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Is the Options Market Predicting a Spike in Alkami Technology Stock?
ZACKS· 2025-05-19 15:01
Group 1 - Alkami Technology, Inc. (ALKT) is experiencing significant activity in the options market, particularly with the Jun 20, 2025 $35.00 Put showing high implied volatility, indicating potential for a major price movement [1] - Implied volatility reflects market expectations for future stock movement, suggesting that investors anticipate a significant event that could lead to a rally or sell-off [2] - Analysts have mixed views on Alkami Technology, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter decreasing from nine cents per share to eight cents due to one upward and one downward revision in estimates [3] Group 2 - The high implied volatility surrounding Alkami Technology may indicate a developing trading opportunity, as options traders often seek to sell premium on such options to benefit from time decay [4]
Does D-Wave's Quantum Supremacy Make the Stock a Buy Now?
ZACKS· 2025-05-16 20:01
Core Insights - D-Wave Quantum Inc. has experienced a significant stock increase of 59.6% in May, outperforming the Internet Software industry's 16.2% and the S&P 500's 5.7% gains [1][4] - The stock rally is attributed to strong Q1 2025 financial results and notable technological advancements, including a recent demonstration of quantum supremacy [2][5] Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, D-Wave's revenues surged by 509% year over year, primarily due to the sale of the Advantage2 system to the Julich Supercomputing Center [5] - GAAP gross profit increased by 736%, while non-GAAP gross profit rose by 644% [5] - The net loss decreased to 2 cents per share, down from 11 cents per share in Q1 2024, marking the lowest loss since the company's public debut [6] Technological Achievements - D-Wave achieved quantum supremacy by using its 1,200-qubit Advantage2 prototype to simulate complex magnetic materials in minutes, a task that would take traditional supercomputers nearly a million years [7] - This breakthrough highlights the practical applicability of D-Wave's quantum annealing systems, distinguishing the company in a field often dominated by theoretical claims [7] Market Position and Growth Potential - D-Wave is the only company with production-level quantum applications in real-world use, with major clients including Ford Otosan, NTT DOCOMO, and Japan Tobacco [11] - The global quantum computing market is projected to reach $125 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 36.9%, indicating strong long-term potential for D-Wave [16] Technical Indicators - D-Wave's stock is trading above both the 50-day and 200-day moving averages, suggesting a bullish trend and positive market sentiment [13]
Should You Buy, Sell or Hold Block Stock Before Q1 Earnings?
ZACKS· 2025-04-29 17:20
Core Viewpoint - Block is expected to report first-quarter 2025 results on April 30, with revenue estimates of $6.18 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 3.81% and earnings per share (EPS) of 88 cents, indicating a 3.53% increase from the previous year [1][2]. Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates that Block's earnings have beaten expectations in two of the last four quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 11.25% [2]. - Gross Payment Volume (GPV) for Block reached $61.95 billion in Q4 2024, marking a 7.8% year-over-year increase, driven by strong performance in the Square ecosystem [3]. - Gross profit is anticipated to grow 11% year-over-year to $2.32 billion, with adjusted operating income expected at $430 million and an adjusted operating margin of 19% [4]. Market Conditions - Block shares have declined 31% year-to-date, underperforming the Zacks Computer & Technology sector's decline of 11.1% and the Zacks Internet Software industry's fall of 6.2% [6]. - The company faces challenges from a difficult macroeconomic environment, including the risk of recession due to higher tariffs [6]. Competitive Position - Block's stock is currently trading at a Price/Cash Flow ratio of 21.84X, which is higher than the sector average of 18.75X and competitors like PayPal at 8.84X [10]. - The company is expanding its product offerings, including a new Square POS app that integrates various functionalities for different industries [14][15]. Strategic Initiatives - Cash App's partnership with Google Play enhances its payment options, and the Afterpay division has seen significant consumer engagement, with over $72 billion spent since its acquisition [16]. - Block's comprehensive commerce ecosystem supports sellers by combining software, hardware, and payment services, which is expected to sustain momentum [13]. Investment Outlook - Despite strong product offerings and a growing partner base, challenging macroeconomic conditions and sluggish consumer spending trends raise concerns [18]. - Block's shares are currently trading below their 50-day and 200-day moving averages, indicating a bearish trend [18].
Can SNOW Stock Continue Its Rally After Gaining 33% in Six Months?
ZACKS· 2025-04-28 20:05
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]
Buy, Sell or Hold Meta Platforms Stock? Key Tips Ahead of Q1 Earnings
ZACKS· 2025-04-28 17:05
Core Viewpoint - Meta Platforms (META) is expected to report strong first-quarter 2025 results, driven by robust advertising revenue growth and effective use of AI technologies [1][4][21] Revenue Expectations - META anticipates total revenues between $39.5 billion and $41.8 billion for Q1 2025, reflecting an 8-15% year-over-year growth or 11-18% growth at constant currency [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter revenues is $41.22 billion, indicating a 13.08% increase from the previous year [1][2] Earnings Projections - The consensus estimate for earnings per share stands at $5.21, down 2.3% over the past month, suggesting a 10.62% growth from the year-ago quarter [2] Advertising Revenue Growth - Strong advertising revenue growth is anticipated, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Q1 2025 advertising revenues at $40.44 billion, indicating a 13.5% year-over-year growth [4] - META's platforms, including WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, and Facebook, reach over three billion users daily, enhancing its position in the digital ad market [5] AI and Machine Learning Utilization - META is leveraging AI and machine learning to enhance user engagement and advertising effectiveness, with AI-driven feed recommendations being a key factor [6][15] - The deployment of deep neural networks has improved ad quality and recall rates significantly [18] Financial Performance and Valuation - The Family of Apps' operating income is estimated at $19.97 billion, reflecting a 13% year-over-year growth, while Reality Labs is expected to incur a loss of $4.70 billion, wider than the previous year's loss [7] - META shares have declined 6.6% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Computer & Technology sector's 11% decline but lagging behind the Internet Software Industry's 5.9% drop [8] Competitive Position - META is expected to capture a significant share of global ad spending, alongside Alphabet and Amazon, projected to absorb roughly 50% of the market by 2028 [5] - The company's focus on improving advertisers' return on ad spending through proprietary machine learning systems enhances its competitive edge [16]
Should You Buy, Sell, or Hold PayPal Stock Before Q1 Earnings?
ZACKS· 2025-04-25 19:05
Core Viewpoint - PayPal is expected to report flat to low single-digit revenue growth for Q1 2025, with non-GAAP earnings projected between $1.15 and $1.17 per share, indicating a year-over-year growth of 6-8% [1][2]. Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Q1 revenues is $7.83 billion, reflecting a 1.64% increase from the previous year [1]. - The consensus for earnings is $1.15 per share, which is a decline of 17.86% compared to the same quarter last year [2]. Recent Developments - PayPal has consistently beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 14.26% [3]. - The company’s strong portfolio and partnerships are expected to positively influence Q1 results, particularly through initiatives like Fastlane and Venmo monetization [4][5]. Strategic Partnerships - PayPal's partnerships with major companies such as Amazon, Shopify, Apple, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms have been significant growth drivers [5][6]. - The integration of PayPal and Venmo cards into Apple Wallet and the addition of PayPal as a processor for Shopify Payments enhance operational efficiency for business owners [6]. Value-Added Services - PayPal is expanding its value-added services, including FX-as-a-service and network tokens for automated billing, which are expected to improve transaction margins [8]. - The launch of PayPal Everywhere is driving increased debit card adoption and creating new spending categories [8]. Stock Performance - PayPal shares have declined by 23.8% year-to-date, underperforming the Zacks Business Service sector and the Internet Software Industry [9]. - The stock is considered cheap, with a forward Price/Sales ratio of 1.91X, significantly lower than the industry average of 6.33X [12]. Long-Term Growth Prospects - PayPal's portfolio strength and investments in branded checkout and P2P services are expected to drive total active accounts and transaction margins [16]. - The company anticipates a transaction margin growth of at least 5% in 2025 and high-single-digit growth by 2027, with long-term growth projected at over 10% [17].
Meta Platforms Dips 14% in a Month: Buy, Sell or Hold the Stock?
ZACKS· 2025-04-17 20:00
Core Viewpoint - Meta Platforms (META) has experienced a significant decline in share price, dropping 13.7% over the past month, which is worse than the declines seen in the broader Zacks Internet Software industry and the Zacks Computer & Technology sector [1][2]. Economic Impact - The decline in META's stock can be linked to challenging macroeconomic conditions, particularly the tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on trade partners, which are expected to negatively affect technology stocks, including META [2][3]. - Higher tariffs are anticipated to impact the digital advertising sector, where Meta, along with Alphabet and Amazon, is projected to capture about 50% of global ad spending by 2028 [2]. Revenue Dependency - Meta generates over 90% of its revenue from advertising, making it particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of tariffs and a potential trade war [3]. - In contrast, Alphabet and Amazon have a lower dependency on advertising due to their cloud computing services, which may provide them with a buffer against the negative impacts of tariffs [3]. Stock Performance - Since the announcement of tariffs on April 2, META shares have fallen by 14%, underperforming Alphabet and Amazon [4]. AI and User Engagement - Meta is leveraging AI to enhance user engagement, with over 3.35 billion daily users and more than 700 million monthly active AI users [8]. - The company is implementing updates to improve AI responses, which is expected to boost user engagement further [8]. Content Monitoring Changes - META's decision to relax content monitoring through the Community Notes program aims to promote free speech and enhance user engagement across its platforms [9]. Advertising Technology - The proprietary machine learning system, Andromeda, powered by NVIDIA, has improved ad quality and retrieval performance, achieving over 6% recall improvement and more than 8% ad quality improvement in selected segments [10]. Social Commerce Initiatives - META is focusing on social commerce through initiatives like Meta Verified, which offers subscription plans to enhance business credibility on its platforms [11]. Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for META's first-quarter 2025 earnings is $5.22 per share, reflecting a 1.8% decrease over the past 30 days but indicating a year-over-year increase of 10.83% [12]. Valuation Metrics - META's stock is currently trading at a forward Price/Sales ratio of 7.9X, which is higher than its median of 7.83X and the broader sector's 5.81X, suggesting a stretched valuation [13]. Future Outlook - Despite the challenges, META's focus on AI is making it attractive to advertisers. However, the first-quarter 2025 results may be impacted by unfavorable foreign exchange rates and high operating expenses projected between $114 billion and $119 billion [17]. - META is expected to invest heavily in AI infrastructure, with capital expenditures projected between $60 billion and $65 billion for 2025 [18]. - The stock is currently trading below its 50-day moving average, indicating a bearish trend [18].
Buy 5 Top-Ranked Internet Software Stocks for Solid Short-Term Returns
ZACKS· 2025-04-14 13:20
Industry Overview - The Internet Software and Services sector is experiencing growth due to increased IT spending on hybrid operating environments and the high penetration of mobile devices, prompting businesses to invest in web-based infrastructure, applications, and security software [1][3] - The Internet Software industry is ranked in the top 37% of Zacks Industry Rank, indicating an expectation to outperform the market in the next three to six months [2] Growth Drivers - The industry is benefiting from the global digital transformation and the rapid adoption of Software as a Service (SaaS), which provides flexible and cost-effective application delivery [3] - There is a growing demand for web-based cybersecurity software due to the need to secure cloud platforms against cyber-attacks, leading to increased demand for performance management monitoring tools [5] Company Highlights Affirm Holdings Inc. (AFRM) - Affirm is projected to achieve revenues between $3.13 billion and $3.19 billion in fiscal 2025, driven by growing active merchant numbers and partnerships with companies like Apple Pay [11] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Affirm are 36.9% and 96.4%, respectively, for the current year, with a short-term price target indicating a potential upside of 112.4% from the last closing price of $40.49 [12][13] Five9 Inc. (FIVN) - Five9 offers intelligent cloud software for contact centers, benefiting from the adoption of AI tools, with a focus on personalized AI agents [14][16] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Five9 are 9.8% and 5.7%, respectively, with a short-term price target suggesting a maximum upside of 190.4% from the last closing price of $23.07 [17] Unity Software Inc. (U) - Unity provides a platform for creating interactive, real-time 3D content across various devices, catering to developers and content creators [18][19] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Unity are -2% and 31%, respectively, with a short-term price target indicating a potential upside of 82% from the last closing price of $19.23 [20][21] Olo Inc. (OLO) - Olo operates an open SaaS platform for restaurants, facilitating digital ordering and payment solutions, enhancing guest experiences [22][23] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Olo are 17.5% and 40.9%, respectively, with a short-term price target suggesting a maximum upside of 62.1% from the last closing price of $6.17 [25] StoneCo Ltd. (STNE) - StoneCo provides financial technology solutions for electronic commerce in Brazil, distributing through proprietary Stone Hubs [26] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for StoneCo are 4.1% and -6.7%, respectively, with a short-term price target indicating a potential upside of 90.8% from the last closing price of $11.53 [27][28]
Should You Hold on to GTLB Stock Despite Its 27% Dip in YTD?
ZACKS· 2025-04-07 17:00
Core Viewpoint - GitLab's share price has declined significantly due to increasing competition in the AI-driven code generation market, particularly from Microsoft's GitHub, alongside macroeconomic challenges and a shift towards agentic AI capabilities [1][2][3]. Company Performance - GitLab shares have lost 27.1% year to date, underperforming the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector's 21% decline and the Zacks Internet Software industry's 18.3% drop [1]. Competitive Landscape - The competition in the AI-driven code generation space is intensifying, with GitHub's AI-powered coding assistant, GitHub Copilot, gaining traction and reinforcing Microsoft's dominance in the developer tools market [2]. - Persistent macroeconomic headwinds and the rapid shift towards agentic AI capabilities present growing challenges for GitLab [3]. Product Strengths - GitLab's robust DevSecOps platform, including GitLab Ultimate, GitLab Dedicated, and GitLab Duo, has driven customer adoption and retention, enhancing security, scalability, and AI-driven automation [4]. - GitLab Ultimate, the flagship product, accounted for 50% of the company's Annual Recurring Revenues as of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, highlighting its importance in revenue growth [6]. - The introduction of GitLab Duo, an AI-powered assistant, aims to improve software development workflows and developer productivity [7]. Innovation and Development - GitLab's Duo Workflow product, which focuses on AI-driven software development, entered private beta in the fourth quarter of 2024, leveraging Generative AI to enhance the software development lifecycle [8]. Strategic Partnerships - GitLab's partnerships with leading cloud providers, including Amazon Web Services and Zscaler, enhance the platform's scalability and deployment capabilities, strengthening its competitive position in the DevSecOps market [9]. - The integration of GitLab Duo with Amazon Q aims to improve AI-driven DevSecOps on AWS, enhancing security and efficiency [10]. Future Outlook - Despite challenges such as rising competition and cautious enterprise spending, GitLab's strong AI-driven DevSecOps platform, strategic partnerships, and growing enterprise adoption support long-term growth [11].
Is TEAM Stock Still Worth Holding Despite Falling 28% in a Month?
ZACKS· 2025-04-04 15:20
Core Viewpoint - Atlassian's stock has declined 28.3% over the past month, significantly underperforming compared to the broader market and its industry peers, raising questions about whether to hold or sell the stock. Despite short-term challenges, the long-term growth potential remains strong, suggesting that holding the stock may be advisable [1]. Group 1: Stock Performance - Atlassian shares have dropped 28.3% in the last month, while the Zacks Computer Technology sector, Zacks Internet Software industry, and S&P 500 have seen declines of 12.4%, 17.7%, and 7.9%, respectively [1]. - The company is facing real near-term headwinds, but its long-term growth story is still intact, making a case for holding the stock [1]. Group 2: Factors Contributing to Underperformance - Broader market weakness and fears of increased tariffs affecting data center services and networking equipment costs have contributed to Atlassian's stock decline, impacting its margins [3][4]. - The company has experienced a slowdown in sales growth post-pandemic, with revenue growth rates dropping from mid-30s percentage range in fiscal 2022 to low-to-mid 20s percentage range in the past two fiscal years [5]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Atlassian faces intense competition in the collaboration and workflow software market from major players like Microsoft, Salesforce, and Monday.com, which may pressure its pricing and margins [6][8]. - The company’s products, such as JIRA and Confluence, compete directly with offerings from industry leaders, which could necessitate increased investment in R&D [7][8]. Group 4: Growth Opportunities - Atlassian is integrating AI across its product suite, leading to a 40% year-over-year increase in sales for its Premium and Enterprise editions, indicating strong customer adoption of higher-value AI products [10]. - The company is focused on migrating customers to a subscription-based cloud model, which generates stable recurring revenues and is nearing FedRAMP Moderate Authorization to attract U.S. government agencies [11]. Group 5: Conclusion - Despite facing regulatory, macroeconomic, and competitive challenges, Atlassian is enhancing its product portfolio and implementing AI and cloud strategies to drive future growth, suggesting that investors should consider retaining the stock for now [12].