SHENZHEN, China, Feb. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aurora Mobile Limited (NASDAQ: JG) (“Aurora Mobile” or the “Company”), a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China, today announced that it will release its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 before the open of U.S. markets on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Aurora Mobile’s management will host an earnings conference call on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 7:30 a.m. U.S. ...

Core Insights - Pegasystems Inc. is a prominent developer of enterprise software applications for various industries, including financial services, healthcare, and government, with flagship products like Pega Platform and Pega Infinity aimed at enhancing customer engagement and digital process automation [1] Analyst Perspectives and Stock Performance - The consensus price target for Pegasystems has been revised down from $82 to $60, indicating growing caution among analysts regarding the stock's future performance [2] - Patrick Walravens from JMP Securities has an optimistic price target of $155, reflecting strong belief in the company's growth potential [2] - Despite a 34% decline in stock price, Pegasystems is approaching its Q4 earnings report, which may present a buying opportunity, although it has a Strong Sell quant rating due to valuation and momentum concerns [3] Operational Achievements and Comparative Analysis - Pegasystems has achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification for its Pega Cloud® quality management systems, demonstrating commitment to high operational standards and potentially boosting investor confidence [4] - In comparison to other technology sector companies like Unitronix, PTC, and Blackbaud, Pegasystems shows a promising growth outlook despite current market challenges [5] - The recent downward adjustment of the consensus price target reflects a cautious stance from analysts, yet some analysts still see significant growth potential for the company [5]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The first quarter net sales increased by 1.6% year-over-year to $335.6 million, with daily average comparable store sales growth of 1.7% and a two-year comparable sales growth of 10.6% [10][11] - Diluted earnings per share grew by 14% to $0.49, while net income increased by 14% to $11.3 million [11][12] - Adjusted EBITDA rose by 3.1% to $23.5 million [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The {N}power rewards program net sales penetration increased by 2 percentage points to 83%, indicating strong membership gains and higher traffic from {N}power customers [6] - Private label products accounted for 9.6% of total sales, up 70 basis points from the previous year, reflecting increased customer awareness and marketing efforts [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company observed cautious consumer spending behaviors across the grocery retail sector, impacting sales growth, particularly among customers not participating in the rewards program [5] - The greatest sales growth was seen in meat, dairy, and produce, which are key differentiated offerings [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to open six to eight new stores in fiscal 2026 and aims for 4%-5% annual new store unit growth [8] - The company emphasizes its commitment to sustainability and nutrition education, which has earned recognition in the industry [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the cautious consumer environment has led to a pullback in spending, particularly among income-constrained demographics [30] - The outlook for fiscal 2026 includes maintaining comparable store sales growth between 1.5% and 4% and achieving diluted earnings per share between $2 and $2.15 [13] Other Important Information - The gross margin decreased by 40 basis points to 29.5%, primarily due to higher inventory shrink, which was attributed to isolated events [11] - The company ended the quarter with $23.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and no outstanding borrowings [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of new store openings on earnings - Management indicated that the $0.12 headwind from new stores is expected to be flat going forward if the pace of openings remains consistent [17][18] Question: Details on gross margin decline due to shrink - Management explained that the decline in gross margin was influenced by cycling low shrink from the previous year and some one-time events like weather-related power outages [25][26] Question: Consumer demographics and spending behavior - Management noted that income-constrained customers have pulled back on spending, but there has not been a significant demographic shift in their customer base [30][36] Question: Clarification on new store openings and relocations - Management confirmed one closure and one relocation, with plans for six to eight new stores and additional relocations or remodels [43]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The first quarter net sales increased by 1.6% year-over-year to $335.6 million, with daily average comparable store sales growth of 1.7% and a two-year comparable sales growth of 10.6% [10][11] - Diluted earnings per share grew by 14% to $0.49, while net income increased by 14% to $11.3 million [11][12] - Adjusted EBITDA rose by 3.1% to $23.5 million [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The NPower rewards program net sales penetration increased by 2 percentage points to 83%, indicating strong membership gains and higher traffic from NPower customers [6] - Private label products accounted for 9.6% of total sales, up 70 basis points from the previous year, reflecting increased customer awareness and new product introductions [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company observed cautious consumer spending behaviors across the grocery retail sector, impacting sales growth, particularly among customers not participating in the rewards program [5] - The greatest sales growth was seen in meat, dairy, and produce categories, which are among the company's most differentiated offerings [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to open 6-8 new stores in fiscal 2026 and aims for 4%-5% annual new store unit growth for the foreseeable future [7][13] - The company emphasizes its commitment to providing high-quality, natural, and organic products at affordable prices, which reinforces its competitive position amid economic uncertainty [5][48] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the cautious consumer environment has led to a decline in transactions among income-constrained customers, who are seeking less expensive alternatives [29][33] - The company expects modest inflation throughout the year and anticipates that year-over-year gross margin will remain relatively flat, depending on promotional activity [13][14] Other Important Information - The company released its fiscal year 2025 sustainability report, highlighting its commitment to nutrition education and sustainable practices [8] - The company ended the first quarter with a strong liquidity position, including $23.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and no outstanding borrowings [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of new store openings on future earnings - Management indicated that the $0.12 headwind from new stores is expected to be flat going forward if the pace of openings remains consistent [17][19] Question: Details on gross margin decline due to shrink - Management explained that the decline in gross margin was primarily due to higher inventory shrink, with some isolated events contributing to the increase [22][24] Question: Customer demographics and spending behavior - Management noted that income-constrained customers have pulled back on spending, but there has not been a significant demographic shift in their customer base [29][33]

Core Insights - Twilio and AEG have launched a strategic multi-year partnership to enhance customer engagement in live events and sports, utilizing Twilio's technology for improved communication and experiences [1][2][3] Company Overview - Twilio is a customer engagement platform that enables real-time personalized experiences for brands, with a presence in 180 countries and millions of developers and businesses using its services [9] - AEG is a leading sports and live entertainment company, entertaining over 90 million guests annually through its venues and events [10] Partnership Details - The partnership marks Twilio's first collaboration with a major venue, NHL team, and ticketing platform, establishing Twilio as a Founding Partner of Crypto.com Arena and an official partner of the LA Kings [2][5] - Twilio's technology will be integrated into AEG's operations, enhancing fan engagement through data-driven insights and personalized communication [3][4] Technology Implementation - Twilio's products, including Twilio Segment, will provide AEG with deeper insights into fan preferences, improving the overall customer experience [3] - Twilio's existing technology already supports AXS with SMS and multi-factor authentication, indicating a foundation for further growth in the partnership [4] Marketing and Visibility - As a Founding Partner, Twilio will gain significant brand visibility at Crypto.com Arena, including LED signage and hospitality experiences, reaching millions of visitors annually [5][8] - The partnership will also extend Twilio's branding throughout L.A. LIVE, enhancing its presence in the sports and entertainment district [8]

Core Insights - 8x8, Inc. has acquired Maven Lab, enhancing its customer engagement strategy in the Asia-Pacific region [1] - The acquisition aims to strengthen 8x8's messaging, automation, and customer engagement capabilities for enterprise and public-sector organizations [1][2] Strategic Expansion in CPaaS - The integration of Maven Lab's Moobidesk platform with 8x8's existing capabilities will create a more scalable and unified platform for customer engagement [2] - This will improve performance in enterprise messaging and broaden the range of customer interaction channels [2][3] Enhanced Engagement Capabilities - The combined teams will focus on enhancing engagement capabilities, including smarter automation and support for emerging communication channels [3] - Industries such as finance, eCommerce, healthcare, logistics, and travel will benefit from improved customer communication speed, consistency, and governance [3] Real-World Impact - Maven Lab's platforms are already utilized by regional organizations, delivering millions of customer engagements annually [5] - The acquisition is expected to enhance throughput, reliability, and data protection for customers through 8x8's advanced security features [6] Unified Platform Vision - The collaboration aims to transition enterprises from merely sending messages to orchestrating comprehensive customer engagement [4] - This partnership is positioned to accelerate the launch of richer customer journeys and more intelligent automation across Southeast Asia and beyond [4]

We remember the experiences that move us. The moments that make us feel connected, seen, and a part of something larger than ourselves. Our minds catalog experiences in a storylike format, gathering together all of the sensory information like sight, sense, and hearing, adding context and deep meaning.Today, I want to explore how emotionally resonant experiences and those that are truly engaging are the ones that our mind builds memories around. These become part of our story. I also want to show you how yo ...

Core Insights - The LA Kings have announced a multi-year partnership with Twilio, marking Twilio's first major collaboration with an NHL team [1][2] - Twilio's logo will be featured on the Kings' away helmets during all regular season and playoff games starting from the 2025-26 season, providing significant brand exposure [1][2] - The partnership aims to enhance fan engagement through Twilio's customer engagement technology, allowing for personalized communication and interactive experiences [2][3] Partnership Details - The partnership will enable the LA Kings to implement Twilio's technology for improved communication with season ticket members and fans [2][4] - Twilio will host away-game events and hospitality experiences in key markets, leveraging the helmet exposure during nationally televised games [2][3] - The collaboration will include the creation of custom content showcasing Twilio's technology throughout the season [2][3] Strategic Importance - The partnership aligns with the LA Kings' strategy to deepen connections with fans and enhance their overall experience [4] - Twilio's platform is expected to drive measurable impact across the Kings' business by creating tailored experiences for fans [4] - The relationship reflects a shared vision of integrating offerings from both organizations to benefit fans significantly [4]

Core Viewpoint - Netflix's stock has declined following Paramount's hostile takeover bid, raising concerns about Netflix's ability to complete its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) [2][3] Group 1: Stock Performance and Acquisition Details - Netflix shares fell nearly 3.5% to $96.79 after Paramount offered $30 per share for WBD, valuing the deal at $78 billion [2] - Netflix's proposed acquisition of WBD includes a $27.75 per share offer, totaling $72 billion, while also assuming over $10 billion in WBD debt, bringing the total deal value to $82.7 billion [2] Group 2: Analyst Insights - Analyst Jeffrey Wlodarczak downgraded Netflix's stock rating from buy to hold, expressing concerns that Paramount's bid could raise the acquisition cost for Netflix [3] - Wlodarczak highlighted potential regulatory issues that may alter the terms of Netflix's deal, questioning what modifications might be necessary [3] Group 3: Customer Engagement Concerns - Wlodarczak raised doubts about Netflix's customer engagement levels, which are crucial for subscriber retention, noting that the expensive acquisition reflects Netflix's worries about competition from platforms like TikTok and YouTube [4] - YouTube has become a significant player in streaming, accounting for 12.9% of U.S. TV viewing time, compared to Netflix's 8% [5] - Despite Netflix's claims of healthy engagement growth, with increases of 15% in the U.S. and 22% in the U.K. from Q4 2022 to Q3 2025, analysts question the sustainability of this growth [6][7]

Analysts. Investors very excited about the voice applications in particular for their customer engagement. Is that what drives us.Well, we had a great quarter and I would say across the board Voici was certainly a contributor, but every single one of our products contributed. This time. I'd say messaging and voice in particular were particularly strong.In addition to that, across channels, across geos, across customer segments. It was just a really good quarter for us. And fortunately we were able to beat o ...