Core Insights - Twilio Inc. (TWLO) is set to report its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings on February 12, with anticipated non-GAAP earnings per share between $1.17 and $1.22, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate remains at $1.24, reflecting a 24% increase from the previous year's $1.00 [1][10] - The company expects revenues in the range of $1.31 billion to $1.32 billion, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate also at $1.32 billion, indicating a 10.2% increase from last year's revenues of $1.19 billion [2][10] Performance History - In the last four quarters, Twilio has beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate three times and missed once, with an average surprise of 14.4% [2] Influencing Factors - The fourth-quarter results are likely to benefit from ongoing digital transformation efforts as enterprises adapt to hybrid operational environments, along with Twilio's expansion initiatives with independent software vendors and global partners [3] - New product launches, including rich communication services and AI enhancements, particularly the integration of OpenAI's Realtime API, are expected to positively impact the quarter's results [4] - Twilio added over 43,000 new clients in the last reported quarter, bringing the total active customer count to 392,000 as of September 30, 2025, suggesting continued growth in the customer base [5] Product Contributions - Solutions such as Twilio Conversations, SendGrid Ads, and SendGrid's Email Validation API are anticipated to contribute positively to the fourth-quarter performance, alongside the integration of AI in various communication and segment products [6] Macroeconomic Challenges - Ongoing macroeconomic challenges may negatively affect Twilio's top line, as enterprises are delaying large IT spending plans due to a weakening global economy and geopolitical issues [7] Earnings Prediction Model - The Zacks model does not predict a definitive earnings beat for Twilio this season, as the company holds a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) and an Earnings ESP of 0.00% [8]

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Core Insights - Carahsoft Technology Corp. has been named U.S. Public Sector Partner of the Year for 2025 by OpenText, recognizing its commitment to partner success and collaboration [1][2] Group 1: Partnership and Recognition - The award was announced at the OpenText World 2025 Partner Summit, highlighting Carahsoft's significant contributions to OpenText's U.S. Public Sector business [1][2] - OpenText's Senior Vice President, Stephanie Waltrip, acknowledged Carahsoft's efforts in accelerating the scale and impact of OpenText's solutions in the Public Sector [2] Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - Over the past year, Carahsoft's sales and marketing teams executed several strategic initiatives to enhance OpenText's impact in the Public Sector [2][3] - Carahsoft has been OpenText's Public Sector distributor since 2018, significantly expanding the reach of OpenText's information management solutions [2] Group 3: Cybersecurity Solutions - Carahsoft's Cybersecurity solutions portfolio includes various technology vendors that help organizations defend against cyber threats and achieve compliance [4] - The portfolio covers areas such as Supply Chain Risk Management, Cloud Security, Network & Infrastructure, and Identity & Access Management, ensuring comprehensive protection for organizations [4] Group 4: Company Overview - Carahsoft is recognized as The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, supporting various Public Sector organizations including Federal, State, and Local Government agencies [5] - The company acts as the Master Government Aggregator for vendor partners, delivering solutions across multiple domains including Cybersecurity, AI, and MultiCloud [5]

Core Insights - XBP Global Holdings, Inc. has been recognized as one of Newsweek's America's Greatest Workplaces for Culture, Belonging & Community 2026, highlighting its commitment to an inclusive workplace culture [1][2]. Group 1: Company Recognition - The recognition emphasizes XBP Global's focus on fostering an inclusive workplace where employees feel valued and connected, promoting a strong sense of belonging and community [2][4]. - The award is based on employee feedback and independent research assessing workplace culture, inclusion, belonging, and community engagement [3]. Group 2: Leadership Statements - Sandeep Sapru, President – Americas and Asia, stated that culture at XBP Global is integral to daily operations, believing that innovation and accountability thrive when employees feel a sense of belonging [3]. - The Editor-in-Chief of Newsweek noted that modern employees seek workplaces that prioritize culture and community, which helps attract top talent and fosters collaboration [4]. Group 3: Company Overview - XBP Global is a multinational technology and services company with a presence in 20 countries and approximately 11,000 employees, serving over 2,500 clients, including many Fortune 100 companies [6]. - The company specializes in intelligent workflows and agentic AI-driven automation, enabling clients to undertake significant digital transformations [7].

Core Viewpoint - The Kroger Co. has appointed Greg Foran as the new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Ron Sargent, who served as interim CEO since March 2025. This leadership change is part of Kroger's growth strategy and follows a thorough search for a leader with a proven track record in large-scale retail operations [1][2]. Leadership Transition - Greg Foran brings over 40 years of experience in leading large consumer businesses, with a focus on transformation, growth, and digital adoption. His previous roles include leading Walmart U.S. and serving as CEO of Air New Zealand [2][4]. - Ron Sargent will continue as Chairman of the Board, ensuring a smooth transition in leadership [5]. Foran's Experience - At Walmart U.S., Foran oversaw a turnaround of the company’s largest division, achieving positive comparable sales growth for 20 consecutive quarters and managing over 4,600 stores and one million associates [3]. - As CEO of Air New Zealand, Foran led a digital transformation to enhance customer experience and navigated the airline through significant disruptions during the pandemic [4]. Company Commitment - Kroger reaffirms its fiscal year 2025 guidance and is committed to delivering sustainable value for shareholders [6]. - The company operates with over 400,000 associates serving more than 11 million customers daily, focusing on food inspiration and community support [7].

Core Insights - OVHcloud has launched its new Bare Metal 2026 generation of dedicated servers to address the challenges organizations face in managing large volumes of data while controlling costs and environmental impact [1][7] Product Features - The Bare Metal 2026 servers are built on the latest AMD Ryzen and AMD EPYC processors, designed for cost-effective power and high resiliency, suitable for various use cases such as machine learning, blockchain, and online gaming [2][3] - The servers feature high core counts, high-speed DDR5 memory, and a variety of rapid storage options, optimizing performance per watt for sustainability [4] - The lineup includes unlimited traffic network connections, with guaranteed public bandwidth ranging from 1 to 5 Gbit/s and private bandwidth up to 50 Gbit/s, ideal for clusters and virtualization [5] Server Lineup - The Bare Metal 2026 lineup includes: - **Rise 2026**: Versatile servers for intensive workloads and light virtualization, powered by AMD Ryzen or EPYC processors [8] - **Game 2026**: Servers designed for online gaming, featuring AMD Ryzen 9000 X3D processors for low latency [8] - **Advance 2026**: Servers for blockchain and database management, powered by AMD EPYC 4005 processors with a 99.95% SLA [8] - **Scale 2026**: High-performance servers for big data and analytics, supporting AMD EPYC 9005 processors with up to 384 cores and 3 TB of DDR5 memory [8] Sustainability and Data Protection - The Bare Metal 2026 servers are backed by OVHcloud's energy-efficient data centers utilizing water cooling, ensuring a responsible environmental model [8] - Data protection is supported by ISO27001 certification and a strong European approach to data sovereignty, allowing customers to maintain control over their data [9] Company Overview - OVHcloud operates over 500,000 servers across 46 data centers globally, serving 1.6 million customers in over 140 countries, focusing on a sustainable cloud model with a strong performance-price ratio [11]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - Digital transformation is reshaping economies and labor markets, creating opportunities and challenges for Zambia, which has a young population that needs to be equipped with digital competencies [9][10] - The assessment of digital skills among TVET teachers and students reveals significant gaps in digital proficiency, indicating a need for systematic integration of digital competencies into education [12][15] Summary by Sections I. Introduction - Zambia has a youthful population with 80% under 35 years old, and 400,000 youth enter the labor market annually [17][18] - Despite educational reforms, learning outcomes remain poor, necessitating strategic investments in education quality [19] II. The Digital Skills Assessment - A task-based digital skills assessment was conducted among TVET teachers and students using the Pix platform, measuring proficiency across five domains [11][28] - The assessment covered a representative sample of 103 teachers and 877 students from 19 institutions [35][40] III. Findings on Teachers' Digital Skills - Teachers achieved an average proficiency score of 2.4, indicating beginner-level skills [12][46] - 46% of teachers reached Level 2, while 22% achieved Level 3, indicating a significant gap in their ability to guide students effectively [12][48] IV. Findings on Students' Digital Skills - Students scored an average of 1.9, corresponding to very beginner-level skills, with 11% scoring below Level 1 [15][66] - Only 8% of students attained intermediate proficiency, highlighting the need for enhanced digital skills training [67][72] V. Comparison of Results - Teachers consistently outperformed students across all competence areas, with the largest gaps in areas such as attachment recognition and methods for connecting to the internet [82][84] VI. Implications and Next Steps - Recommendations include prioritizing foundational digital skills training for both teachers and students, developing structured blended training programs, and integrating digital literacy into the curriculum [14][16][19]

Core Insights - The decline of physical retail stores is a significant trend, with many once-thriving businesses closing down due to changing consumer habits and the rise of e-commerce [1][10] - The shift towards online shopping has drastically altered the commercial landscape, leading to a decrease in foot traffic and sales for brick-and-mortar stores [2][12] Group 1: Rental Costs and Business Viability - Rental costs for prime locations used to range from 8,000 to 15,000 yuan per month, but many landlords are now lowering rents to attract tenants, with some shops available for as low as 2,000 yuan [2][5] - Despite lower rents, many store owners are struggling to maintain profitability, with one example showing a drop in monthly revenue from 30,000 to 6,000 yuan over five years [4][5] - The high initial costs of opening a physical store, including renovation and inventory, make it difficult for new businesses to break even, especially when compared to the lower startup costs of e-commerce [5][9] Group 2: Changing Consumer Behavior - E-commerce is projected to account for over 40% of China's total retail sales by 2024, further diminishing the customer base for physical stores [2][9] - Consumers increasingly prefer the convenience of online shopping, often using physical stores for browsing before purchasing online, a phenomenon known as "showrooming" [4][10] - The rise of technology, such as virtual fitting rooms and easy return policies, has reduced the need for in-store experiences, further impacting physical retail [8][12] Group 3: Market Dynamics and Competition - The traditional supply chain has been disrupted by e-commerce, allowing manufacturers to sell directly to consumers, which lowers prices and increases competition for physical retailers [8][12] - The uneven population growth across cities has led to a shrinking consumer market in some areas, making it difficult for physical stores to thrive [6][9] - The overall vacancy rate for commercial real estate is rising, with some shopping centers experiencing vacancy rates exceeding 20% to 30% [9][10] Group 4: Adaptation and Future Prospects - Successful physical stores are increasingly adopting an omnichannel approach, integrating online and offline sales to attract customers [12][13] - There is potential for certain types of physical businesses, such as community convenience stores and experiential venues, to thrive by offering unique experiences rather than just products [12][13] - The necessity for physical stores to innovate and adapt to the changing market dynamics is critical for survival in the current retail environment [13]

Core Viewpoint - VEON Ltd. has launched the "Invest in Pakistan, NOW!" initiative in partnership with JazzWorld to attract international investors to Pakistan as the country's economic fundamentals improve and growth opportunities become more apparent [1][5][6] Group 1: Initiative Details - The initiative aims to encourage international investors to reconsider Pakistan, highlighting the strengthening economic fundamentals and long-term growth prospects [1][5] - JazzWorld and Nutshell Group of Pakistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster dialogue and partnerships focused on digitalization and cross-border investment [2][5] - The signing ceremony was attended by key figures including the Minister of State for Finance and Railways of Pakistan and senior executives from VEON and JazzWorld [3][5] Group 2: Economic Context - The Minister of State for Finance emphasized that Pakistan has achieved macroeconomic stability, supported by government initiatives to enhance investor confidence and the business environment [5] - VEON Group CEO noted that the region is on the verge of a significant transformation, driven by AI and human-centered innovation, which can enhance growth and improve lives [6] Group 3: VEON's Commitment - VEON has invested over USD 11 billion in Pakistan since its establishment in 1994, demonstrating its long-term commitment to the market [8] - The company operates JazzWorld, which serves 100 million customers and offers a wide range of digital services, including connectivity, fintech, and entertainment [7][10] Group 4: Future Outlook - Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of JazzWorld, highlighted that Pakistan's long-term fundamentals are strong, and the country is well-positioned for growth, making it an attractive opportunity for regional and global investors [6][7]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved record fourth quarter and full year EBITDA in Macau, with a significant turnaround of nearly $470 million in EBITDA at BetMGM North America [6][7][13] - Las Vegas EBITDA declined 4% year-over-year, showing improvement compared to earlier declines, driven by the completion of the MGM Grand room remodel and a better convention mix [18][26] - Consolidated EBITDA growth was up 20% in the fourth quarter, indicating strong overall performance [85] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - MGM China reported a 21% increase in net revenues and a 31% increase in segment adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter, achieving record performance [20][22] - BetMGM saw a 24% increase in monthly player volumes and a 14% increase in active player days, with a goal of reaching $500 million in Adjusted EBITDA by 2027 [15][23] - The regional operations maintained steady performance, with Borgata seeing positive results from investments in high-limit table rooms [65] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - MGM China maintained a market share of 16.5% in the fourth quarter, with a focus on premium mass customers [13][22] - The Las Vegas Strip properties experienced higher room rates and increased cash ticket sales, particularly during major events like Formula 1 [10][12] - The company is optimistic about the upcoming events, including the Super Bowl and World Cup, which are expected to drive visitation [11][12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on diversifying its offerings, with significant investments in luxury experiences and digital innovations [6][11] - MGM Osaka is set to become the world's largest integrated resort, with construction on schedule to open in 2030 [16] - The company aims to leverage technology to improve operational efficiencies and enhance customer experiences [11][17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about stabilization in Las Vegas, with expectations for growth driven by conventions and high-end customer engagement [26][30] - The company is closely monitoring macroeconomic factors that could benefit Las Vegas, including tax regulations and airport capacity recovery [17][26] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong cash flow to support growth opportunities and shareholder value [24][27] Other Important Information - The company repurchased shares totaling $37.2 billion in 2025, reducing the share count by almost 50% over the last five years [24] - MGM China announced an increase in branding fees from 1.75% to 3.5%, expected to generate over $50 million in incremental cash flow [21][22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Path to growth in Las Vegas - Management discussed factors contributing to growth, including improved occupancy and upcoming events like CON/AGG, with a positive outlook for the second half of 2026 [30][32] Question: One-off items in Q4 - The hold was above average, contributing approximately $20 million to Las Vegas's bottom line, with some unusual corporate expenses noted [33] Question: Stabilization efforts for value customers - Management highlighted initiatives to address value-conscious customers, with ongoing efforts to drive visitation to Las Vegas [37][38] Question: Casino resiliency despite lower occupancy - Management noted strong performance in high-end gaming and effective marketing strategies contributing to casino revenue growth [39][41] Question: Operating expense growth and renovation impacts - Overall expense growth is expected to be low single digits, with the MGM Grand renovation impacting EBITDA by about $65 million in 2025 [49] Question: Macau margin environment - MGM China reported stable margins in the mid- to high-20s, with strong demand anticipated for the upcoming Chinese New Year [55] Question: Buyback strategy and MGM China - Management emphasized a balanced approach to share repurchases, considering the value of shares against other investment opportunities [77][79]