NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kyndryl (NYSE: KD), a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise technology services, today announced a five-year extension to its agreement with The Hertz Corporation (NASDAQ: HTZ), one of the world's leading car rental and mobility solutions providers. Under the extension, Kyndryl will continue working with Hertz to advance Hertz's technology ecosystem by leveraging its Agentic AI Framework and Kyndryl Consult services. "As we continue to transform every part ...

Core Insights - Delta has undergone significant technology transformation under the leadership of CIO Rahul Samant, focusing on cloud migration and enhancing customer experience [3][4] - The company has partnered with IBM and AWS to modernize its IT infrastructure, emphasizing the link between technology and customer satisfaction [4][5] - Amala Duggirala will succeed Samant as Chief Digital and Technology Officer, indicating a trend towards consolidating technology roles within organizations [6][7] Group 1 - Delta's cloud migration plan was launched in 2021, with IBM assisting in modernizing applications and AWS being named the preferred cloud partner in 2022 [4] - The company aims to unify its commercial digital products with its enterprise technology to enhance its brand as a technology-driven consumer [6] - Samant's departure marks the end of a decade-long tenure focused on secure IT services and fostering innovation within the company [7] Group 2 - Duggirala's appointment reflects a broader organizational trend of integrating technology and digital roles, as noted by industry experts [6][7] - The transition in leadership is expected to further Delta's journey in leveraging data, AI, and transformation initiatives [7] - CEO Ed Bastian highlighted Samant's contributions to developing future technology leaders and maintaining reliable IT services [7]

Core Insights - Claire's is undergoing a technology transformation to reduce costs and regain market presence after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in seven years [3][4] - The company was acquired by private investment firm Ames Watson for $140 million, which aims to modernize and revitalize the brand [4] Group 1: Financial Challenges and Restructuring - Claire's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August, marking its second filing since 2018, due to difficulties in implementing its restructuring plan amid changing consumer buying habits [4] - The acquisition by Ames Watson is part of a strategy to modernize the chain and leverage the loyalty of its experienced field team [4][5] Group 2: Technology Upgrades and Cost Reductions - The company plans to upgrade its legacy systems in 2026, focusing on seamless data and application integrations and implementing a modern point-of-sale platform to enhance customer experiences [8] - Claire's achieved a reduction in Microsoft Azure cloud spending by over 48% year over year through automation and improved governance, alongside optimizing Microsoft 365 licensing [6][7] - The technology initiatives are seen as a growth engine for the company, with a focus on transformation and operational optimization [5][8]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the transformative potential of technology through the concept of identifying, indexing, and retrieving every element within a system with certainty [1] Group 1 - The idea presented suggests that major technological transformations start from a simple yet profound question regarding system identification and retrieval [1]

Core Insights - Reborn Coffee, Inc. has released a shareholder update detailing its premium-priced equity financings and growth initiatives as it transitions into a technology-driven global coffee brand entering 2026 [1][2] Financial Foundation - The company secured $6.5 million in equity commitments at $5.45 per share, a significant premium to its market price, indicating strong investor confidence in its operating model and long-term value creation [2][3] - These financings enhance stockholders' equity, addressing previous deficiencies and providing working capital to support technology advancements and expansion efforts [3] Technology Transformation - Reborn is undergoing a major technology transformation, creating a unified, scalable platform that integrates POS systems, kiosks, mobile ordering, and store operations [4] - This integrated system allows for real-time visibility into sales and customer behavior, improving operational efficiency and decision-making [5][6] Operational Improvements - The U.S. retail stores are experiencing improved operational momentum due to technology integration, leading to better labor efficiency, service speed, and cost controls [7] - The company anticipates achieving sustainable positive cash flow starting in the first quarter of 2026, supported by these operational enhancements [7][14] Global Expansion Strategy - Reborn's long-term growth strategy focuses on an asset-light global licensing model, with approximately ten countries under licensing agreements and more in discussions [11] - The company is also expanding into distribution licensing for consumer products, broadening its global footprint and generating high-margin revenue streams [12] Flagship Developments - A significant milestone includes the development of a flagship location within Tencent's global headquarters in Shenzhen, showcasing Reborn's technology-forward retail model [13][18] - This location is expected to serve as a brand center and operational hub for international partners [10] Strategic Positioning for 2026 - With a strengthened capital structure, improved operational performance, and an expanding international licensing network, Reborn is positioned for a strong 2026 [14] - The company aims to leverage its integrated technology foundation to drive growth and achieve sustainable positive cash flow [15]

Core Insights - Reborn Coffee, Inc. has released a shareholder update detailing its premium-priced equity financings and growth initiatives as it prepares for 2026 [1][2] Financial Strengthening - The company secured $6.5 million in equity commitments at $5.45 per share, a significant premium to its market price, indicating strong investor confidence [2] - These financings enhance stockholders' equity and address previous deficiencies, providing a stronger foundation for the company as it navigates Nasdaq's hearing process [3] Technology Transformation - Reborn is undergoing a major technology transformation, moving beyond traditional coffee retailing to a fully integrated, omni-channel operating platform [4] - This platform offers real-time insights into sales, labor, and customer behavior, facilitating data-driven decision-making and improving operational efficiency [5][6] Operational Improvements - The U.S. retail stores are experiencing improved operational momentum, with gains in labor efficiency, service speed, and tighter cost controls, leading to more predictable performance [10] - The company anticipates achieving sustainable positive cash flow starting in the first quarter of 2026 [10] Global Expansion Strategy - Reborn's long-term growth strategy focuses on an asset-light global licensing model, with approximately ten countries currently under licensing agreements [11] - The company is also expanding into distribution licensing for Reborn-branded consumer products, creating high-margin revenue streams [12] Flagship Developments - A key milestone is the development of a flagship location within Tencent's global headquarters in Shenzhen, which will showcase Reborn's technology-driven retail model [14] - This location is expected to serve as a brand center and operational hub for supporting international partners [13] Strategic Positioning - With a strengthened capital structure, improving operational performance, and an expanding international licensing network, Reborn enters 2026 from a strong strategic position [15] - The company aims to leverage these initiatives to drive sustainable positive cash flow, marking a significant operational inflection point [15]

Core Insights - Avante Corp Inc. has appointed Ted Rajanayagam as Vice President of Technology to enhance its technology strategy and operations [1][2] - Mr. Rajanayagam will focus on innovation leadership, product modernization, and digital transformation to support Avante's expanding client base [2][5] - The company aims to strengthen its capabilities in delivering customer-centric security solutions through technology transformation [5] Company Overview - Avante Corp Inc. is a Toronto-based provider of security operatives and technology-enabled security solutions for residential and commercial clients [5] - The company's mission is to deliver high-level security globally, particularly to high-net-worth families and corporations, using advanced technology solutions [5] - Avante is pursuing organic growth and strategic acquisitions to build a diversified portfolio of security businesses and solutions [5] Leadership Background - Ted Rajanayagam brings over 15 years of experience in technology-enabled operations within security and SaaS organizations [3][4] - His previous role was Vice President of Customer Operations at Notified, where he led international support and service functions [3] - Rajanayagam has a proven track record in building high-performance teams and delivering technology roadmaps that enhance customer experiences [4]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenues for Q3 2025 totaled $771 million, an increase of 3% year-over-year, with revenues net of fuel increasing by 4% [16] - Adjusted EPS was negative $0.03, impacted by discrete tax items which negatively affected adjusted EPS by $0.08 [11][28] - Adjusted operating margin was 1.4%, with TTS adjusted operating margin at 1.9% net of fuel surcharge, a decrease of 340 basis points year-over-year [16][11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Dedicated Truckload Services, revenue net of fuel was $292 million, up 2.5%, representing 65% of TTS trucking revenues [18] - One-Way Truckload Services saw trucking revenue net of fuel decrease by 3% to $160 million, with revenue per truck per week decreasing by 4.3% due to lower miles per truck [20][12] - Logistics revenue increased by 12% year-over-year to $233 million, with truckload logistics revenues up 13% and shipments increasing by 12% [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Demand in Q3 was below normal seasonality for most of the quarter, but improvement in one-way trucking demand was noted through September and into October [13] - Retail inventories have mostly normalized, with non-discretionary goods experiencing consistent replenishment cycles [14] - Spot rates trended higher starting in September and are expected to follow normal seasonal patterns for the remainder of the year [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on three priorities: driving growth in core business, operational excellence, and capital efficiency [6] - The company is investing in technology transformation, creating a modern, scalable, secure cloud-based platform to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience [8][9] - The company aims to maintain a balanced capital allocation strategy, investing in growth while returning capital to shareholders [25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in business fundamentals despite challenges in the one-way business, highlighting steady momentum in dedicated services [4][5] - Concerns about consumer health persist, but rising retail sales and moderate inflation relief are seen as supportive signs for retail [13] - The company expects continued improvement in one-way production and a more favorable position as the market stabilizes [12][15] Other Important Information - The company achieved $36 million in savings towards its $45 million cost savings goal for 2025, with expectations to reach the full goal by year-end [23] - Operating cash flow was $44 million for the quarter, representing 5.7% of total revenue, with total liquidity at quarter-end amounting to $695 million [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Expectations for TTS operating ratio improvement from Q3 to Q4 - Management expects some operating income upside due to startup expenses dropping off and one-way production rebounding, but logistics gross margin pressure may offset this [31] Question: Impact of regulatory enforcement on capacity reduction - Management noted that the pace of capacity reduction related to regulatory enforcement is increasing, with projections suggesting about 30,000 drivers could be placed out of service annually [32][33] Question: Thoughts on mid-season rates for 2026 - Management believes enforcement issues could lead to better bid season outcomes compared to the previous year, with expectations for improved rates due to increased enforcement [35][37] Question: Peak season expectations - Management anticipates peak season to look similar to the previous year, with discount retail holding up well and projections for same-store sales remaining stable [44][45] Question: Regional tightness and its impact - Management confirmed that while some regions are tightening, there is evidence of avoidance behavior among drivers, but overall, the impact on the market is significant [47]

Technology Transformation - Verizon Business's Debika Bhattacharya is sharing her transformation strategy to build trust through technology [1] - The transformation strategy will be discussed at FutureReadyBiz on 11/13 in NYC [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q2 2025, the company reported revenue of $687 million, a decrease of 1% year on year [19] - Normalized adjusted EBITDA increased by 6% year on year, with a normalized adjusted EBITDA margin improvement of approximately 120 basis points to around 19% [21] - Total debt was reduced by over $1 billion, or nearly 20%, and the company expects to reduce year-end 2025 net leverage by approximately 50% compared to year-end 2023 [7][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Air distribution bookings declined by 1% year on year, with growth strategies contributing eight points of growth offset by a nine-point decline in the base business [8][9] - Hotel distribution bookings grew by 2% in the quarter, with the attachment rate to air bookings improving by 100 basis points to 34% [10] - In IT Solutions, passengers boarded increased by 1% year on year, contributing to normalized adjusted EBITDA growth of 6% [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The operating environment remains challenging, particularly affecting air distribution bookings, which fell short of expectations [8] - The GDS industry experienced a decline in corporate bookings relative to leisure, impacting overall GDS volumes [9] - The company has a higher exposure to corporate and government travel, which has underperformed compared to leisure travel [41][62] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on generating free cash flow and deleveraging the balance sheet while driving sustainable growth through innovative technology solutions [5][18] - The transformation into a modern, open travel marketplace is underway, with significant progress in multi-source content and NDC connections [12][55] - The company anticipates a six-month delay in launching a new multi-source low-cost carrier solution due to execution delays [16][56] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the incremental industry weakness observed in June and July, leading to a revised outlook for air distribution bookings growth [14][15] - The company expects the GDS industry trends to stabilize over time, despite current challenges [14] - Management remains optimistic about the long-term growth potential, citing strong demand for new business initiatives [18][60] Other Important Information - The company closed the sale of its Hospitality Solutions business on July 3, 2025, with proceeds primarily used to pay down debt [22][25] - Pro forma free cash flow was reported as negative $2 million for the quarter, with cash on the balance sheet exceeding $600 million post-sale [22][25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Why was the prior guidance so optimistic given the consistent headwinds? - Management noted that while growth strategies remained constant, market conditions changed, leading to a more cautious outlook [34][35] Question: Is the middle scenario of guidance considered the base case? - Management indicated that they have not provided a weighting on the scenarios but believe the current trading environment aligns more with the middle scenario [36][37] Question: What factors are causing the decline in GDS bookings? - Management highlighted that corporate travel impacts GDS bookings more significantly than leisure travel, and current market conditions are temporary rather than structural [40][41] Question: What is the strategy for NDC agreements and growth? - The company has 38 live NDC connections and is focused on integrating various content types to enhance its offerings [54][67] Question: How does the company expect to manage operating costs moving forward? - Management emphasized strong cost discipline and anticipated reductions in technology expenses due to ongoing transformation initiatives [47][49]