Charles Esther
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and Blue Origin, is set to sell up to 25 million Amazon shares in the coming years, valued at approximately $4.75 billion based on the company’s current stock price.
This move is part of a broader strategy to offload his holdings in the e-commerce giant over the next year, following several significant sell-offs in recent months.
Details of the Planned Sale
According to a regulatory filing from Friday, Bezos has adopted a trading plan that spans from now until May 2026.
The sale will involve up to 25 million shares, valued at $189.82 per share based on the most recent closing price.
This latest move continues a trend of major stock disposals by Bezos, the most recent of which was in February 2024 when he sold off 50 million Amazon shares, worth around $8.5 billion.
A Series of Stock Sell-Offs
This isn’t Bezos’ first major sale of Amazon stock.
In July 2023, he filed a plan to sell 25 million shares, valued at approximately $5 billion at the time, after Amazon’s stock reached an all-time high.
Earlier in 2024, he also sold a smaller batch of shares, totaling 1.1 million shares worth around $117 million.
While these sales may seem substantial, they account for only a small fraction of Bezos’ total holdings in Amazon.
Why Is Bezos Selling?
Bezos has publicly stated in the past that he sells his Amazon stock to fund his space exploration company, Blue Origin.
As the founder of both Amazon and Blue Origin, Bezos has balanced his investments between his space venture and the e-commerce giant.
Despite these sales, he remains one of Amazon’s largest shareholders, holding over 926 million shares as of November 2024, or just under 9% of the company’s total stock.
Impact on Amazon and Bezos’ Future
Bezos’ decision to sell such a large number of shares raises questions about his long-term vision for Amazon, especially since he stepped down as CEO in 2021.
However, despite these significant stock sales, Bezos’ holdings in Amazon remain substantial.
Furthermore, his focus on Blue Origin and the future of space exploration appears to be a major driver behind these ongoing sell-offs.
Amazon’s Financial Outlook
The announcement of Bezos’ stock sale came just hours after Amazon’s latest earnings call.
CEO Andy Jassy expressed optimism about the company’s ability to manage pricing and mitigate tariff challenges.
However, he also noted that Amazon is still determining when and how these pricing issues would stabilize.
In conclusion, while Jeff Bezos continues to reduce his stake in Amazon, his financial interest in the company remains significant.
The money raised from these sales will likely fuel his ambitions with Blue Origin, though his deep involvement with Amazon’s future remains a key aspect of his legacy.
