Group 1 - Dave & Buster's (NASDAQ: PLAY) reported first quarter earnings, leading to a significant increase in stock price after a period of decline [1] - The stock had been in a downtrend until April but has since recovered much of its previous losses [1] - The analysis emphasizes the importance of combining technical and fundamental analysis to identify potential growth stocks early in their cycles [1] Group 2 - The investing group Timely Trader focuses on limiting risk and maximizing potential rewards through real-time alerts, model portfolios, technical charts, sentiment indicators, and sector analysis [1]

Core Viewpoint - Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. reported a decrease in financial performance for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, but the company is optimistic about a recovery driven by strategic operational changes and improvements in comparable store sales trends [4][6][7]. Financial Summary - Total revenue for the first quarter was $567.7 million, down 3.5% from $588.1 million in the same quarter of fiscal 2024 [6][7]. - Comparable store sales decreased by 8.3% compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2024 [6][7]. - Operating income was $63.2 million, representing 11.1% of revenue, compared to $85.5 million or 14.5% of revenue in the prior year [6][9]. - Net income totaled $21.7 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, down from $41.4 million, or $0.99 per diluted share in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 [7][8]. - Adjusted EBITDA was $136.1 million, a decrease of 14.5% from $159.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 [7][9]. Operational Highlights - The company opened two new stores and relocated one during the first quarter, with two additional stores opened after the quarter ended [7]. - A total of 13 stores were remodeled in the first quarter [7]. - The company repurchased $23.9 million worth of shares, representing 1.0 million shares or 2.9% of outstanding shares as of the end of fiscal 2024 [10]. Cash Flow and Liquidity - Operating cash generated during the first quarter was $95.8 million, with available liquidity of $423.2 million [10]. - The company ended the quarter with a Net Total Leverage Ratio of 3.1x [10][11]. Outlook - The company reiterated its outlook for fiscal 2025, emphasizing a focus on revenue growth and free cash flow generation [12].

Core Insights - Dave Inc.'s CashAI underwriting engine is a significant differentiator in the fintech space, contributing to a 235% year-over-year increase in adjusted EBITDA in Q1 2025 [1][8] - The company experienced a 67% year-over-year increase in non-GAAP variable profit, with a variable margin of 77%, up 950 basis points, attributed to CashAI's cost management capabilities [2][8] - ExtraCash originations rose by 46% year-over-year, exceeding $1.5 billion, showcasing CashAI's effectiveness in underwriting larger amounts for members [3][4] Performance Metrics - The 28-day delinquency rate improved by 18% year-over-year, with a reduction in credit loss provisions to 0.69% from 0.94% in the previous year [4][8] - CashAI's ability to analyze real-time bank account transaction data is expected to enhance risk identification and profitability, positioning the company favorably against traditional lending models [5] Stock Performance - Dave's stock price surged 456% over the past year, outperforming competitors CoreCard and Loop Industries, which increased by 52.3% and 79.1% respectively, while Loop Industries declined by 33.1% [6][10] - In the last three months, the stock rose by 150.9%, again outperforming the industry and its competitors [10] Valuation and Estimates - The forward price-to-earnings ratio for Dave is 21.03, below the industry average of 24.73, indicating a potentially attractive valuation [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Dave's earnings for 2025 has increased by 33.8% over the past month, reflecting positive market sentiment [15]

Technical Analysis - Dave Inc. (DAVE) has recently experienced a "golden cross" event, indicating a potential bullish breakout as its 50-day simple moving average has crossed above its 200-day simple moving average [1][2] - A golden cross is characterized by three stages: a downtrend followed by a crossover of the shorter moving average over the longer one, and finally an upward price movement [3] Performance Metrics - DAVE has rallied 37% over the past four weeks, suggesting strong momentum [4] - The company currently holds a 1 (Strong Buy) rating on the Zacks Rank, indicating positive market sentiment [4] Earnings Outlook - There has been a positive earnings outlook for DAVE, with no earnings estimates decreasing in the past two months and two revisions higher [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has also increased, further solidifying the bullish case for DAVE [4]

Core Insights - Healthy cash flow is essential for a company's existence, development, and success, acting as the lifeblood of any business [1] - Companies such as Dave Inc. (DAVE), Nomad Foods Limited (NOMD), Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (GLDD), and Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. (NGS) are identified as potential investment opportunities due to their rising cash flows [2][9] Cash Flow Importance - Profitability alone does not guarantee a company's survival; uneven cash flow can lead to bankruptcy, making cash flow analysis crucial for prudent investment decisions [3] - In the current economic climate, analyzing a company's cash-generating efficiency is particularly relevant due to global uncertainties and liquidity concerns [4] Cash Flow Dynamics - Positive cash flow indicates an increase in liquid assets, enabling a company to meet obligations, reinvest, and return wealth to shareholders, while negative cash flow signifies declining liquidity [5] - Continuous growth in cash flow is necessary for future growth, reflecting management's efficiency and reducing reliance on external financing [6] Screening Parameters - Stocks were screened for those with cash flow in the latest quarter at least equal to the 5-year average, indicating a positive trend [7] - Additional criteria include Zacks Rank 1, average broker rating of 1, current price above $5, and a VGM Score of B or better [8] Selected Stocks - DAVE is a neobank and fintech innovator with a 33.8% improvement in the 2025 earnings per share estimate [10] - NOMD, a frozen food manufacturer, has a current-year earnings estimate of $2.07 per share, reflecting a 7.3% year-over-year increase [11] - GLDD, the largest U.S. dredging service provider, has seen a 34.8% upward revision in its 2025 earnings estimate to 93 cents per share [12] - NGS, which manufactures natural gas compressors, has an 18.6% improvement in its 2025 earnings estimate [12]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Technology Services Industry is performing strongly, ranking in the top 22% of over 240 Zacks industries, with 11 stocks currently rated as Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [1] CoreCard (CCRD) - CoreCard's stock price is $26, having reached a 52-week high of $28, driven by consistent revenue growth and increased profitability [2] - The company exceeded Q1 EPS expectations by 75%, reporting earnings of $0.28 per share against estimates of $0.16, a significant increase from $0.07 in Q1 of the previous year [2][3] - Institutional investors own 41% of CoreCard's shares, and the company has surpassed the Zacks EPS Consensus for six consecutive quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 119.22% over the last four quarters [3] Dave Inc. (DAVE) - Dave Inc.'s stock price is $217, reflecting a nearly 150% increase year-to-date and a staggering 3,900% gain over the last two years [5][6] - The company has seen record growth since going public in 2022, with projections indicating high-double-digit growth in both revenue and earnings for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 [6] - Dave crushed Q1 EPS expectations by 61%, reporting earnings of $2.48 per share compared to estimates of $1.54, with FY25 and FY26 EPS estimates increasing by over 26% and 31% respectively in the last 60 days [7] Microvast (MVST) - Microvast's stock price is $3, having increased over 90% in 2025 and reaching a one-year high of $4.32 [8] - The company reported a surprise profit of $0.06 per share in Q1, compared to an expected loss of -$0.02, and achieved record Q1 revenue of $116.49 million, exceeding estimates of $103.75 million and up 43% from $81.35 million in the prior period [9] - Microvast is expected to achieve profitability this year, with rapid sales growth indicating strong future earnings potential [9] Conclusion - The positive trend in earnings estimate revisions suggests further upside potential for highly ranked technology services stocks, with CoreCard, Dave Inc., and Microvast identified as viable buy-the-dip candidates due to their significant expansion [13]

Group 1 - Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. is expected to report its fiscal Q1 results around June 10, which is likely to continue the company's weak performance trend [1] - The company is analyzed with a focus on identifying mispriced securities by understanding the drivers behind its financials, often revealed through a DCF model valuation [1]

Core Viewpoint - Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. will report its financial results for the first quarter ended May 6, 2025, on June 10, 2025, after market close [1] Group 1: Financial Reporting - The financial results announcement is scheduled for June 10, 2025, after market close [1] - A conference call to discuss the results will take place on the same day at 4:00 p.m. Central Time [2] - Participants can access the conference call via a toll-free number or through the company's website [2] Group 2: Company Overview - Dave & Buster's operates 236 venues across North America, including 175 Dave & Buster's stores and 61 Main Event stores [3] - The company provides a combination of dining and entertainment experiences, allowing guests to "Eat Drink Play and Watch" [3] - Main Event stores offer activities such as bowling, laser tag, and arcade games, catering to families [3]

Momentum investing is all about the idea of following a stock's recent trend, which can be in either direction. In the 'long' context, investors will essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." And for investors following this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving in that direction. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.Even ...

Dave Inc. (DAVE) appears an attractive pick given a noticeable improvement in the company's earnings outlook. The stock has been a strong performer lately, and the momentum might continue with analysts still raising their earnings estimates for the company.The upward trend in estimate revisions for this company reflects growing optimism of analysts on its earnings prospects, which should get reflected in its stock price. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings est ...