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Zscaler to Post Q3 Earnings: Time to Buy, Sell or Hold the Stock?
ZACKS· 2025-05-27 12:41
Core Viewpoint - Zscaler is expected to report third-quarter fiscal 2025 results with anticipated revenues of $665 million to $667 million, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 20.4% [1]. Revenue and Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Zscaler's fiscal third-quarter revenues is $666.1 million [1]. - Non-GAAP earnings per share are expected to be between 75-76 cents, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate at 75 cents, indicating a year-over-year decline of 14.8% [2]. - Revenue estimates from Channel Partners and Direct Customers are projected at $588 million and $77.4 million, respectively, with a remaining performance obligation of approximately $4.65 billion [10]. Market and Product Insights - Sustained demand for Zscaler's security and networking solutions is anticipated, driven by the expansion of the global security space and the adoption of its Zero Trust Exchange [7]. - The growing adoption of Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) solutions is expected to be a primary driver, with the market projected to reach $80.91 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 31.6% [8]. - Zscaler's existing core products, including Zscaler Internet Access and Zscaler Private Access, are contributing to customer retention, while new features in its Zero Trust Exchange are aiding product portfolio expansion [9]. Competitive Position and Financial Performance - Zscaler's shares have increased by 40.9% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Security industry's growth of 16.9% [12]. - The stock is trading at a forward 12-month P/S of 12.79X, which is lower than the industry's 14.21X, indicating potential undervaluation [13]. Strategic Initiatives and Challenges - The company is investing in sales and marketing capabilities and increasing research and development costs to address longer deal cycles due to tighter IT budgets [11]. - Zscaler faces intense competition from established players like Palo Alto Networks and CrowdStrike, necessitating continuous investment in broadening its capabilities [18][19]. Long-term Outlook - The demand for cybersecurity solutions is rising due to increasing data breaches, and Zscaler's strong presence across various verticals provides stability against macroeconomic headwinds [16][17]. - Despite the long-term growth prospects, near-term challenges related to profit growth suggest a cautious approach for new investments [20].
Agentic AI Poised to Handle 68% of Customer Service and Support Interactions by 2028
Prnewswire· 2025-05-27 07:00
Core Insights - Cisco's research indicates a strong demand for agentic AI to transform customer experience in technology services [1][2] - The study reveals that 88% of decision-makers believe agentic AI will help achieve organizational goals, enhancing efficiency and maximizing IT investments [2][3] Group 1: Demand for Agentic AI - A survey of 7,950 global decision-makers shows that 68% expect customer interactions with technology vendors to be handled by agentic AI within three years, with 56% anticipating this shift within the next 12 months [2][3] - 92% of organizations consider the support and services from technology vendors increasingly critical due to rising IT complexity [7][14] Group 2: Benefits of Agentic AI - 93% of respondents predict that agentic AI will enable more personalized, proactive, and predictive services [7] - Customers expect agentic AI to improve IT productivity, save time and costs, and enhance data analytics and troubleshooting [14] Group 3: Human Connection and Governance - Despite the rise of AI, 89% of customers emphasize the importance of combining human connection with AI efficiency for optimal experiences [7] - 99% of respondents stress the need for technology partners to demonstrate robust governance for ethical AI use, with 81% wanting vendors to share their vision for AI-led customer experience [14] Group 4: Competitive Advantage - 81% of respondents believe that vendors successfully delivering agentic AI-led customer experiences will gain a competitive edge [9] - Vendors embracing agentic AI are expected to benefit from data-driven insights, improved scalability, and enhanced customer loyalty [9][8]
Concentrix Launches iX Hero™ Agentic AI Apps to Solve Critical Pain Points of the Customer Experience
Globenewswire· 2025-05-22 13:05
Core Insights - Concentrix Corporation has launched iX Hero, an AI-powered application designed to enhance customer experience by integrating human interaction with advanced technology [1][4] - The application aims to address inefficiencies in customer interactions, targeting common frustrations such as slow and unclear responses [2][3] Product Features - iX Hero provides fast, accurate, and consistent AI-assisted answers, streamlining the information available to advisors [4] - The application integrates seamlessly with existing contact center platforms, CRMs, and workflows, and offers data-driven coaching to improve advisor performance [4][8] - It includes capabilities for summarizing and transcribing conversations, reducing after-call workload for advisors [8] Pilot Results - Pilot implementations of iX Hero have shown significant improvements, such as increasing sales conversion rates from 2% to 7%, resulting in a 250% increase in monthly revenue for a consumer electronics company [5] - Another pilot demonstrated a 22% reduction in average call handling time, leading to lower costs and higher customer satisfaction (CSAT) [5] - A global energy company reported a CSAT increase from 72% to 81.8%, a 13.5% improvement driving sales growth within 3 to 4 months [5] Client Testimonials - Razor, a leading scooter innovator, reported that iX Hero has provided valuable insights and improved overall efficiencies in customer interactions [6] Company Vision - Concentrix emphasizes its commitment to blending technology with human empathy to transform customer experiences, equipping advisors with tools for smarter and more efficient interactions [7]
AMD: Inference Explosion Incoming
Seeking Alpha· 2025-05-22 02:55
Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that Agentic AI is expected to significantly increase the demand for inference, necessitating new hardware optimized for fast and efficient inference [1] - AMD is positioned to meet this growing demand with its chiplet-based architecture [1] Group 2 - The article highlights the importance of AI tools and applications in various workflows, indicating a trend towards increased investment in AI technologies [1] - The author has extensive experience in AI and machine learning, which adds credibility to the insights shared regarding the industry [1]
Zoom(ZM) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-21 22:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q1 FY26 grew approximately 3% year over year to $1,175 million, exceeding guidance by $8 million [18] - Enterprise revenue increased approximately 6% year over year, now representing 60% of total revenue, up two points year over year [19] - Average monthly churn improved to 2.8%, a 40 basis point improvement year over year, marking the lowest churn rate for Q1 [19] - Non-GAAP gross margin for Q1 was 79.2%, slightly lower than the previous year due to AI investments [20] - Non-GAAP diluted net income per share was $1.43, exceeding guidance by $0.12 and up $0.08 from Q1 of last year [22] - Deferred revenue grew 5% year over year to $1,430 million, in line with the high end of the previously provided range [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adoption of Zoom AI Companion grew with monthly active users up nearly 40% quarter over quarter [8] - Zoom Phone revenue grew in the mid-teens, indicating strong performance and market expansion [12] - The number of Zoom contact center customers grew 65% year over year, with Zoom Virtual Agent landing its largest deal to date [13] - Total WorkVivo customer count grew 106% year over year, driven partly by a partnership with Meta [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Americas revenue grew 4% year over year, EMEA grew 1%, and APAC grew 2% [20] - The customer experience offering has rapidly evolved, with a triple-digit million ARR business growing in high double digits [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on AI-powered innovation to redefine modern work and deliver cost savings and productivity gains [6] - A strategic partnership with Bell Canada was announced, enhancing channel capabilities [16] - The company aims to drive value for customers while navigating an uncertain macro environment, emphasizing an AI-first strategy [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted strong demand across the business, with no significant impact from macroeconomic conditions on online business [44] - The outlook for enterprise business is cautious due to elongating deal cycles and increased scrutiny on deal terms [44] - The company raised its full-year revenue guidance by $15 million, reflecting increased product value [25] Other Important Information - The company accelerated its share buyback plan, purchasing 5.6 million shares for $418 million, indicating a commitment to delivering shareholder value [24] - The company expects to recognize 61% of total RPO as revenue over the next twelve months, up from 59% in Q1 of last year [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Adoption of Zoom AI Companion in SMB segment - Management noted that the number of active users has significantly increased, with more customers realizing the value of AI features [31][32] Question: Customer traction with higher price SKUs in contact center - Management highlighted that Q1 was the largest quarter for ARR contribution from the contact center, with many customers opting for elite SKUs due to AI value [40][42] Question: Competitive dynamics in core video meeting solutions - Management emphasized that employee preference for Zoom remains high, and the total cost of ownership is favorable compared to competitors [48][49] Question: Early reception of online monthly pro pricing increase - Management indicated that the pricing increase reflects incremental value delivered to customers, with no significant churn observed [66][67] Question: Trends in enterprise deal elongation and down sells - Management reported continued low churn rates in enterprise and online segments, with no significant down sells noted [114]
Sidetrade introduces first-ever AI Cash Collection Agent, autonomous and interactive
Globenewswire· 2025-05-21 15:42
New AI-native agent shifts Order-to-Cash from smart automation to autonomous execution, live today throughout global finance teams Sidetrade, the global leader in AI-powered Order-to-Cash applications, has today unveiled a seismic breakthrough in enterprise finance; the world’s first-ever AI Cash Collection Agent, operating live and autonomously from a digital standpoint. Powered by Sidetrade’s Data Lake, the new Aimie orchestrates Order-to-Cash (O2C) processes, executing phone calls, interacting with debto ...
Cadence Rises 27% in a Month: How Should You Play the Stock?
ZACKS· 2025-05-20 12:36
Core Viewpoint - Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) has experienced a significant stock surge of 27.3% over the past month, outperforming key indices and sectors, driven by strong first-quarter results and robust demand for its solutions in the semiconductor and AI markets [1][4]. Group 1: Financial Performance - The stock gained 12% since April 28, closing at $320.30, approaching its 52-week high of $328.99 [4]. - Management has upgraded its revenue outlook for 2025 to a range of $5.15-$5.23 billion, up from the previous guidance of $5.14-$5.22 billion [12]. Group 2: Market Demand and Opportunities - Broad-based demand for Cadence's solutions is fueled by trends in 5G, hyperscale computing, and autonomous driving, which are driving design activity in semiconductor and systems companies [5]. - The company is capitalizing on AI opportunities through collaborations with tech giants like Qualcomm and NVIDIA, focusing on next-generation AI designs [6]. Group 3: Product Development and Innovation - Cadence's AI portfolio, including products like Cadence Cerebrus, has gained momentum, with over 1000 tapeouts year-to-date and 50 new logos in the first quarter [8]. - The launch of advanced systems like Palladium Z3 Emulation and Protium X3 FPGA Prototyping is aimed at addressing the growing complexity of system and semiconductor design, with more than 30 new customers added in 2024 [10]. Group 4: Strategic Acquisitions - The acquisition of Secure-IC is set to expand Cadence's IP portfolio, while a definitive agreement to acquire Arm Holdings' Artisan foundation IP business will enhance its offerings in advanced process nodes [11]. Group 5: Competitive Landscape - Cadence faces challenges from global macroeconomic conditions and competition in the EDA/AI space, particularly from companies like Keysight Technologies, Synopsys, and ANSYS [13][14]. - The pending acquisition of ANSYS by Synopsys is expected to intensify competition in the EDA space [14]. Group 6: Valuation and Analyst Sentiment - Cadence stock is trading at a forward Price/Earnings ratio of 45.04X, significantly higher than the industry average of 32.02X [17]. - Analysts have shown bearish sentiment, reflected in downward estimate revisions over the past 60 days [19].
Microsoft CTO says the number of people using AI agents doubled in the last year
Business Insider· 2025-05-19 20:30
Core Insights - The focus of Microsoft's recent Build conference was on the development and potential of agentic AI, with a significant increase in daily active users of AI agents noted by Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott [1][2] Group 1: Definition and Evolution of Agentic AI - Microsoft defines agentic AI as systems that allow humans to delegate tasks, with ongoing improvements expected in their capabilities and cost-effectiveness [3] - The tech industry anticipates 2025 as a pivotal year for agentic AI, with Microsoft leading the charge in defining and developing these technologies [2] Group 2: Microsoft’s AI Tools and Features - Microsoft announced various AI updates and partnerships aimed at creating an "agentic web," leveraging its Azure platform for cloud computing tools [4] - The introduction of the Azure SRE agent for site reliability engineering, integrated with GitHub Copilot, emphasizes the role of AI agents in alleviating developer challenges [5] Group 3: GitHub Copilot and Coding Agents - The new coding agent within GitHub Copilot is designed to autonomously handle tasks such as bug fixes and code maintenance, enhancing productivity for developers [6] - OpenAI's Codex, introduced by CEO Sam Altman, represents a significant advancement in agentic coding, allowing for true task delegation in software engineering [7][8] Group 4: Collaboration and Integration - Microsoft plans to expand AI models on Azure, integrating xAI's Grok 3 and Grok 3 Mini, showcasing collaboration with other AI leaders [9] - The introduction of "Copilot Tuning" aims to create customized agents that utilize organizational knowledge, enhancing the functionality of AI tools [10] Group 5: Broader Impact and Vision - Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella highlighted the company's commitment to applying AI across its software development stack, aiming to create opportunities that empower users [11]
Rubrik's Addressable Market Is Expected To Explode Through The End Of The Decade
Seeking Alpha· 2025-05-19 17:57
Group 1 - Rubrik, Inc. (NYSE: RBRK) is positioned for significant growth by merging data and identity resiliency into a single platform [1] - There is an increasing demand for agentic AI within the enterprise environment, indicating a favorable market trend for the company [1] Group 2 - The analyst, Michael Del Monte, has over 5 years of experience in equity analysis and a decade in professional services across various industries [1]
一文读懂老黄ComputeX演讲:这不是产品发布,这是“AI工业革命动员令”
华尔街见闻· 2025-05-19 13:50
Core Viewpoint - Nvidia is transitioning from a technology company to an AI infrastructure company, marking the beginning of a new era of AI factories that utilize energy as input and produce tokens as output, representing a third infrastructure revolution following electricity and the internet [3][2]. Group 1: AI Infrastructure and Chip Platforms - Nvidia introduced the Grace Blackwell GB200 chip and NVLink architecture, which features a core interconnect module with a bandwidth of 130 TB/s, surpassing the entire internet's data throughput [4]. - The GB200 chip integrates 72 GPUs and is designed to perform at the level of the 2018 Sierra supercomputer [4]. - Nvidia plans to launch the GB300 chip in Q3, which will enhance inference performance by 1.5 times, increase HBM memory by 1.5 times, and double network bandwidth while maintaining physical compatibility with the previous generation [6]. Group 2: NVLink Fusion and Ecosystem - The NVLink Fusion architecture allows seamless integration of CPUs/ASICs/TPUs from other manufacturers with Nvidia GPUs, enabling a "semi-custom infrastructure" [8]. - This technology addresses communication speed issues between GPUs and CPUs in AI servers, providing up to 14 times the bandwidth compared to standard PCIe interfaces, thus enhancing scalability and energy efficiency [10]. Group 3: Personal Supercomputing and Enterprise AI - The DGX Spark personal AI computer is set to launch soon, targeting AI researchers who wish to own their supercomputers [12]. - Nvidia's RTX Pro enterprise AI server supports traditional IT workloads and can run graphical AI agents, indicating a shift towards integrating AI into the workforce [14]. Group 4: Robotics and AI Applications - Nvidia is developing robotic systems alongside the automotive industry, utilizing the Isaac Groot platform powered by the Jetson Thor processor, aimed at applications from autonomous vehicles to human-machine systems [18]. - The company believes that robotics will become a trillion-dollar industry, emphasizing the need for scalable solutions [22]. - Nvidia is collaborating with DeepMind and Disney Research to develop the advanced physics engine Newton, which will be open-sourced in July [23].