Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon and its executive chairman, plans to sell up to 25 million shares of the company over the next year, a move that could yield approximately $4.75 billion at current market prices, according to a regulatory filing disclosed on Friday.
The sale, part of a prearranged trading plan adopted on March 4, 2025, underscores Bezos’ ongoing diversification of his wealth as he channels resources into ventures like Blue Origin and his $10 billion climate and biodiversity fund. The announcement, coming on the heels of Amazon’s strong first-quarter earnings, highlights the company’s financial well-being amid cautious guidance for the current quarter.
Bezos’ decision to offload a significant stake, marks his second major sale since stepping down as CEO in 2021.
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The filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission details Bezos’ intent to sell up to 25 million shares through a trading plan under Rule 10b5-1, designed to prevent insider trading by scheduling transactions in advance. At Amazon’s closing stock price of $189.98 on Friday, the sale would generate roughly $4.75 billion, a figure consistent with estimates from financial analysts.
The plan, set to conclude by May 29, 2026, allows flexibility for Bezos to execute the sales in tranches, potentially mitigating market disruptions. Bezos, who owns approximately 912 million shares—about 8.8% of Amazon’s outstanding stock—remains the company’s largest individual shareholder, even after last year’s sale of $13.4 billion worth of shares.
The timing of the sale aligns with Bezos’ broader financial strategy. Since relinquishing the CEO role to Andy Jassy in 2021, Bezos has focused on Blue Origin, his aerospace company advancing space tourism and lunar missions, and the Bezos Earth Fund, a $10 billion initiative launched in 2020 to combat climate change and protect biodiversity.
Previous share sales have directly funded these endeavors, as well as the Day One Fund, established in 2018 with a $2 billion commitment to support education in low-income communities and address homelessness. Bezos’ relocation to Miami, Florida, in 2023, from Seattle, Washington, also plays a role, as Florida’s lack of state capital gains tax—unlike Washington’s 7% levy—could save him hundreds of millions on this transaction.
The share sale announcement followed Amazon’s first-quarter earnings report on Thursday, which showcased the company’s financial prowess. Amazon posted revenue of $155.7 billion, a 9% increase year-over-year, surpassing analyst expectations. Net income reached $17.1 billion, driven by strong performances in e-commerce, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and emerging AI initiatives. AWS, the cloud computing division, saw a 17% revenue jump, fueled by enterprise demand for AI and data analytics solutions. The company’s focus on operational efficiency, including streamlined logistics and AI-driven inventory management, bolstered profitability, with operating margins exceeding forecasts.
However, Amazon’s guidance for the current quarter tempered enthusiasm, projecting operating income below Wall Street’s estimates. The cautious outlook reflects uncertainties in the global economy, including inflationary pressures and supply chain challenges now compounded by President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Despite these headwinds, Amazon’s $2 trillion market capitalization and stock performance, ranging from a 52-week low of $151.61 to a high of $242.52, underscore its resilience. The stock’s current price of $189.98 denotes a dip from its peak but remains robust, supported by Amazon’s leadership in e-commerce, cloud computing, and digital advertising.
Bezos’ decision to sell comes at a pivotal moment for Amazon. The company’s e-commerce platform, bolstered by its 200 million Prime members worldwide, drives customer loyalty, with Q1 e-commerce revenue up 8%. AWS remains a growth engine, capturing 31% of the global cloud market, ahead of Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. Amazon’s investments in AI, including enhancements to Alexa and autonomous delivery systems, position it for future revenue growth, with analysts projecting AI-related revenue to reach $20 billion by 2027.
Bezos’ sale could influence Amazon’s stock in the short term. The influx of 25 million shares, representing 0.24% of the company’s $2 trillion market cap—may exert downward pressure, particularly given recent market volatility. However, historical data shows Amazon’s stock has weathered past Bezos sales, rising from $2.81 in 2003 to $189.98 today, a testament to its long-term strength. Analysts remain divided: bullish forecasts emphasize Amazon’s diversified revenue streams, while bearish views highlight regulatory and competitive risks.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos is about to get even richer. The entrepreneur disclosed in a filing Friday that he plans to sell $4.8 billion in Amazon stock — up to 25 million shares of the company he founded — over a period ending May 29, 2026. The news comes a day after a report revealed that Amazon is bracing for economic uncertainty associated with tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Bezos, who is Amazon’s top individual shareholder, had over 1 billion shares as of February 2025.