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Spotify's Valuation Is Red-Lining (Rating Downgrade)
Seeking Alpha· 2025-07-11 22:48
With inflation cooling and rate cut expectations firming up, investors have been piling into big tech names, especially those with credible growth stories. Momentum is rewarding companies that have shown operational discipline, andAt PropNotes, we focus on finding high-yield investment opportunities for individual investors.With our background in professional Prop Trading, we make complex concepts easy to understand and offer clear, actionable insights to help you achieve better returns.All of the analysis ...
Fundstrat Capital's GRNY ETF Surpasses $1.5 Billion in AUM, Posts 13.40% Return Since Inception
Prnewswire· 2025-07-10 18:40
Core Insights - Fundstrat Capital's Granny Shots U.S. Large Cap ETF (NYSE: GRNY) has achieved over $1.5 billion in assets under management (AUM) since its launch on November 7, 2024, with a return of 13.40% as of June 30, 2025 [1][2] Company Overview - The milestone of reaching $1.5 billion in AUM reflects strong investor support and trust in the GRNY ETF [2] - Tom Lee, CIO and Portfolio Manager at Fundstrat Capital, highlighted the appreciation from GRNY holders for the weekly videos that clarify investment decisions and macroeconomic insights [2] Investment Strategy - GRNY's investment framework combines long-term structural themes such as millennial-driven demand, technological innovation, and monetary easing with short-term tactical signals like style rotation and shifts in PMI [2]
Methode Electronics(MEI) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-07-10 16:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The fourth quarter net sales were $257.1 million, a decrease of 7% year-over-year but an increase of 7% sequentially from Q3 [32][42] - Adjusted loss from operations for the fourth quarter was $21.6 million, a decrease of $11.8 million from the previous fiscal year [33] - Fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA was a negative $7.1 million, down $12.4 million from the same period last year [35] - Full year net sales were $1.048 billion, a decrease of 6% from the previous fiscal year [42] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Record sales for power products in data center applications exceeded $80 million for the full year, almost double that of fiscal 2024 [13][42] - EV sales represented 20% of consolidated total sales, an increase from 14% year-over-year, but sequentially decreased by approximately 10% from Q3 [15] - The company expects a 10% to 15% decline in EV sales for fiscal 2026 due to weaker market demand and program delays [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced significant sales headwinds from the roll-off of major auto programs, particularly the GM center console and EV lighting programs [11][42] - The decline in sales was primarily driven by the impact of these program roll-offs, which had a combined year-over-year impact of $111 million [42] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on improving operational execution and successfully launching a large pipeline of new programs, with 22 new programs launched in fiscal 2025 and another 30 expected in fiscal 2026 [18][19] - The transformation strategy aims to stabilize the organization and position it for future growth, particularly in data centers and EV markets [20][27] - The company plans to optimize its footprint and reevaluate its product portfolio to align with market opportunities [22][27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management indicated that fiscal 2026 will be a reset year due to EV program delays, particularly from Stellantis, but expects a return to growth in fiscal 2027 [7][10] - The company anticipates doubling its EBITDA in fiscal 2026 despite projected declining sales of approximately $100 million [10][28] - Management emphasized the importance of operational improvements and cost recovery actions in response to external challenges [16][17] Other Important Information - The company recorded $26 million in free cash flow for the quarter, marking the best quarter since Q4 of fiscal 2023 [8] - The company reduced both debt and net debt levels by $10 million from Q3 [17] - The board reduced the dividend, which was a strategic decision to provide more flexibility from a working capital perspective [92] Q&A Session Summary Question: How to understand the expected sales decline and EBITDA increase? - Management explained that operational improvements and the elimination of one-time expenses will contribute to the expected EBITDA increase despite declining sales [52][54] Question: What percentage of the new launches are EV platforms? - Approximately 50% of the new launches are related to EV platforms, with a significant focus on data center growth as well [56][74] Question: What is the status of Stellantis revenue expectations? - Management confirmed a significant reduction in expected revenue from Stellantis, with a $200 million swing from previous projections due to program delays [44][80] Question: What is the leverage waiver status? - The leverage covenants were relaxed through the next year, starting at 4.25 for Q4 of fiscal 2025 [62][64] Question: How much of the revenue decline is due to pricing? - The revenue decline is primarily due to program delays and cancellations, not pricing issues [100]
CVNA vs. ABG: Which Auto Retailer Should You Park in Your Portfolio?
ZACKS· 2025-07-10 15:15
Core Viewpoint - Carvana and Asbury Automotive represent two distinct approaches in the auto retail sector, with Carvana focusing on a fully digital used-car buying experience and Asbury blending traditional dealership strengths with digital initiatives [2][3]. Group 1: Carvana (CVNA) - Carvana is the second-largest used car retailer in the U.S., leveraging a digital platform that allows for a leaner operation compared to traditional retailers [4]. - The company has consistently exceeded earnings expectations for four consecutive quarters, selling over 100,000 vehicles per quarter, with a year-over-year EPS increase and a 46% rise in retail unit sales [5]. - Carvana's adjusted EBITDA reached a record $488 million with an 11.5% margin, leading all auto retailers in adjusted EBITDA margin [6]. - Rising tariffs on new vehicles may drive more consumers to the used car market, where Carvana is well-positioned [7]. - Despite over $5 billion in long-term debt, Carvana's scalable model and growth targets present a compelling narrative for investors [7]. Group 2: Asbury Automotive (ABG) - Asbury combines traditional dealership operations with a growing digital presence, selling both new and used vehicles and generating additional revenue from finance and insurance products [10]. - The Clicklane platform has shown growth, selling over 51,000 units in 2024, a 13% increase year-over-year [11]. - Strategic acquisitions have been a key growth strategy, with the latest acquisition expected to add $3 billion in annualized revenues [12]. - Asbury faces near-term challenges, including deferred revenues impacting earnings and rising SG&A costs, which reached 63.9% of gross profit [14]. - The company's adjusted EBITDA margin is below 6%, significantly lower than Carvana's, and high capital expenditures could limit free cash flow [14]. Group 3: Market Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date, Carvana shares have increased by over 70%, while Asbury's stock has gained 7% [16]. - Carvana's forward sales multiple is 3.67, significantly above its five-year median of 1.95, reflecting high growth expectations [18]. - Asbury's forward sales multiple stands at 0.27, indicating a more conservative valuation [18].
RON FLEMING APPOINTED CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF LAZYDAYS
Prnewswire· 2025-07-09 20:30
TAMPA, Fla., July 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lazydays Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQCM: GORV) ("Lazydays" or the "Company") announced today that Ron Fleming has been appointed Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"). Mr. Fleming has served as the Company's Interim CEO and a member of its Board of Directors (the "Board") since September 2024.Robert DeVincenzi, Chairman of the Board, said, "Since assuming the role of Interim CEO, Ron has led Lazydays with vision and passion, implementing an operational turnaround plan and execu ...
Fortinet Report: OT Cybersecurity Risk Elevates within Executive Leadership Ranks
Globenewswire· 2025-07-09 13:00
Core Insights - The 2025 State of Operational Technology and Cybersecurity Report by Fortinet indicates a significant increase in the responsibility for operational technology (OT) security being assigned to the C-suite, with 95% of organizations reporting C-suite involvement, up from 41% in 2022 [1][2][3] - The report highlights a correlation between OT cybersecurity maturity and the impact of intrusions, with organizations reporting fewer attacks as their maturity increases [2][3] Summary by Categories Responsibility and Accountability - There has been a notable increase in organizations assigning OT security responsibility to the CISO or CSO, with 52% of organizations now reporting this responsibility, up from 16% in 2022 [1][3] - The percentage of organizations planning to move OT cybersecurity under the CISO in the next 12 months has increased from 60% to 80% in 2025 [3] Cybersecurity Maturity - Self-reported OT security maturity has improved, with 26% of organizations at Level 1 (establishing visibility and implementing segmentation), up from 20% the previous year [3] - Organizations reporting higher maturity levels (0-4) are experiencing fewer attacks and are better equipped to handle lower-sophistication tactics, such as phishing [3] - The impact of intrusions on organizations has declined, with operational outages affecting revenue dropping from 52% to 42% [3] Best Practices and Implementation - Adoption of cybersecurity best practices, including basic cyber hygiene and improved training, has led to a significant reduction in business email compromise [3] - The use of threat intelligence has increased by 49% since 2024, indicating a trend towards more informed security practices [3] - A significant decrease in the number of OT device vendors has been observed, with 78% of organizations now using only one to four vendors, reflecting consolidation as part of best practices [3] - Organizations utilizing the Fortinet OT Security Platform have seen a 93% reduction in cyber incidents compared to a flat network [3] Recommendations for Improvement - Establishing visibility and protective controls for OT assets is essential for organizations to understand their OT networks [6] - Deploying segmentation to create defensible OT environments is recommended, following standards such as ISA/IEC 62443 [6] - Integrating OT into security operations and incident response planning is crucial for effective risk management [6] - A platform-based approach to security architecture can simplify management and improve security efficacy [6] - Embracing OT-specific threat intelligence and security services is vital for timely awareness of risks [6]
Cloudflare Improves Sales Execution: Will Margin Gain Continue?
ZACKS· 2025-07-08 15:36
Key Takeaways Cloudflare's S&M expense to revenue ratio dropped to 38.28% in Q1 2025 from 41.4% a year earlier. NET's Q1 operating margin rose 50 bps YoY to 11.7%, driven by S&M discipline and stable cost structure. Customer count rose 27% YoY, with 30 new large clients helping total $100K+ accounts reach 3,527.Cloudflare (NET) is continuously improving its sales and marketing (S&M) efficiency. This is reflected in the declining S&M expense to revenue ratio, which has been on a constant decline for the pa ...
Here's Why Investors Should Bet on Greenbrier Stock Now
ZACKS· 2025-07-08 14:35
Core Insights - Greenbrier Companies (GBX) is experiencing strong operational efficiency and demand, positively impacting its revenue growth [1] - The company has demonstrated robust liquidity, with a current ratio of 1.48, indicating financial flexibility [10] - GBX shares have appreciated significantly, outperforming the industry average [1][3] Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GBX's earnings per share has been revised upward by 28.2% for the current year and 2.8% for 2026, reflecting broker confidence [2] - GBX's shares have increased by 23% over the past year, while the Zacks Transportation - Equipment and Leasing industry has seen a decline of 9.8% [3] Operational Highlights - In Q3 2025, GBX secured 3,900 new railcar orders valued at $500 million and delivered 5,600 units, showcasing strong market activity [4][8] - The lease fleet utilization rate reached 98%, indicating efficient asset use and robust demand [8] - The backlog stands at 18,900 units, valued at $2.5 billion, providing solid revenue visibility [4][8] Financial Flexibility - GBX renewed and extended $850 million in bank facilities through 2030, enhancing its financial flexibility for long-term growth [9] - The company's strong liquidity position supports its ability to invest in operations and navigate market fluctuations [10] Industry Position - GBX holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a favorable outlook within its industry [6] - The industry rank for GBX is 25 out of 246, placing it in the top 10% of Zacks Industries, which is crucial for stock performance [6][7]
Here's Why Investors Should Hold Canadian Natural Stock for Now
ZACKS· 2025-07-08 13:05
Key Takeaways In the past year, CNQ's shares have lost 12.1% underperforming the sector's average of 0.8% decline. The consensus mark for CNQ's revenues is pegged at $26.96 billion for 2025, implying a 3.6% YoY rise. CNQ benefits from strong operational performance and financial discipline, but high debt levels hurt.Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ) is a leading independent energy producer with a diversified portfolio spanning North America, the U.K. North Sea and Offshore Africa. With a balanced p ...
Why Freeport-McMoRan Is The Copper King in a Tight Market
MarketBeat· 2025-07-07 13:01
Freeport-McMoRan TodayFCXFreeport-McMoRan$45.86 +0.09 (+0.19%) 52-Week Range$27.66▼$52.61Dividend Yield0.65%P/E Ratio37.90Price Target$48.27Add to WatchlistIndustry analysts are intensifying their discussion, and the message is clear: the world is facing a structural, long-term copper shortage. This trend will not resolve itself anytime soon; it is a fundamental market shift driven by powerful, irreversible forces. The global transition to a green economy requires staggering amounts of the red metal to bui ...