Core Insights - Lenovo is launching the third season of the "New Business Innovation Ecosystem Roadshow" to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by addressing their challenges in funding, channels, and resource connections [3][9] - The initiative has attracted over 350 innovative projects and facilitated nearly 100 companies to connect, with more than 60 projects achieving proof of concept (PoC) and around 20 products commercialized [3][4] Group 1: Event Overview - The third season will focus on four key tracks: AI PC-side intelligent technology, AI hardware and interaction technology, industry intelligent agents, and advanced manufacturing [4] - The competition format has been upgraded to include "3 city roadshows + 1 city showcase + 1 industry tour," taking place in five major industrial hubs: Shanghai, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Hefei/Tianjin, and Beijing [4] Group 2: Support and Resources - Participants will unlock five core benefits: collaborative research and development, open ecosystem, capital support, brand empowerment, and service empowerment [5][25] - Winning projects will receive expert consulting, opportunities for million-level PoC projects, priority collaboration with Lenovo's factories, closed-door meetings with top investment institutions, and significant industry exposure [5][20] Group 3: Strategic Goals - Lenovo aims to create a deeper, more sustainable, and open co-creation ecosystem, linking innovative projects with investment institutions, industry leaders, local innovation clusters, and policy resources [9] - The initiative is positioned as a systematic innovation acceleration experiment, providing a platform for innovative ideas to gain visibility and support for commercialization [9][10]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2024, the company exceeded guidance on revenue and adjusted EBITDA for the fifth consecutive quarter, with revenue growing 9% on an organic constant currency basis, surpassing the 6% to 8% guidance [6][48] - Adjusted EBITDA increased 16% on a reported and constant currency basis, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 36.5%, up 230 basis points [49] - Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.97, reflecting a 21% increase [49] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. Markets revenue grew 8% year-over-year, with financial services revenue increasing by 21% [51] - Consumer Interactive revenue declined 11% due to a large breach win in the prior year, while excluding this impact, revenue still decreased due to the direct channel [55] - Emerging verticals grew 4%, led by double-digit growth in insurance [54] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - International revenue grew 12% on a constant currency basis, with India growing 18% [57] - The U.S. credit market conditions remain subdued, with mortgage originations at low levels not seen since 1995 [18] - The Indian consumer credit market is expected to grow modestly in 2025, with a guidance of roughly 10% growth [60] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to deliver consistent results in a subdued market while focusing on transforming its operating model, modernizing technology, and accelerating innovation [12][13] - Strategic priorities for 2025 include strengthening the global operating model and completing technology transformations in the U.S. and India [13][14] - The company plans to expand its freemium credit management offering in collaboration with Credit Sesame, targeting the multibillion-dollar market [39][40] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed a cautious outlook, assuming muted but stable lending activity in the U.S. and not anticipating significant improvements in credit volumes due to interest rate conditions [15][66] - The company expects to achieve 4.5% to 6% organic constant currency revenue growth in 2025, with potential upside when U.S. credit market conditions improve [83] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a conservative approach to guidance, reflecting the current market conditions [91] Other Important Information - The company prepaid $45 million in debt during Q4 2024, totaling $150 million for the year, and successfully refinanced over $2.3 billion of term loans [9][10] - A new $500 million share repurchase program was authorized, replacing all prior repurchase authorizations [79] Q&A Session Questions and Answers Question: How does the company reconcile its conservative guidance with current market conditions? - Management indicated that while market conditions are stable, they remain muted compared to longer-term origination patterns, hence the prudent approach to guidance [91] Question: What is the expected performance of Consumer Interactive revenues in 2025? - Management noted that the new freemium offering is expected to enhance growth in both direct and indirect channels, providing a strategic reset for the consumer business [96] Question: What visibility does the company have regarding growth in India? - Management acknowledged the slowdown in the Indian market due to regulatory actions but expressed optimism for a potential thawing in the consumer credit market throughout 2025 [100]