Core Insights - The discussion at the NYSE Private Equity IPO Summit highlighted essential steps for companies in the IPO process, focusing on operational excellence and the role of technology and AI in the CFO's office [1] Company Overview - Diligent is a leading provider of secure corporate governance and collaboration solutions, serving over 12,000 clients across more than 90 countries [4] - The company offers a comprehensive Governance Cloud solution that addresses the evolving governance needs of organizations [4] Leadership Profile - Nithya Das, General Manager and Chief Legal Officer at Diligent, has extensive experience in leading companies through IPOs and high-growth transformations, including Olo and AppNexus [2] - She has a strong background in legal and strategic roles, and is recognized for her contributions to DEIB and ESG initiatives [3]

Core Viewpoint - Citigroup has adjusted earnings expectations and target prices for most companies in the North American internet sector due to anticipated tariff impacts and a weakening macro environment [1] Online Advertising - Citigroup has lowered online advertising revenue forecasts due to macroeconomic uncertainties and expected spending cuts by advertisers, particularly in the second half of the year [2] - The Trade Desk is expected to be most directly affected by tariffs, with revenue projections for FY2025 reduced from $2.879 billion to $2.755 billion and target price cut from $70 to $63 [2] - Criteo's revenue forecast for FY2025 has been adjusted from $1.168 billion to $1.147 billion, with target price decreased from $60 to $47 [2] - IAC's target price has been lowered from $47.55 to $45, ZiffDavis from $52 to $35, and Outbrain from $5.9 to $4 [3] E-commerce - Consumer confidence is near historical lows, prompting a reduction in forecasts for discretionary e-commerce companies due to potential tariff impacts [4] - eBay is considered to have the strongest defense against tariffs, with FY2025 GMV expectations adjusted from $75.923 billion to $75.436 billion and target price from $80 to $79 [4] - Etsy's FY2025 GMS forecast has been lowered from $12.115 billion to $11.749 billion, with target price cut from $53 to $48 [4] - Wayfair's FY2025 revenue expectation has been reduced from $11.830 billion to $11.464 billion, with target price slightly increased from $28 to $30 [4] Website Builders - Website builders like GoDaddy and Wix.com are seen as having strong fundamentals despite potential pressures on small businesses from tariffs and economic slowdown [5] - GoDaddy's FY2025 revenue forecast has been adjusted from $4.934 billion to $4.888 billion, with target price cut from $260 to $234 [6] - Wix.com's FY2025 revenue expectation has been lowered from $1.989 billion to $1.963 billion, with target price reduced from $280 to $238 [6]

Core Viewpoint - Outbrain Inc. (OB) shares have significantly underperformed, dropping 39.2% over the past three months, contrasting with the 8.1% decline in its industry and the 7.5% fall in the Zacks S&P 500 Composite [1][4]. Group 1: Performance Comparison - Outbrain's performance is notably worse than its industry peers, Amadeus IT Group, S.A. (AMADY) and Katapult Holdings, Inc. (KPLT), which have seen gains of 10.5% and 72.6% respectively over the same period [4]. Group 2: Strategic Acquisitions and Partnerships - The acquisition of Teads enhances Outbrain's global reach, leveraging over 50 partnerships with premium brands like Apple, Visa, and McDonald's, which generate $5-$20 million annually on average [5][6]. - Outbrain is focusing on strengthening its relationships with premium media owners, renewing agreements with key partners in various countries and securing new partnerships [7][8]. Group 3: AI Integration and Customer Engagement - Over 70% of Outbrain's customer base utilized its AI-based Creative Automation suite in Q4 2024, which optimizes customer engagement through predictive insights [9][10]. - The anticipated increase in AI usage is expected to expand Outbrain's customer base by enhancing efficiency and results [10]. Group 4: Valuation and Financial Prospects - Outbrain shares are currently undervalued, trading at 9.9 times forward 12-month earnings per share, significantly lower than the industry average of 37.4 times [11]. - The trailing 12-month EV-to-EBITDA ratio for Outbrain is 3.8 times, well below the industry average of 41 times [13]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects Outbrain's 2025 revenues at $600.2 million, indicating over 100% year-over-year growth, with earnings expected to turn around to 36 cents per share from a loss in the previous year [16]. Group 5: Liquidity Position - Outbrain's current ratio stands at 1.2, which, while lower than the industry average of 2.1, still indicates the company can manage its short-term debt obligations [17]. Group 6: Investment Recommendation - Given Outbrain's extensive global reach, strategic acquisitions, strong partnerships, commitment to AI, and favorable liquidity position, it is considered an opportune time for investors to buy the stock to leverage its long-term growth potential [18][19].

Core Viewpoint - Outbrain Inc. (OB) shares have recently declined by 18.4% over the past week, but the formation of a hammer chart pattern suggests potential support and a possible trend reversal in the future [1][2]. Technical Analysis - The hammer chart pattern indicates a nearing bottom with likely subsiding selling pressure, suggesting a bullish case for the stock [2]. - A hammer pattern forms when there is a small difference between opening and closing prices, with a long lower wick indicating buying interest after a new low during a downtrend [3][4]. - The occurrence of a hammer pattern at the bottom of a downtrend signals that bears may have lost control, indicating a potential trend reversal [4]. Fundamental Analysis - Recent upward revisions in earnings estimates for Outbrain enhance the prospects for a trend reversal, as trends in earnings estimate revisions are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [6]. - The consensus EPS estimate for Outbrain has increased by 33.3% over the last 30 days, indicating strong agreement among Wall Street analysts regarding the company's potential for better earnings [7]. - Outbrain currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks, which typically outperform the market [8].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2024, revenue was approximately $235 million, reflecting a decrease of 5% year-over-year [29] - Ex TAC gross profit was $68.3 million, an increase of 7% year-over-year, continuing a trend of acceleration [31] - Adjusted EBITDA grew 21% year-over-year to $17 million, indicating consecutive margin improvement [33] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Outbrain DSP saw a 45% growth in advertiser spend in 2024, driven by superior performance [11] - Revenue from supply beyond the traditional feed represented approximately 30% of revenue in Q4 2024, up from 26% in Q4 2023 [12] - The AI-based Creative Automation suite was utilized by over 70% of the customer base, enhancing targeted creatives [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total ad spend was materially flat year-over-year during Q4, but increased on a full-year basis [29] - Net revenue retention of publishers was 86%, reflecting downward pressure on ad impressions from a key supply partner [30] - CTV presence is becoming a core part of the performance marketing mix, with significant growth opportunities identified [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The merger with Teads aims to combine branding and performance capabilities, enhancing omnichannel outcomes [7] - The company plans to leverage AI to create a seamless consumer journey across various platforms [17] - Focus on expanding partnerships with premium media owners and enhancing inventory diversity is a key strategic pillar [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the integration of Teads and the potential for significant synergies, estimating an annual impact of $65 million to $75 million on adjusted EBITDA [36] - The company anticipates a return to overall pro forma growth by the second half of 2025, driven by improved performance and synergy realization [76] - Management noted that the early momentum post-merger is encouraging, with strong enthusiasm from the combined team [26] Other Important Information - The company will operate under the Teads brand moving forward, with plans for a name and ticker change [100] - Free cash flow for Q4 was approximately $38 million, contributing to a total of $51 million for the year [34] - The company ended the quarter with $166 million in cash and no debt, positioning it well for future investments [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: Transition of publishers and advertisers onto the combined platform - Management is focused on unifying teams and cross-selling, with a clear roadmap for integration [46] Question: Demand for native advertising - Management sees continued growth in performance advertising and is optimistic about the future of native advertising [48] Question: Drivers of growth in Outbrain DSP - The Outbrain DSP has broadened its bidding capabilities, leading to significant growth in performance advertising [55] Question: Progress of revenue outside traditional feed - Management believes that revenue from outside the traditional feed will continue to grow, supporting overall growth [62] Question: Factors affecting full-year EBITDA guidance - Management expects synergy realization to ramp up over the course of 2025, with a focus on integration [76]