In this article, we will take a detailed look at 12 Most Widely Held Stocks by Individuals in 2025.
Individual investors, often called retail investors, typically invest their personal capital directly into the stock market, driven primarily by personal research, news sentiment, social media trends, or recommendations from peers. They often favor stocks of recognizable brands or companies whose products and services they use regularly, as well as growth stocks perceived to offer high return potential. While their success varies widely (often marked by emotional decision-making and mixed results) monitoring retail investor trends can be valuable, as these investors collectively have the power to significantly influence stock prices and market volatility. Understanding where retail attention is focused can provide early signals of market shifts, speculative bubbles, or emerging investment opportunities. Just to recall two recent instances when retail investors successfully short-squeezed and caused billions of losses to the smartest hedge funds in the world – as they say, even the less informed parties may occasionally win big, and it is, therefore, important to be aware of their tendencies and trends.
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The type of stocks most widely held by individuals has been changing over time, from consumer-centered brands that were popular in the ’80s and ’90s to popular dot-com names in the 2000s, and finally to technology stocks in the 2010s, as retail investors had firsthand experience with their products and platforms. One thing is certain – retail investors are often the last to jump on the ship, and periods of active inflow of retail money into stocks coincide with market peaks. A similar situation happened in the last two years, as the majority of the returns of the US stock market have been driven by a handful of 7–8 stocks with primary exposure to the AI megatrend – as you will see below, many of these stocks are now among the most widely held by individuals. It is no surprise that at this exact moment, the Magnificent 8 category, which confidently outperformed the whole market in the last two years, is finally lagging behind.
It should be noted that retail investors are not always wrong; in fact, you can frequently find quite promising high-growth names among those preferred by individuals. This category of investors often flocks together on social media platforms and actively shares knowledge with each other, meaning that the latest technological breakthroughs and inventions are already in their sights. In the current market, with uncertainties and fear looming from all directions (recall the tariff wars expected in April, large public spending cuts, layoffs, and Medicare/Medicaid threats), the “smart money” has been very cautious with US stocks. In fact, there has been a noticeable rotation of money from US stocks to the less overvalued foreign markets, like Germany and China, which have been using stimulus to fuel growth. With the US market becoming less favored by institutional investors, retail investors could enter the spotlight again and decide who the major winners will be.
This is particularly relevant as the modern investing philosophy has slowly drifted away from the rigid value-investing approach, which favors cheap, undervalued stocks, toward a preference for higher-growth stocks, which depend on momentum and often trade at high valuations for prolonged periods. The key takeaway for readers is that market winners are often not the cheap and undervalued stocks, but the stocks that gain the spotlight and become a magnet for money.
A crowded Wall Street plaza, bustling with people carrying briefcases.
Our Methodology
For this article, we used the Robinhood Investor Index (which shows the most popular stocks on the investing platform Robinhood) and the Yahoo Finance Most Active Stocks screener to find a list of stocks most widely held by individual investors. We then compare the list with our proprietary database of hedge funds’ ownership, as of Q4 2024 and include in the article the top 12 stocks with the largest number of hedge funds that own the stock.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
12. D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE:QBTS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 15
D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE:QBTS) is a pioneering company in the field of quantum computing, specializing in the development and delivery of quantum computing systems, software, and services. The company offers the Advantage quantum computer, featuring over 5,000 qubits, and provides access to its quantum systems through Leap, a cloud-based platform that includes real-time access to quantum computers, hybrid solvers, and a suite of open-source Python tools known as Ocean. QBTS’s technology is utilized in various applications, including logistics, financial services, drug discovery, materials sciences, scheduling, fault detection, mobility, and supply chain management. Notably, the company is unique in building both annealing and gate-model quantum computers, aiming to unlock commercial use cases in optimization today while developing technologies for future solutions. The California-based company ranked ninth on our recent list of 10 Pump and Dump Stocks Favored by Hedge Funds.
D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE:QBTS) achieved a major breakthrough by demonstrating quantum supremacy on a practical business and scientific problem, marking the first instance where quantum computing outperformed classical methods in a meaningful application. The company reported a record $18.3 million in bookings for Q4 2024, fueled by the first sale of an Advantage system to the Jülich Supercomputing Center. With over $300 million in cash reserves, QBTS has significantly strengthened its financial position, which management believes will be sufficient to reach sustained profitability. The company anticipates becoming the first dedicated quantum computing firm to achieve profitability with less capital investment than its competitors.
D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE:QBTS)’s Advantage2 processor brings notable advancements, including double the qubit coherence time, a 40% boost in energy scale, and improved qubit connectivity from 15-way to 20-way. Its quantum systems are already delivering faster, more accurate, and cost-effective solutions compared to classical computing for real-world applications such as optimizing mobile networks, improving workforce scheduling, and enhancing automotive manufacturing efficiency. The company is collaborating with a range of partners on quantum and hybrid applications, including drug discovery with Japan Tobacco, insurance portfolio optimization with Leithà, and police vehicle deployment optimization with North Wales Police. Looking forward, management expects to surpass $10 million in revenue for Q1 2025, reinforcing its position as a leader in commercial quantum computing. Besides 15 hedge funds owning the stock, QBTS is also one of the most widely held stocks by individuals.
11. GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 24
GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME) is a video game, consumer electronics, and collectibles retailer operating primarily in North America, Europe, and Australia. The company sells new and pre-owned video game hardware, software, accessories, and gaming merchandise through its physical stores and e-commerce platform. In recent years, GME has expanded its focus to digital assets, including collectibles and blockchain-related initiatives. While historically reliant on brick-and-mortar retail, the company has been shifting toward a more technology-driven approach, aiming to adapt to evolving consumer gaming trends and online commerce.
GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME) implemented YOOBIC across 3,000 stores and distribution centers, going live in March 2023 with 22,000 users on the platform. The implementation addressed challenges including a disconnected tech stack and limited real-time analytics capabilities. The platform consolidated multiple functions including tasking, communications, and learning into one seamless integration, significantly improving operational efficiency. A notable improvement was in store visibility, where managers could now track not just task completion but also detailed metrics about execution time and employee feedback. The platform enhanced peer-to-peer communication, allowing knowledgeable associates to answer questions and share expertise across the organization.
GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME)’s implementation of YOOBIC’s AI capabilities has led to projected efficiency gains, including an estimated 70% reduction in calls to the Helpdesk customer service desk. The platform has particularly improved content creation efficiency, reducing what previously took 15-20 hours to create to a fraction of the time. The success of the implementation was attributed to careful planning and testing in a select group of stores before the full rollout. Besides 24 hedge funds owning the stock, GME is also one of the most widely held stocks by individuals.
10. Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 45
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is a global automaker that designs, manufactures, markets, and services a range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, SUVs, and electric vehicles (EVs). The company operates through key segments: Ford Blue, focused on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles; Ford Model e, dedicated to electric and connected vehicles; and Ford Pro, providing commercial vehicles and fleet services. F also invests in autonomous driving technology, mobility solutions, and software-driven services. The company sells its products under the Ford and Lincoln brands, serving markets worldwide through a combination of direct sales, dealerships, and digital platforms.
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)’s biggest opportunity lies in addressing its cost structure challenges, with management focusing intensely on this area. The company has implemented significant changes including bringing in new competitive talent, third-party validation of approaches, and establishing dedicated governance under new leadership. In the Pro business segment, F has achieved remarkable progress with 700,000 software subscriptions and is focusing on expanding its service capacity with 2,000 additional service trucks and stalls. The company is making strategic adjustments to its EV strategy, having reduced CapEx by 30% on batteries and developed a new affordable EV platform through a separate California-based team.
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)’s hybrid strategy is showing success, with hybrid margins now higher than ICE margins on the F-150, and hybrid models accounting for 25% of the mix. Regarding manufacturing and trade concerns, F sources 90% of its steel from the US and is actively managing potential trade risks through careful supply chain planning. The company is also strategically positioning itself in the autonomous driving space, focusing on Level 3 capabilities in-house while considering partnerships for Level 4 development. Management emphasized a new focus on capital efficiency and spending less while earning more, marking a significant shift in the company’s approach. F is one of the most widely held stocks by individuals.
9. Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 64
Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) is a software and data analytics company specializing in AI, big data processing, and decision intelligence solutions for government agencies and commercial enterprises. The company operates through two primary platforms: Palantir Gotham, designed for defense, intelligence, and law enforcement applications, and Palantir Foundry, which enables businesses to integrate and analyze large-scale data for operational efficiency and decision-making. PLTR serves industries such as defense, healthcare, finance, energy, and manufacturing, providing AI-powered tools for data-driven insights, risk management, and automation. The US-based company ranked second on our recent list of 12 Best Multibagger Stocks to Buy in 2025.
Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) posted outstanding Q4 2024 results, with revenue surging 36% year-over-year and 14% sequentially to reach $828 million. The company’s US operations were particularly strong, with overall US revenue increasing 52% YoY. This growth was driven by a 64% jump in US commercial revenue and a 45% rise in US government revenue. PLTR also secured a record number of high-value contracts during the quarter, closing 32 deals worth at least $10 million each. The total contract value reached $1.8 billion, marking a 56% increase from the previous year. Profitability remained a highlight, with the adjusted operating margin hitting a record 45% and the Rule of 40 scores climbing to 81 in Q4.
Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR)’s AI-driven platform, particularly AIP, continues to fuel expansion, helping grow its US commercial customer base nearly fivefold over the past three years. Looking ahead, the company projects full-year 2025 revenue to reach approximately $3.749 billion at the midpoint, reflecting a 31% annual growth rate. Unlike competitors still focused on AI model development, PLTR has successfully converted AI capabilities into high-value, real-world applications. International commercial growth remains steady, supported by renewals from long-term clients, but the US remains the company’s primary growth engine. Besides 64 hedge funds owning the stock, PLTR is also one of the most widely held stocks by individuals.
8. ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 86
ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) is a leading supplier of photolithography equipment essential for semiconductor manufacturing. The company specializes in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography systems, which enable the production of advanced microchips with smaller, more powerful, and energy-efficient transistors. ASML’s technology is critical for leading semiconductor manufacturers, including TSMC, Intel, and Samsung, in producing chips for applications such as AI, 5G, automotive, and high-performance computing. The company also provides software, metrology, and service solutions to optimize chip fabrication.
ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) delivered strong Q4 2024 performance with total net sales of EUR 9.3 billion, exceeding guidance primarily due to installed base revenue. The company’s full year 2024 net sales reached EUR 28.3 billion with a gross margin of 51.3%. For 2025, ASML projects revenue between EUR 30 billion and EUR 35 billion with gross margin between 51% and 53%. AI has emerged as a key growth driver, creating a shift in market dynamics that affects customers differently in the short term. The company anticipates that increased demand for advanced logic and DRAM processes, driven by AI applications, will lead to higher demand for ASML products and services.
Looking at longer-term prospects, ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) sees a 2030 revenue opportunity between EUR 44 billion and EUR 60 billion with a gross margin expected between 56% and 66%. The company achieved significant technology milestones in 2024, including successful demonstrations of the NXE:3800E Low-NA EUV system with 220 wafers per hour throughput. On the High-NA EUV front, ASML completed installation and customer acceptance of two systems in Q4, with customers reporting positive feedback on performance benefits in imaging, overlay, and contrast. For 2025, the company expects the Logic segment to show growth compared to 2024, while the Memory segment is anticipated to maintain strong performance similar to 2024 levels. Regarding China business, ASML expects it to normalize to a lower percentage of sales in 2025 and beyond, following relatively high levels in 2023 and 2024.
7. The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 108
The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) is a global entertainment conglomerate operating across media networks, theme parks, film studios, and streaming services. Its segments include Disney Entertainment, which oversees film and television production through brands like Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios; ESPN, which focuses on sports broadcasting; and Disney Experiences, which operates theme parks, resorts, and cruise lines worldwide. DIS also owns and operates the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ streaming platforms.
The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) has achieved significant progress in streaming, transitioning from losses exceeding $1 billion per quarter to profitability with visibility toward double-digit margins. The company maintains a strong content portfolio, with their film studios achieving #1 position at the box office generating $5.5 billion and owning 50% of the top most streamed shows of the year. The integration of Hulu on Disney+ for bundled subscribers has driven engagement and improved churn dynamics. DIS’ content excellence is evident through its 60 Emmy Awards wins, surpassing all competitors.
The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) has made strategic technology investments, including key hires from YouTube and Meta, focusing on algorithmic programming and personalization. In terms of advertising, DIS leverages its position as the #1 entertainment company in living rooms according to Nielsen’s Gauge report, with Hulu’s experience providing advanced ad solutions. The company maintains a strong focus on kids and family programming, with Bluey being the most streamed show in the United States last year. DIS’ technology initiatives include addressing password sharing and developing features specifically targeting how kids interact with content. Besides 108 hedge funds owning the stock, DIS is also one of the most widely held stocks by individuals.
6. Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 126
Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) is a technology-driven company specializing in EVs, energy storage, and renewable energy solutions. Its core business includes the design, manufacturing, and sale of EVs, with models such as the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y, as well as new vehicles like the Cybertruck. TSLA also produces battery energy storage systems (Powerwall, Powerpack, and Megapack) and solar energy products, including solar panels and solar roofs. The company develops autonomous driving technology through its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software and operates a global network of Supercharger stations.
Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) set a new record for deliveries in Q4 2024, reaching an annualized pace of nearly 2 million vehicles, with the Model Y emerging as the best-selling vehicle worldwide for the year. The company made substantial investments in manufacturing, AI, and robotics throughout 2024, positioning itself for significant future gains. A key upcoming milestone is the planned launch of unsupervised FSD as a paid service in Austin by June 2025, with expansion to other US cities to follow. On the production side, Tesla is gearing up for a major shift as all factories transition to producing the updated Model Y next month, a move that will temporarily reduce output and affect margins. Additionally, the company remains on track to introduce a lower-cost vehicle in the first half of 2025, reinforcing its push for broader market accessibility.
Looking ahead, Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) faces short-term hurdles, including battery production constraints and potential tariff challenges. However, management remains highly optimistic about TSLA’s long-term trajectory, particularly in autonomous driving and robotics. The company plans to manufacture several thousand Optimus humanoid robots by the end of 2025, underscoring its commitment to real-world AI applications. With the launch of unsupervised FSD and continued AI advancements, TSLA expects 2025 to be one of the most pivotal years in its history. Besides 126 hedge funds owning the stock, TSLA is also one of the most widely held stocks by individuals.
5. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 166
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is a global technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells consumer electronics, software, and digital services. Its flagship products include the iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, and AirPods, along with software ecosystems like iOS, macOS, and iCloud. AAPL also operates a growing services business, offering Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Pay, iCloud, and the App Store. The company is known for its integrated hardware-software approach, premium design, and proprietary chip technology, including Apple Silicon (M-series chips). The California-based company ranked first on our recent list of 10 Most Profitable Large Cap Stocks to Buy Now.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) delivered strong financial results for the December quarter, posting record revenue of $124.3 billion, a 4% YoY increase, and record EPS of $2.40, up 10%. The company set all-time revenue records across major markets, including the Americas, Europe, Japan, and the rest of Asia Pacific, while also achieving record sales in emerging regions such as Latin America, the Middle East, and South Asia. Its Services segment reached an all-time high of $26.3 billion in revenue, growing 14% YoY, and generated nearly $100 billion in revenue over the past 12 months. AAPL’s installed base expanded to a new peak of over 2.35 billion active devices, reflecting the continued strength of its ecosystem.
Product revenue remained robust, with iPhone sales reaching $69.1 billion, marking record revenue levels across numerous markets. Mac revenue grew 16% year-over-year to $9 billion, while iPad sales increased 15% to $8.1 billion. The Wearables, Home, and Accessories segment contributed $11.7 billion in revenue. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) also maintained strong profitability, with an overall gross margin of 46.9%, product margins at 39.3%, and services margins at an impressive 75%. Looking ahead, management expects total revenue for the March quarter to grow in the low to mid-single digits year-over-year, despite a projected 2.5 percentage point impact from foreign exchange headwinds. Services revenue is anticipated to see low double-digit growth in the March quarter, further reinforcing the company’s strong position in recurring revenue streams. Besides 166 hedge funds owning the stock, AAPL is also one of the most widely held stocks by individuals.
4. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 223
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) is a leading semiconductor company specializing in GPUs, AI, and high-performance computing. Its GeForce GPUs dominate the gaming market, while NVIDIA RTX technology powers real-time ray tracing and AI-driven graphics. In data centers, NVDA’s AI and deep learning processors, including the H100 and A100 GPUs, are widely used in cloud computing, AI training, and scientific computing. The company also develops autonomous driving solutions and provides Arm-based processors for edge computing and robotics.
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) announced that its latest generation GPU, Blackwell, is now in full production, driven by soaring demand as AI computing requirements reach a critical inflection point. The company highlighted that AI computation needs have expanded nearly 100-fold beyond previous expectations, fueled by advancements in agentic AI and reasoning capabilities. To address this surge, NVDA introduced the Blackwell NVLink 72 system powered by the Dynamo operating system, which delivers a 40x improvement in AI factory performance over the previous Hopper generation. The company also outlined a strategic focus on three AI infrastructure pillars: cloud infrastructure, enterprise computing, and robotics infrastructure.
In networking, NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) unveiled its first co-packaged silicon photonic system, achieving 1.6 terabit-per-second performance, a breakthrough designed to scale AI infrastructure to millions of GPUs. The company also provided a detailed product roadmap, introducing upcoming architectures such as Vera Rubin and Rubin Ultra, with the latter projected to deliver 15 exaflops of performance and 4,600 terabytes per second of scale-up bandwidth. NVDA emphasized its vision of transforming traditional data centers into AI-driven compute factories, forecasting that data center build-out could approach $1 trillion as the industry shifts from general-purpose computing to machine learning software optimized for GPUs and accelerators.
3. Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 262
Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) is a technology company focused on social media, digital advertising, AI, and VR/AR. It owns and operates major social networking platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, generating revenue primarily through digital advertising. META is also developing the metaverse, investing in immersive technologies through its Reality Labs division, which produces VR/AR hardware like the Meta Quest headsets. Additionally, the company is expanding its AI capabilities, integrating advanced machine learning models into its platforms.
Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) has established itself as a leader in generative AI, with a strong focus on infrastructure development and an investment of $60-65 billion this year, primarily dedicated to AI capabilities. The company’s Llama foundation model has gained significant traction, surpassing 800 million downloads and averaging 1 million downloads per day. Major platforms such as Zoom, Shopify, and Spotify have integrated Llama into their services, highlighting its broad adoption. Meanwhile, Meta AI has become the most widely used AI assistant, serving 700 million monthly users across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. The company is also making substantial progress in business messaging, with WhatsApp playing a crucial role as a primary communication tool for businesses in key markets like Brazil, Mexico, and India.
In addition to AI, Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) is advancing in custom silicon development through its MTIA initiative, successfully deploying inference for recommendations via the Artemis system, which enhances efficiency and reduces costs for ad and video delivery. The company’s Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have demonstrated strong user retention, particularly for hands-free communication, music streaming, and AI-powered interactions. Rather than rushing AI development to meet short-term expectations, META is taking a strategic and measured approach, focusing on the organic discovery of use cases and practical applications. This long-term vision underscores the company’s commitment to sustainable innovation in AI and digital infrastructure.
2. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 317
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is a global technology company specializing in software, cloud computing, AI, and hardware. Its core products include Windows operating systems, Microsoft Office productivity suite, and Azure cloud services, which support enterprise computing, AI, and data analytics. MSFT also owns LinkedIn, GitHub, and Xbox, expanding its presence in social networking, software development, and gaming. The technology giant ranked ninth on our recent list of 10 Companies That Are Buying Back Their Stock in 2025.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) delivered a strong performance in fiscal Q2, with bookings growing 75% in constant currency, driven by significant Azure AI contracts. AI-related revenue, primarily generated from inference, post-training workloads, and Copilot services, reached $13 billion. The company is currently facing capacity constraints in AI infrastructure but expects supply and demand to stabilize by the end of the fiscal year. To support long-term growth, MSFT is making substantial investments in data center expansion, ensuring a scalable global infrastructure for both AI and commercial cloud workloads. The adoption of Microsoft 365 Copilot has exceeded expectations, with early customers expanding usage by purchasing additional seats, highlighting the strong demand for AI-powered productivity tools.
Microsoft Corporation’s (NASDAQ:MSFT) AI platform continues to gain traction, with over 1,800 models running through Azure marketplaces. The company’s partnership with OpenAI remains strategically vital, with commitments extending through 2030. While there have been some execution challenges in non-AI workloads, MSFT remains focused on both cloud migration and AI transformation. Additionally, the company is seeing better-than-expected margins heading into fiscal 2025, driven by AI-driven productivity improvements and optimization across its portfolio. As MSFT continues to expand its AI and cloud capabilities, it remains well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for intelligent computing solutions. Besides 317 hedge funds owning the stock, MSFT is also one of the most widely held stocks by individuals.
1. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 339
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is a global technology company specializing in e-commerce, cloud computing, AI, and digital services. Its core business includes Amazon.com, one of the world’s largest online marketplaces, and AWS, a leading provider of cloud computing solutions. The company also operates Prime Video, Amazon Music, Kindle, Audible, and Alexa, expanding into streaming, smart home technology, and digital content. AMZN has a growing presence in logistics, retail automation, and artificial intelligence, with investments in autonomous delivery, AI-powered recommendations, and cashier-less stores.
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) reported strong Q4 2024 results, with revenue reaching $187.8 billion, reflecting a 10% YoY increase, while operating income surged 61% to $21.2 billion. The North American segment posted 10% revenue growth, while international markets grew 9% when excluding currency fluctuations. AWS continued to perform well, expanding 19% YoY to an annualized revenue run rate of $115 billion. The company’s strategy of broadening selection, lowering prices, and enhancing convenience contributed to strong unit growth that outpaced revenue growth. Third-party sellers played a significant role in this success, accounting for 61% of total items sold in 2024 – the highest share in the company’s history.
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) also significantly expanded its delivery network, increasing same-day delivery sites by more than 60% in 2024, now covering over 140 metro areas. In advertising, revenue grew 18% YoY to $17.3 billion in Q4, pushing the segment’s annual run rate to $69 billion – more than double its size from four years ago. AI development remains a key focus, with around 1,000 generative AI applications either completed or in progress. Looking ahead to 2025, AMZN plans to continue investing in fulfillment and transportation infrastructure, prioritizing same-day delivery facilities, improvements in its inbound logistics network, and further automation to enhance delivery speed while lowering costs.
Overall Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) ranks first on our list of the 12 stocks that are most widely held by individuals. While we acknowledge the potential of AMZN as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than AMZN but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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