Amazon ( AMZN -0.16%) and Apple ( AAPL 2.18%) have become among the world's most recognized companies. They've also become very valuable, with the former's market cap exceeding $2.4 trillion and the latter's about $3.4 trillion.

However, Carvana's stock subsequently bounced back to about $255 as of this writing. A $10,000 investment in the stock at its all-time low would be worth roughly $685,480 today. A parallel investment in Amazon on the same day would be worth $28,400.

Amazon's improved cost structure and financial flexibility have led to a huge increase in operating income. Read why I keep my Buy rating for AMZN stock.

Sheer size and complexity (not to mention competition) are finally starting to eat away at the e-commerce titan's unfettered dominance.