Hooray, You Got Profitable. That’s Great, But It’s Not Enough. It’s Time To Reaccelerate Growth. You did the easiest hard thing.You cut the burn the last 6, 12, 24 months. You right-sized the team. You got to profitability—or at least cash-flow positive. You survived when so many others didn’t.And that matters. A lot.But here’s the uncomfortable truth I’m seeing across the SaaStr portfolio and from talking to hundreds of founders: Profitability was the medicine, not the cure.The cure is growth. It always w ...

Generative AI dominated narratives in 2025, but the financial payoff hasn't kept pace with the hype. JPMorgan's 2026 outlook, backed by new CEO survey data, suggests markets are now recalibrating expectations — shifting focus from AI adoption to whether it actually delivers profits. GenAI Fell Short Of CEO Expectations PwC's latest global CEO survey, covering more than 4,700 executives across 109 countries, shows a clear expectation gap. While over 40% of CEOs entered 2025 expecting GenAI to boost revenu ...

Remitly Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:RELY) is one of the best FinTech stocks to buy in 2026. On December 11, Citizens reiterated its Market Outperform rating on Remitly Global and maintained a $20 price target, arguing the stock had already “overcorrected” ahead of the company’s Investor Day. The firm cited a negative mix that weighed on sentiment, including immigration-related headlines, a visible slowdown in revenue growth, and investor anxiety about the rollout of a small-dollar lending product. Even so, Citiz ...

Core Insights - Planet Labs PBC stock experienced a significant increase due to rising demand for its satellite imagery and data platform [1][2] - The company reported earnings that exceeded market expectations, with revenue of $81.25 million compared to the anticipated $71.99 million [3] Financial Performance - The adjusted earnings per share was breakeven, aligning with market expectations for the second time this year [3] - Analyst Ryan Koontz from Needham raised the price forecast for the stock from $16 to $22, citing a strong balance sheet and plans for positive free cash flow in fiscal 2026 and 2027 [4] - The Defense and Intelligence segment saw a remarkable growth of 72%, while commercial revenue faced a decline due to softer agricultural demand [5] - Gross margin reached 60.3%, surpassing guidance due to stronger revenue and usage-based subscriptions [5] - Adjusted EBITDA remained positive for the fourth consecutive quarter, and free cash flow was positive despite high capital spending [6] Strategic Developments - Total remaining performance obligations increased significantly, bolstered by recent contracts in Japan and Germany [7] - New awards included programs with the U.S. Navy, NATO, and NASA, which helped offset budget-driven renewals at lower rates [7] - The company anticipates fourth-quarter revenue between $76 million and $80 million, exceeding estimates of $73.88 million [7] Outlook - Planet Labs raised its full-year revenue guidance from $281 million to a new range of $297 million to $301 million, surpassing estimates of $284.11 million [8] - The company operates a fleet of approximately 200 satellites, capable of imaging 350 million square kilometers daily, nearly double the Earth's landmass [9] - Analyst Koontz expects improving fundamentals through fiscal 2025 and 2026, with tighter cost controls enhancing profitability during this period [10] - Planet Labs shares rose by 33.00% to $17.20, reaching a new 52-week high [10]

Core Insights - Planet Labs (NYSE:PL) experienced a 30% increase in stock price, reaching nearly $17 per share, following strong third-quarter earnings driven by demand for Earth observation data and AI integrations [1][2] - The company reported a revenue of $81.3 million for Q3, exceeding Wall Street's estimate of $72.2 million and marking a 33% year-over-year growth, attributed to defense and government contracts [2][10] - Planet Labs raised its full-year 2026 revenue guidance to between $297 million and $301 million, with expectations of adjusted EBITDA profit for the first time in its history [2][10] Financial Performance - The adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $5.6 million, marking the fourth consecutive profitable quarter, although the calculation was adjusted to exclude changes in warrant liabilities [4][6] - GAAP net losses widened to $59.2 million from $20.1 million a year ago, primarily due to a non-cash charge related to warrant liabilities and increased operational spending [3][5] Market Position and Future Outlook - Analysts, including Needham & Co., have a positive outlook, raising price targets and highlighting the company's strong execution and growth potential in defense and AI sectors [7][11] - Planet Labs has secured significant contracts, including a $12.8 million award from the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency for AI-powered maritime surveillance [8] - The company is positioned in the $100 billion Earth-observation market with a strong cash balance of $226 million and zero debt, indicating a shift from speculative trading to sustainable operations [10][12]

Core Viewpoint - Palantir Technologies has shown significant stock growth, but smaller AI companies like Alibaba and AMD may outperform it in the near future, potentially surpassing its valuation by the end of 2026 [1][2][9]. Palantir Technologies - Palantir's stock has increased by 167% in 2023 and 340% in 2024, with a year-to-date rise of approximately 148%, leading to a market cap of $448 billion [1]. - The company achieved a revenue growth of 63% and an adjusted operating margin of 51%, resulting in a Rule of 40 score of 114, indicating strong growth and profitability [4]. - Despite its profitability and growth exceeding analyst expectations, the stock price has declined following the release of its third-quarter earnings [5]. - Palantir's stock trades at nearly 100 times analysts' revenue expectations for 2026 and 250 times expected forward earnings, suggesting that future growth is already priced in [7]. - Analysts have raised their price targets for Palantir, with a median target of $200, but most maintain a hold or sell rating, indicating skepticism about further price increases [8]. Alibaba Group - Alibaba is not only a leading e-commerce platform but also the largest cloud infrastructure provider in China, with AI services revenue growing at a triple-digit pace for nine consecutive quarters, contributing to a 34% increase in total cloud revenue [10]. - The company has invested approximately $17 billion into AI and cloud infrastructure over the past year, although it faces challenges in meeting the demand for AI services [11]. - Alibaba's market cap is currently $378 billion, and if it continues to grow, it could surpass Palantir's valuation [15]. - The market may be undervaluing Alibaba's growth potential, as its forward P/E ratio is under 24, significantly lower than other AI stocks [14]. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) - AMD is making strides in the GPU market, competing effectively with Nvidia, and expects its data center revenue to grow by an average of 60% over the next three to five years, with AI-specific solutions projected to grow at an annualized rate of 80% [16][17]. - The company anticipates capturing at least 10% of the AI compute market, which is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2030, potentially leading to higher gross margins and stronger earnings growth [17]. - AMD's forward P/E ratio is around 55, but it trades for only 21 times expectations for 2027 earnings, suggesting it could be undervalued if long-term earnings projections are met [20]. - With a current market cap of $360 billion, AMD will need continued strong performance to surpass Palantir, but the upcoming release of its MI450 series could serve as a catalyst for growth [21].

Klaviyo (NYSE:KVYO) FY Conference Summary Company Overview - Klaviyo provides an autonomous consumer CRM, serving over 183,000 businesses globally, focusing on delivering personalized customer experiences through software without account managers or sales reps [8][11][12] - The company has transitioned from being known primarily for marketing to emphasizing its underlying data platform, which utilizes machine learning and AI techniques [9][10] Financial Performance - Klaviyo is experiencing significant growth, with a revenue run rate exceeding $1 billion and a growth rate above 30% per year [11][13] - The company has consistently delivered above the Rule of 40 since going public [11][12] Holiday Season Performance - During the Black Friday to Cyber Monday period, Klaviyo helped businesses generate over $3.8 billion in sales, accounting for 42% of their total revenue during that weekend [14][15] - The company processed over 22 billion messages and 10 billion data points, enhancing consumer profiles for its clients [14][15] AI Integration and Product Development - Klaviyo has introduced AI-driven products, including a Marketing Agent that autonomously designs marketing campaigns and a Customer Agent for customer service [15][19] - Early adopters of these AI features are seeing significant revenue increases, with one apparel customer reporting a 40% year-on-year revenue growth through Klaviyo [42][43] - The company is focused on enhancing customer engagement through AI, allowing businesses to define marketing strategies and customer interactions more effectively [36][40] Channel Expansion - Klaviyo is expanding its communication channels beyond email to include SMS, mobile apps, WhatsApp, and social media platforms like Instagram [44][45] - The company emphasizes the importance of a unified customer experience across all channels, allowing businesses to leverage their data effectively [55] International Growth - International revenue has been growing rapidly, with the EMEA region experiencing a 48% growth rate last quarter [63][64] - Approximately one-third of Klaviyo's revenue now comes from international markets, with ongoing efforts to localize products and marketing strategies [70][71] Market Positioning and Strategy - Klaviyo is increasingly targeting enterprise businesses, leveraging its integrated data platform to meet the needs of larger clients [72][73] - The company has appointed a co-CEO, Chano Fernandez, to help drive growth in international and enterprise markets [81][84] Future Outlook - Klaviyo remains optimistic about its growth trajectory, with plans to continue investing in AI and expanding its product offerings [88][90] - The company aims to maintain strong margins while pursuing growth opportunities, believing that AI will enhance product outcomes rather than just efficiency [88][89]

nCino FY Conference Summary Company Overview - nCino is a leading platform in commercial lending in the U.S. and is expanding internationally, with a focus on various financial services including small business, consumer, and mortgage lending [3][6][7]. Key Points and Arguments Company Evolution and Market Focus - nCino has evolved from a commercial lending focus to a comprehensive platform serving various financial institution needs globally [6][7]. - The company has seen success in international markets, particularly in the UK and Japan, and is focused on expanding further into Europe [7][9]. Financial Performance - The third quarter results showed a 600 basis point increase in operating margin year-over-year, indicating strong execution and growth [13]. - Over 110 customers have adopted the Banking Advisor AI, showcasing traction in AI initiatives [13]. Market Environment - The financial institutions' balance sheets are generally healthy, leading to a positive spending environment post-liquidity crisis [16][17]. - AI is a significant catalyst for customer engagement and sales activity, contributing to a more normalized market environment [16][17]. U.S. Commercial Lending - There remains significant growth potential in U.S. commercial lending, even with existing customers, as there are opportunities for deeper product penetration [23][24]. - The platform's ability to scale and serve both small and large banks is a competitive advantage [6][24]. International Expansion - nCino's competitive landscape is favorable, with no direct competitors offering the same comprehensive solutions [28][29]. - The company is focusing on Spain and the Nordics for further expansion, with early successes noted [29][30]. Consumer Banking - Consumer banking is seen as a growth area, primarily through a "rip and replace" strategy, where existing systems are replaced with nCino's platform [39][40]. - The competitive landscape in consumer banking is evolving, with nCino's platform offering a unique value proposition [40][44]. Pricing Model Transition - nCino is transitioning to a platform-based pricing model, which is expected to align better with customer value and drive revenue growth [55][59]. - As of the end of Q3, approximately 27% of overall Annual Contract Value (ACV) was on the new pricing model, which is expected to accelerate renewals and new sales [59][63]. Mortgage Business - The mortgage segment has shown strong growth, with a 22% year-over-year increase in Q2 and over 20% in Q3, driven by market stabilization and increased loan volumes [74][78]. - The company anticipates continued growth in the mortgage sector as market conditions improve [78][82]. Capital Allocation Strategy - nCino has authorized a $100 million buyback, reflecting confidence in the business trajectory and a balanced approach to capital allocation [119][121]. - The focus remains on executing the current strategy while being open to future M&A opportunities if they align with business needs [121][126]. Margin Expansion - The company is targeting improvements in gross margins, particularly in professional services, through more efficient implementations and leveraging AI [109][110]. - The mix of professional services revenue is expected to trend down as the company focuses on its core product offerings [116][118]. Additional Important Insights - The transition to platform pricing is expected to enhance revenue recognition and cash flow visibility, aligning revenue with customer asset growth [100][106]. - nCino's strategy emphasizes execution and accountability across the organization, which is critical for maintaining growth momentum [22][39].

Summary of Elastic's Earnings Call Company Overview - **Company**: Elastic - **Industry**: Technology, specifically focusing on search, observability, and security solutions Key Highlights 1. **Strong Customer Commitments**: Elastic reported strong customer commitments in Q2, with significant deals including two over $20 million and five over $10 million, indicating robust sales momentum [1][2] 2. **AI Growth**: AI is identified as the fastest-growing segment of Elastic's business, contributing to overall strong performance [1] 3. **Public Sector Impact**: U.S. public sector shutdowns affected some renewals, shifting revenue from Q2 to Q3, but overall momentum remained strong [3] 4. **Revenue Guidance Raised**: Due to strong performance and customer commitments, Elastic raised its full-year revenue guidance [4] 5. **Geopolitical Influence**: Geopolitical events have led to increased public sector purchasing in Europe, benefiting Elastic's operations [6] 6. **CISA Deal**: Elastic secured a significant deal with CISA, allowing them to offer Elastic SIEM as a service to other U.S. federal agencies, marking a unique opportunity for growth [10][11] 7. **AI Integration**: Companies are increasingly integrating AI capabilities into their products, with Elastic collaborating with various software businesses to enhance their offerings [12][13] 8. **Production Use Cases**: Many customers are moving from proof of concepts (POCs) to live production scenarios, indicating a growing adoption of Elastic's solutions [16][17] 9. **Customer Cohorts**: The cohort of customers using Elastic for AI is growing approximately 5% faster than other cohorts, highlighting the increasing demand for AI-related solutions [19][36] 10. **Sales Strategy**: Elastic has restructured its sales organization to focus on new customer acquisition, particularly in the mid-market and enterprise segments, aiming to convert more Fortune 100 companies into customers [34][35] Additional Insights 1. **Investment Allocation**: Over 60% of Elastic's investment is directed towards platform capabilities, which enhances their ability to address complex data challenges across security, observability, and search [24][26] 2. **Efficiency Gains**: The company has seen improvements in sales efficiency and productivity, which supports their growth strategy [41][52] 3. **Pricing Model**: Elastic does not have a specific AI SKU; instead, AI adoption leads to higher functionality usage and increased data consumption, which drives revenue growth [20][21] 4. **Long-term Growth Focus**: Elastic emphasizes a balanced approach to growth and profitability, aiming for sustainable growth while increasing margins [55][56] Conclusion Elastic is experiencing strong growth driven by significant customer commitments, particularly in AI and public sector deals. The company is strategically investing in its platform capabilities and restructuring its sales approach to capture new market opportunities. The focus on efficiency and productivity is expected to support continued growth and improved margins in the future.

Core Insights - CrowdStrike's Q3 FY'26 results have significantly countered the negative market sentiment following the July 2024 outage, showcasing strong performance and customer retention [2][10] - The company reported a 73% increase in Net New Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR), reaching $265 million, indicating robust demand for its services [3][10] - The narrative around CrowdStrike has shifted from being perceived as a liability to being recognized as an essential utility in the cybersecurity landscape [5] Financial Performance - CrowdStrike's revenue growth stands at 29% year-on-year, with a free cash flow margin of 25%, demonstrating a balance of rapid growth and profitability [8] - The company's price-to-sales (P/S) ratio is approximately 22x for FY'27, significantly higher than competitors like SentinelOne at 5x and Palo Alto Networks at ~11x [8] Competitive Landscape - Despite concerns about competition from Microsoft and SentinelOne, CrowdStrike's customer base appears to be growing, with 49% of subscription clients now using six or more modules [8] - The outage has inadvertently highlighted Microsoft's vulnerabilities, reinforcing CrowdStrike's position as a critical component of enterprise security [8][9] Product Innovation - The introduction of "Falcon Flex" has allowed customers to utilize multiple modules under a single contract, reducing friction and increasing module adoption [7][8] - Flex customers typically use an average of nine modules, which locks them into the CrowdStrike ecosystem and diminishes the threat from point solution competitors [8] Market Position - CrowdStrike is now viewed as a "Systemically Important Institution" trading at a discount relative to its capabilities, suggesting potential for future growth [4] - The company's management has emphasized record achievements in Next-Gen SIEM, positioning it as a leader in evolving security solutions [9]