billion a year earlier. The company said increased property and equipment spending primarily reflected AI investments.

Amazon maintained its expectation of approximately $220 billion in 2026 cash capital expenditures. It forecasts fourth-quarter sales of $240 billion to $247 billion and operating income of $28.5 billion to $33.5 billion.

The results cover the quarter ended September 30. The fourth-quarter figures are management forecasts, subject to uncertainty.

Sources:
Amazon — October 29 Results Release: https://press.aboutamazon.com/2026/10/amazon-com-announces-third-quarter-results

## Sources
- Amazon — October 29 Third-Quarter Results: https://press.aboutamazon.com/2026/10/amazon-com-announces-third-quarter-results