Investing.com -- Blue Duck Capital, an investment manager and long-term Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) shareholder, issued an open letter to the company's board on Tuesday, urging action to address "the lackluster performance" of the stock.
Blue Duck called for "significant" capital returns, improved efficiency, and clearer communication about Amazon's artificial intelligence (AI) investments.
The firm criticized Amazon's financial returns since CEO Andy Jassy took over in 2021. They explained that although the stock has seen a nominal rise of 6.7%, it represents a negative 7% return when adjusted for inflation, lagging behind the S&P 500 and competitors like Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL).
In the letter, Blue Duck outlined several recommendations to revive the stock's performance.
Key proposals include initiating a major capital return program to align with Amazon's market cap and free cash flow, expanding efforts to capitalize on the growing health food movement through Whole Foods, and scrutinizing media investments.
The firm says Amazon must adopt a shareholder-friendly strategy, including buybacks, to offset dilution from stock-based compensation. Blue Duck stated, referencing comparisons to Meta (NASDAQ:META) and Alphabet's shareholder returns.
The letter also raised concerns about Amazon's AI spending, urging the company to provide more transparency in simple terms.
Blue Duck argued that Amazon's complex messaging could be alienating investors.
Additionally, the fund criticized recent decisions in Amazon Studios, including the controversial "Rings of Power" series, and warned against further "unforced errors" in content investments.
The letter concluded by encouraging Amazon's board to realign its strategies and suggested that such changes could drive the stock to over $250 per share within a year.