New research reveals only 15% of consumer goods companies successfully scale AI, but those firms—the "15% Club"—achieve significant ROI by prioritizing governance, agile funding, and business-driven AI initiatives across marketing, supply chain, customer service and product innovation.BOSTON, July 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HFS Research, in partnership with Cognizant, has released a new report revealing how a select group of consumer goods firms—dubbed the "15% Club"—are moving beyond AI experimentation to en ...

Industry Overview - The financial transaction services industry is poised for growth due to increasing transaction volumes driven by digital adoption and ongoing global digitization [1][2] - Providers are also benefiting from the rise in contactless and cross-border payments, resilient consumer spending, and strategic growth through mergers and acquisitions [2][4] - The industry is currently ranked in the top 18% of Zacks Industry Rank, indicating potential outperformance in the market over the next three to six months [5] Company Insights Visa Inc. - Visa's market position is strengthened by consistent volume-driven growth, acquisitions, and technological leadership in digital payments [7] - The company has invested $3.5 billion in a data platform to prevent $40 billion in fraud annually, embedding AI into over 100 products for fraud prevention and cybersecurity [9][10] - Visa's expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 10.2% and 12.9%, respectively, with a recent improvement in earnings estimates [10] Mastercard Inc. - Mastercard is expanding its addressable markets through acquisitions, with an expected net revenue increase of 13% year over year in 2025 [11] - The company is leveraging AI across various operations, including fraud detection, payment processing optimization, and customer experience personalization [12] - Mastercard's expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 13.1% and 9.7%, respectively, with a recent improvement in earnings estimates [14] PayPal Holdings Inc. - PayPal is experiencing robust growth in total payment volume, with strengthening customer engagement and improving monetization efforts on its platform [15][16] - The company is leveraging AI to enhance fraud detection, personalized experiences, and operational efficiency [17] - PayPal's expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 3.7% and 8%, respectively, with a recent improvement in earnings estimates [17]

Core Insights - Flotek Industries (FTK) is on track to achieve 10 consecutive quarters of improved adjusted EBITDA, a notable achievement for a smaller energy company [1][9] - The company has transformed its financial health from a loss of $5.1 million in late 2022 to a gain of $7.8 million in Q1 2025, demonstrating effective management and execution [1][9] - FTK's adjusted EBITDA increased by 93% year-over-year in Q1 2025, alongside improved profit margins and reduced SG&A costs to 11% of revenues [2][9] - The company forecasts an 80% growth in EBITDA for 2025, driven by new contracts and international chemistry sales [3][9] Peer Performance - RPC Inc. reported Q1 2025 EBITDA of $48.9 million, a sequential increase of 6%, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 14.7% [4] - ProPetro Holding achieved adjusted EBITDA of $73 million in Q1 2025, up 38% from the previous quarter, supported by a focus on next-generation fleet and disciplined capital spending [5] Market Performance - Flotek's shares surged by 55% in the first half of the year, reflecting strong investor interest [8] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of approximately 22, indicating a favorable valuation in the market [10]

Core Insights - Vicon Industries has secured a purchase order exceeding $500,000 for its NEXT Modular Sensor System from a major school district in Kentucky, marking a significant validation for the NEXT platform [1][2] - The NEXT platform is expected to enhance Vicon's growth trajectory by providing faster, more cost-effective, and higher-value surveillance solutions across various sectors [6] Product Features and Advantages - The deployment leverages Vicon's Anavio cloud-native video management platform, which offers remote access, centralized device management, and real-time alerts without additional licensing fees, resulting in a lower total cost of ownership [4] - NEXT's modular architecture and simplified installation process significantly reduce installation time and complexity, allowing for competitive pricing [7] - The deployment utilized a mix of sensor configurations, providing tailored coverage without unnecessary hardware costs [7] Financial Performance and Growth - Vicon's revenue has grown from $21 million in FY2021 to an expected $36 million in FY2025, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of over 14% [5] - The growth has been driven by operational execution, channel expansion, and the performance of legacy products, with NEXT anticipated to further accelerate this growth [5][6]

Core Insights - The pest control industry is facing rising material and equipment costs, with 89% of businesses reporting challenges that impact profitability, yet there is cautious optimism about market conditions [1][3] - Technology adoption is seen as essential for improving efficiency and profitability, with a shift towards digital tools and AI becoming increasingly important [2][6][7] Group 1: Economic Challenges - 35% of pest control businesses view a potential recession as a significant threat, a 15% increase from the previous year, but 35% still expect market improvement [3] - Concerns about material costs and maintaining profitable margins are the top risks, with an 18% increase in the number of businesses prioritizing margin maintenance compared to 2024 [3] - 44% of companies reported decreased lead times, indicating potential supply chain improvements despite economic uncertainty [3] Group 2: Workforce and Customer Experience - Retaining employees and enhancing customer experience are prioritized as key differentiators in a volatile market, with growing revenue and customer retention as top business goals [4][5] - 89% of companies plan to increase wages for technicians, reflecting a commitment to competitive compensation to improve staff retention and customer satisfaction [5] Group 3: Technology Adoption - Most pest control businesses utilize software for essential operations like accounting and payroll, but only 20% plan to invest in new technology this year [6] - The focus is on all-in-one business management solutions, with 66% prioritizing product features and integrations as key decision factors [6] - Despite low current investment in AI, leaders believe it will significantly impact marketing, field operations, and sales in the coming years [7]

NEW YORK, July 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gross Law Firm issues the following notice to shareholders of Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: WOOF).Shareholders who purchased shares of WOOF during the class period listed are encouraged to contact the firm regarding possible lead plaintiff appointment. Appointment as lead plaintiff is not required to partake in any recovery.CONTACT US HERE:https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/petco-loss-submission-form/?id=156043&from=4CLASS PERIOD: January ...

New Hub combines Kyndryl Consult expertise with Microsoft technologies to enable AI-first consulting capabilities and engagementsNEW YORK, July 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kyndryl (NYSE: KD), a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise technology services, today announced the launch of Kyndryl Microsoft Acceleration Hub designed to advance the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and accelerate digital transformation for enterprise customers.Developed in close collaboration with Microsoft, the new Ac ...

Core Insights - OppFi's gross margin increased to 85.7% in Q1 2025, up from 84.7% in the previous quarter and 82.3% a year ago, indicating a consistent upward trend since Q1 2024 [1][8] - The trailing 12-month EBITDA margin rose to 57.5% in Q1 2025, compared to 46.7% in the previous quarter and 39.8% a year ago, showcasing improved operational efficiency [1] - The company's net charge-offs as a percentage of revenues decreased to 35% from 42% in the prior quarter and 48% a year ago, attributed to AI-powered underwriting models [2] Operational Performance - Despite strong operational metrics, OppFi's net profit margin fell to -2.8% in Q1 2025, down from 1.5% in Q1 2024 and 2.4% in Q3 2024, primarily due to rising minority interest expenses linked to its Up-C structure [3][4] - The Up-C structure results in a significant portion of consolidated earnings being allocated to non-controlling interests, negatively impacting reported profitability [4] Future Outlook - The company's ability to improve credit quality, as evidenced by lower net charge-off rates and increasing auto-approval rates, is expected to drive long-term profitability [5] - Refining lending models and cost reduction strategies may help OppFi achieve a positive net income trend over time [5] Market Performance - OppFi's shares surged 294.5% over the past year, outperforming competitors Green Dot and Remitly Global, which gained 13.7% and 47.5% respectively, while the industry overall rose by 30.2% [6] - The forward price-to-earnings ratio for OppFi is 10.36, significantly lower than the industry's 22.72, indicating potential undervaluation [10] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for OppFi's earnings in 2025 is $1.23 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 29.5%, with an anticipated increase of 14.2% in 2026 [13]

Core Insights - Investing in stocks based on valuation metrics, particularly the price-to-sales (P/S) ratio, can identify opportunities with strong upside potential, especially for unprofitable or early-stage companies [2][3][4] Valuation Metrics - The P/S ratio compares a company's market capitalization to its revenues, providing a clearer picture of value when earnings are minimal or volatile [3][6] - A P/S ratio below 1 indicates that investors are paying less than $1 for each $1 of revenue, marking a potential bargain [7][11] - The P/S ratio is preferred over the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio as sales are harder to manipulate than earnings, making it a more reliable metric [8][9] Screening Parameters - Companies with low P/S ratios and strong fundamentals are highlighted as potential investment opportunities [11] - Additional screening parameters include P/E ratio, price-to-book ratio, and debt-to-equity ratio, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of a stock's value [12] Company Highlights - **Hamilton Insurance Group, Ltd. (HG)**: Specializes in insurance and reinsurance, benefiting from strong execution and a clear growth roadmap, with gross premiums written rising significantly [13][14] - **The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (GBX)**: A leading supplier in freight transportation markets, with a strong product lineup and revenue visibility, currently holding a Value Score of A and Zacks Rank 1 [15][16] - **Signet Jewelers (SIG)**: A major retailer of diamond jewelry, demonstrating strength in key segments and improving operational efficiency through strategic restructuring [17][18] - **Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTSH)**: A professional services company experiencing robust organic growth, particularly in Health Sciences and Financial Services, bolstered by acquisitions and AI initiatives [19][20] - **PagSeguro Digital (PAGS)**: Offers a suite of financial solutions in Brazil, focusing on innovation and sustainable growth, currently holding a Value Score of A and Zacks Rank 2 [21][22]

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, July 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (NasdaqGS: STRL) ("Sterling" or "the Company") today announced the appointment of B. Andrew (Andy) Rose and David (Dave) Schulz to its Board of Directors, effective July 10, 2025. Mr. Rose was appointed to the Compensation and Talent Development Committee, and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, and Mr. Schulz was appointed to the Compensation and Talent Development Committee, and the Audit Committee.Andy Rose i ...