Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, consolidated GMS was $2.8 billion, down approximately 6.5% year over year, with FX representing an 80 basis point headwind [26] - Consolidated revenue increased by approximately 1% year over year to $651 million, despite a decline in GMS [26] - Adjusted EBITDA was $171 million for Q1, representing a 26.3% margin, up 30 basis points year over year [27] - Consolidated take rate improved to 23.3%, an increase of 170 basis points over the 21.6% take rate reported in the same period last year [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Etsy Marketplace GMS was down 8.9% year over year, while Depop continued to deliver strong growth in buyers, sellers, and GMS [26][30] - Marketplace revenue decreased 1.8% year over year, reflecting the decline in GMS, partially offset by increases in payments revenue [27] - Services revenue grew 7.7% year over year, with strong growth in on-site ads revenue at both Etsy and Depop [27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - US buyer GMS represented about 75% of first quarter Etsy Marketplace GMS, with both US and non-US buyer GMS performing similarly to Q4 of last year [30] - Gifting GMS outperformed non-gifting GMS during the quarter, benefiting from product and marketing efforts [30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on reigniting core Etsy marketplace growth through a balanced portfolio of product investments aimed at improving GMS and customer experience [6][19] - There is an emphasis on enhancing the mobile app experience, with the app reaching an all-time high of 44.5% of total Etsy Marketplace GMS [9] - The company is leveraging AI and machine learning to create personalized shopping experiences and improve customer engagement [10][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenging macroeconomic backdrop but expressed confidence in the company's ability to adapt and improve growth through product and marketing strategies [44][45] - The outlook for Q2 anticipates a decline in consolidated GMS similar to Q1, but management remains optimistic about future growth driven by ongoing product and marketing initiatives [36][45] Other Important Information - The company announced the sale of Reverb for $105 million, which is expected to close in the coming months [24] - A new shop setup fee of $29 for new sellers was introduced, which management believes will lead to a healthier seller environment [61] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on full year outlook and second quarter EBITDA margin guidance - Management indicated that the macroeconomic backdrop remains challenging, but they are encouraged by product and marketing improvements that could drive growth throughout the year [44][45] Question: Next steps for the app product roadmap - The app is expected to continue growing as a percentage of GMS, with ongoing efforts to enhance the browsing experience and personalization [52][54] Question: Concerns about the decline in active sellers impacting active buyers - Management clarified that the decline in active sellers is intentional and aimed at improving the quality of sellers on the platform, and they do not see a direct correlation with active buyer decline [61][62] Question: Take rate guidance for Q2 - Management explained that the take rate is expected to remain flat due to lapping previous price-related increments and improvements in Etsy Ads [70][71] Question: Gross margin headwinds from free shipping and ML costs - Management acknowledged that higher processing costs and machine learning expenses could create some gross margin headwinds, but they are necessary for enhancing the product experience [75][76] Question: Opportunities to leverage domestic sourcing amid rising prices - Management is focusing on promoting domestic sellers and enhancing the value proposition of Etsy in light of potential price increases from competitors [90]

Pioneering seamless EV charging experience for robotic parking systems Tel Aviv, Israel, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Charging Robotics Inc. (OTC: CHEV), a leading innovator in wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, announces that it has installed a system for wireless charging of electric vehicles with a leading supplier of robotic parking facilities. Following the installation, the ability of the system to transfer power wirelessly was demonstrated. Eventually, the system is intended to ...

Core Insights - Etsy's first quarter 2025 financial results met expectations, showing solid adjusted EBITDA performance despite revenue pressure [2][3] - The company is leveraging AI and machine learning to enhance the app experience and drive user engagement [2] - Etsy's resilient two-sided marketplace model is positioned to navigate macroeconomic challenges [2] Financial Performance - Gross Merchandise Sales (GMS) for Q1 2025 was $2.8 billion, a decline of 6.5% year-over-year [4][5] - Revenue reached $651.2 million, up 0.8% compared to Q1 2024, with a take rate of 23.3%, an increase of 170 basis points [4][5] - Adjusted EBITDA was $171.1 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 26.3%, slightly up from 26.0% in the previous year [4][5] Operational Highlights - Active sellers decreased by 11.3% year-over-year to 8,095, while active buyers fell by 3.4% to 88.5 million [4][5] - The number of habitual buyers dropped by 11.0% year-over-year to 6.2 million [5] - Depop experienced strong growth, achieving its highest GMS since acquisition in 2021 [5][12] Strategic Initiatives - Etsy is focusing on enhancing customer engagement through improved product experiences and strategic marketing initiatives [7][8] - The company has established a task force to address tariff changes and improve buyer and seller experiences [9] - Significant investments are planned to support GMS improvement and enhance the marketplace experience [3] Future Guidance - For Q2 2025, Etsy anticipates GMS to decline at a rate similar to Q1 2025, with an adjusted EBITDA margin around 25% [14]

Core Viewpoint - Reddit (RDDT) is expected to report first-quarter 2025 results with projected revenues between $360 million and $370 million, indicating a year-over-year growth of 48% to 52% [1]. Revenue and Earnings Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter revenues is $372.09 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 53.15% [1]. - The consensus estimate for earnings is 3 cents per share, which has increased by a penny in the past 30 days [1][2]. Performance Influencing Factors - Reddit's first-quarter performance is anticipated to benefit from the expansion of its advertising business, increased user engagement, and growing artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives [3]. - The advertising business is experiencing strong growth across various objectives, channels, verticals, and geographies, with solid growth expected from mid-market and SMB customers [4]. AI and Automation Investments - The company is heavily investing in automation and AI to enhance ad performance and user experience, including features like the AI-powered Reddit Answers tool [5]. - Improvements in Reddit's Ads Manager and the use of Machine Learning (ML) optimization are expected to enhance the overall ad experience [5][6]. International Revenue Growth - International ad revenue rose 77% year-over-year in Q4 2024, with continued strong growth expected from the U.K. and EMEA regions [7]. Stock Performance and Valuation - RDDT shares have declined 25.7% year-to-date, underperforming the Zacks Computer & Technology sector and the Zacks Internet - Software industry [10]. - The stock is trading at a premium with a forward 12-month Price/Sales ratio of 11.26X compared to the industry average of 4.84X [8]. Competitive Landscape - Reddit's expanding partnerships, including collaborations with Alphabet (GOOGL) and Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), enhance its competitive position [14][15]. - However, the company faces intense competition from Snap (SNAP), which has been expanding its advertising capabilities [13][17]. Cost and Regulatory Challenges - Reddit anticipates slightly higher stock-based compensation costs in Q1 2025 due to increased employer taxes related to stock price volatility [18]. - Evolving European Union privacy regulations may also impact Reddit's advertising business internationally [19].

Core Viewpoint - Yum! Brands, Inc. is set to report its first-quarter 2025 results on April 30, with expectations of strong revenue growth driven by same-store sales and brand performance, particularly from KFC [1][3]. Group 1: Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share is $1.29, reflecting a 12.2% increase from the prior-year quarter [2]. - Revenue estimates stand at $2.32 billion, indicating a growth of 15.1% from $1.84 billion in the same quarter last year [2]. Group 2: Growth Drivers - Key factors contributing to Yum's anticipated results include higher same-store sales, ongoing expansion in the U.S. and internationally, and continued menu innovation [3]. - The adoption of an AI-enhanced ordering system is expected to improve operational efficiency and customer experience, leading to increased sales [4]. Group 3: Brand Performance - Revenue predictions for KFC, Taco Bell, and Habit Burger are expected to rise by 15%, 10.2%, and 15.8%, respectively, with KFC projected to generate $726.6 million [5]. - Pizza Hut revenues are forecasted to increase by 6.4% to $253.3 million [5]. Group 4: Cost Pressures - An increase in employee wages, benefits, and other operating costs is anticipated to pressure Yum's margins, with total costs and expenses expected to rise by 14.2% year-over-year [6]. Group 5: Earnings Prediction Model - The current model does not predict an earnings beat for Yum! Brands, as it has an Earnings ESP of -0.29% and a Zacks Rank of 3 [7][8].

Core Insights - The article highlights the trend of scientists and researchers leaving the United States due to ongoing attacks on education and science, with a notable example being Alex Lamb joining Tsinghua University's newly established College of AI [1][4]. Group 1: Academic Movements - Alex Lamb, a senior researcher from Microsoft Research's New York lab, will join Tsinghua University as an assistant professor in the College of AI starting in the upcoming fall semester [1]. - Lamb has a strong academic background, having obtained his bachelor's degree in applied mathematics and computer science from Johns Hopkins University and a PhD in computer science from the University of Montreal, where he studied under Turing Award winner Yoshua Bengio [1][2]. - The College of AI plans to recruit doctoral and master's students, as well as visiting students, with a preference for those with experience in machine learning and reinforcement learning [1]. Group 2: Research Focus - Lamb's research focuses on machine learning, particularly reinforcement learning and generative models, with recent studies aimed at improving performance in long text and uncertainty modeling [2]. - His work includes learning strategies through interaction and unsupervised exploration, as well as developing new training methods for generative and sequence models [2]. Group 3: Institutional Developments - Tsinghua University's College of AI, established in April 2024, is led by Turing Award winner and Chinese Academy of Sciences academician Yao Qizhi, focusing on cutting-edge AI research and talent cultivation [4]. - The college aims to make significant breakthroughs in foundational AI and interdisciplinary applications, emphasizing "core AI" and "AI+" directions [4]. Group 4: Broader Trends in AI - Amidst turmoil in the U.S. academic landscape, Lamb's appointment signifies a prominent effort by China to recruit top AI scholars from the U.S., as AI is a focal point of competition between the two major economies [4]. - A survey conducted by Nature revealed that over 75% of researchers in the U.S. are considering leaving the country, with many seeking to relocate to places that support scientific endeavors [4][6]. - The Chinese government is increasing investments in the AI sector, with the establishment of a national AI industry investment fund totaling 60.06 billion RMB, aimed at supporting the entire AI industry chain [6].

Core Viewpoint - Snowflake (SNOW) has demonstrated significant stock performance, with a 32.9% increase over the past six months, contrasting with declines in the broader Computer and Technology sector and the Internet Software industry [1] Customer Growth and Revenue - As of January 31, 2025, Snowflake's customer base grew to 11,159 from 9,384 a year prior, with 745 of these being part of the Forbes Global 2000, contributing to 45% of fiscal 2025 revenues of $3.6 billion, which is a 29% increase from fiscal 2024 [2] - The net revenue retention rate stands at 126% as of January 31, 2025, with the number of customers generating over $1 million in trailing 12-month product revenue rising from 455 to 580 [3] Product and Technology Advancements - Snowflake's expanding product portfolio, including offerings like Apache Iceberg and Hybrid tables, has been instrumental in attracting new clients [6] - In April 2025, Snowflake enhanced its AI Data Cloud by integrating core capabilities with Apache Iceberg tables, improving query performance and security [7] - The introduction of Cortex AI and its integration with models from OpenAI and Anthropic has led to increased customer engagement, with over 4,000 customers utilizing Snowflake's AI and ML technology weekly [8] Strategic Partnerships - Snowflake's partnerships with major companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, and NVIDIA have significantly contributed to its growth [9] - An expanded partnership with Microsoft announced in April 2025 aims to integrate OpenAI's models into Snowflake Cortex AI, enhancing productivity through AI-driven insights [10] - The collaboration with NVIDIA allows businesses to create customized AI data applications, improving AI performance [11] - The partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) has been expanded to enhance customer-focused innovation and deepen product integrations, serving over 6,000 joint customers [12] - Snowflake achieved Department of Defense (DoD) Impact Level 5 Provisional Authorization on AWS GovCloud US-West, enabling secure solutions for handling Controlled Unclassified Information [13] Financial Guidance - For Q1 fiscal 2026, Snowflake anticipates product revenues between $955 million and $960 million, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 21% to 22% [14] - The fiscal 2026 product revenue forecast is set to increase by 30% from fiscal 2025 to $3.46 billion [14] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Q1 fiscal 2026 revenues is $1 billion, indicating a 21.13% year-over-year growth, with earnings expected to rise by 57.14% [15] - The fiscal 2026 revenue estimate stands at $4.44 billion, suggesting a year-over-year growth of 22.47%, with earnings projected to increase by 38.55% [16] Valuation and Investment Outlook - Snowflake shares are currently trading at a premium, with a forward 12-month Price/Sales ratio of 11.2X compared to the industry average of 4.86X [17] - Despite the premium valuation, the company's strong portfolio and expanding partner base support its growth prospects, justifying the current stock price [19]

Core Viewpoint - Both OppFi Inc. (OPFI) and Futu Holdings Limited (FUTU) are fintech companies leveraging technology to transform traditional financial services, attracting growth-oriented investors seeking opportunities in the fintech sector [1][2] Company Overview - Futu Holdings provides fully digitalized financial services, focusing on online brokerage and wealth management primarily in the China market, while OppFi offers alternative lending solutions to underserved U.S. customers [2] - Both companies aim to disrupt traditional financial services through advanced technology [2] OppFi's Case - OppFi's strategy targets affordable credit for underbanked customers, with a projected market growth of 13% CAGR, reaching a $7 trillion market by 2032 [3] - The company utilizes AI and machine learning to enhance credit evaluation, improving the identification and approval of higher-quality applicants [4] - In Q4 2024, 79.5% of OppLoans were approved instantly without human intervention, marking a 630 basis point increase from Q4 2023, contributing to a 60 basis point reduction in expenses before interest year over year [5] Futu Holdings' Case - Futu challenges traditional brokerage with a fully digital platform and low fees, utilizing AI for operational efficiency, resulting in a 116% increase in operating income and a 690 basis point improvement in margin year over year in Q4 2024 [6] - The company launched various AI-driven features to enhance client experience, including automatic interpretation of corporate announcements [7] - Futu's product velocity was high in Q4 2024, with 209 iterations of its mobile and desktop applications and a 28.7% year-over-year increase in registered clients, leading to an 87% surge in top-line revenue [8][9] Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Futu's 2025 sales and EPS indicates year-over-year growth of 19.1% and 31.5%, respectively [11] - For OppFi, the estimates show 9.7% growth in sales and 12.6% in EPS for 2025 [12] Valuation Comparison - Futu Holdings trades at a forward earnings multiple of 12.57X, below its 12-month median of 14.22X, while OppFi's forward earnings multiple is 8.41X, higher than its median of 6.73X [13] Conclusion - Both OPFI and FUTU are notable fintech players, but OPFI is viewed as a more compelling investment opportunity due to its focus on advanced AI and ML in the underserved U.S. credit market, operational efficiency, and ability to disrupt traditional lending [15]

Core Viewpoint - Oportun Financial Corporation (OPRT) and Enova International Inc. (ENVA) are fintech companies focused on providing credit solutions to underserved consumers, leveraging advanced analytics and digital platforms to serve non-prime borrowers in the alternative lending sector [1][5]. Group 1: Company Performance - Oportun's shares have increased by 32.2% this year, while Enova's shares have risen by 2.1% [2]. - Oportun's total revenues are projected to be between $225 million and $230 million in Q1 2025, down from $250.5 million in the same quarter last year, with 2025 revenues expected to be in the range of $945 million to $970 million compared to $1 billion in 2024 [8]. - Enova's revenues have experienced a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.7% over the last five years [16]. Group 2: Revenue Growth and Strategies - Oportun has achieved a five-year CAGR of 10.8% in total revenues, with loans receivable at fair value and interest income growing at CAGRs of 8.1% and 10.8%, respectively [7][11]. - Enova's loans and finance receivables recorded a five-year CAGR of 48.6%, supported by its diverse lending programs and acquisition of OnDeck [21]. - Oportun's non-interest income has shown a CAGR of 6.4% over the past five years, indicating a growing revenue stream beyond interest [12]. Group 3: Financial Position - As of December 31, 2024, Oportun had cash and cash equivalents totaling $214.6 million and a debt of $69.1 million, indicating a strong liquidity position [14]. - Enova's cash and cash equivalents were $322.7 million, with a long-term debt of $3.6 billion and $944 million in available revolving credit facilities [22][23]. Group 4: Future Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Oportun's 2025 revenues implies a year-over-year decline of 3.6%, while 2026 revenues are expected to rise by 8.4% [24]. - Enova's consensus estimates suggest a year-over-year revenue increase of 16.1% for 2025 and 15% for 2026, with earnings growth of 26% and 19% for the same years, respectively [28]. Group 5: Valuation Analysis - Oportun is currently trading at a price-to-tangible book (P/TB) ratio of 0.84X, which is higher than its three-year median, while Enova's P/TB ratio is 2.99X, lower than its three-year median [31]. - Oportun's stock is considered inexpensive compared to Enova, which may present a better investment opportunity [39]. Group 6: Investment Recommendation - Oportun's focus on community-based lending and expansion into new markets, despite near-term profitability challenges, positions it as a potentially better investment choice compared to Enova, which has a broader portfolio but may face risks from exposure to subprime borrowers [38][39]. - Oportun holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), while Enova has a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a stronger recommendation for Oportun [40].

Core Viewpoint - One Stop Systems, Inc. (OSS) is set to release its first quarter 2025 financial results on May 7, 2025, and will hold a conference call to discuss these results [1] Company Overview - One Stop Systems, Inc. is a leader in AI-enabled solutions for edge computing, focusing on rugged Enterprise Class compute and storage products [3] - The company designs and manufactures products that support AI, sensor fusion, and autonomous capabilities in challenging environments [3][5] Product Offerings - OSS's product lineup includes ruggedized servers, compute accelerators, flash storage arrays, and storage acceleration software [4] - These products are utilized across various industries, including autonomous trucking, farming, and defense applications [4] Market Position - OSS operates in the rapidly growing multi-billion-dollar edge computing market, specifically in AI-enabled solutions that require high performance in demanding conditions [5]