AI Infrastructure & Market Trends - Modern AI applications are expanding across various sectors like finance, energy, healthcare, and research [3] - The industry is evolving from initial LLM training to Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines and agentic AI [3] - Vulture is positioned as an alternative hyperscaler, offering cloud infrastructure with 50-90% cost savings compared to traditional providers [4] - A new 10-year cycle requires rethinking infrastructure to support global AI model deployment, necessitating AI-native architectures [4] Vulture & DDN Partnership - Vulture and DDN share a vision for radically rethinking the infrastructure landscape to support global AI deployment [4] - The partnership aims to build a data pipeline to bring data to GPU clusters for training, tuning, and deploying models [4] - Vulture provides the compute infrastructure pipeline, while DDN offers the data intelligence platform to move data [4] Scalability & Flexibility - Enterprises need composable infrastructure for cost-efficient AI model delivery at scale, including automated provisioning of GPUs, models, networking, and storage [2] - Elasticity is crucial to scale GPU and storage resources up and down based on demand, avoiding over-provisioning [3] - Vulture's worldwide serverless inference infrastructure scales GPU resources to meet peak demand in different regions, optimizing costs [3] Performance & Customer Experience - Improving customer experience requires lightning-fast and relevant responses, making time to first token and tokens per second critical metrics [4] - Consistency in response times is essential, even with thousands of concurrent users [4] - The fastest response for a customer is the ultimate measure of customer satisfaction [4] Data Intelligence Platform - DDN's Exascaler offers high throughput for training, with up to 16x faster data loading and checkpointing compared to other parallel file systems [5] - DDN's Infinia provides low latency for tokenization, vector search, and RAG lookups, with up to 30% lower latency [5] - The DDN data intelligence platform helps speed up data response times, enabling saturated GPUs to respond quickly [6]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q1 2025 was CAD 700 million, reflecting a 6% year-over-year increase [7][24] - Cloud revenue increased by 12% year-over-year to CAD 527 million, now representing 75% of total revenue [8][24] - Operating margin expanded by 20 basis points to 30.5%, with earnings per share reaching CAD 2.87, an 11% increase compared to the previous year [8][33] - Operating cash flow rose by 12% year-over-year to AUD 285 million, with free cash flow increasing by 16% year-over-year to CAD 264 million [8][34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Customer engagement revenue, which accounted for 85% of total revenue, was CAD 592 million, up 7% year-over-year [30] - Financial crime and compliance revenue, representing 15% of total revenue, totaled CAD 108 million, meeting expectations [30] - The annual recurring revenue from CX AI and self-service solutions exceeded CAD 200 million, marking a 39% year-over-year increase [26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Americas region, which represented 84% of total revenue, grew by 6% year-over-year, while EMEA and APAC regions saw increases of 109% year-over-year [28] - 50% of international revenue now comes from cloud solutions, indicating a significant shift towards cloud adoption in less penetrated markets [28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on strategic partnerships, including collaborations with ServiceNow and AWS, to enhance customer experience and drive growth [12][61] - The transition from legacy systems to cloud solutions is a priority, with a commitment to cloud-first strategies [28] - The company aims to leverage AI-driven solutions to automate workflows and improve customer service [15][66] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's growth trajectory, citing strong customer demand for AI and cloud solutions [35][96] - The company anticipates continued growth in cloud revenue, reaffirming a 12% growth target for the year [37][83] - Management noted that the current macroeconomic environment has not significantly impacted their outlook, with a strong pipeline of deals [96] Other Important Information - The company executed its largest quarterly share buyback in history, totaling CAD 252 million, reflecting confidence in its long-term strategy [9][34] - Total cash and investments at the end of March amounted to CAD 1.611 billion, with a debt of CAD 459 million [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the reasons for the quarter-on-quarter step down in cloud revenue? - Management indicated that the cloud revenue performance was in line with expectations, with some seasonal effects from the previous quarter [41] Question: When will the strategic partnerships start showing dividends? - Management expects customer conversations to turn into growth opportunities in the coming quarters as partnerships are leveraged [42] Question: Is the AI and self-service adoption incremental or cannibalizing existing spend? - Management confirmed that AI-based usage is largely incremental, with no material change in seat base revenue [47] Question: How do the NICE and ServiceNow platforms complement each other? - The partnership allows for a unified solution that enhances customer service efficiency without significant overlap [54] Question: What is the impact of the recent macroeconomic changes on the business? - Management noted that there is no significant impact on the pipeline or outlook, with enterprises eager to invest in customer experience [96] Question: How is the company addressing delays in large customer deployments? - The company has made investments to improve service capacity and is seeing improvements in deployment timelines [70] Question: What is the expected revenue contribution from large deals? - Revenue from large deals is expected to gradually contribute starting in early 2026, with confidence in achieving 12% cloud growth this year [82][83]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, revenue was $534 million, a decrease of 7.4% from $577 million in the prior year, but exceeded the company's plan due to stronger revenue retention [18] - Adjusted EBITDA increased to $56 million, or 10.6% of revenue, compared to $55 million, or 9.5% in the prior year [18] - Operating income was $41 million, or 7.8% of revenue, up from $38 million, or 6.6% in the prior year [18] - Earnings per share decreased to $0.28 from $0.27 in the prior year [18] - Free cash flow improved to $16 million from a negative $29 million in the prior year [25] Business Segment Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Digital segment, Q1 revenue was $108 million, down 3.6% year-over-year, but grew 2.8% excluding one-time product sales [19] - Recurring managed service offerings in Digital increased by 2.7%, representing approximately 66% of total revenue [19] - In the Engage segment, revenue decreased by 8.3% to $426 million, but operating income was $29 million, relatively flat compared to the prior year [22] - The Engage backlog was $1.59 billion, or 101% of the 2025 revenue guidance, up from 94% for the same period in 2024 [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The last twelve-month revenue retention rate for Engage was 88%, down from 94% in the prior year, but adjusted for a large client decline, it was 93% [25] - Digital's first quarter operating income improved to $12 million, or 11.2% of revenue, compared to $9 million, or 8.3% in the prior year [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on three priorities: increasing diversification across clients and solutions, transforming experiences through digital innovation, and strengthening financial performance [5] - The strategy includes expanding offshore operations and integrating AI solutions to enhance operational efficiency and client offerings [10][21] - The company aims to differentiate itself through deep partnerships with hyperscalers and a singular focus on digital customer experience transformation [48] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted a cautious approach from clients due to economic uncertainties and trade policy impacts, affecting their capital expenditure decisions [3][36] - Despite the cautious environment, the company is optimistic about signing new enterprise clients and expanding existing relationships [6][28] - The outlook for the second half of 2025 remains cautious, with management reiterating the importance of operational agility and cost optimization [27][29] Other Important Information - The company received multiple Stevie Awards for excellence in sales and service for its AI-enabled solutions [14] - The normalized tax rate increased to 37.9% in Q1 2025 from 32.7% in the prior year, primarily due to a US valuation allowance [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Client adoption challenges - Management acknowledged that while clients are excited about new technologies, they are hesitant due to reliability concerns and economic uncertainties impacting their investment levels [35][36] Question: Differentiation with hyperscalers - Management emphasized their extensive experience and successful track record in building relationships with hyperscalers, which sets them apart from competitors [45][48] Question: Cost optimization efforts - Management confirmed ongoing cost optimization efforts and the need for continuous improvement, while also investing in product development and AI [49][50] Question: Demand environment and pipeline strength - Management expressed confidence in their pipeline and backlog, noting that while contract sizes may be smaller initially, they expect growth through successful execution [79][80] Question: Pricing pressures - Management indicated that while there is competitive pricing pressure, they maintain a disciplined approach to pricing, focusing on long-term profitability [82][84]

Core Viewpoint - TTEC Holdings, Inc. is expanding its operations in India by opening a new customer experience center in Mohali, which will create 400 new jobs to support a major U.S.-based healthcare organization [1][5]. Group 1: Expansion Details - The new customer experience center in Mohali will initially operate from C-205, Phase 8B, Industrial Area, Sector 74, Mohali, Punjab, and is expected to move to Quark City, an IT and tech hub, in August [3]. - TTEC has been operating in India for 24 years and has previously expanded its workforce, adding 800 positions in 2024 across its Mumbai and Hyderabad facilities [5]. Group 2: Technology and Services - The Mohali center will utilize TTEC's latest AI-enabled technologies, including TTEC Perform, TTEC Let Me Know, and TTEC Clarity, to enhance customer service experiences [4]. - TTEC's services encompass AI-enhanced customer engagement, customer acquisition, tech support, and fraud prevention, reflecting its commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences [7]. Group 3: Talent and Cultural Alignment - Mohali was chosen for its scalable, English-proficient talent pool and cultural values that align with TTEC's service-first mindset, emphasizing selfless service and community cohesion [2]. - The company currently employs approximately 3,500 individuals across India, including locations in Ahmedabad and Chennai, showcasing its investment in regional talent and infrastructure [5].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global same restaurant sales declined by 2.1%, leading to a 1.1% decline in global system sales [9][31] - U.S. same restaurant sales decreased by 2.8%, while system-wide sales were down by 2.6% [9][31] - International same restaurant sales grew by 2.3%, with system-wide sales growth of 8.9% [10][32] - Adjusted revenue was $423.1 million, a decrease of $6.7 million year-over-year [38] - Adjusted EBITDA was $124.5 million, down $3.3 million from the previous year [38] - Adjusted earnings per share decreased to $0.20, down $0.03 from the prior year [39] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. company-operated restaurant margin was 14.8%, a contraction of 50 basis points year-over-year [34] - Global company restaurant margin was 14.3% for the first quarter [34] - The company opened 74 new restaurants globally, with over 60% of these openings occurring internationally [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - International system-wide sales grew by 8.9%, with Europe and Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa regions leading the growth [32][33] - Canadian business grew year-over-year, benefiting from a localized supply chain [33] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on three strategic pillars: delivering fresh food, providing exceptional customer experience, and accelerating global net unit growth [10][11] - The company plans to launch a "100 Days of Summer" campaign to enhance customer engagement and drive traffic [15][28] - The company is investing in technology to improve customer experience and operational efficiency, including digital menu boards and FreshAI order taking [20][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged a challenging consumer environment, particularly for households earning below $75,000, which saw significant traffic declines [81] - The company updated its full-year outlook, expecting global system-wide sales to be flat to down 2% [28][46] - Management remains confident in the company's strategy and brand strength to deliver long-term profitable growth [27][49] Other Important Information - The company returned over $173 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases [10] - The company plans to return up to $325 million of cash to shareholders in 2025, an increase compared to 2024 [44] Q&A Session Summary Question: Concerns about the 2025 guidance and consumer behavior - Management acknowledged consumer pressure reflected in Q1 numbers and emphasized a balanced approach to address customer needs [56][60] Question: Insights on consumer data and key metrics - Management highlighted operational excellence and accuracy as key drivers of customer satisfaction, with early positive results from initiatives [66][67] Question: Unit development outlook and franchisee demand - Management expressed confidence in unit growth, particularly in international markets, and noted a strong pipeline for 2025 and beyond [72][73] Question: Impact of weather and consumer behavior on performance - Management noted significant weather events affected Q1 performance, with a shift in consumer behavior leading to reduced demand [78][80] Question: Advertising spend and its effect on performance - Management indicated that while advertising spend was reduced, they maintained market share and focused on enhancing customer experience [90][91] Question: Effectiveness of collaborations and promotions - Management emphasized the importance of balancing core offerings with innovative collaborations to drive traffic and customer engagement [95][103]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global same restaurant sales declined by 2.1%, leading to a 1.1% decline in global system sales [5][26] - U.S. same restaurant sales decreased by 2.8%, while system-wide sales were down by 2.6% [5][26] - International same restaurant sales grew by 2.3%, with system-wide sales growth of 8.9% [6][27] - Adjusted EBITDA was $124.5 million, a decrease of $3.3 million year-over-year [33] - Adjusted earnings per share was $0.20, down $0.03 from the prior year [34] - Free cash flow under the new definition was $68 million, improving by $12 million compared to the prior year [35] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. company-operated restaurant margin was 14.8%, a contraction of 50 basis points year-over-year [29] - International segment showed strong performance with system-wide sales growth of 8.9% [27][28] - The company opened 74 new restaurants globally, with over 60% of openings occurring internationally [20][21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The consumer environment showed a decline in confidence, impacting demand negatively in March [27][78] - Traffic from households earning below $75,000 saw a high single-digit to low double-digit decline [80] - The QSR burger traffic was down mid-single digits in the first quarter, worse than expected [86] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on three strategic pillars: delivering fresh food, providing exceptional customer experience, and accelerating global net unit growth [6][7] - The "100 Days of Summer" campaign aims to enhance customer engagement through value offerings and core innovations [11][23] - The company plans to invest in technology to improve customer experience and operational efficiency [15][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenging consumer environment and updated the full-year outlook to reflect potential continued pressure [23][40] - The company remains committed to long-term growth despite current macroeconomic challenges [24][45] - Management expressed confidence in the brand's ability to win in the marketplace through strategic initiatives [24][56] Other Important Information - The company plans to return up to $325 million to shareholders in 2025 through dividends and share repurchases [39] - The adjusted EBITDA outlook for the full year is between $530 million and $545 million [43] - The company expects full-year global system-wide sales to range from flat to down 2% [41] Q&A Session Summary Question: Concerns about the 2025 guidance and consumer behavior - Management acknowledged the pressure on consumers and the need for a prudent approach, emphasizing confidence in upcoming initiatives like the "100 Days of Summer" campaign [52][56] Question: Insights on consumer data and key metrics - Management highlighted accuracy and hospitality as key drivers of customer satisfaction, with early results showing improvements [61][63] Question: Unit development outlook and franchisee demand - Management expressed confidence in unit growth, particularly in international markets, and noted a strong pipeline for future development [70][71] Question: Impact of advertising spend on performance - Management indicated that while advertising spend was reduced, they maintained market share and focused on enhancing customer experience to drive frequency [88] Question: Effectiveness of limited-time offers (LTOs) - Management emphasized the importance of balancing core offerings with innovative collaborations to drive traffic and customer engagement [91][95]

Core Insights - ibex will participate in the IUCX Annual Conference 2025 to showcase AI-powered customer experience (CX) solutions aimed at enhancing customer satisfaction and reducing operating costs for utilities [1][9] - The ibex Wave iX solution suite utilizes Generative AI technology to provide automated and agent-assisted customer experiences, including the Wave iX AI Virtual Agent and Wave iX Translate [2][3] Company Overview - ibex is a global leader in business process outsourcing (BPO) and customer engagement technology, operating approximately 31 facilities worldwide and employing over 31,000 people [7][8] - The company manages nearly 175 million customer interactions annually, contributing over $2.2 billion in lifetime customer revenue each year [8] Product Features - The ibex Wave iX AI Virtual Agent offers scalable, AI-driven voice and text interactions tailored to brand needs, facilitating efficient resolution of complex customer issues [3] - Wave iX Translate allows real-time translation in over 150 languages, enhancing communication between agents and customers [4] Conference Details - The IUCX Conference serves utility professionals across North America and globally, focusing on customer service and industry trends [6]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - T-Mobile reported a strong Q1 2025, with postpaid service revenues growing 8% year over year and overall service revenues increasing by 5% [21][22] - Core adjusted EBITDA also grew 8% year over year, which is double the average of its wireless peer group [22] - Adjusted free cash flow reached $4.4 billion, marking a new Q1 record and translating to an industry-leading adjusted free cash flow conversion from service revenues of 26% [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - T-Mobile achieved a record of 1.3 million total postpaid net additions in Q1, leading the industry in both total postpaid and postpaid phone net additions [10][21] - The company added 424,000 net customers in its 5G broadband segment, marking the thirteenth consecutive quarter of leading the broadband industry in customer growth [13] - Postpaid average revenue per account (ARPA) grew nearly 4%, the highest Q1 growth in eight years [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - T-Mobile continued to grow its share of households across the top 100 markets, not just in smaller markets and rural areas [10] - The company reported that 60% of lines on new accounts are opting for premium plans, which is about double the current base [11] - The broadband business saw its highest ever Q1 ARPU growth, indicating strong customer demand [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - T-Mobile is focused on delivering thoughtful, profitable, and durable growth, leveraging its best network and digital capabilities to enhance customer experience [23] - The company is set to officially launch T Fiber later in Q2, following the completion of its acquisition of Lumos, aiming to expand broadband choices for more Americans [14] - T-Mobile is also innovating with its T Satellite service, which aims to keep customers connected automatically, with commercial service starting in July [18][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to maintain growth despite macroeconomic changes, emphasizing a strong focus on execution and customer service [8][23] - The management team highlighted that the competitive landscape remains intense, but T-Mobile's differentiated value proposition continues to resonate with customers [60] - The company expects to deliver total postpaid net customer additions of between 5.5 million and 6 million for the full year, with an increase in postpaid ARPA growth expectations to at least 3.5% [26] Other Important Information - T-Mobile's digital platform, TLIFE, has seen significant adoption, with over half of postpaid phone upgrades completed digitally by the end of Q1 [20] - The company is actively pursuing M&A opportunities, including the recent acquisition of Lumos and plans for MetroNet, which are expected to contribute positively to service revenues [29][75] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the biggest opportunity ahead for T-Mobile? - Management highlighted the combination of a strong customer-focused culture, the best network, and advanced digital capabilities as key opportunities for growth [36][38] Question: Can you provide more details on T Fiber and its market approach? - T-Mobile plans to leverage its existing customer base and retail distribution to drive T Fiber's growth, particularly targeting customers on the fixed wireless waitlist [40][41] Question: How is T-Mobile managing pricing and churn? - Management indicated that recent price increases have been well-received, and churn rates are expected to be temporary as customers adjust [52][53] Question: What is the outlook for broadband contributions to postpaid net additions? - While specific guidance was not provided, management expressed confidence in maintaining strong growth in broadband and fiber segments [102] Question: How is T-Mobile addressing potential tariff impacts on handsets? - Management noted that any significant tariffs would likely be passed on to customers, potentially affecting upgrade rates, but currently, no material impact is anticipated [110][111] Question: What is the current state of the prepaid market? - T-Mobile's prepaid segment remains stable, with continued growth and reduced churn year over year, indicating resilience in this market [88][90]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - GAAP EPS was $2.04 per share, and adjusted EPS was $1.48 per share, a 9% increase year over year [5] - First quarter consolidated total revenues were a record $3.1 billion, up 8% year over year, while consolidated gross profit grew 6% and adjusted EBITDA increased 7% [6][11] Business Segment Data and Key Metrics Changes - Franchised dealership segment revenues reached $3.1 billion, up 9% year over year, driven by an 11% increase in new retail volume and a 6% increase in fixed operations revenues [6] - EchoPark segment income was a record $10.3 million, with adjusted EBITDA at $15.8 million, up 116% year over year [8] - EchoPark revenues were $560 million, flat year over year, but gross profit increased 21% to $64 million [9] - Power Sports segment generated record revenues of $34.4 million, with a gross profit of $8.5 million, and an adjusted EBITDA loss of $700,000 [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Same store new vehicle gross profit per unit (GPU) was $3,089, down sequentially from the fourth quarter [7] - Same store used vehicle volume decreased 2% year over year, while same store used GPU increased sequentially to $15.55 per unit [7] - Parts and service gross profit increased by 7% in the first quarter [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining strong relationships with teammates, manufacturers, and customers as key to future success [5] - A data-driven centralized inventory management strategy for EchoPark is seen as a key differentiator to minimize market volatility disruptions [10] - The company plans to adapt to ongoing changes in the automotive retail environment while making strategic decisions to maximize long-term returns [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating tariff impacts and believes that the automotive industry can handle price adjustments without significant concerns [17][20] - The company is focused on executing its operational playbooks and processes, expecting solid results in the upcoming quarters [18][19] - Management acknowledged the need to balance warranty and customer pay work in service operations to improve revenue mix [50][51] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with $947 million in available liquidity, including $430 million in cash and floor plan deposits [11] - A quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share was approved, payable on July 15, 2025 [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Commentary on tariffs and their impact - Management indicated that manufacturers are uncertain about the tariff impacts, but they expect things to stabilize in the next 90 days [17] - The company is not concerned about significant price increases and believes they can navigate through the situation [19] Question: Update on fixed operations hiring - Management reported hiring 345 additional technicians, which has positively impacted fixed operations [23][24] - There is ongoing focus on increasing technician headcount to meet service demand [26] Question: Used vehicle GPU trajectory - Management stated that GPU margins should hold steady if market conditions remain stable, with EchoPark's margins improving due to increased street purchases [38][39] Question: Warranty work versus customer pay - Warranty work grew by 40% in the first quarter, while customer pay grew by only 2-3%, indicating a need to adjust the revenue mix [47][50] Question: EchoPark's full-year guidance - Management explained that guidance was conservative due to potential tariff impacts, but they are prepared to adjust as conditions evolve [77][78] Question: SG&A expenses - Management noted that first-quarter SG&A expenses were influenced by one-time compensation costs, but overall expenses are in line with expectations [82][84]

Core Viewpoint - American Airlines Group Inc. reported its first-quarter 2025 financial results, highlighting the company's strategic actions to enhance fleet, manage costs, and strengthen its balance sheet, positioning it well amid industry uncertainties [1]. Revenue Performance - The company generated first-quarter revenue of $12.6 billion, with total unit revenue increasing by 0.7% compared to Q1 2024, driven by a 2.9% rise in international unit revenue despite a 0.8% decrease in capacity [2]. - The airline is on track to restore its revenue share from indirect channels to historical levels by the end of the year, although domestic leisure demand faced pressure due to economic uncertainty and a tragic accident involving American Eagle Flight 5342 [2]. AAdvantage and Citi Partnership - American Airlines and Citi are progressing towards an exclusive and expanded partnership set to begin in 2026, with AAdvantage enrollments increasing by 6% year over year and spending on co-branded credit cards rising by 8% [3]. Customer Experience - The company has established a new Customer Experience organization to enhance customer journeys and announced complimentary high-speed satellite Wi-Fi for AAdvantage members starting January 2026, aiming to provide free inflight connectivity on more aircraft than any other carrier [4]. Operational Performance - American Airlines demonstrated operational resilience in Q1, continuing investments in operations, team, and technology to improve reliability [5]. Financial Performance - The company reported a GAAP operating margin of (2.2%) for Q1, with an adjusted operating margin of (1.6%) after excluding net special items [6]. Balance Sheet and Liquidity - American Airlines generated free cash flow of $1.7 billion in Q1, reducing total debt by $1.2 billion, contributing to a total debt reduction of $16.6 billion from peak levels in 2021 [7]. - The airline ended the quarter with $10.8 billion in total available liquidity, including cash, short-term investments, and undrawn credit capacity [7]. Guidance and Investor Update - The company expects its second-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per diluted share to range between $0.50 and $1.00, while withdrawing its full-year guidance until the economic outlook becomes clearer [9]. Financial Statistics - The first-quarter GAAP net loss was $473 million, or ($0.72) per diluted share, with an adjusted net loss of $386 million, or ($0.59) per diluted share [8][9]. - Total operating revenues for Q1 were $12.6 billion, with a slight decrease in passenger revenue compared to the previous year [17].