Document and Entity Information
Document and Entity Information - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Jan. 24, 2018 | Jun. 30, 2017 | |
Document And Entity Information [Abstract] | |||
Document Type | 10-K | ||
Amendment Flag | false | ||
Document Period End Date | Dec. 31, 2017 | ||
Document Fiscal Year Focus | 2,017 | ||
Document Fiscal Period Focus | FY | ||
Entity Registrant Name | AMAZON COM INC | ||
Entity Central Index Key | 1,018,724 | ||
Current Fiscal Year End Date | --12-31 | ||
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer | Yes | ||
Entity Current Reporting Status | Yes | ||
Entity Voluntary Filers | No | ||
Entity Filer Category | Large Accelerated Filer | ||
Entity Public Float | $ 387,327,844,190 | ||
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 484,107,183 |
Consolidated Statements of Cash
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] | |||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | $ 19,334 | $ 15,890 | $ 14,557 |
OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |||
Net income | 3,033 | 2,371 | 596 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities: | |||
Depreciation of property and equipment, including internal-use software and website development, and other amortization, including capitalized content costs | 11,478 | 8,116 | 6,281 |
Stock-based compensation | 4,215 | 2,975 | 2,119 |
Other operating expense, net | 202 | 160 | 155 |
Other expense (income), net | (292) | (20) | 250 |
Deferred income taxes | (29) | (246) | 81 |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||
Inventories | (3,583) | (1,426) | (2,187) |
Accounts receivable, net and other | (4,786) | (3,367) | (1,755) |
Accounts payable | 7,175 | 5,030 | 4,294 |
Accrued expenses and other | 283 | 1,724 | 913 |
Unearned revenue | 738 | 1,955 | 1,292 |
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 18,434 | 17,272 | 12,039 |
INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |||
Purchases of property and equipment, including internal-use software and website development | (11,955) | (7,804) | (5,387) |
Proceeds from property and equipment incentives | 1,897 | 1,067 | 798 |
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired, and other | (13,972) | (116) | (795) |
Sales and maturities of marketable securities | 9,988 | 4,733 | 3,025 |
Purchases of marketable securities | (13,777) | (7,756) | (4,091) |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (27,819) | (9,876) | (6,450) |
FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |||
Proceeds from long-term debt and other | 16,231 | 621 | 353 |
Repayments of long-term debt and other | (1,372) | (354) | (1,652) |
Principal repayments of capital lease obligations | (4,799) | (3,860) | (2,462) |
Principal repayments of finance lease obligations | (200) | (147) | (121) |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 9,860 | (3,740) | (3,882) |
Foreign currency effect on cash and cash equivalents | 713 | (212) | (374) |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 1,188 | 3,444 | 1,333 |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD | 20,522 | 19,334 | 15,890 |
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | |||
Cash paid for interest on long-term debt | 328 | 290 | 325 |
Cash paid for interest on capital and finance lease obligations | 319 | 206 | 153 |
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds | 957 | 412 | 273 |
Property and equipment acquired under capital leases | 9,637 | 5,704 | 4,717 |
Property and equipment acquired under build-to-suit leases | $ 3,541 | $ 1,209 | $ 544 |
Consolidated Statements Of Oper
Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Income Statement [Abstract] | |||
Net product sales | $ 118,573 | $ 94,665 | $ 79,268 |
Net service sales | 59,293 | 41,322 | 27,738 |
Total net sales | 177,866 | 135,987 | 107,006 |
Operating expenses: | |||
Cost of sales | 111,934 | 88,265 | 71,651 |
Fulfillment | 25,249 | 17,619 | 13,410 |
Marketing | 10,069 | 7,233 | 5,254 |
Technology and content | 22,620 | 16,085 | 12,540 |
General and administrative | 3,674 | 2,432 | 1,747 |
Other operating expense, net | 214 | 167 | 171 |
Total operating expenses | 173,760 | 131,801 | 104,773 |
Operating income (loss) | 4,106 | 4,186 | 2,233 |
Interest income | 202 | 100 | 50 |
Interest expense | (848) | (484) | (459) |
Other income (expense), net | 346 | 90 | (256) |
Total non-operating income (expense) | (300) | (294) | (665) |
Income before income taxes | 3,806 | 3,892 | 1,568 |
Provision for income taxes | (769) | (1,425) | (950) |
Equity-method investment activity, net of tax | (4) | (96) | (22) |
Net income | $ 3,033 | $ 2,371 | $ 596 |
Basic earnings per share (in usd per share) | $ 6.32 | $ 5.01 | $ 1.28 |
Diluted earnings per share (in usd per share) | $ 6.15 | $ 4.90 | $ 1.25 |
Weighted-average shares used in computation of earnings per share: | |||
Basic (in shares) | 480 | 474 | 467 |
Diluted (in shares) | 493 | 484 | 477 |
Consolidated Statements of Comp
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] | |||
Net income | $ 3,033 | $ 2,371 | $ 596 |
Other comprehensive income (loss): | |||
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $10, $(49), and $5 | 533 | (279) | (210) |
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities: | |||
Unrealized gains (losses), net of tax of $(5), $(12), and $5 | (39) | 9 | (7) |
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in “Other income (expense), net,” net of tax of $0, $0, and $0 | 7 | 8 | 5 |
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities | (32) | 17 | (2) |
Total other comprehensive income (loss) | 501 | (262) | (212) |
Comprehensive income | $ 3,534 | $ 2,109 | $ 384 |
Consolidated Statements of Com5
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] | |||
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax | $ 5 | $ (49) | $ 10 |
Unrealized gains (losses), tax | 5 | (12) | (5) |
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in other income (expense), net, tax | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0 |
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 |
Current assets: | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 20,522 | $ 19,334 |
Marketable securities | 10,464 | 6,647 |
Inventories | 16,047 | 11,461 |
Accounts receivable, net and other | 13,164 | 8,339 |
Total current assets | 60,197 | 45,781 |
Property and equipment, net | 48,866 | 29,114 |
Goodwill | 13,350 | 3,784 |
Other assets | 8,897 | 4,723 |
Total assets | 131,310 | 83,402 |
Current liabilities: | ||
Accounts payable | 34,616 | 25,309 |
Accrued expenses and other | 18,170 | 13,739 |
Unearned revenue | 5,097 | 4,768 |
Total current liabilities | 57,883 | 43,816 |
Long-term debt | 24,743 | 7,694 |
Other long-term liabilities | 20,975 | 12,607 |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7) | ||
Stockholders’ equity: | ||
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares - 500 Issued and outstanding shares - none | 0 | 0 |
Common stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares - 5,000 Issued shares - 500 and 507 Outstanding shares - 477 and 484 | 5 | 5 |
Treasury stock, at cost | (1,837) | (1,837) |
Additional paid-in capital | 21,389 | 17,186 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (484) | (985) |
Retained earnings | 8,636 | 4,916 |
Total stockholders’ equity | 27,709 | 19,285 |
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ 131,310 | $ 83,402 |
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 |
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] | ||
Preferred stock, par value (in usd per share) | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 |
Preferred stock, authorized shares | 500,000,000 | 500,000,000 |
Preferred stock, issued shares | 0 | 0 |
Preferred stock, outstanding shares | 0 | 0 |
Common stock, par value (in usd per share) | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 |
Common stock, authorized shares | 5,000,000,000 | 5,000,000,000 |
Common stock, issued shares | 507,000,000 | 500,000,000 |
Common stock, outstanding shares | 484,000,000 | 477,000,000 |
Consolidated Statements of Stoc
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions | Total | Common Stock | Treasury Stock | Additional Paid-In Capital | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Retained Earnings |
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014 | 465 | |||||
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2014 | $ 10,741 | $ 5 | $ (1,837) | $ 11,135 | $ (511) | $ 1,949 |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] | ||||||
Net income | 596 | 596 | ||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | (212) | (212) | ||||
Exercise of common stock options (in shares) | 6 | |||||
Exercise of common stock options | 4 | 4 | ||||
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation | 119 | 119 | ||||
Stock-based compensation and issuance of employee benefit plan stock | 2,131 | 2,131 | ||||
Issuance of common stock for acquisition activity | 5 | 5 | ||||
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015 | 471 | |||||
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2015 | 13,384 | $ 5 | (1,837) | 13,394 | (723) | 2,545 |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] | ||||||
Net income | 2,371 | 2,371 | ||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | (262) | (262) | ||||
Exercise of common stock options (in shares) | 6 | |||||
Exercise of common stock options | 1 | 1 | ||||
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation | 829 | 829 | ||||
Stock-based compensation and issuance of employee benefit plan stock | 2,962 | 2,962 | ||||
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016 | 477 | |||||
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2016 | 19,285 | $ 5 | (1,837) | 17,186 | (985) | 4,916 |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] | ||||||
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle related to stock-based compensation | 687 | 687 | ||||
Net income | 3,033 | 3,033 | ||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 501 | 501 | ||||
Exercise of common stock options (in shares) | 7 | |||||
Exercise of common stock options | 1 | 1 | ||||
Stock-based compensation and issuance of employee benefit plan stock | 4,202 | 4,202 | ||||
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017 | 484 | |||||
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2017 | $ 27,709 | $ 5 | $ (1,837) | $ 21,389 | $ (484) | $ 8,636 |
Description of Business and Acc
Description of Business and Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
Description of Business and Accounting Policies | DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES Description of Business Amazon.com opened its virtual doors on the World Wide Web in July 1995. We seek to be Earth’s most customer-centric company. In each of our segments, we serve our primary customer sets, consisting of consumers, sellers, developers, enterprises, and content creators. We serve consumers through our retail websites and physical stores and focus on selection, price, and convenience. We also manufacture and sell electronic devices. We offer programs that enable sellers to sell their products on our websites and their own branded websites and to fulfill orders through us, and programs that allow authors, musicians, filmmakers, app developers, and others to publish and sell content. We serve developers and enterprises of all sizes through our AWS segment, which offers a broad set of global compute, storage, database, and other service offerings. In addition, we provide services, such as fulfillment, publishing, certain digital content subscriptions, advertising, and co-branded credit cards. We have organized our operations into three segments: North America, International, and AWS. See “Note 11—Segment Information.” Prior Period Reclassifications Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation, including the expanded presentation of “Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities” on our consolidated statements of cash flows and the allocation of stock-based compensation to “Other operating expense, net” in the segment results within “Note 11 - Segment Information.” These revised segment results reflect the way our chief operating decision maker evaluates the Company’s business performance and manages its operations. In addition, excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation were reclassified from “Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities” to “Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities” on our consolidated statements of cash flows as a result of the adoption of new accounting guidance. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Amazon.com, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and those entities in which we have a variable interest and of which we are the primary beneficiary, including certain entities in India and China and that support our seller lending financing activities (collectively, the “Company”). Intercompany balances and transactions between consolidated entities are eliminated. The financial results of Whole Foods Market, Inc. (“Whole Foods Market”) have been included in our consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition on August 28, 2017. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, determining the selling price of products and services in multiple element revenue arrangements and determining the amortization period of these elements, incentive discount offers, sales returns, vendor funding, stock-based compensation forfeiture rates, income taxes, valuation and impairment of investments, inventory valuation and inventory purchase commitments, collectability of receivables, valuation of acquired intangibles and goodwill, depreciable lives of property and equipment, internal-use software and website development costs, acquisition purchase price allocations, investments in equity interests, and contingencies. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Earnings per Share Basic earnings per share is calculated using our weighted-average outstanding common shares. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using our weighted-average outstanding common shares including the dilutive effect of stock awards as determined under the treasury stock method. In periods when we have a net loss, stock awards are excluded from our calculation of earnings per share as their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect. The following table shows the calculation of diluted shares (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 Shares used in computation of basic earnings per share 467 474 480 Total dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards 10 10 13 Shares used in computation of diluted earnings per share 477 484 493 Revenue We recognize revenue from product sales or services rendered when the following four criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or service has been rendered, the selling price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables are divided into separate units and revenue is allocated using estimated selling prices if we do not have vendor-specific objective evidence or third-party evidence of the selling prices of the deliverables. We allocate the arrangement price to each of the elements based on the relative selling prices of each element. Estimated selling prices are management’s best estimates of the prices that we would charge our customers if we were to sell the standalone elements separately and include considerations of customer demand, prices charged by us and others for similar deliverables, and the price if largely based on the cost of producing the product or service. Sales of certain of our digital devices are considered arrangements with multiple deliverables, consisting of the device, undelivered software upgrades and/or undelivered non-software services such as cloud services. The revenue allocated to the device, which is the substantial portion of the total sale price, and related costs are generally recognized upon delivery. Revenue related to undelivered software upgrades and/or undelivered non-software services is deferred and recognized generally on a straight-line basis over the estimated period the software upgrades and non-software services are expected to be provided for each of these devices. Sales of Amazon Prime memberships are also considered arrangements with multiple deliverables, including shipping benefits, Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Photos, and access to the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library. The revenue related to the deliverables is amortized over the life of the membership based on the estimated delivery of services. Amazon Prime membership fees are allocated between product sales and service sales. Costs to deliver Amazon Prime benefits are recognized as cost of sales as incurred. As we add more benefits to the Prime membership, we update the method of determining the estimated selling prices of each element as well as the allocation of Prime membership fees. We evaluate whether it is appropriate to record the gross amount of product sales and related costs or the net amount earned as commissions. Generally, when we are primarily obligated in a transaction, are subject to inventory risk, have latitude in establishing prices and selecting suppliers, or have several but not all of these indicators, revenue is recorded at the gross sale price. We generally record the net amounts as commissions earned if we are not primarily obligated and do not have latitude in establishing prices. Such amounts earned are determined using fixed fees, a percentage of seller revenues, per-unit activity fees, or some combination thereof. Product sales represent revenue from the sale of products and related shipping fees and digital media content where we record revenue gross. Product sales and shipping revenues, net of promotional discounts, rebates, and return allowances, are recorded when the products are shipped and title passes to customers. Retail sales to customers are made pursuant to a sales contract that provides for transfer of both title and risk of loss upon our delivery to the carrier or the customer. Amazon’s electronic devices sold through retailers are recognized at the point of sale to consumers. Service sales represent third-party seller fees earned (including commissions) and related shipping fees, AWS sales, certain digital content subscriptions, certain advertising services, and our co-branded credit card agreements. Service sales, net of promotional discounts and return allowances, are recognized when service has been rendered. Return allowances, which reduce revenue and cost of sales, are estimated using historical experience. Allowance for returns was $153 million , $156 million , and $62 million as of December 31, 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . Additions to the allowance were $1.3 billion , $1.5 billion , and $1.8 billion , and deductions to the allowance were $1.3 billion , $1.5 billion , and $1.9 billion in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . Revenue from product sales and services rendered is recorded net of sales and consumption taxes. Additionally, we periodically provide incentive offers to our customers to encourage purchases. Such offers include current discount offers, such as percentage discounts off current purchases, inducement offers, such as offers for future discounts subject to a minimum current purchase, and other similar offers. Current discount offers, when accepted by our customers, are treated as a reduction to the purchase price of the related transaction, while inducement offers, when accepted by our customers, are treated as a reduction to purchase price based on estimated future redemption rates. Redemption rates are estimated using our historical experience for similar inducement offers. Current discount offers and inducement offers are presented as a net amount in “Total net sales.” Cost of Sales Cost of sales primarily consists of the purchase price of consumer products, digital media content costs where we record revenue gross, including video and music, packaging supplies, sortation and delivery centers and related equipment costs, and inbound and outbound shipping costs, including where we are the transportation service provider. Shipping costs to receive products from our suppliers are included in our inventory, and recognized as cost of sales upon sale of products to our customers. Payment processing and related transaction costs, including those associated with seller transactions, are classified in “Fulfillment” on our consolidated statements of operations. Vendor Agreements We have agreements with our vendors to receive funds for advertising services, cooperative marketing efforts, promotions, and volume rebates. We generally consider amounts received from vendors to be a reduction of the prices we pay for their goods, including property and equipment, or services, and therefore record those amounts as a reduction of the cost of inventory, cost of services, or cost of property and equipment. Vendor rebates are typically dependent upon reaching minimum purchase thresholds. We evaluate the likelihood of reaching purchase thresholds using past experience and current year forecasts. When volume rebates can be reasonably estimated, we record a portion of the rebate as we make progress towards the purchase threshold. When we receive direct reimbursements for costs incurred by us in advertising the vendor’s product or service, the amount we receive is recorded as an offset to “Marketing” on our consolidated statements of operations. Fulfillment Fulfillment costs primarily consist of those costs incurred in operating and staffing our North America and International segments’ fulfillment centers, customer service centers, and physical stores, including costs attributable to buying, receiving, inspecting, and warehousing inventories; picking, packaging, and preparing customer orders for shipment; payment processing and related transaction costs, including costs associated with our guarantee for certain seller transactions; responding to inquiries from customers; and supply chain management for our manufactured electronic devices. Fulfillment costs also include amounts paid to third parties that assist us in fulfillment and customer service operations. Marketing Marketing costs primarily consist of targeted online advertising, payroll and related expenses for personnel engaged in marketing and selling activities, and television advertising. We pay commissions to participants in our Associates program when their customer referrals result in product sales and classify such costs as “Marketing” on our consolidated statements of operations. We also participate in cooperative advertising arrangements with certain of our vendors, and other third parties. Advertising and other promotional costs are expensed as incurred and were $3.8 billion , $5.0 billion , and $6.3 billion in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . Prepaid advertising costs were not significant as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . Technology and Content Technology and content costs include payroll and related expenses for employees involved in the research and development of new and existing products and services, development, design, and maintenance of our websites, curation and display of products and services made available on our websites, and infrastructure costs. Infrastructure costs include servers, networking equipment, and data center related depreciation, rent, utilities, and other expenses necessary to support AWS, as well as these and other efforts. Collectively, these costs reflect the investments we make in order to offer a wide variety of products and services to our customers. Technology and content costs are expensed as incurred, except for certain costs relating to the development of internal-use software and website development costs, including software used to upgrade and enhance our websites and applications supporting our business, which are capitalized and amortized over two years . General and Administrative General and administrative expenses primarily consist of payroll and related expenses; facilities and equipment, such as depreciation expense and rent; professional fees and litigation costs; and other general corporate costs for corporate functions, including accounting, finance, tax, legal, and human resources, among others. Stock-Based Compensation Compensation cost for all stock awards expected to vest is measured at fair value on the date of grant and recognized over the service period. The fair value of restricted stock units is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of our common stock, and the fair value of stock options is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model. Such value is recognized as expense over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures, using the accelerated method. The estimated number of stock awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from our current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are revised. We consider many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including employee level, economic conditions, time remaining to vest, and historical forfeiture experience. Other Operating Expense, Net Other operating expense, net, consists primarily of marketing-related, contract-based, and customer-related intangible asset amortization expense, and expenses related to legal settlements. Other Income (Expense), Net Other income (expense), net, consists primarily of foreign currency gains (losses) of $(266) million , $21 million , and $247 million in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 , equity warrant valuation gains (losses) of $0 million , $67 million , and $109 million in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 , and realized gains (losses) on marketable securities sales of $(5) million , $(8) million , and $(7) million in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . Income Taxes Income tax expense includes U.S. (federal and state) and foreign income taxes. Tax legislation commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “2017 Tax Act”) includes a mandatory one-time tax on accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries, and as a result, all previously unremitted earnings for which no U.S. deferred tax liability had been accrued have now been subject to U.S. tax. Notwithstanding the U.S. taxation of these amounts, we intend to continue to invest most or all of these earnings, as well as our capital in these subsidiaries, indefinitely outside of the U.S. and do not expect to incur any significant, additional taxes related to such amounts. Deferred income tax balances reflect the effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases and are stated at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when taxes are actually paid or recovered. Deferred tax assets are evaluated for future realization and reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent we believe they will not be realized. We consider many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization of our deferred tax assets, including our recent cumulative loss experience and expectations of future earnings, capital gains and investment in such jurisdiction, the carry-forward periods available to us for tax reporting purposes, and other relevant factors. We utilize a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain income tax positions (tax contingencies). The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We consider many factors when evaluating our tax positions and estimating our tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments and which may not accurately forecast actual outcomes. We include interest and penalties related to our tax contingencies in income tax expense. Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. To increase the comparability of fair value measures, the following hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation methodologies used to measure fair value: Level 1 —Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets. Level 2 —Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. Level 3 —Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment. For our cash, cash equivalents, or marketable securities, we measure the fair value of money market funds and equity securities based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. All other financial instruments were valued either based on recent trades of securities in inactive markets or based on quoted market prices of similar instruments and other significant inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data. We did not hold any cash, cash equivalents, or marketable securities categorized as Level 3 assets as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . As part of entering into commercial agreements, we often obtain equity warrant assets giving us the right to acquire stock of other companies. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 , these warrants had a fair value of $223 million and $441 million , and are recorded within “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. The related gain (loss) recorded in “Other income (expense), net” was $0 million , $67 million , and $109 million in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . These assets are primarily classified as Level 2 assets. Cash and Cash Equivalents We classify all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less as cash equivalents. Inventories Inventories, consisting of products available for sale, are primarily accounted for using the first-in, first-out method, and are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. This valuation requires us to make judgments, based on currently available information, about the likely method of disposition, such as through sales to individual customers, returns to product vendors, or liquidations, and expected recoverable values of each disposition category. We provide Fulfillment by Amazon services in connection with certain of our sellers’ programs. Third-party sellers maintain ownership of their inventory, regardless of whether fulfillment is provided by us or the third-party sellers, and therefore these products are not included in our inventories. We also purchase electronic device components from a variety of suppliers and use several contract manufacturers to provide manufacturing services for our products. During the normal course of business, in order to manage manufacturing lead times and help ensure adequate supply, we enter into agreements with contract manufacturers and suppliers for certain electronic device components. A portion of our reported purchase commitments arising from these agreements consists of firm, non-cancellable commitments. These commitments are based on forecasted customer demand. If we reduce these commitments, we may incur additional costs. We also have firm, non-cancellable commitments for certain products offered in our Whole Foods Market stores. Accounts Receivable, Net and Other Included in “Accounts receivable, net and other” on our consolidated balance sheets are amounts primarily related to customers, sellers, and vendors. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 , customer receivables, net, were $3.9 billion and $6.4 billion , seller receivables, net, were $661 million and $692 million , and vendor receivables, net, were $2.0 billion and $2.6 billion . Seller receivables are amounts due from sellers related to our seller lending program, which provides funding to sellers primarily to procure inventory. We estimate losses on receivables based on known troubled accounts and historical experience of losses incurred. Receivables are considered impaired and written-off when it is probable that all contractual payments due will not be collected in accordance with the terms of the agreement. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $189 million , $237 million , and $348 million as of December 31, 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . Additions to the allowance were $289 million , $451 million , and $626 million , and deductions to the allowance were $290 million , $403 million , and $515 million in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . The allowance for loan losses related to our seller receivables was not material as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . Internal-Use Software and Website Development Costs incurred to develop software for internal use and our websites are capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful life of the software . Costs related to design or maintenance of internal-use software and website development are expensed as incurred. For the years ended 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 , we capitalized $642 million (including $114 million of stock-based compensation), $511 million (including $94 million of stock-based compensation), and $395 million (including $84 million of stock-based compensation) of costs associated with internal-use software and website development. Amortization of previously capitalized amounts was $635 million , $634 million , and $545 million for 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . Property and Equipment, Net Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Incentives that we receive from property and equipment vendors are recorded as a reduction in our costs. Property includes buildings and land that we own, along with property we have acquired under build-to-suit, finance, and capital lease arrangements. Equipment includes assets such as furniture and fixtures, heavy equipment, servers and networking equipment, and internal-use software and website development. Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets (generally the lesser of 40 years or the remaining life of the underlying building, two years for assets such as internal-use software, three years for our servers, five years for networking equipment, five years for furniture and fixtures, and ten years for heavy equipment). Depreciation expense is classified within the corresponding operating expense categories on our consolidated statements of operations. Leases and Asset Retirement Obligations We categorize leases at their inception as either operating or capital leases. On certain of our lease agreements, we may receive rent holidays and other incentives. We recognize lease costs on a straight-line basis without regard to deferred payment terms, such as rent holidays, that defer the commencement date of required payments. Additionally, incentives we receive are treated as a reduction of our costs over the term of the agreement. Leasehold improvements are capitalized at cost and amortized over the lesser of their expected useful life or the non-cancellable term of the lease. We establish assets and liabilities for the estimated construction costs incurred under build-to-suit lease arrangements to the extent we are involved in the construction of structural improvements or take construction risk prior to commencement of a lease. Upon occupancy of facilities under build-to-suit leases, we assess whether these arrangements qualify for sales recognition under the sale-leaseback accounting guidance. If we continue to be the deemed owner, the facilities are accounted for as finance leases. We establish assets and liabilities for the present value of estimated future costs to retire long-lived assets at the termination or expiration of a lease. Such assets are depreciated over the lease period into operating expense, and the recorded liabilities are accreted to the future value of the estimated retirement costs. Goodwill We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. In testing goodwill for impairment, we may elect to utilize a qualitative assessment to evaluate whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If our qualitative assessment indicates that goodwill impairment is more likely than not, we perform a two-step impairment test. We test goodwill for impairment under the two-step impairment test by first comparing the book value of net assets to the fair value of the reporting units. If the fair value is determined to be less than the book value or qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, a second step is performed to compute the amount of impairment as the difference between the estimated fair value of goodwill and the carrying value. We estimate the fair value of the reporting units using discounted cash flows. Forecasts of future cash flows are based on our best estimate of future net sales and operating expenses, based primarily on expected category expansion, pricing, market segment share, and general economic conditions. We completed the required annual testing of goodwill for impairment for all reporting units as of April 1, 2017, and determined that goodwill is no t impaired as the fair value of our reporting units substantially exceeded their book value. There were no triggering events identified from the date of our assessment through December 31, 2017 that would require an update to our annual impairment test. See “Note 4—Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets.” Other Assets Included in “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets are amounts primarily related to acquired intangible assets, net of amortization; video and music content, net of amortization; long-term deferred tax assets; certain equity investments; marketable securities restricted for longer than one year, the majority of which are attributable to collateralization of bank guarantees and debt related to our international operations; and equity warrant assets. Video and Music Content We obtain video and music content for customers through licensing agreements that have a wide range of licensing provisions, which include both fixed and variable payment schedules. When the license fee for a specific movie, television, or music title is determinable or reasonably estimable and the content is available for streaming, we recognize an asset representing the fee and a corresponding liability for the amounts owed. We relieve the liability as payments are made and we amortize the asset to “Cost of sales” on a straight-line basis or on an accelerated basis, based on estimated usage patterns, which typically ranges from one to five years. If we are unable to reasonably estimate the cost per title, no asset or liability is recorded and licensing costs are expensed as incurred. We also develop original content. Capitalized production costs associated with our original content are limited by the amount of revenue we expect to earn, which results in a portion being expensed as incurred. These capitalized costs are amortized to “Cost of sales” on an accelerated basis that follows the viewing pattern of customer streams in the first months after availability. Investments We generally invest our excess cash in investment grade short- to intermediate-term fixed income securities and AAA-rated money market funds. Such investments are included in “Cash and cash equivalents” or “Marketable securities” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss.” Equity investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting if the investment gives us the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over an investee. Equity-method investments are included within “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. Our share of the earnings or losses as reported by equity-method investees, amortization of basis differences, and related gains or losses, if any, are classified as “Equity - method investment activity, net of tax” on our consolidated statements of operations. Equity investments without readily determinable fair values and for which we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for using the cost method of accounting and classified as “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. Under the cost method, investments are carried at cost and are adjusted only for other-than-temporary declines in fair value, certain distributions, and additional investments. Equity investments that have readily determinable fair values are classified as available-for-sale and are included in “Marketable securities” on our consolidated balance sheets and are recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss.” We periodically evaluate whether declines in fair values of our investments below their book value are other-than-temporary. This evaluation consists of several qualitative and quantitative factors regarding the severity and duration of the unrealized loss as well as our ability and intent to hold the investment until a forecasted recovery occurs. Additionally, we assess whether we have plans to sell the security or it is more likely than not we will be required to sell any investment before recovery of its amortized cost basis. Factors considered include quoted market prices; recent financial results and operating trends; implied values from any recent transactions or offers of investee securities; credit quality of debt instrument issuers; other publicly available information that may affect the value of our investments; duration and severity of the decline in value; and our strategy and intentions for holding the investment. Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets, other than goodwill, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of t |
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Mar
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract] | |
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities | CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND MARKETABLE SECURITIES As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 , our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities primarily consisted of cash, U.S. and foreign government and agency securities, AAA-rated money market funds, and other investment grade securities. Cash equivalents and marketable securities are recorded at fair value. The following tables summarize, by major security type, our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy (in millions): December 31, 2016 Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Total Estimated Fair Value Cash $ 6,883 $ — $ — $ 6,883 Level 1 securities: Money market funds 11,940 — — 11,940 Equity securities 20 31 — 51 Level 2 securities: Foreign government and agency securities 337 — — 337 U.S. government and agency securities 4,821 2 (7 ) 4,816 Corporate debt securities 2,105 1 (2 ) 2,104 Asset-backed securities 355 — (2 ) 353 Other fixed income securities 97 — — 97 $ 26,558 $ 34 $ (11 ) $ 26,581 Less: Restricted cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities (1) (600 ) Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities $ 25,981 December 31, 2017 Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Total Estimated Fair Value Cash $ 9,982 $ — $ — $ 9,982 Level 1 securities: Money market funds 11,343 — — 11,343 Equity securities 23 30 — 53 Level 2 securities: Foreign government and agency securities 620 — — 620 U.S. government and agency securities 4,841 1 (19 ) 4,823 Corporate debt securities 4,265 1 (9 ) 4,257 Asset-backed securities 910 — (5 ) 905 Other fixed income securities 340 — (2 ) 338 $ 32,324 $ 32 $ (35 ) $ 32,321 Less: Restricted cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities (1) (1,335 ) Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities $ 30,986 ___________________ (1) We are required to pledge or otherwise restrict a portion of our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as collateral for real estate leases, workers’ compensation obligations, amounts due to third-party sellers in certain jurisdictions, debt, and standby and trade letters of credit. We classify cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities with use restrictions of less than twelve months as “Accounts receivable, net and other” and of twelve months or longer as non-current “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. See “Note 7—Commitments and Contingencies.” The following table summarizes gross gains and gross losses realized on sales of available-for-sale marketable securities (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 Realized gains $ 2 $ 3 $ 5 Realized losses 7 11 11 The following table summarizes the contractual maturities of our cash equivalents and marketable fixed-income securities as of December 31, 2017 (in millions): Amortized Cost Estimated Fair Value Due within one year $ 17,293 $ 17,287 Due after one year through five years 4,149 4,129 Due after five years through ten years 302 300 Due after ten years 575 570 Total $ 22,319 $ 22,286 Actual maturities may differ from the contractual maturities because borrowers may have certain prepayment conditions. |
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] | |
Property and Equipment | PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property and equipment, at cost, consisted of the following (in millions): December 31, 2016 2017 Gross property and equipment (1): Land and buildings $ 13,998 $ 23,718 Equipment and internal-use software (2) 25,989 38,387 Other corporate assets 649 2,390 Construction in progress 1,805 4,078 Gross property and equipment 42,441 68,573 Total accumulated depreciation (1) 13,327 19,707 Total property and equipment, net $ 29,114 $ 48,866 ___________________ (1) Excludes the original cost and accumulated depreciation of fully-depreciated assets. (2) Includes internal-use software of $1.4 billion and $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . Depreciation expense on property and equipment was $4.9 billion , $6.4 billion , and $8.8 billion which includes amortization of property and equipment acquired under capital leases of $2.7 billion , $3.8 billion , and $5.4 billion for 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . Gross assets recorded under capital leases were $17.0 billion and $26.4 billion as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . Accumulated depreciation associated with capital leases was $8.5 billion and $13.4 billion as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . We capitalize construction in progress and record a corresponding long-term liability for build-to-suit lease agreements where we are considered the owner, for accounting purposes, during the construction period. For buildings under build-to-suit lease arrangements where we have taken occupancy, which do not qualify for sales recognition under the sale-leaseback accounting guidance, we determined that we continue to be the deemed owner of these buildings. This is principally due to our significant investment in tenant improvements. As a result, the buildings are being depreciated over the shorter of their useful lives or the related leases’ terms. Additionally, certain build-to-suit lease arrangements and finance leases provide purchase options. Upon occupancy, the long-term construction obligations are considered long-term finance lease obligations with amounts payable during the next 12 months recorded as “Accrued expenses and other.” Gross assets remaining under finance leases were $2.9 billion and $5.4 billion as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . Accumulated depreciation associated with finance leases was $361 million and $635 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . |
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acq
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Business Combinations [Abstract] | |
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets | ACQUISITIONS, GOODWILL, AND ACQUIRED INTANGIBLE ASSETS Acquisition Activity During 2015 and 2016 , we acquired certain companies for an aggregate purchase price of $690 million and $103 million . The primary reason for these acquisitions, none of which were individually material to our consolidated financial statements, was to acquire technologies and know-how to enable Amazon to serve customers more effectively. On May 12, 2017 , we acquired Souq Group Ltd. (“Souq”), an e-commerce company, for approximately $583 million , net of cash acquired, and on August 28, 2017, we acquired Whole Foods Market, a grocery store chain, for approximately $13.2 billion , net of cash acquired. Both acquisitions are intended to expand our retail presence. During 2017 , we also acquired certain other companies for an aggregate purchase price of $204 million . The primary reason for our other 2017 acquisitions was to acquire technologies and know-how to enable Amazon to serve customers more effectively. Acquisition-related costs were expensed as incurred and were not significant. The valuation of certain assets and liabilities in the Whole Foods Market acquisition is preliminary and subject to change. Purchase Price Allocation The aggregate purchase price of the 2015 and 2016 acquisitions, and the Whole Foods Market and other 2017 acquisitions, which primarily includes the acquisition of Souq, was allocated as follows (in millions): December 31, 2015 2016 2017 Whole Foods Market Other 2017 Acquisitions Total Purchase Price Cash paid, net of cash acquired $ 599 $ 81 $ 13,176 $ 683 $ 13,859 Stock options assumed 5 — — — — Indemnification holdback 86 22 — 104 104 $ 690 $ 103 $ 13,176 $ 787 $ 13,963 Allocation Goodwill $ 482 $ 60 $ 9,010 $ 491 $ 9,501 Intangible assets (1): Marketing-related 3 2 1,928 59 1,987 Contract-based 1 1 407 33 440 Technology-based 208 53 — 166 166 Customer-related 18 1 — 54 54 230 57 2,335 312 2,647 Property and equipment 4 3 3,794 16 3,810 Deferred tax assets 55 17 95 22 117 Other assets acquired 53 10 1,711 147 1,858 Long-term debt (3 ) (5 ) (1,158 ) (7 ) (1,165 ) Deferred tax liabilities (85 ) (18 ) (925 ) (36 ) (961 ) Other liabilities assumed (46 ) (21 ) (1,686 ) (158 ) (1,844 ) $ 690 $ 103 $ 13,176 $ 787 $ 13,963 ___________________ (1) Intangible assets acquired in 2015 , 2016 , and the other 2017 acquisitions have estimated useful lives of between one and six years, one and seven years, and one and seven years, with weighted-average amortization periods of five years, five years, and four years. Acquired intangible assets for Whole Foods Market have estimated useful lives of between one and twenty-five years, with a weighted-average amortization period of twenty-three years, primarily driven by the Whole Foods Market trade name. The fair value of assumed stock options, estimated using the Black-Scholes model, and restricted stock units of $9 million , $0 million , and $0 million for 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 will be expensed over the remaining service period. We determined the estimated fair value of identifiable intangible assets acquired primarily by using the income approach. These assets are included within “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets and are being amortized to operating expenses on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Pro Forma Financial Information - 2017 Acquisition Activity (unaudited) The acquired companies were consolidated into our financial statements starting on their respective acquisition dates. The aggregate net sales and operating loss of Whole Foods Market consolidated into our financial statements since the date of acquisition was $5.8 billion and $(24) million for the year ended December 31, 2017 . The aggregate net sales and operating loss of other acquisitions consolidated into our financial statements since the respective dates of acquisition was $482 million and $(142) million for the year ended December 31, 2017 . The following financial information, which excludes certain acquired companies for which the pro forma impact is not meaningful, presents our results as if the acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2017 had occurred on January 1, 2016 (in millions): Twelve Months Ended 2016 2017 Net sales $ 152,283 $ 187,890 Net income $ 2,148 $ 2,940 These pro forma results are based on estimates and assumptions, which we believe are reasonable. They are not the results that would have been realized had the acquisitions actually occurred on January 1, 2016 and are not necessarily indicative of our consolidated results of operations in future periods. The pro forma results include adjustments related to purchase accounting, primarily interest expense related to the proceeds from the issuance of the August 2017 Notes used in connection with the acquisition of Whole Foods Market, depreciation of property and equipment, and amortization of intangible assets. Goodwill The goodwill of the acquired companies is primarily related to expected improvements in technology performance and functionality, as well as sales growth from future product and service offerings and new customers, together with certain intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition. The goodwill of the acquired companies is generally not deductible for tax purposes. The following summarizes our goodwill activity in 2016 and 2017 by segment (in millions): North America International AWS Consolidated Goodwill - January 1, 2016 $ 2,012 $ 719 $ 1,028 $ 3,759 New acquisitions 30 13 17 60 Other adjustments (1) 2 (38 ) 1 (35 ) Goodwill - December 31, 2016 2,044 694 1,046 3,784 New acquisitions (2) 9,115 368 18 9,501 Other adjustments (1) 6 46 13 65 Goodwill - December 31, 2017 $ 11,165 $ 1,108 $ 1,077 $ 13,350 ___________________ (1) Primarily includes changes in foreign exchange rates. (2) Primarily includes the acquisition of Whole Foods Market in the North America segment and Souq in the International segment. Intangible Assets Acquired intangible assets, included within “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets, consist of the following (in millions): December 31, 2016 2017 Acquired Intangibles, Gross (1) Accumulated Amortization (1) Acquired Intangibles, Net Acquired Intangibles, Gross (1) Accumulated Amortization (1) Acquired Intangibles, Net Weighted Average Life Remaining Marketing-related $ 499 $ (299 ) $ 200 $ 2,486 $ (418 ) $ 2,068 23.0 Contract-based 397 (212 ) 185 1,013 (213 ) 800 13.0 Technology- and content-based 705 (353 ) 352 640 (252 ) 388 4.4 Customer-related 299 (182 ) 117 283 (168 ) 115 2.1 Acquired intangibles (2) $ 1,900 $ (1,046 ) $ 854 $ 4,422 $ (1,051 ) $ 3,371 17.8 ___________________ (1) Excludes the original cost and accumulated amortization of fully-amortized intangibles. (2) Intangible assets have estimated useful lives of between one and twenty-five years. Amortization expense for acquired intangibles was $270 million , $287 million , and $366 million in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . Expected future amortization expense of acquired intangible assets as of December 31, 2017 is as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2018 $ 377 2019 337 2020 258 2021 214 2022 178 Thereafter 1,998 $ 3,362 |
Long-Term Debt
Long-Term Debt | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Debt Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Long-Term Debt | LONG-TERM DEBT As of December 31, 2017, we had $24.3 billion of unsecured senior notes outstanding (the “Notes”), including $17.0 billion of notes issued and assumed in connection with our August 2017 acquisition of Whole Foods Market. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 , the net unamortized discount on the Notes was $90 million and $99 million . We also have other long-term debt with a carrying amount, including the current portion and borrowings under our credit facility, of $588 million and $692 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . The face value of our total long-term debt obligations is as follows (in millions): December 31, 2016 2017 1.200% Notes due on November 29, 2017 $ 1,000 $ — 2.600% Notes due on December 5, 2019 (2) 1,000 1,000 1.900% Notes due on August 21, 2020 (3) — 1,000 3.300% Notes due on December 5, 2021 (2) 1,000 1,000 2.500% Notes due on November 29, 2022 (1) 1,250 1,250 2.400% Notes due on February 22, 2023 (3) — 1,000 2.800% Notes due on August 22, 2024 (3) — 2,000 3.800% Notes due on December 5, 2024 (2) 1,250 1,250 5.200% Notes due on December 3, 2025 (4) — 1,000 3.150% Notes due on August 22, 2027 (3) — 3,500 4.800% Notes due on December 5, 2034 (2) 1,250 1,250 3.875% Notes due on August 22, 2037 (3) — 2,750 4.950% Notes due on December 5, 2044 (2) 1,500 1,500 4.050% Notes due on August 22, 2047 (3) — 3,500 4.250% Notes due on August 22, 2057 (3) — 2,250 Credit Facility 495 592 Other long-term debt 93 100 Total debt 8,838 24,942 Less current portion of long-term debt (1,056 ) (100 ) Face value of long-term debt $ 7,782 $ 24,842 _____________________________ (1) Issued in November 2012, effective interest rate of the 2022 Notes were 2.66% . (2) Issued in December 2014, effective interest rates of the 2019, 2021, 2024, 2034, and 2044 Notes were 2.73% , 3.43% , 3.90% , 4.92% , and 5.11% . (3) Issued in August 2017, effective interest rates of the 2020, 2023, 2024, 2027, 2037, 2047, and 2057 Notes were 2.16% , 2.56% , 2.95% , 3.25% , 3.94% , 4.13% , and 4.33% . (4) Consists of $872 million of 2025 Notes issued in December 2017 in exchange for notes assumed in connection with the acquisition of Whole Foods Market and $128 million of 2025 Notes issued by Whole Foods Market that did not participate in our December 2017 exchange offer. The effective interest rate of the 2025 Notes was 3.02% . Interest on the Notes issued in 2012 is payable semi-annually in arrears in May and November . Interest on the Notes issued in 2014 is payable semi-annually in arrears in June and December . Interest on the Notes issued in 2017 is payable semi-annually in arrears in February and August. Interest on the 2025 Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears in June and December. We may redeem the Notes at any time in whole, or from time to time, in part at specified redemption prices. We are not subject to any financial covenants under the Notes. The proceeds from the November 2012 and December 2014 Notes were used for general corporate purposes. The proceeds from the August 2017 Notes were used to fund the consideration for the acquisition of Whole Foods Market, to repay the 1.200% Notes due November 2017, and for general corporate purposes. The estimated fair value of the Notes was approximately $8.7 billion and $25.7 billion as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 , which is based on quoted prices for our debt as of those dates. In October 2016, we entered into a $500 million secured revolving credit facility with a lender that is secured by certain seller receivables , which we subsequently increased to $600 million and may from time to time increase in the future subject to lender approval (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility is available for a term of three years , bears interest at the London interbank offered rate (“ LIBOR ”) plus 1.65% , and has a commitment fee of 0.50% on the undrawn portion. There was $495 million and $592 million of borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 , which had a weighted-average interest rate of 2.3% and 2.7% as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . As of December 31, 2017 , we have pledged $686 million of our cash and seller receivables as collateral for debt related to our Credit Facility. The estimated fair value of the Credit Facility, which is based on Level 2 inputs, approximated its carrying value as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . In December 2017, we conducted an exchange offer related to the $1.0 billion 5.200% senior notes due 2025 assumed in our acquisition of Whole Foods Market. In connection with the exchange offer, we issued $872 million aggregate principal amount of new Amazon 5.200% senior notes due 2025, and $128 million aggregate principal amount of Whole Foods Market’s previously issued notes remained outstanding. We also amended the Whole Foods Market indenture to eliminate substantially all the restrictive covenants and certain events of default from the remaining Whole Foods Market notes. The other debt, including the current portion, had a weighted-average interest rate of 3.4% and 5.8% as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . We used the net proceeds from the issuance of this debt primarily to fund certain business operations. The estimated fair value of the other long-term debt, which is based on Level 2 inputs, approximated its carrying value as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . As of December 31, 2017 , future principal payments for our total debt were as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2018 $ 100 2019 1,334 2020 1,258 2021 1,000 2022 1,250 Thereafter 20,000 $ 24,942 In May 2016, we entered into an unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of lenders that provides us with a borrowing capacity of up to $3.0 billion . The Credit Agreement has a term of three years , but it may be extended for up to three additional one -year terms if approved by the lenders. The initial interest rate applicable to outstanding balances under the Credit Agreement is LIBOR plus 0.60% , with a commitment fee of 0.05% on the undrawn portion of the credit facility, under our current credit ratings. If our credit ratings are downgraded these rates could increase to as much as LIBOR plus 1.00% and 0.09% , respectively. There were no borrowings outstanding under the credit agreements as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . |
Other Long-Term Liabilities
Other Long-Term Liabilities | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Other Long-Term Liabilities | OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES Our other long-term liabilities are summarized as follows (in millions): December 31, 2016 2017 Long-term capital lease obligations $ 5,080 $ 8,438 Long-term finance lease obligations 2,439 4,745 Construction liabilities 714 1,350 Tax contingencies 1,395 1,004 Long-term deferred tax liabilities 392 990 Other 2,587 4,448 Total other long-term liabilities $ 12,607 $ 20,975 Capital and Finance Leases Certain of our equipment, primarily related to technology infrastructure, and buildings have been acquired under capital leases. Long-term capital lease obligations are as follows (in millions): December 31, 2017 Gross capital lease obligations $ 14,811 Less imputed interest (534 ) Present value of net minimum lease payments 14,277 Less current portion of capital lease obligations (5,839 ) Total long-term capital lease obligations $ 8,438 We continue to be the deemed owner after occupancy of certain facilities that were constructed as build-to-suit lease arrangements and previously reflected as “Construction liabilities.” As such, these arrangements are accounted for as finance leases. Long-term finance lease obligations are as follows (in millions): December 31, 2017 Gross finance lease obligations $ 6,265 Less imputed interest (1,238 ) Present value of net minimum lease payments 5,027 Less current portion of finance lease obligations (282 ) Total long-term finance lease obligations $ 4,745 Construction Liabilities We capitalize construction in progress and record a corresponding long-term liability for build-to-suit lease agreements where we are considered the owner during the construction period for accounting purposes. These liabilities primarily relate to our corporate buildings and fulfillment, sortation, delivery, and data centers. Tax Contingencies We have recorded reserves for tax contingencies, inclusive of accrued interest and penalties, for U.S. and foreign income taxes. These reserves primarily relate to transfer pricing, research and development credits, and state income taxes, and are presented net of offsetting deferred tax assets related to net operating losses and tax credits. See “Note 10—Income Taxes” for discussion of tax contingencies. |
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Commitments and Contingencies | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments We have entered into non-cancellable operating, capital, and finance leases for equipment and office, fulfillment, sortation, delivery, data center, physical store, and renewable energy facilities. Rental expense under operating lease agreements was $1.1 billion , $1.4 billion , and $2.2 billion for 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . The following summarizes our principal contractual commitments, excluding open orders for purchases that support normal operations and are generally cancellable, as of December 31, 2017 (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter Total Debt principal and interest $ 967 $ 2,234 $ 2,111 $ 1,834 $ 2,050 $ 31,799 $ 40,995 Capital lease obligations, including interest (1) 6,084 4,788 2,590 557 262 530 14,811 Finance lease obligations, including interest (2) 445 460 466 476 472 3,946 6,265 Operating leases 2,427 2,376 2,258 2,039 1,813 11,935 22,848 Unconditional purchase obligations (3) 3,527 3,561 3,195 3,039 2,922 7,956 24,200 Other commitments (4) (5) 1,584 1,016 733 571 438 4,744 9,086 Total commitments $ 15,034 $ 14,435 $ 11,353 $ 8,516 $ 7,957 $ 60,910 $ 118,205 ___________________ (1) Excluding interest, current capital lease obligations of $4.0 billion and $5.8 billion are recorded within “Accrued expenses and other” as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 , and $5.1 billion and $8.4 billion are recorded within “Other long-term liabilities” as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . (2) Excluding interest, current finance lease obligations of $144 million and $282 million are recorded within “Accrued expenses and other” as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 , and $2.4 billion and $4.7 billion are recorded within “Other long-term liabilities” as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . (3) Includes unconditional purchase obligations related to certain products offered in our Whole Foods Market stores and long-term agreements to acquire and license digital media content that are not reflected on the consolidated balance sheets. For those digital media content agreements with variable terms, we do not estimate the total obligation beyond any minimum quantities and/or pricing as of the reporting date. Purchase obligations associated with renewal provisions solely at the option of the content provider are included to the extent such commitments are fixed or a minimum amount is specified. (4) Includes the estimated timing and amounts of payments for rent and tenant improvements associated with build-to-suit lease arrangements and equipment lease arrangements that have not been placed in service and digital media content liabilities associated with long-term digital media content assets with initial terms greater than one year. (5) Excludes $2.3 billion of accrued tax contingencies for which we cannot make a reasonably reliable estimate of the amount and period of payment, if any. Pledged Assets As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 , we have pledged or otherwise restricted $715 million and $1.4 billion of our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, and certain property and equipment as collateral for real estate leases, workers’ compensation obligations, amounts due to third-party sellers in certain jurisdictions, debt, and standby and trade letters of credit. Suppliers During 2017 , no vendor accounted for 10% or more of our purchases. We generally do not have long-term contracts or arrangements with our vendors to guarantee the availability of merchandise, particular payment terms, or the extension of credit limits. Other Contingencies In 2016, we determined that we processed and delivered orders of consumer products for certain individuals and entities located outside Iran covered by the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act or other United States sanctions and export control laws. The consumer products included books, music, other media, apparel, home and kitchen, health and beauty, jewelry, office, consumer electronics, software, lawn and patio, grocery, and automotive products. Our review is ongoing and we have voluntarily reported these orders to the United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and the United States Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security. We intend to cooperate fully with OFAC and BIS with respect to their review, which may result in the imposition of penalties. For additional information, see Item 9B of Part II, “Other Information — Disclosure Pursuant to Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act.” We are subject to claims related to various indirect taxes (such as sales, value added, consumption, service, and similar taxes), including in jurisdictions in which we already collect and remit such taxes. If the relevant taxing authorities were successfully to pursue these claims, we could be subject to significant additional tax liabilities. For example, in June 2017, the State of South Carolina issued an assessment for uncollected sales and use taxes for the period from January 2016 to March 2016, including interest and penalties. South Carolina is alleging that we should have collected sales and use taxes on transactions by our third-party sellers. We believe the assessment is without merit. If South Carolina or other states were successfully to seek additional adjustments of a similar nature, we could be subject to significant additional tax liabilities. We intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter. Legal Proceedings The Company is involved from time to time in claims, proceedings, and litigation, including the following: In November 2007, an Austrian copyright collection society, Austro-Mechana, filed lawsuits against Amazon.com International Sales, Inc., Amazon EU S.à r.l., Amazon.de GmbH, Amazon.com GmbH, and Amazon Logistik in the Commercial Court of Vienna, Austria and in the District Court of Munich, Germany seeking to collect a tariff on blank digital media sold by our EU-based retail websites to customers located in Austria. In July 2008, the German court stayed the German case pending a final decision in the Austrian case. In July 2010, the Austrian court ruled in favor of Austro-Mechana and ordered us to report all sales of products to which the tariff potentially applies for a determination of damages. We contested Austro-Mechana’s claim and in September 2010 commenced an appeal in the Commercial Court of Vienna. We lost this appeal and in March 2011 commenced an appeal in the Supreme Court of Austria. In October 2011, the Austrian Supreme Court referred the case to the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”). In July 2013, the ECJ ruled that EU law does not preclude application of the tariff where certain conditions are met and directed the case back to the Austrian Supreme Court for further proceedings. In October 2013, the Austrian Supreme Court referred the case back to the Commercial Court of Vienna for further fact finding to determine whether the tariff on blank digital media meets the conditions set by the ECJ. In August 2015, the Commercial Court of Vienna ruled that the Austrian tariff regime does not meet the conditions the ECJ set and dismissed Austro-Mechana’s claims. In September 2015, Austro-Mechana appealed that judgment to the Higher Commercial Court of Vienna. In December 2015, the Higher Commercial Court of Vienna confirmed that the Austrian tariff regime does not meet the conditions the ECJ set and dismissed Austro-Mechana’s appeal. In February 2016, Austro-Mechana appealed that judgment to the Austrian Supreme Court. In March 2017, the Austrian Supreme Court ruled in favor of Austro-Mechana and referred the case back to the Commercial Court of Vienna for further proceedings. A number of additional actions have been filed making similar allegations. In December 2012, a German copyright collection society, Zentralstelle für private Überspielungsrechte (“ZPU”), filed a complaint against Amazon EU S.à r.l., Amazon Media EU S.à r.l., Amazon Services Europe S.à r.l., Amazon Payments Europe SCA, Amazon Europe Holding Technologies SCS, and Amazon Eurasia Holdings S.à r.l. in the District Court of Luxembourg seeking to collect a tariff on blank digital media sold by the Amazon.de retail website to customers located in Germany. In January 2013, a Belgian copyright collection society, AUVIBEL, filed a complaint against Amazon EU S.à r.l. in the Court of First Instance of Brussels, Belgium, seeking to collect a tariff on blank digital media sold by the Amazon.fr retail website to customers located in Belgium. In November 2013, the Belgian court ruled in favor of AUVIBEL and ordered us to report all sales of products to which the tariff potentially applies for a determination of damages. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in these matters. Beginning in August 2013, a number of complaints were filed alleging, among other things, that Amazon.com, Inc. and several of its subsidiaries failed to compensate hourly workers for time spent waiting in security lines and otherwise violated federal and state wage and hour statutes and common law. In August 2013, Busk v. Integrity Staffing Solutions, Inc. and Amazon.com, Inc. was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, and Vance v. Amazon.com, Inc., Zappos.com Inc., another affiliate of Amazon.com, Inc., and Kelly Services, Inc. was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. In September 2013, Allison v. Amazon.com, Inc. and Integrity Staffing Solutions, Inc. was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, and Johnson v. Amazon.com, Inc. and an affiliate of Amazon.com, Inc. was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. In October 2013, Davis v. Amazon.com, Inc., an affiliate of Amazon.com, Inc., and Integrity Staffing Solutions, Inc. was filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. The plaintiffs variously purport to represent a nationwide class of certain current and former employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act and/or state-law-based subclasses for certain current and former employees in states including Arizona, California, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Kentucky, Washington, and Nevada, and one complaint asserts nationwide breach of contract and unjust enrichment claims. The complaints seek an unspecified amount of damages, interest, injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees. We have been named in several other similar cases. In December 2014, the Supreme Court ruled in Busk that time spent waiting for and undergoing security screening is not compensable working time under the federal wage and hour statute. In February 2015, the courts in those actions alleging only federal law claims entered stipulated orders dismissing those actions without prejudice. In March 2016, the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky dismissed the Vance case with prejudice. In April 2016, the plaintiffs appealed the district court’s judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. In March 2017, the court of appeals affirmed the district court’s decision. In June 2017, the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky dismissed the Busk and Saldana cases with prejudice. We dispute any remaining allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in these matters. In March 2014, Kaavo, Inc. filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc. and Amazon Web Services, Inc. for patent infringement in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The complaint alleges, among other things, that Amazon Web Services’ Elastic Beanstalk and CloudFormation infringe U.S. Patent No. 8,271,974, entitled “Cloud Computing Lifecycle Management For N-Tier Applications.” The complaint seeks injunctive relief, an unspecified amount of damages, costs, and interest. In July 2015, Kaavo Inc. filed another complaint against Amazon.com, Inc. and Amazon Web Services, Inc. in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The 2015 complaint alleges, among other things, that CloudFormation infringes U.S. Patent No. 9,043,751, entitled “Methods And Devices For Managing A Cloud Computing Environment.” The 2015 complaint seeks injunctive relief, an unspecified amount of damages, enhanced damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, and interest. In September 2017, the 2015 case was stayed pending resolution of a review petition we filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in these matters. In December 2014, Smartflash LLC and Smartflash Technologies Limited filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc., Amazon.com, LLC, AMZN Mobile, LLC, Amazon Web Services, Inc. and Audible, Inc. for patent infringement in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges, among other things, that Amazon Appstore, Amazon Instant Video, Amazon Music, Audible Audiobooks, the Amazon Mobile Ad Network, certain Kindle and Fire devices, Kindle e-bookstore, Amazon’s proprietary Android operating system, and the servers involved in operating Amazon Appstore, Amazon Instant Video, Amazon Music, the Fire TV app, Audible Audiobooks, Cloud Drive, Cloud Player, Amazon Web Services, and Amazon Mobile Ad Network infringe seven related U.S. Patents: Nos. 7,334,720; 7,942,317; 8,033,458; 8,061,598; 8,118,221; 8,336,772; and 8,794,516, all entitled “Data Storage and Access Systems.” The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages, an injunction, enhanced damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, and interest. In May 2015, the case was stayed until further notice. In March 2017, in an unrelated lawsuit, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit entered judgment invalidating all asserted claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 7,334,720; 8,118,221; and 8,336,772. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter. In March 2015, Zitovault, LLC filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc., Amazon.com, LLC, Amazon Web Services, Inc., and Amazon Web Services, LLC for patent infringement in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges that Elastic Compute Cloud, Virtual Private Cloud, Elastic Load Balancing, Auto-Scaling, and Elastic Beanstalk infringe U.S. Patent No. 6,484,257, entitled “System and Method for Maintaining N Number of Simultaneous Cryptographic Sessions Using a Distributed Computing Environment.” The complaint seeks injunctive relief, an unspecified amount of damages, enhanced damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, and interest. In January 2016, the case was transferred to the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. In June 2016, the case was stayed pending resolution of a review petition we filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter. Beginning in September 2015, two cases have been filed alleging that Amazon violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act with regard to processes undertaken to perform criminal background checks on candidates for employment and employees. In September 2015, Hargrett v. Amazon.com LLC and Amazon.comdedc, LLC was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. In August 2017, Mathis v. Amazon.comdedc, LLC and Accurate Background, LLC was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The plaintiffs variously purport to represent a nationwide class of certain candidates for employment and employees who were subject to a background check, and allege that Amazon failed either to provide proper disclosures before obtaining background checks or to provide appropriate notice before using background check information in employment decisions. The complaints seek an unspecified amount of statutory damages, punitive damages, costs, and attorneys’ fees. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in these matters. In November 2015, Eolas Technologies, Inc. filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the use of “interactive features” on www.amazon.com, including “search suggestions and search results,” infringes U.S. Patent No. 9,195,507, entitled “Distributed Hypermedia Method and System for Automatically Invoking External Application Providing Interaction and Display of Embedded Objects Within A Hypermedia Document.” The complaint sought a judgment of infringement together with costs and attorneys’ fees. In February 2016, Eolas filed an amended complaint seeking, among other things, an unspecified amount of damages. In February 2017, Eolas alleged in its damages report that in the event of a finding of liability Amazon could be subject to $130 - $250 million in damages. In April 2017, the case was transferred to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter. In October 2017, SRC Labs, LLC and Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe filed a complaint for patent infringement against Amazon Web Services, Inc., Amazon.com, Inc., and VADATA, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The complaint alleges, among other things, that certain AWS EC2 Instances infringe U.S. Patent Nos. 6,434,687, entitled “System and method for accelerating web site access and processing utilizing a computer system incorporating reconfigurable processors operating under a single operating system image”; 7,149,867, entitled “System and method of enhancing efficiency and utilization of memory bandwidth in reconfigurable hardware”; 7,225,324 and 7,620,800, both entitled “Multi-adaptive processing systems and techniques for enhancing parallelism and performance of computational functions”; and 9,153,311, entitled “System and method for retaining DRAM data when reprogramming reconfigurable devices with DRAM memory controllers.” The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages, enhanced damages, interest, and a compulsory on-going royalty. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter. The outcomes of our legal proceedings and other contingencies are inherently unpredictable, subject to significant uncertainties, and could be material to our operating results and cash flows for a particular period. In addition, for the matters disclosed above that do not include an estimate of the amount of loss or range of losses, such an estimate is not possible or is immaterial, and we may be unable to estimate the possible loss or range of losses that could potentially result from the application of non-monetary remedies. See also “Note 10—Income Taxes.” |
Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' Equity | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] | |
Stockholders' Equity | STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Preferred Stock We have authorized 500 million shares of $0.01 par value preferred stock. No preferred stock was outstanding for any period presented. Common Stock Common shares outstanding plus shares underlying outstanding stock awards totaled 490 million , 497 million , and 504 million , as of December 31, 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . These totals include all vested and unvested stock awards outstanding, including those awards we estimate will be forfeited. Stock Repurchase Activity In February 2016, the Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $5.0 billion of our common stock, with no fixed expiration. This stock repurchase authorization replaced the previous $2.0 billion stock repurchase authorization, approved by the Board of Directors in 2010. There were no repurchases of common stock in 2015 , 2016 , or 2017 . Stock Award Plans Employees vest in restricted stock unit awards and stock options over the corresponding service term, generally between two and five years . Stock Award Activity Stock options outstanding, which were primarily obtained through acquisitions, totaled 0.2 million, 0.1 million, and 0.1 million, as of December 31, 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . Stock-based compensation expense is as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 Cost of sales (1) $ — $ 16 $ 47 Fulfillment 482 657 911 Marketing 190 323 511 Technology and content 1,224 1,664 2,305 General and administrative 223 315 441 Total stock-based compensation expense (2) $ 2,119 $ 2,975 $ 4,215 ___________________ (1) Beginning in 2016, stock-based compensation expense was recorded to cost of sales for eligible employees providing delivery services. (2) The related tax benefits were $593 million , $907 million , and $860 million for 2015, 2016, and 2017. In 2017, the tax benefit reflects the permanent reduction in the U.S. statutory corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% . The following table summarizes our restricted stock unit activity (in millions): Number of Units Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Outstanding as of January 1, 2015 17.4 $ 285 Units granted 9.8 426 Units vested (5.6 ) 253 Units forfeited (2.7 ) 321 Outstanding as of December 31, 2015 18.9 362 Units granted 9.3 660 Units vested (6.1 ) 321 Units forfeited (2.3 ) 440 Outstanding as of December 31, 2016 19.8 506 Units granted 8.9 946 Units vested (6.8 ) 400 Units forfeited (1.8 ) 649 Outstanding as of December 31, 2017 20.1 $ 725 Scheduled vesting for outstanding restricted stock units as of December 31, 2017 , is as follows (in millions): Year Ended 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter Total Scheduled vesting—restricted stock units 7.3 7.3 3.6 1.6 0.1 0.2 20.1 As of December 31, 2017 , there was $6.4 billion of net unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock-based compensation arrangements. This compensation is recognized on an accelerated basis with approximately half of the compensation expected to be expensed in the next twelve months, and has a weighted-average recognition period of 1.1 years. The estimated forfeiture rate as of December 31, 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 was 28% . Changes in our estimates and assumptions relating to forfeitures may cause us to realize material changes in stock-based compensation expense in the future. During 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 , the fair value of restricted stock units that vested was $2.7 billion , $4.3 billion , and $6.8 billion . As matching contributions under our 401(k) savings plan, we granted 0.1 million shares of common stock in 2016 and 2017 . Shares granted as matching contributions under our 401(k) plan are included in outstanding common stock when issued, and recorded as stock-based compensation expense. Common Stock Available for Future Issuance As of December 31, 2017 , common stock available for future issuance to employees is 116 million shares. |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Equity [Abstract] | |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS Changes in the composition of accumulated other comprehensive loss for 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 are as follows (in millions): Foreign currency translation adjustments Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities Total Balances as of January 1, 2015 $ (512 ) $ 1 $ (511 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) (210 ) (2 ) (212 ) Balances as of December 31, 2015 (722 ) (1 ) (723 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) (279 ) 17 (262 ) Balances as of December 31, 2016 (1,001 ) 16 (985 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) 533 (32 ) 501 Balances as of December 31, 2017 $ (468 ) $ (16 ) $ (484 ) Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss are recorded net of their related income tax effects. |
Income Taxes
Income Taxes | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Income Taxes | INCOME TAXES In 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 , we recorded net tax provisions of $950 million , $1.4 billion , and $769 million . We have tax benefits relating to excess stock-based compensation deductions and accelerated depreciation deductions that are being utilized to reduce our U.S. taxable income. Cash taxes paid, net of refunds, were $273 million , $412 million , and $957 million for 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . The 2017 Tax Act was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The 2017 Tax Act significantly revises the U.S. corporate income tax by, among other things, lowering the statutory corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% , eliminating certain deductions, imposing a mandatory one-time tax on accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries, introducing new tax regimes, and changing how foreign earnings are subject to U.S. tax. The 2017 Tax Act also enhanced and extended through 2026 the option to claim accelerated depreciation deductions on qualified property. We have not completed our determination of the accounting implications of the 2017 Tax Act on our tax accruals. However, we have reasonably estimated the effects of the 2017 Tax Act and recorded provisional amounts in our financial statements as of December 31, 2017. We recorded a provisional tax benefit for the impact of the 2017 Tax Act of approximately $789 million . This amount is primarily comprised of the remeasurement of federal net deferred tax liabilities resulting from the permanent reduction in the U.S. statutory corporate tax rate to 21% from 35% , after taking into account the mandatory one-time tax on the accumulated earnings of our foreign subsidiaries. The amount of this one-time tax is not material. As we complete our analysis of the 2017 Tax Act, collect and prepare necessary data, and interpret any additional guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, the IRS, and other standard-setting bodies, we may make adjustments to the provisional amounts. Those adjustments may materially impact our provision for income taxes in the period in which the adjustments are made. The components of the provision for income taxes, net are as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 Current taxes: U.S. Federal $ 215 $ 1,136 $ (137 ) U.S. State 237 208 211 International 417 327 724 Current taxes 869 1,671 798 Deferred taxes: U.S. Federal 473 116 (202 ) U.S. State (171 ) (31 ) (26 ) International (221 ) (331 ) 199 Deferred taxes 81 (246 ) (29 ) Provision for income taxes, net $ 950 $ 1,425 $ 769 U.S. and international components of income before income taxes are as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 U.S. $ 2,186 $ 4,551 $ 5,630 International (618 ) (659 ) (1,824 ) Income (loss) before income taxes $ 1,568 $ 3,892 $ 3,806 The items accounting for differences between income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate and the provision recorded for income taxes are as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 Income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate $ 549 $ 1,362 $ 1,332 Effect of: Impact of foreign tax differential 350 (69 ) 1,178 State taxes, net of federal benefits 37 110 114 Tax credits (99 ) (119 ) (220 ) Stock-based compensation (1) 149 189 (917 ) Domestic production activities deduction (44 ) (94 ) — Impact of 2017 Tax Act — — (789 ) Other, net 8 46 71 Total $ 950 $ 1,425 $ 769 ___________________ (1) Includes non-deductible stock-based compensation and beginning in 2017, excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation. For 2017, our tax provision includes $1.3 billion of excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation. Our provision for income taxes in 2016 was higher than in 2015 primarily due to an increase in U.S. pre-tax income, partially offset by an increase in the proportion of foreign losses for which we may realize a tax benefit, an increase in tax amortization deductions, and a decline in the proportion of nondeductible expenses. We have recorded valuation allowances against the deferred tax assets associated with losses for which we may not realize a related tax benefit. Our provision for income taxes in 2017 was lower than in 2016 primarily due to excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation and the provisional favorable effect of the 2017 Tax Act, partially offset by an increase in the proportion of foreign losses for which we may not realize a tax benefit and audit-related developments. We regularly assess whether it is more likely than not that we will realize our deferred tax assets in each taxing jurisdiction in which we operate. In performing this assessment with respect to each jurisdiction, we review all available evidence, including recent cumulative loss experience and expectations of future earnings, capital gains, and investment in such jurisdiction, the carry-forward periods available to us for tax reporting purposes, and other relevant factors. In Q2 2017, we recognized an estimated charge to tax expense of $600 million to record a valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets in Luxembourg. The 2017 Tax Act includes a mandatory one-time tax on accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries, and as a result, all previously unremitted earnings for which no U.S. deferred tax liability had been accrued have now been subject to U.S. tax. Notwithstanding the U.S. taxation of these amounts, we intend to continue to invest most or all of these earnings, as well as our capital in these subsidiaries, indefinitely outside of the U.S. and do not expect to incur any significant, additional taxes related to such amounts. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in millions): December 31, 2016 2017 (6) Deferred tax assets (1): Loss carryforwards U.S. - Federal/States (2) $ 198 $ 211 Loss carryforwards - Foreign (3) 1,062 2,149 Accrued liabilities, reserves, & other expenses 968 901 Stock-based compensation 1,073 1,026 Deferred revenue 330 349 Assets held for investment 66 35 Depreciation & amortization 179 279 Other items 171 167 Tax credits (4) 39 381 Total gross deferred tax assets 4,086 5,498 Less valuation allowance (5) (1,012 ) (2,538 ) Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance 3,074 2,960 Deferred tax liabilities: Depreciation & amortization (2,332 ) (2,568 ) Acquisition related intangible assets (226 ) (531 ) Other items (62 ) (58 ) Net deferred tax assets (liabilities), net of valuation allowance $ 454 $ (197 ) ___________________ (1) Deferred tax assets related to net operating losses and tax credits are presented net of tax contingencies. (2) Excluding $18 million of deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2016 , related to net operating losses that result from excess stock-based compensation. Beginning in 2017, losses resulting from excess stock-based compensation are now recognized immediately as a result of the adoption of new accounting guidance. (3) Excluding $9 million of deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2016 , related to net operating losses that result from excess stock-based compensation. Beginning in 2017, losses resulting from excess stock-based compensation are now recognized immediately as a result of the adoption of new accounting guidance. (4) Excluding $659 million of deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2016 , related to tax credits that result from excess stock-based compensation. Beginning in 2017, losses resulting from excess stock-based compensation are now recognized immediately as a result of the adoption of new accounting guidance. (5) Relates primarily to deferred tax assets that would only be realizable upon the generation of net income in certain foreign taxing jurisdictions and future capital gains. (6) We recorded a provisional adjustment to our federal deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2017 to reflect the reduction in the U.S. statutory federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% resulting from the 2017 Tax Act. As of December 31, 2017 , our federal, foreign, and state net operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes were approximately $226 million , $8.0 billion , and $858 million . The federal, foreign, and state net operating loss carryforwards are subject to limitations under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable foreign and state tax law. If not utilized, a portion of the federal, foreign, and state net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2023 , 2018 , and 2019 , respectively. As of December 31, 2017 , our tax credit carryforwards for income tax purposes were approximately $1.1 billion . If not utilized, a portion of the tax credit carryforwards will begin to expire in 2021 . As of December 31, 2017 , our federal capital loss carryforwards for income tax purposes was approximately $359 million . If not utilized, a portion of the capital loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2019 . Tax Contingencies We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. (federal and state) and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating our tax positions and determining our provision for income taxes. During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. We establish reserves for tax-related uncertainties based on estimates of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. These reserves are established when we believe that certain positions might be challenged despite our belief that our tax return positions are fully supportable. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the outcome of tax audits. The provision for income taxes includes the impact of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that are considered appropriate. The reconciliation of our tax contingencies is as follows (in millions): December 31, 2015 2016 2017 Gross tax contingencies – January 1 $ 710 $ 1,181 $ 1,710 Gross increases to tax positions in prior periods 254 355 223 Gross decreases to tax positions in prior periods (22 ) (133 ) (139 ) Gross increases to current period tax positions 242 308 518 Lapse of statute of limitations (3 ) (1 ) (3 ) Gross tax contingencies – December 31 (1) $ 1,181 $ 1,710 $ 2,309 ___________________ (1) As of December 31, 2017 , we had $2.3 billion of accrued tax contingencies, of which $1.2 billion , if fully recognized, would decrease our effective tax rate. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 , we had accrued interest and penalties, net of federal income tax benefit, related to tax contingencies of $67 million and $107 million . Interest and penalties, net of federal income tax benefit, recognized for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 was $18 million , $9 million , and $40 million . We are under examination, or may be subject to examination, by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for the calendar year 2005 and thereafter. These examinations may lead to ordinary course adjustments or proposed adjustments to our taxes or our net operating losses with respect to years under examination as well as subsequent periods. As previously disclosed, we have received Notices of Proposed Adjustment (“NOPAs”) from the IRS for transactions undertaken in the 2005 and 2006 calendar years relating to transfer pricing with our foreign subsidiaries. The IRS is seeking to increase our U.S. taxable income by an amount that would result in additional federal tax of approximately $1.5 billion , subject to interest. On March 23, 2017, the U.S. Tax Court issued its decision regarding the issues raised in the IRS NOPAs. The Tax Court rejected the approach from the IRS NOPAs in determining transfer pricing adjustments in 2005 and 2006 for the transactions undertaken with our foreign subsidiaries and adopted, with adjustments, our suggested approach. On September 29, 2017, the IRS filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter. If the Tax Court decision were reversed on appeal or if the IRS were to successfully assert transfer pricing adjustments of a similar nature to the NOPAs for transactions in subsequent years, we could be subject to significant additional tax liabilities. Certain of our subsidiaries were under examination or investigation by the French Tax Administration (“FTA”) for calendar year 2006 and thereafter. In September 2012, we received proposed tax assessment notices for calendar years 2006 through 2010 relating to the allocation of income between foreign jurisdictions. In June 2015, we received final tax collection notices for these years assessing additional French taxes, interest, and penalties through September 2012. In December 2017, we settled this dispute with the FTA and included the impact thereof within our financial statements. In addition, in October 2014, the European Commission opened a formal investigation to examine whether decisions by the tax authorities in Luxembourg with regard to the corporate income tax paid by certain of our subsidiaries comply with European Union rules on state aid. On October 4, 2017, the European Commission announced its decision that determinations by the tax authorities in Luxembourg did not comply with European Union rules on state aid. This decision orders Luxembourg to calculate and recover additional taxes from us for the period May 2006 through June 2014. We believe this decision to be without merit and will consider our legal options, including an appeal. In December 2017, Luxembourg appealed the European Commission’s decision. While the European Commission announced an estimated recovery amount of approximately €250 million , plus interest, the actual amount of additional taxes subject to recovery is to be calculated by the Luxembourg tax authorities in accordance with the European Commission’s guidance. Once the recovery amount is computed by Luxembourg, we anticipate funding it, including interest, into escrow, where it will remain pending conclusion of all appeals. We may be required to fund into escrow an amount in excess of the estimated recovery amount announced by the European Commission. We are also subject to taxation in various states and other foreign jurisdictions including Canada, China, Germany, India, Japan, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom. We are under, or may be subject to, audit or examination and additional assessments by the relevant authorities in respect of these particular jurisdictions primarily for 2008 and thereafter. We expect the total amount of tax contingencies will grow in 2018 . In addition, changes in state, federal, and foreign tax laws may increase our tax contingencies. The timing of the resolution of income tax examinations is highly uncertain, and the amounts ultimately paid, if any, upon resolution of the issues raised by the taxing authorities may differ from the amounts accrued. It is reasonably possible that within the next 12 months we will receive additional assessments by various tax authorities or possibly reach resolution of income tax examinations in one or more jurisdictions. These assessments or settlements could result in changes to our contingencies related to positions on tax filings in years through 2017 . The actual amount of any change could vary significantly depending on the ultimate timing and nature of any settlements. We cannot currently provide an estimate of the range of possible outcomes. |
Segment Information
Segment Information | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Segment Reporting [Abstract] | |
Segment Information | SEGMENT INFORMATION We have organized our operations into three segments: North America, International, and AWS. We allocate to segment results the operating expenses “Fulfillment,” “Marketing,” “Technology and content,” and “General and administrative” based on usage, which is generally reflected in the segment in which the costs are incurred. The majority of technology infrastructure costs are allocated to the AWS segment based on usage. The majority of the remaining non-infrastructure technology costs are incurred in the U.S. and are allocated to our North America segment. In Q1 2017, we combined stock-based compensation and “Other operating expense, net” with operating expenses in our presentation of segment results. The results of Whole Foods Market are included in our North America and International segments based on physical location. There are no internal revenue transactions between our reportable segments. These segments reflect the way our chief operating decision maker evaluates the Company’s business performance and manages its operations. North America The North America segment primarily consists of amounts earned from retail sales of consumer products (including from sellers) and subscriptions through North America-focused websites such as www.amazon.com, www.amazon.ca, and www.amazon.com.mx. This segment includes export sales from these websites. International The International segment primarily consists of amounts earned from retail sales of consumer products (including from sellers) and subscriptions through internationally-focused websites such as www.amazon.com.au, www.amazon.com.br, www.amazon.cn, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.in, www.amazon.it, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.nl, www.amazon.es, and www.amazon.co.uk. This segment includes export sales from these internationally-focused websites (including export sales from these sites to customers in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada), but excludes export sales from our North American websites. AWS The AWS segment consists of amounts earned from global sales of compute, storage, database, and other service offerings for start-ups, enterprises, government agencies, and academic institutions. Information on reportable segments and reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss) is as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 North America Net sales $ 63,708 $ 79,785 $ 106,110 Operating expenses 62,283 77,424 103,273 Operating income $ 1,425 $ 2,361 $ 2,837 International Net sales $ 35,418 $ 43,983 $ 54,297 Operating expenses 36,117 45,266 57,359 Operating income (loss) $ (699 ) $ (1,283 ) $ (3,062 ) AWS Net sales $ 7,880 $ 12,219 $ 17,459 Operating expenses 6,373 9,111 13,128 Operating income $ 1,507 $ 3,108 $ 4,331 Consolidated Net sales $ 107,006 $ 135,987 $ 177,866 Operating expenses 104,773 131,801 173,760 Operating income 2,233 4,186 4,106 Total non-operating income (expense) (665 ) (294 ) (300 ) Provision for income taxes (950 ) (1,425 ) (769 ) Equity-method investment activity, net of tax (22 ) (96 ) (4 ) Net income $ 596 $ 2,371 $ 3,033 Net sales by groups of similar products and services is as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 Net Sales: Online stores (1) $ 76,863 $ 91,431 $ 108,354 Physical stores (2) — — 5,798 Third-party seller services (3) 16,086 22,993 31,881 Subscription services (4) 4,467 6,394 9,721 AWS 7,880 12,219 17,459 Other (5) 1,710 2,950 4,653 Consolidated $ 107,006 $ 135,987 $ 177,866 ___________________ (1) Includes product sales and digital media content where we record revenue gross. We leverage our retail infrastructure to offer a wide selection of consumable and durable goods that includes media products available in both a physical and digital format, such as books, music, videos, games, and software. These product sales include digital products sold on a transactional basis. Digital product subscriptions that provide unlimited viewing or usage rights are included in Subscription services. (2) Includes product sales where our customers physically select items in a store. (3) Includes commissions, related fulfillment and shipping fees, and other third-party seller services. (4) Includes annual and monthly fees associated with Amazon Prime membership, as well as audiobook, e-book, digital video, digital music, and other non-AWS subscription services. (5) Includes sales not otherwise included above, such as certain advertising services and our co-branded credit card agreements. Net sales generated from our internationally-focused websites are denominated in local functional currencies. Revenues are translated at average rates prevailing throughout the period. Net sales attributed to countries that represent a significant portion of consolidated net sales are as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 United States $ 70,537 $ 90,349 $ 120,486 Germany 11,816 14,148 16,951 United Kingdom 9,033 9,547 11,372 Japan 8,264 10,797 11,907 Rest of world 7,356 11,146 17,150 Consolidated $ 107,006 $ 135,987 $ 177,866 Total segment assets exclude corporate assets, such as cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, other long-term investments, corporate facilities, goodwill and other acquired intangible assets, capitalized internal-use software and website development costs, and tax assets. Technology infrastructure assets are allocated among the segments based on usage, with the majority allocated to the AWS segment. Total segment assets reconciled to consolidated amounts are as follows (in millions): December 31, 2015 2016 2017 North America (1) $ 16,772 $ 22,225 $ 35,844 International (1) 7,754 10,429 18,014 AWS (2) 9,787 12,698 18,660 Corporate 30,434 38,050 58,792 Consolidated $ 64,747 $ 83,402 $ 131,310 ___________________ (1) North America and International segment assets primarily consist of property and equipment, inventory, and accounts receivable. (2) AWS segment assets primarily consist of property and equipment and accounts receivable. Property and equipment, net by segment is as follows (in millions): December 31, 2015 2016 2017 North America $ 6,707 $ 10,143 $ 20,401 International 2,266 3,448 7,425 AWS 8,356 10,300 14,885 Corporate 4,509 5,223 6,155 Consolidated $ 21,838 $ 29,114 $ 48,866 Total net additions to property and equipment by segment are as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 North America (1) $ 2,485 $ 5,132 $ 13,200 International (1) 658 1,680 5,196 AWS (2) 4,681 5,193 9,190 Corporate 1,801 1,580 2,197 Consolidated $ 9,625 $ 13,585 $ 29,783 ___________________ (1) Includes property and equipment added under capital leases of $938 million , $1.5 billion , and $2.9 billion in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 , and under other financing arrangements of $219 million , $849 million , and $2.9 billion in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . (2) Includes property and equipment added under capital leases of $3.7 billion , $4.0 billion , and $7.3 billion in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 , and under finance leases of $81 million , $75 million , and $134 million in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . U.S. property and equipment, net was $16.8 billion , $22.0 billion , and $35.5 billion , in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 , and rest of world property and equipment, net was $5.0 billion , $7.1 billion , and $13.4 billion in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . Except for the U.S., property and equipment, net, in any single country was less than 10% of consolidated property and equipment, net. Depreciation expense, including amortization of capitalized internal-use software and website development costs and other corporate property and equipment depreciation expense, are allocated to all segments based on usage. Total depreciation expense, by segment, is as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 North America $ 1,551 $ 1,971 $ 3,029 International 822 930 1,278 AWS 2,576 3,461 4,524 Consolidated $ 4,949 $ 6,362 $ 8,831 |
Quarterly Results (Unaudited)
Quarterly Results (Unaudited) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Quarterly Results (Unaudited) | QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED) The following tables contain selected unaudited statement of operations information for each quarter of 2016 and 2017 . The following information reflects all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the information for the periods presented. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period. Our business is affected by seasonality, which historically has resulted in higher sales volume during our fourth quarter. Unaudited quarterly results are as follows (in millions, except per share data): Year Ended December 31, 2016 (1) First Second Third Fourth Net sales $ 29,128 $ 30,404 $ 32,714 $ 43,741 Operating income 1,071 1,285 575 1,255 Income before income taxes 1,056 1,179 491 1,166 Provision for income taxes (475 ) (307 ) (229 ) (414 ) Net income (loss) 513 857 252 749 Basic earnings per share 1.09 1.81 0.53 1.57 Diluted earnings per share 1.07 1.78 0.52 1.54 Shares used in computation of earnings per share: Basic 471 473 474 476 Diluted 481 483 485 486 Year Ended December 31, 2017 (1) First Second Third Fourth Net sales $ 35,714 $ 37,955 $ 43,744 $ 60,453 Operating income 1,005 628 347 2,127 Income before income taxes 953 666 316 1,872 Provision for income taxes (229 ) (467 ) (58 ) (16 ) Net income (loss) 724 197 256 1,856 Basic earnings per share 1.52 0.41 0.53 3.85 Diluted earnings per share 1.48 0.40 0.52 3.75 Shares used in computation of earnings per share: Basic 477 479 481 483 Diluted 490 492 494 496 ___________________ (1) The sum of quarterly amounts, including per share amounts, may not equal amounts reported for year-to-date periods. This is due to the effects of rounding and changes in the number of weighted-average shares outstanding for each period. (2) We acquired Whole Foods Market on August 28, 2017. The results of Whole Foods Market have been included in our results of operation from the date of acquisition. See Item 8 of Part II, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 4—Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets” for additional information regarding this transaction. |
Description of Business and A21
Description of Business and Accounting Policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
Segment Information | We have organized our operations into three segments: North America, International, and AWS. |
Prior Period Reclassifications | Prior Period Reclassifications Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation, including the expanded presentation of “Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities” on our consolidated statements of cash flows and the allocation of stock-based compensation to “Other operating expense, net” in the segment results within “Note 11 - Segment Information.” These revised segment results reflect the way our chief operating decision maker evaluates the Company’s business performance and manages its operations. In addition, excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation were reclassified from “Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities” to “Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities” on our consolidated statements of cash flows as a result of the adoption of new accounting guidance. |
Principles of Consolidation | Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Amazon.com, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and those entities in which we have a variable interest and of which we are the primary beneficiary, including certain entities in India and China and that support our seller lending financing activities (collectively, the “Company”). Intercompany balances and transactions between consolidated entities are eliminated. The financial results of Whole Foods Market, Inc. (“Whole Foods Market”) have been included in our consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition on August 28, 2017. |
Use of Estimates | Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, determining the selling price of products and services in multiple element revenue arrangements and determining the amortization period of these elements, incentive discount offers, sales returns, vendor funding, stock-based compensation forfeiture rates, income taxes, valuation and impairment of investments, inventory valuation and inventory purchase commitments, collectability of receivables, valuation of acquired intangibles and goodwill, depreciable lives of property and equipment, internal-use software and website development costs, acquisition purchase price allocations, investments in equity interests, and contingencies. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. |
Earnings per Share | Earnings per Share Basic earnings per share is calculated using our weighted-average outstanding common shares. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using our weighted-average outstanding common shares including the dilutive effect of stock awards as determined under the treasury stock method. In periods when we have a net loss, stock awards are excluded from our calculation of earnings per share as their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect. |
Revenue | Revenue We recognize revenue from product sales or services rendered when the following four criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or service has been rendered, the selling price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables are divided into separate units and revenue is allocated using estimated selling prices if we do not have vendor-specific objective evidence or third-party evidence of the selling prices of the deliverables. We allocate the arrangement price to each of the elements based on the relative selling prices of each element. Estimated selling prices are management’s best estimates of the prices that we would charge our customers if we were to sell the standalone elements separately and include considerations of customer demand, prices charged by us and others for similar deliverables, and the price if largely based on the cost of producing the product or service. Sales of certain of our digital devices are considered arrangements with multiple deliverables, consisting of the device, undelivered software upgrades and/or undelivered non-software services such as cloud services. The revenue allocated to the device, which is the substantial portion of the total sale price, and related costs are generally recognized upon delivery. Revenue related to undelivered software upgrades and/or undelivered non-software services is deferred and recognized generally on a straight-line basis over the estimated period the software upgrades and non-software services are expected to be provided for each of these devices. Sales of Amazon Prime memberships are also considered arrangements with multiple deliverables, including shipping benefits, Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Photos, and access to the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library. The revenue related to the deliverables is amortized over the life of the membership based on the estimated delivery of services. Amazon Prime membership fees are allocated between product sales and service sales. Costs to deliver Amazon Prime benefits are recognized as cost of sales as incurred. As we add more benefits to the Prime membership, we update the method of determining the estimated selling prices of each element as well as the allocation of Prime membership fees. We evaluate whether it is appropriate to record the gross amount of product sales and related costs or the net amount earned as commissions. Generally, when we are primarily obligated in a transaction, are subject to inventory risk, have latitude in establishing prices and selecting suppliers, or have several but not all of these indicators, revenue is recorded at the gross sale price. We generally record the net amounts as commissions earned if we are not primarily obligated and do not have latitude in establishing prices. Such amounts earned are determined using fixed fees, a percentage of seller revenues, per-unit activity fees, or some combination thereof. Product sales represent revenue from the sale of products and related shipping fees and digital media content where we record revenue gross. Product sales and shipping revenues, net of promotional discounts, rebates, and return allowances, are recorded when the products are shipped and title passes to customers. Retail sales to customers are made pursuant to a sales contract that provides for transfer of both title and risk of loss upon our delivery to the carrier or the customer. Amazon’s electronic devices sold through retailers are recognized at the point of sale to consumers. Service sales represent third-party seller fees earned (including commissions) and related shipping fees, AWS sales, certain digital content subscriptions, certain advertising services, and our co-branded credit card agreements. Service sales, net of promotional discounts and return allowances, are recognized when service has been rendered. Return allowances, which reduce revenue and cost of sales, are estimated using historical experience. Allowance for returns was $153 million , $156 million , and $62 million as of December 31, 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . Additions to the allowance were $1.3 billion , $1.5 billion , and $1.8 billion , and deductions to the allowance were $1.3 billion , $1.5 billion , and $1.9 billion in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . Revenue from product sales and services rendered is recorded net of sales and consumption taxes. Additionally, we periodically provide incentive offers to our customers to encourage purchases. Such offers include current discount offers, such as percentage discounts off current purchases, inducement offers, such as offers for future discounts subject to a minimum current purchase, and other similar offers. Current discount offers, when accepted by our customers, are treated as a reduction to the purchase price of the related transaction, while inducement offers, when accepted by our customers, are treated as a reduction to purchase price based on estimated future redemption rates. Redemption rates are estimated using our historical experience for similar inducement offers. Current discount offers and inducement offers are presented as a net amount in “Total net sales.” |
Cost of Sales | Cost of Sales Cost of sales primarily consists of the purchase price of consumer products, digital media content costs where we record revenue gross, including video and music, packaging supplies, sortation and delivery centers and related equipment costs, and inbound and outbound shipping costs, including where we are the transportation service provider. Shipping costs to receive products from our suppliers are included in our inventory, and recognized as cost of sales upon sale of products to our customers. Payment processing and related transaction costs, including those associated with seller transactions, are classified in “Fulfillment” on our consolidated statements of operations. |
Vendor Agreements | Vendor Agreements We have agreements with our vendors to receive funds for advertising services, cooperative marketing efforts, promotions, and volume rebates. We generally consider amounts received from vendors to be a reduction of the prices we pay for their goods, including property and equipment, or services, and therefore record those amounts as a reduction of the cost of inventory, cost of services, or cost of property and equipment. Vendor rebates are typically dependent upon reaching minimum purchase thresholds. We evaluate the likelihood of reaching purchase thresholds using past experience and current year forecasts. When volume rebates can be reasonably estimated, we record a portion of the rebate as we make progress towards the purchase threshold. When we receive direct reimbursements for costs incurred by us in advertising the vendor’s product or service, the amount we receive is recorded as an offset to “Marketing” on our consolidated statements of operations. |
Fulfillment | Fulfillment Fulfillment costs primarily consist of those costs incurred in operating and staffing our North America and International segments’ fulfillment centers, customer service centers, and physical stores, including costs attributable to buying, receiving, inspecting, and warehousing inventories; picking, packaging, and preparing customer orders for shipment; payment processing and related transaction costs, including costs associated with our guarantee for certain seller transactions; responding to inquiries from customers; and supply chain management for our manufactured electronic devices. Fulfillment costs also include amounts paid to third parties that assist us in fulfillment and customer service operations. |
Marketing | Marketing Marketing costs primarily consist of targeted online advertising, payroll and related expenses for personnel engaged in marketing and selling activities, and television advertising. We pay commissions to participants in our Associates program when their customer referrals result in product sales and classify such costs as “Marketing” on our consolidated statements of operations. We also participate in cooperative advertising arrangements with certain of our vendors, and other third parties. Advertising and other promotional costs are expensed as incurred |
Technology and Content | Technology and Content Technology and content costs include payroll and related expenses for employees involved in the research and development of new and existing products and services, development, design, and maintenance of our websites, curation and display of products and services made available on our websites, and infrastructure costs. Infrastructure costs include servers, networking equipment, and data center related depreciation, rent, utilities, and other expenses necessary to support AWS, as well as these and other efforts. Collectively, these costs reflect the investments we make in order to offer a wide variety of products and services to our customers. Technology and content costs are expensed as incurred, except for certain costs relating to the development of internal-use software and website development costs, including software used to upgrade and enhance our websites and applications supporting our business, which are capitalized and amortized over two years . |
General and Administrative | General and Administrative General and administrative expenses primarily consist of payroll and related expenses; facilities and equipment, such as depreciation expense and rent; professional fees and litigation costs; and other general corporate costs for corporate functions, including accounting, finance, tax, legal, and human resources, among others. |
Stock-Based Compensation | Stock-Based Compensation Compensation cost for all stock awards expected to vest is measured at fair value on the date of grant and recognized over the service period. The fair value of restricted stock units is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of our common stock, and the fair value of stock options is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model. Such value is recognized as expense over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures, using the accelerated method. The estimated number of stock awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from our current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are revised. We consider many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including employee level, economic conditions, time remaining to vest, and historical forfeiture experience. |
Other Operating Expense, Net | Other Operating Expense, Net Other operating expense, net, consists primarily of marketing-related, contract-based, and customer-related intangible asset amortization expense, and expenses related to legal settlements. |
Other Income (Expense), Net | Other Income (Expense), Net Other income (expense), net, consists primarily of foreign currency gains (losses) of $(266) million , $21 million , and $247 million in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 , equity warrant valuation gains (losses) of $0 million , $67 million , and $109 million in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 , and realized gains (losses) on marketable securities sales of $(5) million , $(8) million , and $(7) million in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . |
Income Taxes | Income Taxes Income tax expense includes U.S. (federal and state) and foreign income taxes. Tax legislation commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “2017 Tax Act”) includes a mandatory one-time tax on accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries, and as a result, all previously unremitted earnings for which no U.S. deferred tax liability had been accrued have now been subject to U.S. tax. Notwithstanding the U.S. taxation of these amounts, we intend to continue to invest most or all of these earnings, as well as our capital in these subsidiaries, indefinitely outside of the U.S. and do not expect to incur any significant, additional taxes related to such amounts. Deferred income tax balances reflect the effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases and are stated at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when taxes are actually paid or recovered. Deferred tax assets are evaluated for future realization and reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent we believe they will not be realized. We consider many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization of our deferred tax assets, including our recent cumulative loss experience and expectations of future earnings, capital gains and investment in such jurisdiction, the carry-forward periods available to us for tax reporting purposes, and other relevant factors. We utilize a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain income tax positions (tax contingencies). The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We consider many factors when evaluating our tax positions and estimating our tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments and which may not accurately forecast actual outcomes. We include interest and penalties related to our tax contingencies in income tax expense. |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments | Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. To increase the comparability of fair value measures, the following hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation methodologies used to measure fair value: Level 1 —Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets. Level 2 —Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. Level 3 —Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment. For our cash, cash equivalents, or marketable securities, we measure the fair value of money market funds and equity securities based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. All other financial instruments were valued either based on recent trades of securities in inactive markets or based on quoted market prices of similar instruments and other significant inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data. We did not hold any cash, cash equivalents, or marketable securities categorized as Level 3 assets as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . As part of entering into commercial agreements, we often obtain equity warrant assets giving us the right to acquire stock of other companies. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 , these warrants had a fair value of $223 million and $441 million , and are recorded within “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. The related gain (loss) recorded in “Other income (expense), net” was $0 million , $67 million , and $109 million in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . These assets are primarily classified as Level 2 assets. |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | Cash and Cash Equivalents We classify all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less as cash equivalents. |
Inventories | Inventories Inventories, consisting of products available for sale, are primarily accounted for using the first-in, first-out method, and are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. This valuation requires us to make judgments, based on currently available information, about the likely method of disposition, such as through sales to individual customers, returns to product vendors, or liquidations, and expected recoverable values of each disposition category. We provide Fulfillment by Amazon services in connection with certain of our sellers’ programs. Third-party sellers maintain ownership of their inventory, regardless of whether fulfillment is provided by us or the third-party sellers, and therefore these products are not included in our inventories. We also purchase electronic device components from a variety of suppliers and use several contract manufacturers to provide manufacturing services for our products. During the normal course of business, in order to manage manufacturing lead times and help ensure adequate supply, we enter into agreements with contract manufacturers and suppliers for certain electronic device components. A portion of our reported purchase commitments arising from these agreements consists of firm, non-cancellable commitments. These commitments are based on forecasted customer demand. If we reduce these commitments, we may incur additional costs. We also have firm, non-cancellable commitments for certain products offered in our Whole Foods Market stores. |
Accounts Receivable, Net and Other | Accounts Receivable, Net and Other Included in “Accounts receivable, net and other” on our consolidated balance sheets are amounts primarily related to customers, sellers, and vendors. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 , customer receivables, net, were $3.9 billion and $6.4 billion , seller receivables, net, were $661 million and $692 million , and vendor receivables, net, were $2.0 billion and $2.6 billion . Seller receivables are amounts due from sellers related to our seller lending program, which provides funding to sellers primarily to procure inventory. We estimate losses on receivables based on known troubled accounts and historical experience of losses incurred. Receivables are considered impaired and written-off when it is probable that all contractual payments due will not be collected in accordance with the terms of the agreement. |
Internal-Use Software and Website Development | Internal-Use Software and Website Development Costs incurred to develop software for internal use and our websites are capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful life of the software . Costs related to design or maintenance of internal-use software and website development are expensed as incurred. |
Property and Equipment, Net | Property and Equipment, Net Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Incentives that we receive from property and equipment vendors are recorded as a reduction in our costs. Property includes buildings and land that we own, along with property we have acquired under build-to-suit, finance, and capital lease arrangements. Equipment includes assets such as furniture and fixtures, heavy equipment, servers and networking equipment, and internal-use software and website development. Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets (generally the lesser of 40 years or the remaining life of the underlying building, two years for assets such as internal-use software, three years for our servers, five years for networking equipment, five years for furniture and fixtures, and ten years for heavy equipment). Depreciation expense is classified within the corresponding operating expense categories on our consolidated statements of operations. |
Leases | Leases and Asset Retirement Obligations We categorize leases at their inception as either operating or capital leases. On certain of our lease agreements, we may receive rent holidays and other incentives. We recognize lease costs on a straight-line basis without regard to deferred payment terms, such as rent holidays, that defer the commencement date of required payments. Additionally, incentives we receive are treated as a reduction of our costs over the term of the agreement. Leasehold improvements are capitalized at cost and amortized over the lesser of their expected useful life or the non-cancellable term of the lease. We establish assets and liabilities for the estimated construction costs incurred under build-to-suit lease arrangements to the extent we are involved in the construction of structural improvements or take construction risk prior to commencement of a lease. Upon occupancy of facilities under build-to-suit leases, we assess whether these arrangements qualify for sales recognition under the sale-leaseback accounting guidance. If we continue to be the deemed owner, the facilities are accounted for as finance leases. We establish assets and liabilities for the present value of estimated future costs to retire long-lived assets at the termination or expiration of a lease. Such assets are depreciated over the lease period into operating expense, and the recorded liabilities are accreted to the future value of the estimated retirement costs. |
Asset Retirement Obligations | Leases and Asset Retirement Obligations We categorize leases at their inception as either operating or capital leases. On certain of our lease agreements, we may receive rent holidays and other incentives. We recognize lease costs on a straight-line basis without regard to deferred payment terms, such as rent holidays, that defer the commencement date of required payments. Additionally, incentives we receive are treated as a reduction of our costs over the term of the agreement. Leasehold improvements are capitalized at cost and amortized over the lesser of their expected useful life or the non-cancellable term of the lease. We establish assets and liabilities for the estimated construction costs incurred under build-to-suit lease arrangements to the extent we are involved in the construction of structural improvements or take construction risk prior to commencement of a lease. Upon occupancy of facilities under build-to-suit leases, we assess whether these arrangements qualify for sales recognition under the sale-leaseback accounting guidance. If we continue to be the deemed owner, the facilities are accounted for as finance leases. We establish assets and liabilities for the present value of estimated future costs to retire long-lived assets at the termination or expiration of a lease. Such assets are depreciated over the lease period into operating expense, and the recorded liabilities are accreted to the future value of the estimated retirement costs. |
Goodwill | Goodwill We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. In testing goodwill for impairment, we may elect to utilize a qualitative assessment to evaluate whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If our qualitative assessment indicates that goodwill impairment is more likely than not, we perform a two-step impairment test. We test goodwill for impairment under the two-step impairment test by first comparing the book value of net assets to the fair value of the reporting units. If the fair value is determined to be less than the book value or qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, a second step is performed to compute the amount of impairment as the difference between the estimated fair value of goodwill and the carrying value. We estimate the fair value of the reporting units using discounted cash flows. Forecasts of future cash flows are based on our best estimate of future net sales and operating expenses, based primarily on expected category expansion, pricing, market segment share, and general economic conditions. We completed the required annual testing of goodwill for impairment for all reporting units as of April 1, 2017, and determined that goodwill is no t impaired as the fair value of our reporting units substantially exceeded their book value. There were no triggering events identified from the date of our assessment through December 31, 2017 that would require an update to our annual impairment test. |
Other Assets | Other Assets Included in “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets are amounts primarily related to acquired intangible assets, net of amortization; video and music content, net of amortization; long-term deferred tax assets; certain equity investments; marketable securities restricted for longer than one year, the majority of which are attributable to collateralization of bank guarantees and debt related to our international operations; and equity warrant assets. |
Video and Music Content | Video and Music Content We obtain video and music content for customers through licensing agreements that have a wide range of licensing provisions, which include both fixed and variable payment schedules. When the license fee for a specific movie, television, or music title is determinable or reasonably estimable and the content is available for streaming, we recognize an asset representing the fee and a corresponding liability for the amounts owed. We relieve the liability as payments are made and we amortize the asset to “Cost of sales” on a straight-line basis or on an accelerated basis, based on estimated usage patterns, which typically ranges from one to five years. If we are unable to reasonably estimate the cost per title, no asset or liability is recorded and licensing costs are expensed as incurred. We also develop original content. Capitalized production costs associated with our original content are limited by the amount of revenue we expect to earn, which results in a portion being expensed as incurred. These capitalized costs are amortized to “Cost of sales” on an accelerated basis that follows the viewing pattern of customer streams in the first months after availability. |
Investments | Investments We generally invest our excess cash in investment grade short- to intermediate-term fixed income securities and AAA-rated money market funds. Such investments are included in “Cash and cash equivalents” or “Marketable securities” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss.” Equity investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting if the investment gives us the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over an investee. Equity-method investments are included within “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. Our share of the earnings or losses as reported by equity-method investees, amortization of basis differences, and related gains or losses, if any, are classified as “Equity - method investment activity, net of tax” on our consolidated statements of operations. Equity investments without readily determinable fair values and for which we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for using the cost method of accounting and classified as “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. Under the cost method, investments are carried at cost and are adjusted only for other-than-temporary declines in fair value, certain distributions, and additional investments. Equity investments that have readily determinable fair values are classified as available-for-sale and are included in “Marketable securities” on our consolidated balance sheets and are recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss.” We periodically evaluate whether declines in fair values of our investments below their book value are other-than-temporary. This evaluation consists of several qualitative and quantitative factors regarding the severity and duration of the unrealized loss as well as our ability and intent to hold the investment until a forecasted recovery occurs. Additionally, we assess whether we have plans to sell the security or it is more likely than not we will be required to sell any investment before recovery of its amortized cost basis. Factors considered include quoted market prices; recent financial results and operating trends; implied values from any recent transactions or offers of investee securities; credit quality of debt instrument issuers; other publicly available information that may affect the value of our investments; duration and severity of the decline in value; and our strategy and intentions for holding the investment. |
Long-Lived Assets | Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets, other than goodwill, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable. Conditions that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, a significant change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, or any other significant adverse change that would indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. For long-lived assets used in operations, impairment losses are only recorded if the asset’s carrying amount is not recoverable through its undiscounted, probability-weighted future cash flows. We measure the impairment loss based on the difference between the carrying amount and estimated fair value. Long-lived assets are considered held for sale when certain criteria are met, including when management has committed to a plan to sell the asset, the asset is available for sale in its immediate condition, and the sale is probable within one year of the reporting date. Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell. |
Accrued Expenses and Other | Accrued Expenses and Other Included in “Accrued expenses and other” on our consolidated balance sheets are liabilities primarily related to unredeemed gift cards, leases and asset retirement obligations, current debt, acquired digital media content, and other operating expenses. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017 , our liabilities for unredeemed gift cards was $2.4 billion and $3.0 billion . We reduce the liability for a gift card when redeemed by a customer. If a gift card is not redeemed, we recognize revenue when it expires or when the likelihood of its redemption becomes remote, generally two years from the date of issuance. |
Unearned Revenue | Unearned Revenue Unearned revenue is recorded when payments are received in advance of performing our service obligations and is recognized over the service period. Unearned revenue primarily relates to prepayments of Amazon Prime memberships and AWS services. |
Foreign Currency | Foreign Currency We have internationally-focused websites for Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom . Net sales generated from these websites, as well as most of the related expenses directly incurred from those operations, are denominated in local functional currencies. The functional currency of our subsidiaries that either operate or support these websites is generally the same as the local currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated into U.S. Dollars at period-end foreign exchange rates, and revenues and expenses are translated at average rates prevailing throughout the period. Translation adjustments are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss,” a separate component of stockholders’ equity, and in the “Foreign currency effect on cash and cash equivalents,” on our consolidated statements of cash flows. Transaction gains and losses including intercompany transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity involved are included in “Other income (expense), net” on our consolidated statements of operations. |
Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted and Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted | Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) modifying the accounting for inventory. Under this ASU, the measurement principle for inventory changed from lower of cost or market value to lower of cost and net realizable value. The ASU defines net realizable value as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The ASU is applicable to inventory that is accounted for under the first-in, first-out method. We adopted this ASU in Q1 2017 with no material impact to our consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued an ASU amending the accounting for stock-based compensation and requiring excess tax benefits and deficiencies to be recognized as a component of income tax expense rather than equity. The inclusion of excess tax benefits and deficiencies as a component of our income tax expense will increase volatility within our provision for income taxes as the amount of excess tax benefits or deficiencies from stock-based compensation awards depends on our stock price at the date the awards vest. This guidance also requires excess tax benefits to be presented as an operating activity on the statement of cash flows and allows an entity to make an accounting policy election to either estimate expected forfeitures or to account for them as they occur. We adopted this ASU in Q1 2017 by recording the cumulative impact through an increase in retained earnings of $687 million , and we will continue to estimate expected forfeitures. Additionally, we retrospectively adjusted our consolidated statements of cash flows to reclassify excess tax benefits of $119 million and $829 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2016 from financing activities to operating activities. Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In May 2014, the FASB issued an ASU amending revenue recognition guidance and requiring more detailed disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. We will adopt this ASU on January 1, 2018 with a cumulative adjustment that will increase retained earnings by approximately $650 million rather than retrospectively adjusting prior periods. The cumulative adjustment will primarily relate to unredeemed gift cards. We will begin to recognize revenue from estimated unredeemed gift cards over the expected customer redemption period, which is substantially within nine months, rather than waiting until gift cards expire or when the likelihood of redemption becomes remote, generally two years from the date of issuance. Other changes relate to Amazon-branded electronic devices sold through retailers, which will be recognized upon sale to the retailer rather than to end customers. We also will change how we recognize and classify Amazon Prime memberships, which are currently considered arrangements with multiple deliverables that are allocated among products sales and service sales. Upon adoption of the ASU, Amazon Prime memberships will be accounted for as a single performance obligation recognized ratably over the membership period and will be classified as service sales. Other changes that we have identified relate primarily to the presentation of revenue. Certain advertising services will be classified as revenue rather than a reduction in cost of sales, and sales of apps, in-app content, and certain digital media content will primarily be presented on a net basis. In January 2016, the FASB issued an ASU which updates certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. Under this ASU, certain equity investments will be measured at fair value with changes recognized in net income. The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We do not expect adoption of the ASU in Q1 2018 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued an ASU amending the accounting for leases. The new guidance requires the recognition of lease assets and liabilities for operating leases with terms of more than 12 months, in addition to those currently recorded, on our consolidated balance sheets. Presentation of leases within the consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of cash flows will be generally consistent with the current lease accounting guidance. The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We plan to adopt this ASU beginning in Q1 2019. We are currently evaluating the impact and expect the ASU will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements, primarily to the consolidated balance sheets and related disclosures. In October 2016, the FASB issued an ASU amending the accounting for income taxes. The new guidance requires the recognition of the income tax consequences of an intercompany asset transfer, other than transfers of inventory, when the transfer occurs. For intercompany transfers of inventory, the income tax effects will continue to be deferred until the inventory has been sold to a third party. The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this ASU beginning in Q1 2018. We estimate the ASU will have an impact of approximately $250 million on our consolidated financial statements, including retained earnings and deferred taxes. This estimate takes into account valuation allowances that we anticipate recording against certain material deferred tax assets. Any change in our assessment of the likelihood of our ability to realize deferred tax assets will be reflected as an income tax benefit during the quarter of such change. In November 2016, the FASB issued an ASU amending the presentation of restricted cash within the statement of cash flows. The new guidance requires that restricted cash be included within cash and cash equivalents on the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective retrospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this ASU beginning in Q1 2018. |
Description of Business and A22
Description of Business and Accounting Policies (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
Schedule of Calculation of Diluted Shares | The following table shows the calculation of diluted shares (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 Shares used in computation of basic earnings per share 467 474 480 Total dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards 10 10 13 Shares used in computation of diluted earnings per share 477 484 493 |
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and M23
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract] | |
Summary of Fair Value by Major Security Type | The following tables summarize, by major security type, our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy (in millions): December 31, 2016 Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Total Estimated Fair Value Cash $ 6,883 $ — $ — $ 6,883 Level 1 securities: Money market funds 11,940 — — 11,940 Equity securities 20 31 — 51 Level 2 securities: Foreign government and agency securities 337 — — 337 U.S. government and agency securities 4,821 2 (7 ) 4,816 Corporate debt securities 2,105 1 (2 ) 2,104 Asset-backed securities 355 — (2 ) 353 Other fixed income securities 97 — — 97 $ 26,558 $ 34 $ (11 ) $ 26,581 Less: Restricted cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities (1) (600 ) Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities $ 25,981 December 31, 2017 Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Total Estimated Fair Value Cash $ 9,982 $ — $ — $ 9,982 Level 1 securities: Money market funds 11,343 — — 11,343 Equity securities 23 30 — 53 Level 2 securities: Foreign government and agency securities 620 — — 620 U.S. government and agency securities 4,841 1 (19 ) 4,823 Corporate debt securities 4,265 1 (9 ) 4,257 Asset-backed securities 910 — (5 ) 905 Other fixed income securities 340 — (2 ) 338 $ 32,324 $ 32 $ (35 ) $ 32,321 Less: Restricted cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities (1) (1,335 ) Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities $ 30,986 ___________________ (1) We are required to pledge or otherwise restrict a portion of our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as collateral for real estate leases, workers’ compensation obligations, amounts due to third-party sellers in certain jurisdictions, debt, and standby and trade letters of credit. We classify cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities with use restrictions of less than twelve months as “Accounts receivable, net and other” and of twelve months or longer as non-current “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. See “Note 7—Commitments and Contingencies.” |
Summary of Gross Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments | The following table summarizes gross gains and gross losses realized on sales of available-for-sale marketable securities (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 Realized gains $ 2 $ 3 $ 5 Realized losses 7 11 11 |
Summary of Contractual Maturities of Investments | The following table summarizes the contractual maturities of our cash equivalents and marketable fixed-income securities as of December 31, 2017 (in millions): Amortized Cost Estimated Fair Value Due within one year $ 17,293 $ 17,287 Due after one year through five years 4,149 4,129 Due after five years through ten years 302 300 Due after ten years 575 570 Total $ 22,319 $ 22,286 |
Property and Equipment (Tables)
Property and Equipment (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] | |
Property and Equipment, at Cost | Property and equipment, at cost, consisted of the following (in millions): December 31, 2016 2017 Gross property and equipment (1): Land and buildings $ 13,998 $ 23,718 Equipment and internal-use software (2) 25,989 38,387 Other corporate assets 649 2,390 Construction in progress 1,805 4,078 Gross property and equipment 42,441 68,573 Total accumulated depreciation (1) 13,327 19,707 Total property and equipment, net $ 29,114 $ 48,866 ___________________ (1) Excludes the original cost and accumulated depreciation of fully-depreciated assets. (2) Includes internal-use software of $1.4 billion and $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . |
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and A25
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Business Combinations [Abstract] | |
Allocation of Aggregate Purchase Price of Acquisitions | The aggregate purchase price of the 2015 and 2016 acquisitions, and the Whole Foods Market and other 2017 acquisitions, which primarily includes the acquisition of Souq, was allocated as follows (in millions): December 31, 2015 2016 2017 Whole Foods Market Other 2017 Acquisitions Total Purchase Price Cash paid, net of cash acquired $ 599 $ 81 $ 13,176 $ 683 $ 13,859 Stock options assumed 5 — — — — Indemnification holdback 86 22 — 104 104 $ 690 $ 103 $ 13,176 $ 787 $ 13,963 Allocation Goodwill $ 482 $ 60 $ 9,010 $ 491 $ 9,501 Intangible assets (1): Marketing-related 3 2 1,928 59 1,987 Contract-based 1 1 407 33 440 Technology-based 208 53 — 166 166 Customer-related 18 1 — 54 54 230 57 2,335 312 2,647 Property and equipment 4 3 3,794 16 3,810 Deferred tax assets 55 17 95 22 117 Other assets acquired 53 10 1,711 147 1,858 Long-term debt (3 ) (5 ) (1,158 ) (7 ) (1,165 ) Deferred tax liabilities (85 ) (18 ) (925 ) (36 ) (961 ) Other liabilities assumed (46 ) (21 ) (1,686 ) (158 ) (1,844 ) $ 690 $ 103 $ 13,176 $ 787 $ 13,963 ___________________ (1) Intangible assets acquired in 2015 , 2016 , and the other 2017 acquisitions have estimated useful lives of between one and six years, one and seven years, and one and seven years, with weighted-average amortization periods of five years, five years, and four years. Acquired intangible assets for Whole Foods Market have estimated useful lives of between one and twenty-five years, with a weighted-average amortization period of twenty-three years, primarily driven by the Whole Foods Market trade name. |
Pro Forma Financial Information | The following financial information, which excludes certain acquired companies for which the pro forma impact is not meaningful, presents our results as if the acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2017 had occurred on January 1, 2016 (in millions): Twelve Months Ended 2016 2017 Net sales $ 152,283 $ 187,890 Net income $ 2,148 $ 2,940 |
Summary of Goodwill Activity | The following summarizes our goodwill activity in 2016 and 2017 by segment (in millions): North America International AWS Consolidated Goodwill - January 1, 2016 $ 2,012 $ 719 $ 1,028 $ 3,759 New acquisitions 30 13 17 60 Other adjustments (1) 2 (38 ) 1 (35 ) Goodwill - December 31, 2016 2,044 694 1,046 3,784 New acquisitions (2) 9,115 368 18 9,501 Other adjustments (1) 6 46 13 65 Goodwill - December 31, 2017 $ 11,165 $ 1,108 $ 1,077 $ 13,350 ___________________ (1) Primarily includes changes in foreign exchange rates. (2) Primarily includes the acquisition of Whole Foods Market in the North America segment and Souq in the International segment. |
Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class | Acquired intangible assets, included within “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets, consist of the following (in millions): December 31, 2016 2017 Acquired Intangibles, Gross (1) Accumulated Amortization (1) Acquired Intangibles, Net Acquired Intangibles, Gross (1) Accumulated Amortization (1) Acquired Intangibles, Net Weighted Average Life Remaining Marketing-related $ 499 $ (299 ) $ 200 $ 2,486 $ (418 ) $ 2,068 23.0 Contract-based 397 (212 ) 185 1,013 (213 ) 800 13.0 Technology- and content-based 705 (353 ) 352 640 (252 ) 388 4.4 Customer-related 299 (182 ) 117 283 (168 ) 115 2.1 Acquired intangibles (2) $ 1,900 $ (1,046 ) $ 854 $ 4,422 $ (1,051 ) $ 3,371 17.8 ___________________ (1) Excludes the original cost and accumulated amortization of fully-amortized intangibles. (2) Intangible assets have estimated useful lives of between one and twenty-five years. |
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense | Expected future amortization expense of acquired intangible assets as of December 31, 2017 is as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2018 $ 377 2019 337 2020 258 2021 214 2022 178 Thereafter 1,998 $ 3,362 |
Long-Term Debt (Tables)
Long-Term Debt (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Debt Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Long-Term Debt Obligations | The face value of our total long-term debt obligations is as follows (in millions): December 31, 2016 2017 1.200% Notes due on November 29, 2017 $ 1,000 $ — 2.600% Notes due on December 5, 2019 (2) 1,000 1,000 1.900% Notes due on August 21, 2020 (3) — 1,000 3.300% Notes due on December 5, 2021 (2) 1,000 1,000 2.500% Notes due on November 29, 2022 (1) 1,250 1,250 2.400% Notes due on February 22, 2023 (3) — 1,000 2.800% Notes due on August 22, 2024 (3) — 2,000 3.800% Notes due on December 5, 2024 (2) 1,250 1,250 5.200% Notes due on December 3, 2025 (4) — 1,000 3.150% Notes due on August 22, 2027 (3) — 3,500 4.800% Notes due on December 5, 2034 (2) 1,250 1,250 3.875% Notes due on August 22, 2037 (3) — 2,750 4.950% Notes due on December 5, 2044 (2) 1,500 1,500 4.050% Notes due on August 22, 2047 (3) — 3,500 4.250% Notes due on August 22, 2057 (3) — 2,250 Credit Facility 495 592 Other long-term debt 93 100 Total debt 8,838 24,942 Less current portion of long-term debt (1,056 ) (100 ) Face value of long-term debt $ 7,782 $ 24,842 _____________________________ (1) Issued in November 2012, effective interest rate of the 2022 Notes were 2.66% . (2) Issued in December 2014, effective interest rates of the 2019, 2021, 2024, 2034, and 2044 Notes were 2.73% , 3.43% , 3.90% , 4.92% , and 5.11% . (3) Issued in August 2017, effective interest rates of the 2020, 2023, 2024, 2027, 2037, 2047, and 2057 Notes were 2.16% , 2.56% , 2.95% , 3.25% , 3.94% , 4.13% , and 4.33% . (4) Consists of $872 million of 2025 Notes issued in December 2017 in exchange for notes assumed in connection with the acquisition of Whole Foods Market and $128 million of 2025 Notes issued by Whole Foods Market that did not participate in our December 2017 exchange offer. The effective interest rate of the 2025 Notes was 3.02% . |
Future Principal Payments for Debt | As of December 31, 2017 , future principal payments for our total debt were as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2018 $ 100 2019 1,334 2020 1,258 2021 1,000 2022 1,250 Thereafter 20,000 $ 24,942 |
Other Long-Term Liabilities (Ta
Other Long-Term Liabilities (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Summary of Other Long-term Liabilities | Our other long-term liabilities are summarized as follows (in millions): December 31, 2016 2017 Long-term capital lease obligations $ 5,080 $ 8,438 Long-term finance lease obligations 2,439 4,745 Construction liabilities 714 1,350 Tax contingencies 1,395 1,004 Long-term deferred tax liabilities 392 990 Other 2,587 4,448 Total other long-term liabilities $ 12,607 $ 20,975 |
Schedule of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations | Long-term capital lease obligations are as follows (in millions): December 31, 2017 Gross capital lease obligations $ 14,811 Less imputed interest (534 ) Present value of net minimum lease payments 14,277 Less current portion of capital lease obligations (5,839 ) Total long-term capital lease obligations $ 8,438 |
Schedule of Long-term Finance Lease Obligations | Long-term finance lease obligations are as follows (in millions): December 31, 2017 Gross finance lease obligations $ 6,265 Less imputed interest (1,238 ) Present value of net minimum lease payments 5,027 Less current portion of finance lease obligations (282 ) Total long-term finance lease obligations $ 4,745 |
Commitments and Contingencies (
Commitments and Contingencies (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Principal Contractual Commitments, Excluding Open Orders for Purchases | The following summarizes our principal contractual commitments, excluding open orders for purchases that support normal operations and are generally cancellable, as of December 31, 2017 (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter Total Debt principal and interest $ 967 $ 2,234 $ 2,111 $ 1,834 $ 2,050 $ 31,799 $ 40,995 Capital lease obligations, including interest (1) 6,084 4,788 2,590 557 262 530 14,811 Finance lease obligations, including interest (2) 445 460 466 476 472 3,946 6,265 Operating leases 2,427 2,376 2,258 2,039 1,813 11,935 22,848 Unconditional purchase obligations (3) 3,527 3,561 3,195 3,039 2,922 7,956 24,200 Other commitments (4) (5) 1,584 1,016 733 571 438 4,744 9,086 Total commitments $ 15,034 $ 14,435 $ 11,353 $ 8,516 $ 7,957 $ 60,910 $ 118,205 ___________________ (1) Excluding interest, current capital lease obligations of $4.0 billion and $5.8 billion are recorded within “Accrued expenses and other” as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 , and $5.1 billion and $8.4 billion are recorded within “Other long-term liabilities” as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . (2) Excluding interest, current finance lease obligations of $144 million and $282 million are recorded within “Accrued expenses and other” as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 , and $2.4 billion and $4.7 billion are recorded within “Other long-term liabilities” as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . (3) Includes unconditional purchase obligations related to certain products offered in our Whole Foods Market stores and long-term agreements to acquire and license digital media content that are not reflected on the consolidated balance sheets. For those digital media content agreements with variable terms, we do not estimate the total obligation beyond any minimum quantities and/or pricing as of the reporting date. Purchase obligations associated with renewal provisions solely at the option of the content provider are included to the extent such commitments are fixed or a minimum amount is specified. (4) Includes the estimated timing and amounts of payments for rent and tenant improvements associated with build-to-suit lease arrangements and equipment lease arrangements that have not been placed in service and digital media content liabilities associated with long-term digital media content assets with initial terms greater than one year. (5) Excludes $2.3 billion of accrued tax contingencies for which we cannot make a reasonably reliable estimate of the amount and period of payment, if any. |
Stockholders' Equity (Tables)
Stockholders' Equity (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] | |
Stock-Based Compensation Expense | Stock-based compensation expense is as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 Cost of sales (1) $ — $ 16 $ 47 Fulfillment 482 657 911 Marketing 190 323 511 Technology and content 1,224 1,664 2,305 General and administrative 223 315 441 Total stock-based compensation expense (2) $ 2,119 $ 2,975 $ 4,215 ___________________ (1) Beginning in 2016, stock-based compensation expense was recorded to cost of sales for eligible employees providing delivery services. (2) The related tax benefits were $593 million , $907 million , and $860 million for 2015, 2016, and 2017. In 2017, the tax benefit reflects the permanent reduction in the U.S. statutory corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% . |
Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activity | The following table summarizes our restricted stock unit activity (in millions): Number of Units Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Outstanding as of January 1, 2015 17.4 $ 285 Units granted 9.8 426 Units vested (5.6 ) 253 Units forfeited (2.7 ) 321 Outstanding as of December 31, 2015 18.9 362 Units granted 9.3 660 Units vested (6.1 ) 321 Units forfeited (2.3 ) 440 Outstanding as of December 31, 2016 19.8 506 Units granted 8.9 946 Units vested (6.8 ) 400 Units forfeited (1.8 ) 649 Outstanding as of December 31, 2017 20.1 $ 725 |
Scheduled Vesting of Outstanding Restricted Stock Units | Scheduled vesting for outstanding restricted stock units as of December 31, 2017 , is as follows (in millions): Year Ended 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter Total Scheduled vesting—restricted stock units 7.3 7.3 3.6 1.6 0.1 0.2 20.1 |
Accumulated Other Comprehensi30
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Equity [Abstract] | |
Changes in Composition of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Changes in the composition of accumulated other comprehensive loss for 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 are as follows (in millions): Foreign currency translation adjustments Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities Total Balances as of January 1, 2015 $ (512 ) $ 1 $ (511 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) (210 ) (2 ) (212 ) Balances as of December 31, 2015 (722 ) (1 ) (723 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) (279 ) 17 (262 ) Balances as of December 31, 2016 (1,001 ) 16 (985 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) 533 (32 ) 501 Balances as of December 31, 2017 $ (468 ) $ (16 ) $ (484 ) |
Income Taxes (Tables)
Income Taxes (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Components of Provision for Income Taxes, Net | The components of the provision for income taxes, net are as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 Current taxes: U.S. Federal $ 215 $ 1,136 $ (137 ) U.S. State 237 208 211 International 417 327 724 Current taxes 869 1,671 798 Deferred taxes: U.S. Federal 473 116 (202 ) U.S. State (171 ) (31 ) (26 ) International (221 ) (331 ) 199 Deferred taxes 81 (246 ) (29 ) Provision for income taxes, net $ 950 $ 1,425 $ 769 |
Components of Income Before Income Taxes, Domestic and Foreign | U.S. and international components of income before income taxes are as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 U.S. $ 2,186 $ 4,551 $ 5,630 International (618 ) (659 ) (1,824 ) Income (loss) before income taxes $ 1,568 $ 3,892 $ 3,806 |
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation | The items accounting for differences between income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate and the provision recorded for income taxes are as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 Income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate $ 549 $ 1,362 $ 1,332 Effect of: Impact of foreign tax differential 350 (69 ) 1,178 State taxes, net of federal benefits 37 110 114 Tax credits (99 ) (119 ) (220 ) Stock-based compensation (1) 149 189 (917 ) Domestic production activities deduction (44 ) (94 ) — Impact of 2017 Tax Act — — (789 ) Other, net 8 46 71 Total $ 950 $ 1,425 $ 769 ___________________ (1) Includes non-deductible stock-based compensation and beginning in 2017, excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation. For 2017, our tax provision includes $1.3 billion of excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation. |
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities | Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in millions): December 31, 2016 2017 (6) Deferred tax assets (1): Loss carryforwards U.S. - Federal/States (2) $ 198 $ 211 Loss carryforwards - Foreign (3) 1,062 2,149 Accrued liabilities, reserves, & other expenses 968 901 Stock-based compensation 1,073 1,026 Deferred revenue 330 349 Assets held for investment 66 35 Depreciation & amortization 179 279 Other items 171 167 Tax credits (4) 39 381 Total gross deferred tax assets 4,086 5,498 Less valuation allowance (5) (1,012 ) (2,538 ) Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance 3,074 2,960 Deferred tax liabilities: Depreciation & amortization (2,332 ) (2,568 ) Acquisition related intangible assets (226 ) (531 ) Other items (62 ) (58 ) Net deferred tax assets (liabilities), net of valuation allowance $ 454 $ (197 ) ___________________ (1) Deferred tax assets related to net operating losses and tax credits are presented net of tax contingencies. (2) Excluding $18 million of deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2016 , related to net operating losses that result from excess stock-based compensation. Beginning in 2017, losses resulting from excess stock-based compensation are now recognized immediately as a result of the adoption of new accounting guidance. (3) Excluding $9 million of deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2016 , related to net operating losses that result from excess stock-based compensation. Beginning in 2017, losses resulting from excess stock-based compensation are now recognized immediately as a result of the adoption of new accounting guidance. (4) Excluding $659 million of deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2016 , related to tax credits that result from excess stock-based compensation. Beginning in 2017, losses resulting from excess stock-based compensation are now recognized immediately as a result of the adoption of new accounting guidance. (5) Relates primarily to deferred tax assets that would only be realizable upon the generation of net income in certain foreign taxing jurisdictions and future capital gains. |
Reconciliation of Tax Contingencies | The reconciliation of our tax contingencies is as follows (in millions): December 31, 2015 2016 2017 Gross tax contingencies – January 1 $ 710 $ 1,181 $ 1,710 Gross increases to tax positions in prior periods 254 355 223 Gross decreases to tax positions in prior periods (22 ) (133 ) (139 ) Gross increases to current period tax positions 242 308 518 Lapse of statute of limitations (3 ) (1 ) (3 ) Gross tax contingencies – December 31 (1) $ 1,181 $ 1,710 $ 2,309 ___________________ (1) As of December 31, 2017 , we had $2.3 billion of accrued tax contingencies, of which $1.2 billion , if fully recognized, would decrease our effective tax rate. |
Segment Information (Tables)
Segment Information (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Segment Reporting [Abstract] | |
Information on Reportable Segments and Reconciliation to Consolidated Net Income (Loss) | Information on reportable segments and reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss) is as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 North America Net sales $ 63,708 $ 79,785 $ 106,110 Operating expenses 62,283 77,424 103,273 Operating income $ 1,425 $ 2,361 $ 2,837 International Net sales $ 35,418 $ 43,983 $ 54,297 Operating expenses 36,117 45,266 57,359 Operating income (loss) $ (699 ) $ (1,283 ) $ (3,062 ) AWS Net sales $ 7,880 $ 12,219 $ 17,459 Operating expenses 6,373 9,111 13,128 Operating income $ 1,507 $ 3,108 $ 4,331 Consolidated Net sales $ 107,006 $ 135,987 $ 177,866 Operating expenses 104,773 131,801 173,760 Operating income 2,233 4,186 4,106 Total non-operating income (expense) (665 ) (294 ) (300 ) Provision for income taxes (950 ) (1,425 ) (769 ) Equity-method investment activity, net of tax (22 ) (96 ) (4 ) Net income $ 596 $ 2,371 $ 3,033 |
Net Sales by Groups of Similar Products and Services | Net sales by groups of similar products and services is as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 Net Sales: Online stores (1) $ 76,863 $ 91,431 $ 108,354 Physical stores (2) — — 5,798 Third-party seller services (3) 16,086 22,993 31,881 Subscription services (4) 4,467 6,394 9,721 AWS 7,880 12,219 17,459 Other (5) 1,710 2,950 4,653 Consolidated $ 107,006 $ 135,987 $ 177,866 ___________________ (1) Includes product sales and digital media content where we record revenue gross. We leverage our retail infrastructure to offer a wide selection of consumable and durable goods that includes media products available in both a physical and digital format, such as books, music, videos, games, and software. These product sales include digital products sold on a transactional basis. Digital product subscriptions that provide unlimited viewing or usage rights are included in Subscription services. (2) Includes product sales where our customers physically select items in a store. (3) Includes commissions, related fulfillment and shipping fees, and other third-party seller services. (4) Includes annual and monthly fees associated with Amazon Prime membership, as well as audiobook, e-book, digital video, digital music, and other non-AWS subscription services. (5) Includes sales not otherwise included above, such as certain advertising services and our co-branded credit card agreements. |
Net Sales Attributed to Countries Representing Significant Portion of Consolidated Net Sales | Net sales attributed to countries that represent a significant portion of consolidated net sales are as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 United States $ 70,537 $ 90,349 $ 120,486 Germany 11,816 14,148 16,951 United Kingdom 9,033 9,547 11,372 Japan 8,264 10,797 11,907 Rest of world 7,356 11,146 17,150 Consolidated $ 107,006 $ 135,987 $ 177,866 |
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated | Total segment assets reconciled to consolidated amounts are as follows (in millions): December 31, 2015 2016 2017 North America (1) $ 16,772 $ 22,225 $ 35,844 International (1) 7,754 10,429 18,014 AWS (2) 9,787 12,698 18,660 Corporate 30,434 38,050 58,792 Consolidated $ 64,747 $ 83,402 $ 131,310 ___________________ (1) North America and International segment assets primarily consist of property and equipment, inventory, and accounts receivable. (2) AWS segment assets primarily consist of property and equipment and accounts receivable. |
Reconciliation of Property and Equipment from Segments to Consolidated | Property and equipment, net by segment is as follows (in millions): December 31, 2015 2016 2017 North America $ 6,707 $ 10,143 $ 20,401 International 2,266 3,448 7,425 AWS 8,356 10,300 14,885 Corporate 4,509 5,223 6,155 Consolidated $ 21,838 $ 29,114 $ 48,866 |
Reconciliation of Property and Equipment Additions and Depreciation from Segments to Consolidated | Total depreciation expense, by segment, is as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 North America $ 1,551 $ 1,971 $ 3,029 International 822 930 1,278 AWS 2,576 3,461 4,524 Consolidated $ 4,949 $ 6,362 $ 8,831 Total net additions to property and equipment by segment are as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2015 2016 2017 North America (1) $ 2,485 $ 5,132 $ 13,200 International (1) 658 1,680 5,196 AWS (2) 4,681 5,193 9,190 Corporate 1,801 1,580 2,197 Consolidated $ 9,625 $ 13,585 $ 29,783 ___________________ (1) Includes property and equipment added under capital leases of $938 million , $1.5 billion , and $2.9 billion in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 , and under other financing arrangements of $219 million , $849 million , and $2.9 billion in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . (2) Includes property and equipment added under capital leases of $3.7 billion , $4.0 billion , and $7.3 billion in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 , and under finance leases of $81 million , $75 million , and $134 million in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 . |
Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (
Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Quarterly Financial Information | Unaudited quarterly results are as follows (in millions, except per share data): Year Ended December 31, 2016 (1) First Second Third Fourth Net sales $ 29,128 $ 30,404 $ 32,714 $ 43,741 Operating income 1,071 1,285 575 1,255 Income before income taxes 1,056 1,179 491 1,166 Provision for income taxes (475 ) (307 ) (229 ) (414 ) Net income (loss) 513 857 252 749 Basic earnings per share 1.09 1.81 0.53 1.57 Diluted earnings per share 1.07 1.78 0.52 1.54 Shares used in computation of earnings per share: Basic 471 473 474 476 Diluted 481 483 485 486 Year Ended December 31, 2017 (1) First Second Third Fourth Net sales $ 35,714 $ 37,955 $ 43,744 $ 60,453 Operating income 1,005 628 347 2,127 Income before income taxes 953 666 316 1,872 Provision for income taxes (229 ) (467 ) (58 ) (16 ) Net income (loss) 724 197 256 1,856 Basic earnings per share 1.52 0.41 0.53 3.85 Diluted earnings per share 1.48 0.40 0.52 3.75 Shares used in computation of earnings per share: Basic 477 479 481 483 Diluted 490 492 494 496 ___________________ (1) The sum of quarterly amounts, including per share amounts, may not equal amounts reported for year-to-date periods. This is due to the effects of rounding and changes in the number of weighted-average shares outstanding for each period. (2) We acquired Whole Foods Market on August 28, 2017. The results of Whole Foods Market have been included in our results of operation from the date of acquisition. See Item 8 of Part II, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 4—Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets” for additional information regarding this transaction. |
Description of Business and A34
Description of Business and Accounting Policies - Description of Business (Details) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017segment | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
Number of operating segments | 3 |
Description of Business and A35
Description of Business and Accounting Policies - Calculation of Diluted Shares (Details) - shares shares in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Mar. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |||||||||||
Shares used in computation of basic earnings per share | 483 | 481 | 479 | 477 | 476 | 474 | 473 | 471 | 480 | 474 | 467 |
Total dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards | 13 | 10 | 10 | ||||||||
Shares used in computation of diluted earnings per share | 496 | 494 | 492 | 490 | 486 | 485 | 483 | 481 | 493 | 484 | 477 |
Description of Business and A36
Description of Business and Accounting Policies - Revenue (Details) - Allowance for Sales Returns - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Valuation Allowance [Line Items] | |||
Allowance for returns | $ 62 | $ 156 | $ 153 |
Additions to allowance for returns | 1,800 | 1,500 | 1,300 |
Deductions to allowance for returns | $ 1,900 | $ 1,500 | $ 1,300 |
Description of Business and A37
Description of Business and Accounting Policies - Marketing (Details) - USD ($) $ in Billions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |||
Advertising and other promotional costs | $ 6.3 | $ 5 | $ 3.8 |
Description of Business and A38
Description of Business and Accounting Policies - Technology and Content (Details) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Internal-use Software and Website Development | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Estimated useful lives of assets | 2 years |
Description of Business and A39
Description of Business and Accounting Policies - Other Income (Expense), Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |||
Foreign currency gains (losses) | $ 247 | $ 21 | $ (266) |
Marketable securities realized gains (losses) | (7) | (8) | (5) |
Equity Warrant | |||
Derivative [Line Items] | |||
Derivative gains (losses) | $ 109 | $ 67 | $ 0 |
Description of Business and A40
Description of Business and Accounting Policies - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - Equity Warrant - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | |||
Derivative gains (losses) | $ 109 | $ 67 | $ 0 |
Level 2 Securities | |||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of warrants | $ 441 | $ 223 |
Description of Business and A41
Description of Business and Accounting Policies - Accounts Receivable, Net and Other (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] | |||
Accounts receivable, net and other | $ 13,164 | $ 8,339 | |
Allowance for doubtful accounts | 348 | 237 | $ 189 |
Additions to allowance for doubtful accounts | 626 | 451 | 289 |
Deductions to allowance for doubtful accounts | 515 | 403 | $ 290 |
Customer receivables | |||
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] | |||
Accounts receivable, net and other | 6,400 | 3,900 | |
Seller receivables | |||
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] | |||
Accounts receivable, net and other | 692 | 661 | |
Vendor receivables | |||
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] | |||
Accounts receivable, net and other | $ 2,600 | $ 2,000 |
Description of Business and A42
Description of Business and Accounting Policies - Internal-Use Software and Website Development (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |||
Capitalized costs associated with internal-use software and website development | $ 395 | $ 511 | $ 642 |
Capitalized costs associated with internal-use software and website development, share-based compensation | 84 | 94 | 114 |
Capitalized costs associated with internal-use software and website development, amortization of previously capitalized amounts | $ 545 | $ 634 | $ 635 |
Description of Business and A43
Description of Business and Accounting Policies - Property and Equipment, Net (Details) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Building | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Estimated useful lives of assets | 40 years |
Internal-use Software and Website Development | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Estimated useful lives of assets | 2 years |
Servers | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Estimated useful lives of assets | 3 years |
Networking Equipment | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Estimated useful lives of assets | 5 years |
Furniture and Fixtures | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Estimated useful lives of assets | 5 years |
Heavy Equipment | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Estimated useful lives of assets | 10 years |
Description of Business and A44
Description of Business and Accounting Policies - Goodwill (Details) | Apr. 01, 2017USD ($) |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
Goodwill impairment | $ 0 |
Description of Business and A45
Description of Business and Accounting Policies - Video and Music Content (Details) - Digital Video and Music Content | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2017 | |
Minimum | |
Other Assets [Line Items] | |
Video and music content amortization period | 1 year |
Maximum | |
Other Assets [Line Items] | |
Video and music content amortization period | 5 years |
Description of Business and A46
Description of Business and Accounting Policies - Accrued Expenses and Other (Details) - USD ($) $ in Billions | 12 Months Ended | |
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | ||
Unredeemed gift certificates | $ 3 | $ 2.4 |
Unredeemed gift certificates, period of recognition | 2 years |
Description of Business and A47
Description of Business and Accounting Policies - Unearned Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | |
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | ||
Unearned revenue, noncurrent | $ 1,000 | $ 499 |
Amortization of unearned revenue | $ 14,300 | $ 10,000 |
Description of Business and A48
Description of Business and Accounting Policies - Foreign Currency (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |||
Transaction gain (loss) arising from foreign currency transactions | $ 202 | $ 62 | $ (215) |
Description of Business and A49
Description of Business and Accounting Policies - Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | |||
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle related to stock-based compensation | $ 687 | ||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ 18,434 | 17,272 | $ 12,039 |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 9,860 | (3,740) | (3,882) |
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 | |||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | |||
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle related to stock-based compensation | $ 687 | ||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 829 | 119 | |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | $ (829) | $ (119) |
Description of Business and A50
Description of Business and Accounting Policies - Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted (Details) - Scenario, Forecast - USD ($) $ in Millions | Mar. 31, 2018 | Jan. 01, 2018 |
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | ||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||
Impact of cumulative adjustment | $ 650 | |
Accounting Standards Update 2016-16 | ||
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ||
Impact of cumulative adjustment | $ 250 |
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and M51
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities - Fair Values on Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 |
Cost or Amortized Cost | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | $ 22,319 | |
Total Estimated Fair Value | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | 22,286 | |
Recurring | ||
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ||
Cash | 9,982 | $ 6,883 |
Cost or Amortized Cost | ||
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments | 32,324 | 26,558 |
Gross Unrealized Gains | ||
Short-term investments | 32 | 34 |
Gross Unrealized Losses | ||
Short-term investments | (35) | (11) |
Total Estimated Fair Value | ||
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments | 32,321 | 26,581 |
Less: Restricted cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities | (1,335) | (600) |
Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities | 30,986 | 25,981 |
Recurring | Level 1 securities | ||
Cost or Amortized Cost | ||
Equity securities | 23 | 20 |
Gross Unrealized Gains | ||
Equity securities | 30 | 31 |
Gross Unrealized Losses | ||
Equity securities | 0 | 0 |
Total Estimated Fair Value | ||
Equity securities | 53 | 51 |
Recurring | Level 1 securities | Money market funds | ||
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ||
Money market funds | 11,343 | 11,940 |
Recurring | Level 2 securities | Foreign government and agency securities | ||
Cost or Amortized Cost | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | 620 | 337 |
Gross Unrealized Gains | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | 0 | 0 |
Gross Unrealized Losses | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | 0 | 0 |
Total Estimated Fair Value | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | 620 | 337 |
Recurring | Level 2 securities | U.S. government and agency securities | ||
Cost or Amortized Cost | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | 4,841 | 4,821 |
Gross Unrealized Gains | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | 1 | 2 |
Gross Unrealized Losses | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | (19) | (7) |
Total Estimated Fair Value | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | 4,823 | 4,816 |
Recurring | Level 2 securities | Corporate debt securities | ||
Cost or Amortized Cost | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | 4,265 | 2,105 |
Gross Unrealized Gains | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | 1 | 1 |
Gross Unrealized Losses | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | (9) | (2) |
Total Estimated Fair Value | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | 4,257 | 2,104 |
Recurring | Level 2 securities | Asset-backed securities | ||
Cost or Amortized Cost | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | 910 | 355 |
Gross Unrealized Gains | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | 0 | 0 |
Gross Unrealized Losses | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | (5) | (2) |
Total Estimated Fair Value | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | 905 | 353 |
Recurring | Level 2 securities | Other fixed income securities | ||
Cost or Amortized Cost | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | 340 | 97 |
Gross Unrealized Gains | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | 0 | 0 |
Gross Unrealized Losses | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | (2) | 0 |
Total Estimated Fair Value | ||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | $ 338 | $ 97 |
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and M52
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities - Gross Grains and Gross Losses Realized on Sales of Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract] | |||
Realized gains | $ 5 | $ 3 | $ 2 |
Realized losses | $ 11 | $ 11 | $ 7 |
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and M53
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities - Contractual Maturities (Details) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2017USD ($) |
Amortized Cost | |
Due within one year | $ 17,293 |
Due after one year through five years | 4,149 |
Due after five years through ten years | 302 |
Due after ten years | 575 |
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | 22,319 |
Estimated Fair Value | |
Due within one year | 17,287 |
Due after one year through five years | 4,129 |
Due after five years through ten years | 300 |
Due after ten years | 570 |
Cash equivalents and marketable securities | $ 22,286 |
Property and Equipment - Compon
Property and Equipment - Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |||
Gross property and equipment | $ 68,573 | $ 42,441 | |
Total accumulated depreciation | 19,707 | 13,327 | |
Total property and equipment, net | 48,866 | 29,114 | $ 21,838 |
Internal-use software | 1,100 | 1,400 | |
Land and buildings | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |||
Gross property and equipment | 23,718 | 13,998 | |
Equipment and internal-use software | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |||
Gross property and equipment | 38,387 | 25,989 | |
Other corporate assets | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |||
Gross property and equipment | 2,390 | 649 | |
Construction in progress | |||
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |||
Gross property and equipment | $ 4,078 | $ 1,805 |
Property and Equipment - Additi
Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] | |||
Depreciation expense | $ 8,831 | $ 6,362 | $ 4,949 |
Amortization of property and equipment acquired under capital leases | 5,400 | 3,800 | $ 2,700 |
Gross assets under capital leases | 26,400 | 17,000 | |
Accumulated depreciation associated with capital leases | 13,400 | 8,500 | |
Gross assets under finance leases | 5,400 | 2,900 | |
Accumulated depreciation associated with finance leases | $ 635 | $ 361 |
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and A56
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Aug. 28, 2017 | May 12, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 |
Business Acquisition [Line Items] | |||||
Fair value of assumed stock options and restricted stock options | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 9 | ||
Amortization expense for acquired intangibles | 366 | 287 | 270 | ||
Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions | |||||
Business Acquisition [Line Items] | |||||
Aggregate purchase price | 787 | $ 103 | $ 690 | ||
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | 683 | ||||
Souq | |||||
Business Acquisition [Line Items] | |||||
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | $ 583 | ||||
Whole Foods Market | |||||
Business Acquisition [Line Items] | |||||
Aggregate purchase price | 13,176 | ||||
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | $ 13,176 | 13,176 | |||
Other Immaterial Business Acquisitions | |||||
Business Acquisition [Line Items] | |||||
Aggregate purchase price | $ 204 |
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and A57
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets - Allocation of Aggregate Purchase Price of Acquisitions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Aug. 28, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 |
Allocation | ||||
Goodwill | $ 13,350 | $ 3,784 | $ 3,759 | |
Acquired intangibles weighted average amortization period | 17 years 9 months | |||
Minimum | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets, estimated useful life | 1 year | |||
Maximum | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets, estimated useful life | 25 years | |||
Marketing-related | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Acquired intangibles weighted average amortization period | 23 years | |||
Contract-based | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Acquired intangibles weighted average amortization period | 13 years | |||
Technology-based | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Acquired intangibles weighted average amortization period | 4 years 5 months | |||
Customer-related | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Acquired intangibles weighted average amortization period | 2 years 1 month | |||
2015 Acquisitions | ||||
Purchase Price | ||||
Cash paid, net of cash acquired | 599 | |||
Stock options assumed | 5 | |||
Indemnification holdback | 86 | |||
Aggregate purchase price | 690 | |||
Allocation | ||||
Goodwill | 482 | |||
Intangible assets | 230 | |||
Property and equipment | 4 | |||
Deferred tax assets | 55 | |||
Other assets acquired | 53 | |||
Long-term debt | (3) | |||
Deferred tax liabilities | (85) | |||
Other liabilities assumed | (46) | |||
Allocated purchase price | $ 690 | |||
Acquired intangibles weighted average amortization period | 5 years | |||
2015 Acquisitions | Minimum | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets, estimated useful life | 1 year | |||
2015 Acquisitions | Maximum | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets, estimated useful life | 6 years | |||
2015 Acquisitions | Marketing-related | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets | $ 3 | |||
2015 Acquisitions | Contract-based | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets | 1 | |||
2015 Acquisitions | Technology-based | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets | 208 | |||
2015 Acquisitions | Customer-related | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets | $ 18 | |||
2016 Acquisitions | ||||
Purchase Price | ||||
Cash paid, net of cash acquired | $ 81 | |||
Stock options assumed | 0 | |||
Indemnification holdback | 22 | |||
Aggregate purchase price | 103 | |||
Allocation | ||||
Goodwill | 60 | |||
Intangible assets | 57 | |||
Property and equipment | 3 | |||
Deferred tax assets | 17 | |||
Other assets acquired | 10 | |||
Long-term debt | (5) | |||
Deferred tax liabilities | (18) | |||
Other liabilities assumed | (21) | |||
Allocated purchase price | $ 103 | |||
Acquired intangibles weighted average amortization period | 5 years | |||
2016 Acquisitions | Minimum | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets, estimated useful life | 1 year | |||
2016 Acquisitions | Maximum | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets, estimated useful life | 7 years | |||
2016 Acquisitions | Marketing-related | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets | $ 2 | |||
2016 Acquisitions | Contract-based | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets | 1 | |||
2016 Acquisitions | Technology-based | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets | 53 | |||
2016 Acquisitions | Customer-related | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets | 1 | |||
Whole Foods Market | ||||
Purchase Price | ||||
Cash paid, net of cash acquired | $ 13,176 | $ 13,176 | ||
Stock options assumed | 0 | |||
Indemnification holdback | 0 | |||
Aggregate purchase price | 13,176 | |||
Allocation | ||||
Goodwill | 9,010 | |||
Intangible assets | 2,335 | |||
Property and equipment | 3,794 | |||
Deferred tax assets | 95 | |||
Other assets acquired | 1,711 | |||
Long-term debt | (1,158) | |||
Deferred tax liabilities | (925) | |||
Other liabilities assumed | (1,686) | |||
Allocated purchase price | $ 13,176 | |||
Acquired intangibles weighted average amortization period | 23 years | |||
Whole Foods Market | Minimum | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets, estimated useful life | 1 year | |||
Whole Foods Market | Maximum | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets, estimated useful life | 25 years | |||
Whole Foods Market | Marketing-related | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets | $ 1,928 | |||
Whole Foods Market | Contract-based | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets | 407 | |||
Whole Foods Market | Technology-based | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets | 0 | |||
Whole Foods Market | Customer-related | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets | 0 | |||
Other 2017 Acquisitions | ||||
Purchase Price | ||||
Cash paid, net of cash acquired | 683 | |||
Stock options assumed | 0 | |||
Indemnification holdback | 104 | |||
Aggregate purchase price | 787 | $ 103 | $ 690 | |
Allocation | ||||
Goodwill | 491 | |||
Intangible assets | 312 | |||
Property and equipment | 16 | |||
Deferred tax assets | 22 | |||
Other assets acquired | 147 | |||
Long-term debt | (7) | |||
Deferred tax liabilities | (36) | |||
Other liabilities assumed | (158) | |||
Allocated purchase price | $ 787 | |||
Acquired intangibles weighted average amortization period | 4 years | |||
Other 2017 Acquisitions | Minimum | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets, estimated useful life | 1 year | |||
Other 2017 Acquisitions | Maximum | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets, estimated useful life | 7 years | |||
Other 2017 Acquisitions | Marketing-related | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets | $ 59 | |||
Other 2017 Acquisitions | Contract-based | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets | 33 | |||
Other 2017 Acquisitions | Technology-based | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets | 166 | |||
Other 2017 Acquisitions | Customer-related | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets | 54 | |||
2017 Acquisitions | ||||
Purchase Price | ||||
Cash paid, net of cash acquired | 13,859 | |||
Stock options assumed | 0 | |||
Indemnification holdback | 104 | |||
Aggregate purchase price | 13,963 | |||
Allocation | ||||
Goodwill | 9,501 | |||
Intangible assets | 2,647 | |||
Property and equipment | 3,810 | |||
Deferred tax assets | 117 | |||
Other assets acquired | 1,858 | |||
Long-term debt | (1,165) | |||
Deferred tax liabilities | (961) | |||
Other liabilities assumed | (1,844) | |||
Allocated purchase price | 13,963 | |||
2017 Acquisitions | Marketing-related | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets | 1,987 | |||
2017 Acquisitions | Contract-based | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets | 440 | |||
2017 Acquisitions | Technology-based | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets | 166 | |||
2017 Acquisitions | Customer-related | ||||
Allocation | ||||
Intangible assets | $ 54 |
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and A58
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets - Pro Forma Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | |
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | |
Whole Foods Market | ||
Business Acquisition [Line Items] | ||
Aggregate net sales of companies acquired | $ 5,800 | |
Aggregate operating loss of companies acquired | (24) | |
Other Acquisitions | ||
Business Acquisition [Line Items] | ||
Aggregate net sales of companies acquired | 482 | |
Aggregate operating loss of companies acquired | (142) | |
2017 Acquisitions | ||
Business Acquisition [Line Items] | ||
Net sales | 187,890 | $ 152,283 |
Net income | $ 2,940 | $ 2,148 |
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and A59
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets - Summary of Goodwill Activity by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | |
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] | ||
Goodwill, balance at beginning of period | $ 3,784 | $ 3,759 |
New acquisitions | 9,501 | 60 |
Other adjustments | 65 | (35) |
Goodwill, balance at end of period | 13,350 | 3,784 |
North America | ||
Goodwill [Roll Forward] | ||
Goodwill, balance at beginning of period | 2,044 | 2,012 |
New acquisitions | 9,115 | 30 |
Other adjustments | 6 | 2 |
Goodwill, balance at end of period | 11,165 | 2,044 |
International | ||
Goodwill [Roll Forward] | ||
Goodwill, balance at beginning of period | 694 | 719 |
New acquisitions | 368 | 13 |
Other adjustments | 46 | (38) |
Goodwill, balance at end of period | 1,108 | 694 |
AWS | ||
Goodwill [Roll Forward] | ||
Goodwill, balance at beginning of period | 1,046 | 1,028 |
New acquisitions | 18 | 17 |
Other adjustments | 13 | 1 |
Goodwill, balance at end of period | $ 1,077 | $ 1,046 |
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and A60
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets - Acquired Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | |
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | |
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Acquired Intangibles, Gross | $ 4,422 | $ 1,900 |
Accumulated Amortization | (1,051) | (1,046) |
Acquired Intangibles, Net | $ 3,371 | 854 |
Weighted Average Life Remaining | 17 years 9 months | |
Minimum | ||
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Intangible assets, estimated useful life | 1 year | |
Maximum | ||
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Intangible assets, estimated useful life | 25 years | |
Marketing-related | ||
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Acquired Intangibles, Gross | $ 2,486 | 499 |
Accumulated Amortization | (418) | (299) |
Acquired Intangibles, Net | $ 2,068 | 200 |
Weighted Average Life Remaining | 23 years | |
Contract-based | ||
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Acquired Intangibles, Gross | $ 1,013 | 397 |
Accumulated Amortization | (213) | (212) |
Acquired Intangibles, Net | $ 800 | 185 |
Weighted Average Life Remaining | 13 years | |
Technology- and content-based | ||
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Acquired Intangibles, Gross | $ 640 | 705 |
Accumulated Amortization | (252) | (353) |
Acquired Intangibles, Net | $ 388 | 352 |
Weighted Average Life Remaining | 4 years 5 months | |
Customer-related | ||
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Acquired Intangibles, Gross | $ 283 | 299 |
Accumulated Amortization | (168) | (182) |
Acquired Intangibles, Net | $ 115 | $ 117 |
Weighted Average Life Remaining | 2 years 1 month |
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and A61
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets - Expected Future Amortization Expense of Acquired Intangible Assets (Details) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2017USD ($) |
Year Ended December 31, | |
2,018 | $ 377 |
2,019 | 337 |
2,020 | 258 |
2,021 | 214 |
2,022 | 178 |
Thereafter | 1,998 |
Acquired intangibles | $ 3,362 |
Long-Term Debt - Additional Inf
Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Details) | 1 Months Ended | |||||
Oct. 31, 2016USD ($) | May 31, 2016USD ($)extension | Dec. 31, 2017USD ($) | Aug. 31, 2017USD ($) | Aug. 28, 2017USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2016USD ($) | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Borrowings outstanding | $ 24,942,000,000 | $ 8,838,000,000 | ||||
Senior Notes | ||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Borrowings outstanding | 24,300,000,000 | |||||
Notes issued and assumed | $ 17,000,000,000 | |||||
Unamortized discount | 99,000,000 | 90,000,000 | ||||
Estimated fair value of notes | 25,700,000,000 | 8,700,000,000 | ||||
Senior Notes | 1.200% Notes due on November 29, 2017 | ||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Borrowings outstanding | 0 | $ 1,000,000,000 | ||||
Stated interest rate | 1.20% | |||||
Senior Notes | 5.200% Notes due on December 3, 2025 | ||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Borrowings outstanding | $ 1,000,000,000 | $ 0 | ||||
Stated interest rate | 5.20% | |||||
Line of Credit and Other Long-term Debt | ||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Borrowings outstanding | $ 692,000,000 | 588,000,000 | ||||
Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility | ||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Borrowings outstanding | 592,000,000 | 495,000,000 | ||||
Credit Facility | October 2016 Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility | ||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Maximum borrowing capacity | $ 500,000,000 | 600,000,000 | ||||
Credit term | 3 years | |||||
Commitment fee percentage | 0.50% | |||||
Borrowings outstanding | $ 592,000,000 | $ 495,000,000 | ||||
Weighted average interest rate | 2.70% | 2.30% | ||||
Collateral amount | $ 686,000,000 | |||||
Credit Facility | October 2016 Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility | LIBOR | ||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) | 1.65% | |||||
Credit Facility | May 2016 Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility | ||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Maximum borrowing capacity | $ 3,000,000,000 | |||||
Credit term | 3 years | |||||
Commitment fee percentage | 0.05% | |||||
Borrowings outstanding | 0 | $ 0 | ||||
Credit Agreement, number of extensions | extension | 3 | |||||
Credit Agreement, additional term | 1 year | |||||
Credit Facility | May 2016 Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility | Downgraded Credit Ratings | ||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Commitment fee percentage | 0.09% | |||||
Credit Facility | May 2016 Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility | LIBOR | ||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) | 0.60% | |||||
Credit Facility | May 2016 Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility | LIBOR | Downgraded Credit Ratings | ||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Basis spread on variable rate (as a percent) | 1.00% | |||||
Exchangeable Debt [Member] | 5.200% Notes due on December 3, 2025 | ||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Borrowings outstanding | $ 1,000,000,000 | |||||
Stated interest rate | 5.20% | |||||
ExchangedDebt [Member] | 5.200% Notes due on December 3, 2025 | ||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Borrowings outstanding | $ 872,000,000 | |||||
Stated interest rate | 5.20% | |||||
Other Long-term Debt | ||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Borrowings outstanding | $ 100,000,000 | $ 93,000,000 | ||||
Weighted average interest rate | 5.80% | 3.40% | ||||
Whole Foods Market, Inc. [Member] | Senior Notes | 5.200% Notes due on December 3, 2025 | ||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||
Borrowings outstanding | $ 128,000,000 |
Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt
Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt Obligations (Details) - USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Total debt | $ 24,942,000,000 | $ 8,838,000,000 |
Less current portion of long-term debt | (100,000,000) | (1,056,000,000) |
Face value of long-term debt | 24,842,000,000 | $ 7,782,000,000 |
Senior Notes | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Total debt | 24,300,000,000 | |
Senior Notes | 1.200% Notes due on November 29, 2017 | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Stated interest rate | 1.20% | |
Total debt | $ 0 | $ 1,000,000,000 |
Senior Notes | 2.600% Notes due on December 5, 2019 | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Stated interest rate | 2.60% | |
Total debt | $ 1,000,000,000 | 1,000,000,000 |
Effective interest rate | 2.73% | |
Senior Notes | 1.900% Notes due on August 21, 2020 | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Stated interest rate | 1.90% | |
Total debt | $ 1,000,000,000 | 0 |
Effective interest rate | 2.16% | |
Senior Notes | 3.300% Notes due on December 5, 2021 | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Stated interest rate | 3.30% | |
Total debt | $ 1,000,000,000 | 1,000,000,000 |
Effective interest rate | 3.43% | |
Senior Notes | 2.500% Notes due on November 29, 2022 | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Stated interest rate | 2.50% | |
Total debt | $ 1,250,000,000 | 1,250,000,000 |
Effective interest rate | 2.66% | |
Senior Notes | 2.400% Notes due on February 22, 2023 | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Stated interest rate | 2.40% | |
Total debt | $ 1,000,000,000 | 0 |
Effective interest rate | 2.56% | |
Senior Notes | 2.800% Notes due on August 22, 2024 | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Stated interest rate | 2.80% | |
Total debt | $ 2,000,000,000 | 0 |
Effective interest rate | 2.95% | |
Senior Notes | 3.800% Notes due on December 5, 2024 | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Stated interest rate | 3.80% | |
Total debt | $ 1,250,000,000 | 1,250,000,000 |
Effective interest rate | 3.90% | |
Senior Notes | 5.200% Notes due on December 3, 2025 | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Stated interest rate | 5.20% | |
Total debt | $ 1,000,000,000 | 0 |
Effective interest rate | 3.02% | |
Senior Notes | 3.150% Notes due on August 22, 2027 | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Stated interest rate | 3.15% | |
Total debt | $ 3,500,000,000 | 0 |
Effective interest rate | 3.25% | |
Senior Notes | 4.800% Notes due on December 5, 2034 | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Stated interest rate | 4.80% | |
Total debt | $ 1,250,000,000 | 1,250,000,000 |
Effective interest rate | 4.92% | |
Senior Notes | 3.875% Notes due on August 22, 2037 | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Stated interest rate | 3.875% | |
Total debt | $ 2,750,000,000 | 0 |
Effective interest rate | 3.94% | |
Senior Notes | 4.950% Notes due on December 5, 2044 | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Stated interest rate | 4.95% | |
Total debt | $ 1,500,000,000 | 1,500,000,000 |
Effective interest rate | 5.11% | |
Senior Notes | 4.050% Notes due on August 22, 2047 | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Stated interest rate | 4.05% | |
Total debt | $ 3,500,000,000 | 0 |
Effective interest rate | 4.13% | |
Senior Notes | 4.250% Notes due on August 22, 2057 | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Stated interest rate | 4.25% | |
Total debt | $ 2,250,000,000 | 0 |
Effective interest rate | 4.33% | |
Amazon.com, Inc. [Member] | 5.200% Notes due on December 3, 2025 | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Total debt | $ 872,000,000 | |
Whole Foods Market, Inc. [Member] | 5.200% Notes due on December 3, 2025 | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Total debt | 128,000,000 | |
Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Total debt | 592,000,000 | 495,000,000 |
Other long-term debt | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Total debt | $ 100,000,000 | $ 93,000,000 |
Long-Term Debt - Future Princip
Long-Term Debt - Future Principal Payment for Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 |
Year Ended December 31, | ||
2,018 | $ 100 | |
2,019 | 1,334 | |
2,020 | 1,258 | |
2,021 | 1,000 | |
2,022 | 1,250 | |
Thereafter | 20,000 | |
Total debt | $ 24,942 | $ 8,838 |
Other Long-Term Liabilities - O
Other Long-Term Liabilities - Other Long Term Liabilities Summary (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 |
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract] | ||
Long-term capital lease obligations | $ 8,438 | $ 5,080 |
Long-term finance lease obligations | 4,745 | 2,439 |
Construction liabilities | 1,350 | 714 |
Tax contingencies | 1,004 | 1,395 |
Long-term deferred tax liabilities | 990 | 392 |
Other | 4,448 | 2,587 |
Total other long-term liabilities | $ 20,975 | $ 12,607 |
Other Long-Term Liabilities - L
Other Long-Term Liabilities - Long Term Capital Lease Obligation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 |
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract] | ||
Gross capital lease obligations | $ 14,811 | |
Less imputed interest | (534) | |
Present value of net minimum lease payments | 14,277 | |
Less current portion of capital lease obligations | (5,839) | $ (4,000) |
Total long-term capital lease obligations | $ 8,438 | $ 5,080 |
Other Long-Term Liabilities -67
Other Long-Term Liabilities - Long Term Finance Lease Obligation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 |
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract] | ||
Gross finance lease obligations | $ 6,265 | |
Less imputed interest | (1,238) | |
Present value of net minimum lease payments | 5,027 | |
Less current portion of finance lease obligations | (282) | $ (144) |
Total long-term finance lease obligations | $ 4,745 | $ 2,439 |
Commitments and Contingencies -
Commitments and Contingencies - Commitments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Billions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |||
Rental expense under operating lease agreements | $ 2.2 | $ 1.4 | $ 1.1 |
Commitments and Contingencies69
Commitments and Contingencies - Principal Contractual Commitments Excluding Open Orders (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 |
Debt principal and interest | ||||
Year Ended December 31, 2018 | $ 967 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2019 | 2,234 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2020 | 2,111 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2021 | 1,834 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2022 | 2,050 | |||
Thereafter | 31,799 | |||
Total | 40,995 | |||
Capital lease obligations, including interest | ||||
Year Ended December 31, 2018 | 6,084 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2019 | 4,788 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2020 | 2,590 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2021 | 557 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2022 | 262 | |||
Thereafter | 530 | |||
Total | 14,811 | |||
Current capital lease obligations | 5,839 | $ 4,000 | ||
Noncurrent capital lease obligations | 8,438 | 5,080 | ||
Finance lease obligations, including interest | ||||
Year Ended December 31, 2018 | 445 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2019 | 460 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2020 | 466 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2021 | 476 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2022 | 472 | |||
Thereafter | 3,946 | |||
Total | 6,265 | |||
Current finance lease obligations | 282 | 144 | ||
Noncurrent finance lease obligations | 4,745 | 2,439 | ||
Operating leases | ||||
Year Ended December 31, 2018 | 2,427 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2019 | 2,376 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2020 | 2,258 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2021 | 2,039 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2022 | 1,813 | |||
Thereafter | 11,935 | |||
Total | 22,848 | |||
Unconditional purchase obligations | ||||
Year Ended December 31, 2018 | 3,527 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2019 | 3,561 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2020 | 3,195 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2021 | 3,039 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2022 | 2,922 | |||
Thereafter | 7,956 | |||
Total | 24,200 | |||
Other commitments | ||||
Year Ended December 31, 2018 | 1,584 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2019 | 1,016 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2020 | 733 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2021 | 571 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2022 | 438 | |||
Thereafter | 4,744 | |||
Total | 9,086 | |||
Total commitments | ||||
Year Ended December 31, 2018 | 15,034 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2019 | 14,435 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2020 | 11,353 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2021 | 8,516 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2022 | 7,957 | |||
Thereafter | 60,910 | |||
Total | 118,205 | |||
Accrued tax contingencies | $ 2,309 | $ 1,710 | $ 1,181 | $ 710 |
Commitments and Contingencies70
Commitments and Contingencies - Pledged Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 |
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | ||
Pledged assets | $ 1,400 | $ 715 |
Commitments and Contingencies71
Commitments and Contingencies - Legal Proceedings (Details) $ in Millions | 1 Months Ended | |||
Sep. 30, 2015claim | Dec. 31, 2014patent | Oct. 31, 2013claim | Feb. 28, 2017USD ($) | |
Nationwide Breach of Contract and Unjust Enrichment Claims | Pending Litigation | ||||
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] | ||||
Number of claims filed | claim | 1 | |||
Smartflash LLC and Smartflash Technologies Limited | ||||
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] | ||||
Number of patents allegedly infringed | patent | 7 | |||
Violation of Fair Credit Reporting Act | Pending Litigation | ||||
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] | ||||
Number of claims filed | claim | 2 | |||
Legal Proceedings with Eolas Technologies, Inc. | Pending Litigation | Minimum | ||||
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] | ||||
Estimate of possible loss | $ | $ 130 | |||
Legal Proceedings with Eolas Technologies, Inc. | Pending Litigation | Maximum | ||||
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] | ||||
Estimate of possible loss | $ | $ 250 |
Stockholders' Equity - Addition
Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended | ||||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Feb. 29, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2010 | |
Class of Stock [Line Items] | |||||
Preferred stock, authorized shares | 500,000,000 | 500,000,000 | |||
Preferred stock, par value (in usd per share) | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 | |||
Preferred stock, outstanding shares | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Common shares outstanding plus underlying outstanding stock awards | 504,000,000 | 497,000,000 | 490,000,000 | ||
Stock options outstanding (in shares) | 100,000 | 100,000 | 200,000 | ||
Net unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock-based compensation arrangements | $ 6,400,000,000 | ||||
Compensation cost expected to be expensed in next twelve months, percentage | 50.00% | ||||
Net unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock-based compensation arrangements, weighted average recognition period (in years) | 1 year 1 month | ||||
Estimated forfeiture rate | 28.00% | 28.00% | 28.00% | ||
Number of shares of common stock granted | 100,000 | 100,000 | |||
Common stock available for future issuance to employees (in shares) | 116,000,000 | ||||
Restricted Stock Units | |||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | |||||
Fair value of units vested | $ 6,800,000,000 | $ 4,300,000,000 | $ 2,700,000,000 | ||
Minimum | |||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | |||||
Award vesting period | 2 years | ||||
Maximum | |||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | |||||
Award vesting period | 5 years | ||||
February 2016 Program | |||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | |||||
Stock repurchase, authorized amount | $ 5,000,000,000 | ||||
2010 Program | |||||
Class of Stock [Line Items] | |||||
Stock repurchase, authorized amount | $ 2,000,000,000 |
Stockholders' Equity - Stock-ba
Stockholders' Equity - Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items] | |||
Total stock-based compensation expense | $ 4,215 | $ 2,975 | $ 2,119 |
Tax benefits from stock-based compensation expense | 860 | 907 | 593 |
Cost of sales | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items] | |||
Total stock-based compensation expense | 47 | 16 | 0 |
Fulfillment | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items] | |||
Total stock-based compensation expense | 911 | 657 | 482 |
Marketing | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items] | |||
Total stock-based compensation expense | 511 | 323 | 190 |
Technology and content | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items] | |||
Total stock-based compensation expense | 2,305 | 1,664 | 1,224 |
General and administrative | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items] | |||
Total stock-based compensation expense | $ 441 | $ 315 | $ 223 |
Stockholders' Equity - Restrict
Stockholders' Equity - Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Details) - Restricted Stock Units - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Number of Units | |||
Beginning balance (in shares) | 19.8 | 18.9 | 17.4 |
Units granted (in shares) | 8.9 | 9.3 | 9.8 |
Units vested (in shares) | (6.8) | (6.1) | (5.6) |
Units forfeited (in shares) | (1.8) | (2.3) | (2.7) |
Ending balance (in shares) | 20.1 | 19.8 | 18.9 |
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value | |||
Beginning balance | $ 506 | $ 362 | $ 285 |
Units granted | 946 | 660 | 426 |
Units vested | 400 | 321 | 253 |
Units forfeited | 649 | 440 | 321 |
Ending balance | $ 725 | $ 506 | $ 362 |
Stockholders' Equity - Schedule
Stockholders' Equity - Scheduled Vesting for Outstanding Restricted Stock Units (Details) - Restricted Stock Units - shares shares in Millions | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 |
Scheduled vesting—restricted stock units | ||||
Year Ended December 31, 2018 | 7.3 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2019 | 7.3 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2020 | 3.6 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2021 | 1.6 | |||
Year Ended December 31, 2022 | 0.1 | |||
Thereafter | 0.2 | |||
Total | 20.1 | 19.8 | 18.9 | 17.4 |
Accumulated Other Comprehensi76
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward] | |||
Beginning Balance | $ 19,285 | $ 13,384 | $ 10,741 |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 501 | (262) | (212) |
Ending Balance | 27,709 | 19,285 | 13,384 |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | |||
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward] | |||
Beginning Balance | (1,001) | (722) | (512) |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 533 | (279) | (210) |
Ending Balance | (468) | (1,001) | (722) |
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities | |||
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward] | |||
Beginning Balance | 16 | (1) | 1 |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | (32) | 17 | (2) |
Ending Balance | (16) | 16 | (1) |
Total | |||
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward] | |||
Beginning Balance | (985) | (723) | (511) |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 501 | (262) | (212) |
Ending Balance | $ (484) | $ (985) | $ (723) |
Income Taxes - Additional Infor
Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details) € in Millions, $ in Millions | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
Dec. 31, 2017EUR (€) | Dec. 31, 2017USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2017USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2017USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2017USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2016USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2016USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2016USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2016USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2017USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2016USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2015USD ($) | |
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | ||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes, net | $ 16 | $ 58 | $ 467 | $ 229 | $ 414 | $ 229 | $ 307 | $ 475 | $ 769 | $ 1,425 | $ 950 | |
Cash taxes paid, net of refunds | 957 | 412 | 273 | |||||||||
Provisional tax benefit for impact of the Act | 789 | |||||||||||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | ||||||||||||
Valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets | $ 600 | |||||||||||
Net capital loss carryforwards | 1,100 | 1,100 | ||||||||||
Accrued interest and penalties, net of federal income tax benefit, related to tax contingencies | 107 | $ 67 | 107 | 67 | ||||||||
Interest and penalties, net of federal income tax benefit | 40 | $ 9 | $ 18 | |||||||||
State | ||||||||||||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | ||||||||||||
Net operating loss carryforwards | 858 | 858 | ||||||||||
Federal | ||||||||||||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | ||||||||||||
Net operating loss carryforwards | 226 | 226 | ||||||||||
Federal | IRS | ||||||||||||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | ||||||||||||
Tax examination, estimate of additional tax expense | 1,500 | |||||||||||
Federal | Capital Loss Carryforward | ||||||||||||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | ||||||||||||
Net capital loss carryforwards | 359 | 359 | ||||||||||
Foreign | ||||||||||||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | ||||||||||||
Net operating loss carryforwards | $ 8,000 | $ 8,000 | ||||||||||
Foreign | Luxembourg Tax Administration | ||||||||||||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | ||||||||||||
Tax examination, estimate of additional tax expense | € | € 250 |
Income Taxes - Components of Pr
Income Taxes - Components of Provision for Income Taxes, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Mar. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Current taxes: | |||||||||||
U.S. Federal | $ (137) | $ 1,136 | $ 215 | ||||||||
U.S. State | 211 | 208 | 237 | ||||||||
International | 724 | 327 | 417 | ||||||||
Current taxes | 798 | 1,671 | 869 | ||||||||
Deferred taxes: | |||||||||||
U.S. Federal | (202) | 116 | 473 | ||||||||
U.S. State | (26) | (31) | (171) | ||||||||
International | 199 | (331) | (221) | ||||||||
Deferred taxes | (29) | (246) | 81 | ||||||||
Provision for income taxes, net | $ 16 | $ 58 | $ 467 | $ 229 | $ 414 | $ 229 | $ 307 | $ 475 | $ 769 | $ 1,425 | $ 950 |
Income Taxes - U.S. and Interna
Income Taxes - U.S. and International Components of Income Before Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Mar. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | |||||||||||
U.S. | $ 5,630 | $ 4,551 | $ 2,186 | ||||||||
International | (1,824) | (659) | (618) | ||||||||
Income before income taxes | $ 1,872 | $ 316 | $ 666 | $ 953 | $ 1,166 | $ 491 | $ 1,179 | $ 1,056 | $ 3,806 | $ 3,892 | $ 1,568 |
Income Taxes - Items Accounting
Income Taxes - Items Accounting for Differences Between Income Taxes Computed at Federal Statutory Rate and Provision Recorded for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Mar. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | |||||||||||
Income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate | $ 1,332 | $ 1,362 | $ 549 | ||||||||
Effect of: | |||||||||||
Impact of foreign tax differential | 1,178 | (69) | 350 | ||||||||
State taxes, net of federal benefits | 114 | 110 | 37 | ||||||||
Tax credits | (220) | (119) | (99) | ||||||||
Stock-based compensation | (917) | 189 | 149 | ||||||||
Domestic production activities deduction | 0 | (94) | (44) | ||||||||
Impact of 2017 Tax Act | (789) | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
Other, net | 71 | 46 | 8 | ||||||||
Provision for income taxes, net | $ 16 | $ 58 | $ 467 | $ 229 | $ 414 | $ 229 | $ 307 | $ 475 | 769 | $ 1,425 | $ 950 |
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation | $ 1,300 |
Income Taxes - Deferred Income
Income Taxes - Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 |
Deferred tax assets: | ||
Loss carryforwards U.S. - Federal/States | $ 211 | $ 198 |
Loss carryforwards - Foreign | 2,149 | 1,062 |
Accrued liabilities, reserves, & other expenses | 901 | 968 |
Stock-based compensation | 1,026 | 1,073 |
Deferred revenue | 349 | 330 |
Assets held for investment | 35 | 66 |
Depreciation & amortization | 279 | 179 |
Other items | 167 | 171 |
Tax credits | 381 | 39 |
Total gross deferred tax assets | 5,498 | 4,086 |
Less valuation allowance | (2,538) | (1,012) |
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance | 2,960 | 3,074 |
Deferred tax liabilities: | ||
Depreciation & amortization | (2,568) | (2,332) |
Acquisition related intangible assets | (531) | (226) |
Other items | (58) | (62) |
Net deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance | 454 | |
Net deferred tax liabilities, net of valuation allowance | $ (197) | |
Excess Stock-Based Compensation Carryforward | ||
Deferred tax assets: | ||
Loss carryforwards U.S. - Federal/States | 18 | |
Loss carryforwards - Foreign | 9 | |
Tax credits | $ 659 |
Income Taxes - Reconciliation o
Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Tax Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward] | |||
Gross tax contingencies – beginning of period | $ 1,710 | $ 1,181 | $ 710 |
Gross increases to tax positions in prior periods | 223 | 355 | 254 |
Gross decreases to tax positions in prior periods | (139) | (133) | (22) |
Gross increases to current period tax positions | 518 | 308 | 242 |
Lapse of statute of limitations | (3) | (1) | (3) |
Gross tax contingencies - end of period | 2,309 | $ 1,710 | $ 1,181 |
Tax contingencies, that if fully recognized, would decrease our effective tax rate | $ 1,200 |
Segment Information - Additiona
Segment Information - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)segment | Dec. 31, 2016USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2015USD ($) | |
Segment Reporting [Abstract] | |||
Number of operating segments | segment | 3 | ||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment, net | $ 48,866 | $ 29,114 | $ 21,838 |
United States | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment, net | 35,500 | 22,000 | 16,800 |
Rest of world | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment, net | $ 13,400 | $ 7,100 | $ 5,000 |
Segment Information - Reportabl
Segment Information - Reportable Segments and Reconciliation to Consolidated Net Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Mar. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Net sales | $ 60,453 | $ 43,744 | $ 37,955 | $ 35,714 | $ 43,741 | $ 32,714 | $ 30,404 | $ 29,128 | $ 177,866 | $ 135,987 | $ 107,006 |
Operating expenses | 173,760 | 131,801 | 104,773 | ||||||||
Operating income (loss) | 2,127 | 347 | 628 | 1,005 | 1,255 | 575 | 1,285 | 1,071 | 4,106 | 4,186 | 2,233 |
Total non-operating income (expense) | (300) | (294) | (665) | ||||||||
Provision for income taxes | (16) | (58) | (467) | (229) | (414) | (229) | (307) | (475) | (769) | (1,425) | (950) |
Equity-method investment activity, net of tax | (4) | (96) | (22) | ||||||||
Net income | $ 1,856 | $ 256 | $ 197 | $ 724 | $ 749 | $ 252 | $ 857 | $ 513 | 3,033 | 2,371 | 596 |
North America | |||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Net sales | 106,110 | 79,785 | 63,708 | ||||||||
Operating expenses | 103,273 | 77,424 | 62,283 | ||||||||
Operating income (loss) | 2,837 | 2,361 | 1,425 | ||||||||
International | |||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Net sales | 54,297 | 43,983 | 35,418 | ||||||||
Operating expenses | 57,359 | 45,266 | 36,117 | ||||||||
Operating income (loss) | (3,062) | (1,283) | (699) | ||||||||
AWS | |||||||||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Net sales | 17,459 | 12,219 | 7,880 | ||||||||
Operating expenses | 13,128 | 9,111 | 6,373 | ||||||||
Operating income (loss) | $ 4,331 | $ 3,108 | $ 1,507 |
Segment Information - Net Sales
Segment Information - Net Sales of Similar Products and Services (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Mar. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Net sales | $ 60,453 | $ 43,744 | $ 37,955 | $ 35,714 | $ 43,741 | $ 32,714 | $ 30,404 | $ 29,128 | $ 177,866 | $ 135,987 | $ 107,006 |
Online stores | |||||||||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Net sales | 108,354 | 91,431 | 76,863 | ||||||||
Physical stores | |||||||||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Net sales | 5,798 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
Third-party seller services | |||||||||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Net sales | 31,881 | 22,993 | 16,086 | ||||||||
Subscription services | |||||||||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Net sales | 9,721 | 6,394 | 4,467 | ||||||||
AWS | |||||||||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Net sales | 17,459 | 12,219 | 7,880 | ||||||||
Other | |||||||||||
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Net sales | $ 4,653 | $ 2,950 | $ 1,710 |
Segment Information - Net Sal86
Segment Information - Net Sales Attributed to Countries Representing Significant Portion of Consolidated (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Mar. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Net sales | $ 60,453 | $ 43,744 | $ 37,955 | $ 35,714 | $ 43,741 | $ 32,714 | $ 30,404 | $ 29,128 | $ 177,866 | $ 135,987 | $ 107,006 |
United States | |||||||||||
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Net sales | 120,486 | 90,349 | 70,537 | ||||||||
Germany | |||||||||||
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Net sales | 16,951 | 14,148 | 11,816 | ||||||||
United Kingdom | |||||||||||
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Net sales | 11,372 | 9,547 | 9,033 | ||||||||
Japan | |||||||||||
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Net sales | 11,907 | 10,797 | 8,264 | ||||||||
Rest of world | |||||||||||
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items] | |||||||||||
Net sales | $ 17,150 | $ 11,146 | $ 7,356 |
Segment Information - Reconcili
Segment Information - Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 |
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items] | |||
Total assets | $ 131,310 | $ 83,402 | $ 64,747 |
Operating Segments | North America | |||
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items] | |||
Total assets | 35,844 | 22,225 | 16,772 |
Operating Segments | International | |||
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items] | |||
Total assets | 18,014 | 10,429 | 7,754 |
Operating Segments | AWS | |||
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items] | |||
Total assets | 18,660 | 12,698 | 9,787 |
Corporate | |||
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items] | |||
Total assets | $ 58,792 | $ 38,050 | $ 30,434 |
Segment Information - Reconci88
Segment Information - Reconciliation of Property and Equipment from Segments to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 |
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment, net | $ 48,866 | $ 29,114 | $ 21,838 |
Operating Segments | North America | |||
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment, net | 20,401 | 10,143 | 6,707 |
Operating Segments | International | |||
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment, net | 7,425 | 3,448 | 2,266 |
Operating Segments | AWS | |||
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment, net | 14,885 | 10,300 | 8,356 |
Corporate | |||
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment, net | $ 6,155 | $ 5,223 | $ 4,509 |
Segment Information - Reconci89
Segment Information - Reconciliation of Property and Equipment Additions from Segments to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment additions | $ 29,783 | $ 13,585 | $ 9,625 |
Operating Segments | North America | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment additions | 13,200 | 5,132 | 2,485 |
Operating Segments | International | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment additions | 5,196 | 1,680 | 658 |
Operating Segments | AWS | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment additions | 9,190 | 5,193 | 4,681 |
Operating Segments | AWS | Assets held under capital leases | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment additions | 7,300 | 4,000 | 3,700 |
Operating Segments | AWS | Assets under finance leases | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment additions | 134 | 75 | 81 |
Operating Segments | North America and International | Assets held under capital leases | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment additions | 2,900 | 1,500 | 938 |
Operating Segments | North America and International | Assets under finance leases | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment additions | 2,900 | 849 | 219 |
Corporate | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Property and equipment additions | $ 2,197 | $ 1,580 | $ 1,801 |
Segment Information - Depreciat
Segment Information - Depreciation Expense, by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Depreciation expense | $ 8,831 | $ 6,362 | $ 4,949 |
North America | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Depreciation expense | 3,029 | 1,971 | 1,551 |
International | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Depreciation expense | 1,278 | 930 | 822 |
AWS | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Depreciation expense | $ 4,524 | $ 3,461 | $ 2,576 |
Quarterly Results (Unaudited)91
Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
Dec. 31, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Mar. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract] | |||||||||||
Net sales | $ 60,453 | $ 43,744 | $ 37,955 | $ 35,714 | $ 43,741 | $ 32,714 | $ 30,404 | $ 29,128 | $ 177,866 | $ 135,987 | $ 107,006 |
Operating income | 2,127 | 347 | 628 | 1,005 | 1,255 | 575 | 1,285 | 1,071 | 4,106 | 4,186 | 2,233 |
Income before income taxes | 1,872 | 316 | 666 | 953 | 1,166 | 491 | 1,179 | 1,056 | 3,806 | 3,892 | 1,568 |
Provision for income taxes | (16) | (58) | (467) | (229) | (414) | (229) | (307) | (475) | (769) | (1,425) | (950) |
Net income | $ 1,856 | $ 256 | $ 197 | $ 724 | $ 749 | $ 252 | $ 857 | $ 513 | $ 3,033 | $ 2,371 | $ 596 |
Basic earnings per share (in usd per share) | $ 3.85 | $ 0.53 | $ 0.41 | $ 1.52 | $ 1.57 | $ 0.53 | $ 1.81 | $ 1.09 | $ 6.32 | $ 5.01 | $ 1.28 |
Diluted earnings per share (in usd per share) | $ 3.75 | $ 0.52 | $ 0.40 | $ 1.48 | $ 1.54 | $ 0.52 | $ 1.78 | $ 1.07 | $ 6.15 | $ 4.90 | $ 1.25 |
Shares used in computation of earnings per share: | |||||||||||
Basic (in shares) | 483 | 481 | 479 | 477 | 476 | 474 | 473 | 471 | 480 | 474 | 467 |
Diluted (in shares) | 496 | 494 | 492 | 490 | 486 | 485 | 483 | 481 | 493 | 484 | 477 |