Amazon announced a $12 billion investment to develop data center campuses in Louisiana, signaling a strategic pivot toward high-margin cloud and AI infrastructure. The stock declined 2.30% to $205.27 as investors weighed the long-term benefits of AI leadership against the financial strain of aggressive spending.
- The regional expansion is part of a massive $200 billion capital expenditure plan for 2026, up significantly from $131 billion in 2025.
- This move underscores Amazon's focus on scaling its cloud capabilities to meet growing demand for artificial intelligence services.
- The stock closed at $205.27 (down 2.30%) on February 23, 2026, following the announcement.