Group 1 - The year 2024 has been characterized as unusually strong for stocks and risk assets, suggesting a favorable market environment [1] - Active portfolio management is emphasized as crucial during this period, indicating that complacency should be avoided [1] - Gary Alexander's extensive experience in technology companies and startups positions him as a knowledgeable contributor to industry themes [1] Group 2 - The article does not provide specific investment recommendations or advice, highlighting the importance of individual investor discretion [2][3] - Seeking Alpha's analysts are identified as third-party authors, which may include both professional and individual investors without formal licensing [3]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q3, revenue grew 5% year-over-year to $276 million, or 6% in constant currency [9][29] - Record gross margin of 82% and record operating margin of 29%, up 440 basis points year-over-year [9][34] - Remaining performance obligations (RPO) increased by 13% year-over-year to $1.3 billion [31] - Q3 billings were $265 million, up 4% year-over-year [32] - Net retention rate remained stable at 102% [32] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Strong demand for Box AI and Enterprise Plus contributed to growth, with Enterprise Plus seeing solid attach rates in large deals [10][21] - Suites customers now represent 59% of total revenue, up from 51% a year ago [30] - Q3 Suites attach rate in large deals improved to 83% from 79% year-over-year [30] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Approximately 1,900 customers are paying at least $100,000 annually, an 8% increase year-over-year [29] - The company anticipates exiting FY '25 with a net retention rate of roughly 102% [32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Focus on embedding AI into the platform to enhance customer value from content [8] - Introduction of Enterprise Advanced to address complex enterprise use cases [13][22] - Expansion of partnerships with key technology providers like AWS, Anthropic, and OpenAI to enhance product offerings [19][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the growth trajectory despite macroeconomic headwinds [65] - Anticipated revenue for Q4 is approximately $279 million, representing 6% year-over-year growth [41] - Full fiscal year revenue expected to be around $1.09 billion, indicating a 5% year-over-year growth [44] Other Important Information - The company completed the sale of remaining data center assets, benefiting Q3 gross margin by approximately 70 basis points [33] - Free cash flow for Q3 was $57 million, down 2% year-over-year [36] - The company repurchased 1 million shares for approximately $30 million during the quarter [38] Q&A Session Summary Question: Feedback on AI solutions and legacy ECM footprint - Management noted positive early feedback on AI capabilities, which are expected to drive growth and replace legacy systems [54][60] Question: Billings outlook for Q4 - Management indicated that low single-digit growth in billings is due to difficult year-over-year comparisons rather than unusual factors [62][64] Question: Impact of new products on renewals and purchases - Management expects Enterprise Plus to dominate Q4 revenue, with Enterprise Advanced driving growth in the following year [70][74] Question: Net retention rate outlook - Management anticipates that the net retention rate has bottomed out and will trend upward over time [75][76] Question: Applicability of new SKU within customer base - Management stated that the new SKU is designed to be broadly applicable, catering to various customer needs [79][82] Question: Pricing expectations for new SKU - Management expects a 20% to 40% uplift in pricing for Enterprise Advanced compared to Enterprise Plus [85][86] Question: Business impact of new products - Management highlighted that the new offerings are expected to be significant drivers of growth and customer retention [90][100]

| --- | --- | --- | |-------|-------|-------| | | | | | | | | | | | | Forward-looking statements & non-GAAP financial measures This presentation contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including statements regarding Box's expectations regarding its growth and profitability, the size of its market opportunity, its investments in go-to-market programs, the demand for its products, the potential of AI and its impact on Box, the timing of recent and planned produc ...

Core Viewpoint - Box reported quarterly earnings of $0.45 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.42 per share, and showing an increase from $0.36 per share a year ago, indicating a positive earnings surprise of 7.14% [1][2] Financial Performance - Box's revenues for the quarter ended October 2024 were $275.91 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.32%, and up from $261.54 million year-over-year [2] - The company has consistently outperformed consensus EPS estimates over the last four quarters, achieving this four times [2] Stock Performance - Box shares have increased approximately 37.1% since the beginning of the year, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 26.8% [4] Future Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.40, with expected revenues of $278.44 million, and for the current fiscal year, the estimate is $1.65 on $1.09 billion in revenues [8] - The estimate revisions trend for Box is currently mixed, resulting in a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting the stock is expected to perform in line with the market in the near future [7] Industry Context - The Internet - Software industry, to which Box belongs, is currently ranked in the top 14% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable outlook compared to the bottom 50% [9]

Financial Performance - Revenue for Q3 FY25 was $276 million, a 5% increase year-over-year, or 6% growth on a constant currency basis[4] - GAAP operating margin reached a record 8.5%, while non-GAAP operating margin was 29.1%[4] - GAAP net income per share was $0.05, and non-GAAP net income per share was a record $0.45[4] - Billings for Q3 FY25 were $264.7 million, a 4% increase from the previous year[4] - Non-GAAP free cash flow for Q3 FY25 was $57.4 million, a 2% decrease from the previous year[4] - Total revenue for the three months ended October 31, 2024, was $275.9 million, a 5.3% increase from $261.5 million in the same period last year[35] - Gross profit for the three months ended October 31, 2024, was $220.4 million, representing a gross margin of 79.9%, compared to $192.3 million in the prior year[35] - Net income for the three months ended October 31, 2024, was $12.9 million, up 21.3% from $10.7 million in the same period last year[35] - Non-GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders for the three months ended October 31, 2024, was $67.462 million, compared to $53.225 million in the prior year, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 26.7%[41] - GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders for the three months ended October 31, 2024, was $7.626 million, compared to $5.647 million in the same period of 2023, representing an increase of 35.0%[39] Future Projections - Q4 FY25 revenue is expected to be approximately $279 million, up 6% year-over-year[10] - Full year FY25 revenue is expected to be approximately $1.090 billion, up 5% year-over-year[12] - The company expects GAAP net income per share attributable to common stockholders for the three months ending January 31, 2025, to be $0.07, with a non-GAAP net income per share guidance of $0.41[44] Performance Obligations and Cash Flow - Remaining performance obligations (RPO) as of October 31, 2024, were $1.3 billion, up 13% year-over-year, or 14% growth on a constant currency basis[2] - The company reported billings as a significant performance measure, reflecting sales to new customers, subscription renewals, and expansions within existing customers[26] - Remaining performance obligations (RPO) indicate contracted revenue not yet recognized, consisting of deferred revenue and backlog, which are crucial for future revenue projections[28] - Box's non-GAAP free cash flow is defined as cash flows from operating activities minus capital expenditures, indicating the cash available for business investments[29] - Non-GAAP free cash flow for the three months ended October 31, 2024, was $57.361 million, slightly down from $58.317 million in the same period of 2023[39] - The company reported a net cash provided by operating activities of $62.6 million for the three months ended October 31, 2024, compared to $71.8 million in the prior year[37] - GAAP net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended October 31, 2024, was $62.582 million, compared to $71.782 million in the same period last year, a decrease of 12.2%[39] Strategic Initiatives - Box introduced a new Suites plan, Enterprise Advanced, enhancing its Intelligent Content Management platform[7] - Box expanded its strategic partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to integrate advanced AI capabilities[7] - The company aims to maintain profitability and achieve revenue growth rates while managing operating efficiencies and foreign currency fluctuations[1] - Box's fiscal year 2025 targets include expanding operating margins and achieving a cash flow margin that supports long-term financial health[1] - The company emphasizes the importance of strategic partnerships and acquisitions to enhance its market position and product offerings[1] - The company is focused on leveraging AI and new product introductions to drive market adoption and retention[1] Balance Sheet and Liabilities - Total current assets increased to $962.6 million as of October 31, 2024, compared to $842.2 million as of January 31, 2024[33] - Total liabilities rose to $1.34 billion as of October 31, 2024, compared to $1.18 billion as of January 31, 2024[33] - Cash and cash equivalents increased to $608.8 million as of October 31, 2024, from $383.7 million as of January 31, 2024[33] - The company issued $448.9 million in convertible notes during the financing activities for the three months ended October 31, 2024[37] - The company’s total stockholders' deficit was $479.9 million as of October 31, 2024, compared to $431.1 million as of January 31, 2024[33] Economic and Market Conditions - The impact of macroeconomic conditions, including inflation and geopolitical conflicts, poses risks to Box's growth and profitability expectations[1] - Box's management believes that non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful insights into operational performance and facilitate comparisons with competitors[21] - Box's non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin are calculated by excluding stock-based compensation and intangible asset amortization, providing a clearer view of core business performance[23]

Group 1: Core Insights - Disney's Moana 2 achieved a record-breaking box office debut, earning $221 million in its first five days, surpassing the previous record of $125 million set by Frozen II in 2019 [1] - The success of Moana 2 indicates a strong recovery for Disney's movie studio, following previous underperforming releases like Strange World and Wish [2] - Disney movies now dominate the top three openings of 2024 in the U.S., with Moana 2 joining Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine [3] Group 2: Investment Opportunities - Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Communication Services ETF (RSPC) includes Disney with a 5.2% share, focusing on entertainment and media, which constitutes 70% of its portfolio [4] - First Trust S-Network Streaming & Gaming ETF (BNGE) has Disney at a 5.1% share, with entertainment making up 52.8% of its holdings [5] - AdvisorShares Gerber Kawasaki ETF (GK) also includes Disney with a 5.1% share, focusing on growth companies benefiting from societal changes [6] - Monarch Blue Chips Core ETF (MBCC) features Disney at a 5% share, targeting established companies with strong market fundamentals [7][8] - iShares Global Comm Services ETF (IXP) holds Disney with a 4.8% share, primarily investing in interactive media and services [9]

Core Insights - Box, Inc. is set to release its third-quarter earnings results on December 3, with analysts expecting earnings of 42 cents per share, an increase from 36 cents per share in the same period last year [1][2]. - The company projects revenue of $275.1 million for the recent quarter, compared to $261.54 million a year earlier [2]. Analyst Ratings - Morgan Stanley analyst Josh Baer maintained an Equal-Weight rating and raised the price target from $30 to $33 [2]. - Citigroup analyst Steven Enders maintained a Buy rating and increased the price target from $32 to $34 [2]. - UBS analyst Rich Hilliker maintained a Buy rating but cut the price target from $34 to $31 [2]. - JMP Securities analyst Erik Suppiger reiterated a Market Outperform rating with a price target of $32 [2]. - JP Morgan analyst Pinjalim Bora maintained an Overweight rating and boosted the price target from $31 to $32 [2]. Stock Performance - Box shares gained 0.1% to close at $35.09 on the last trading day [2].

Core Viewpoint - Box, Inc. has demonstrated strong performance in the market, with a year-to-date share price increase of 39.2%, significantly outperforming both the Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the Zacks Internet Software industry [1] Financial Performance - In Q2 of fiscal 2025, Box reported revenues of $270 million, a 3% year-over-year increase, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.32%. Non-GAAP earnings were 44 cents per share, exceeding estimates by 10% and reflecting a 22.2% year-over-year growth [2] - For fiscal 2025, Box has raised its revenue guidance to a range of $1.086-$1.09 billion, indicating a 5% year-over-year increase and 7% growth in constant currency [4] - For Q3 of fiscal 2025, Box anticipates revenues between $274-$276 million, representing a 5% year-over-year rise, with projected non-GAAP earnings of 41-42 cents per share [10][11] Clientele and Market Position - As of the end of Q2 fiscal 2025, Box had over 1,800 customers paying more than $100,000 annually, with strong demand for Box AI driving growth. Deals over $100,000 now include 87% suites, up from 78% the previous year [3] - The company has expanded its partner ecosystem, integrating with major technology providers like Microsoft, IBM, and Salesforce, enhancing its cloud content management and AI platforms [6][7] Strategic Partnerships - Box has strengthened its collaboration with Slack to provide secure AI capabilities, allowing customers to utilize Box AI queries within Slack [7] - The partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) leverages Amazon Bedrock to offer advanced AI tools, while collaboration with Slalom aims to deliver AI-driven solutions across various industries [8] Market Recognition - Box has been selected by the National Transportation Safety Board as the cloud platform for its new Digital Content Delivery Platform Project, highlighting its growing market presence [9] Valuation Concerns - Despite strong performance and growth prospects, Box shares are considered overvalued, with a forward Price/Sales ratio of 4.48x compared to the industry average of 2.99x [14]

Group 1 - The article discusses the challenges faced by Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) in California, specifically highlighting Jack in the Box's struggles during FY 2024 [1] - Jack in the Box is noted for its significant exposure to the California market, which has been particularly difficult for QSRs [1] Group 2 - The author has extensive experience in analyzing restaurant stocks, focusing on various segments including QSR, fast casual, and casual dining [1] - The company employs advanced analytical models and specialized valuation techniques to provide insights and strategies for investors [1]

Core Viewpoint - Jack in the Box Inc. (JACK) reported mixed fourth-quarter fiscal 2024 results, with earnings exceeding expectations while revenues fell short and declined year over year, leading to a 3.3% drop in shares during after-hours trading [1] Earnings & Revenues Details - Operating earnings per share (EPS) for the fourth quarter was $1.16, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.11, and increased by 5.5% from $1.10 in the prior-year quarter [2] - Quarterly revenues totaled $349.3 million, missing the consensus mark of $358 million, and represented a 6.2% decline year over year [3] - Franchise rental revenues rose by 1.5% year over year to $87.3 million, while franchise royalties and other revenues decreased by 1.3% to $54.5 million [3] - Company restaurant sales were $151.4 million, down from $175 million in the prior-year quarter [4] Comps Discussion - Company-owned same-store sales fell by 2.2% year over year, contrasting with a 4.4% growth in the prior-year quarter [5] - Same-store sales at franchised stores decreased by 2% year over year, compared to a 3.8% growth in the prior-year quarter [5] - Systemwide same-store sales declined by 2.1% year over year, against a 3.9% growth reported in the year-ago quarter, attributed to reduced transactions and an unfavorable mix shift [5] Operating Highlights - The total restaurant-level adjusted margin was 15.1%, down from 18% in the prior-year quarter, due to reduced transactions and rising costs from inflation [7] - Food and packaging costs as a percentage of company restaurant sales decreased by 80 basis points to 28.4% [7] - The total franchise level margin was 38.9%, slightly down from 39.2% in the prior-year quarter [8] - Selling, general and administrative expenses accounted for 8.6% of total revenues, down from 11.7% in the prior-year quarter [8] Balance Sheet - As of September 29, 2024, cash totaled $54.2 million, down from $185.9 million as of October 1, 2023 [10] - Long-term debt (net of current maturities) was $1.69 billion, slightly reduced from $1.72 billion as of October 1, 2023 [10] - The company repurchased 0.3 million shares in the fourth quarter and announced $180 million available under its share repurchase program [10] Dividend Declaration - The company declared a cash dividend of 44 cents per share, payable on December 30, 2024, to shareholders on record as of December 12 [11] Fiscal 2025 Outlook - For fiscal 2025, adjusted EBITDA is anticipated to be in the range of $288-$303 million, with depreciation and amortization expenses expected between $58 million and $60 million [12] - Jack in the Box Restaurant Level Margin is projected to be 20-22%, with same-store sales expected to be flat to up 1%, while Del Taco segment is expected to be flat to down 1% [12] - Company-wide operating EPS for fiscal 2024 is expected to be in the range of $5.05-$5.45 [13]