Amazon's New Leadership Signals Progress in Healthcare

According to one Wall Street bull, the recent appointment of Brad Smith as director at Amazon.com (ticker: AMZN) signifies further progress in the healthcare sector, and could lead to significant revenue growth.

In a securities filing on Wednesday, Amazon announced that Smith, a former CEO at business software company Intuit (INTU), has been elected as a director on its board. He has also been appointed to the board's Audit Committee. Notably, Smith has been serving as a director at health insurance company Humana (HUM) since September 2022.

DA Davidson analyst Tom Forte highlighted in a Thursday report that Smith's appointment demonstrates Amazon's commitment to healthcare. Forte emphasized Smith's extensive work in the sector, and noted that his experience at Intuit brings a unique perspective to the tech giant.

"We believe Amazon may appreciate his differentiated vantage point on healthcare, versus another potential Director whose background was solely healthcare," Forte stated. "It is likely consistent with the company’s view that it intends to exploit the healthcare opportunity through an emphasis on its acumen in technology."

This move by Amazon underscores its focus on advancing in the healthcare industry, which could have positive implications for its future growth and financial performance.

Amazon's Potential in the Healthcare Industry

Forte, a reputable analyst, has rated Amazon as a Buy with a price target of $150. He believes that there is a significant opportunity for the company to achieve "an incremental 100 basis points of revenue growth in 2026" through its efforts in the healthcare sector. This growth will primarily be driven by Amazon's ventures in pharmacy, collaborations with healthcare companies through Amazon Web Services, and early-stage initiatives in primary care.

A recent example that highlights Amazon's commitment to healthcare is its involvement in a new pharmacy care model introduced by Blue Shield of California. Amazon Pharmacy was one of the five companies chosen to participate in this revamp, offering the convenience of home drug delivery. John Love, the vice president of Amazon Pharmacy, expressed confidence in their ability to provide a customer-centric pharmacy experience that supports improved health outcomes. The company aims to achieve this through upfront pricing, on-time delivery, and continuous access to clinical care.

Amazon's success in the market is reflected in its stock performance. Currently, its stock is up 0.3% to $145.33, contributing to a remarkable 73% increase for the year. Furthermore, Amazon is among the 15 stocks in the S&P 500 with the highest Buy-rating ratios and rising 2024 earnings estimates, according to a report last month.

In conclusion, Amazon's foray into the healthcare industry presents a promising opportunity for growth. With its commitment to customer satisfaction and innovative approaches, the company is well-positioned to make significant strides in this sector.