Benzinga | Dec 13, 2021 03:29PM EST

Cowen Calls Amazon As Best Idea For 2022, Top Mega-Cap Pick

* Cowen analyst John Blackledge raised the price target on Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) to $4,500 from $4,300, implying 30.7% upside, and keeps an Outperform.

* Blackledge called Amazon his Best Idea for 2022 and top mega-cap pick.

* The analyst expects accelerating sales growth in the second quarter of 2022 as e-commerce comps ease.

* Amazon's one-day and same-day offering bolstered by "historic fulfillment investments" since 2020 that can drive higher conversion and fuel potential upside to his forecast.

* He also believes robust growth at AWS and the advertising business will drive operating margin expansion.

* Price Action: AMZN shares traded lower by 1.18% at $3,404.34 on the last check Monday.