The Trade Desk - The Trade Desk operates as a leading independent demand-side platform (DSP) for media buyers, differentiating itself from competitors like Google and Meta by not owning media content [3] - The company has been recognized as a DSP technology leader, particularly in connected TV advertising, and utilizes AI to enhance its digital media buying process [4] - The Trade Desk has strong partnerships in retail advertising with companies like Albertsons, Dollar General, and Walmart, which provide unique measurement opportunities [5] - The stock is currently 49% below its record high, with a target price of $135 per share indicating a potential 90% upside from its current price of $71 [5] - Earnings are expected to grow at 12% annually through 2026, with a current valuation of 31 times earnings, which may be reasonable given past performance [6] - The company has a strong competitive position in a growing industry, making it a potential buy for patient investors [7] Upstart - Upstart provides an AI-driven lending platform that improves credit risk assessment compared to traditional models, analyzing thousands of signals to identify fraud and estimate default risk [8] - The platform allows lenders to approve more borrowers at lower interest rates, enhancing profitability and benefiting from a network effect as AI models improve over time [9] - Upstart's adjusted earnings are projected to grow at 195% annually through 2026, with a current valuation of 165 times earnings, which appears reasonable [11] - The stock is currently 86% below its record high, with a target price of $85 per share suggesting a 57% upside from its current price of $54 [5] - Long-term investors may find value in Upstart's compelling proposition for banks and credit unions, despite sensitivity to interest rate changes [10][12]

Warren Buffett took control of Berkshire Hathaway in 1965 and turned the textile mill into a holding company. He promptly diversified into insurance to create a steady stream of investable cash in the form of premium payments. Buffett used that capital to buy stocks and acquire businesses, turning Berkshire into a trillion-dollar company in the process. Billionaire Bill Ackman wants to recreate that success with Howard Hughes Holdings. His hedge fund had $1.4 billion invested in the stock as of March, and A ...

Summary of Criteo Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Criteo - **Industry**: E-commerce, Digital Marketing, Media Monetization - **CEO**: Michael Komosinski, who joined earlier this year, previously held leadership roles at Dentsu and Merkel [2][3] Key Points and Arguments Competitive Advantages - Criteo is an independent ad tech player, providing value on both supply and demand sides of retail media [9] - The company has an unmatched supply footprint due to its early market entry with the Commerce Yield monetization platform [10] - Criteo's strategy focuses on reaccelerating growth, improving durability, and enhancing performance media execution [12] Growth Strategy - The company aims to identify white space in product segments and develop products rapidly to achieve consistent results [13] - Near-term opportunities include expanding product offerings in performance media and retail media, such as on-site video and native advertising [14][15] - Long-term goals involve advancements in technology for more efficient retail supply purchasing [15] Market Trends - The advertising industry is moving towards AI-driven automated marketing platforms, with Criteo's Commerce Go tool driving significant campaign volume growth [23][24] - The company reported a 45% quarter-on-quarter growth in its Commerce Audience segment [19] - Social media integrations, particularly with Meta, have shown a 40% sequential growth in 1Q [21] Financial Performance - Criteo maintains a 25% adjusted EBITDA margin guide, with a commitment to growth investments despite a lower revenue base [43] - The company is focused on organic growth and opportunistic M&A to accelerate its roadmap [46] Challenges and Risks - There are signs of softer macro trends affecting client spending, particularly in discretionary categories [41] - The company has reduced scope with its largest client, but believes this situation is unique and not likely to spread [38][40] Future Outlook - Criteo sees a $50 billion serviceable available market (SAM) by 2027 in retail media [29] - The company is optimistic about the integration with Microsoft advertising and expects to make announcements regarding this in the near future [33][34] Additional Important Content - The CEO emphasized the importance of execution and reliability in delivering consistent results to investors [12] - Criteo's focus on AI and data assets positions it well for future developments in the agentic shopping experience [27][28] - The company continues to repurchase shares as part of its capital allocation strategy, balancing growth investments with shareholder returns [46][47]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1, the company generated contribution ex TAC of $75 million, representing an 8% year-over-year growth [18] - Programmatic revenue reached a Q1 record of $71.8 million, reflecting a 10% increase compared to Q1 2024 [18] - Adjusted EBITDA was $23.1 million, a 95% increase from Q1 2024, with an adjusted EBITDA margin increasing to 31% from 17% [20][21] - Non-IFRS diluted earnings per share were $0.16 in Q1 2025, compared to $0.02 in Q1 2024 [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - CTV revenue reached a record of $26.4 million, reflecting 40% year-over-year growth, accounting for 37% of programmatic revenue, up from 29% in Q1 2024 [19] - Self-service contribution ex TAC grew by 32%, while PMP revenue rose by 12% year-over-year [20] - Contribution ex TAC from display decreased by 22%, largely due to declines in non-core, non-programmatic business lines [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company observed continued growth in CTV, video, self-service products, and PMPs, with increases across education, finance, health, and automotive verticals [19] - The company is well diversified across various verticals, mitigating risks from any single sector [35] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company emphasizes its unified end-to-end platform, which is gaining recognition for delivering simplicity, control, and efficiency [6] - The launch of NextAI is seen as a transformational step, enhancing the advertising journey through AI and machine learning capabilities [7][8] - The company aims to capitalize on the long-term growth opportunity in CTV as consumers shift to ad-supported streaming [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains cautious about the advertising market due to economic uncertainty but is confident in achieving its full-year guidance [23][25] - The company is well positioned to support customers in challenging markets, focusing on efficiency and stronger ROI [25][26] - The ongoing Google AdTech antitrust case could potentially benefit the company by creating a more level playing field in the market [27] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately 3.7 million ordinary shares in Q1, representing an investment of about $32.9 million [21] - The company has no long-term debt and plans to continue allocating capital to share repurchases [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the macro comments and specific verticals showing strength or weakness? - Management noted some softness in April but emphasized diversification across verticals, which helps mitigate risks [34] Question: Is the reiteration of guidance due to conservatism or related to AI investments? - Management indicated that the adjusted EBITDA beat was due to several factors, including top-line performance and better utilization, while maintaining caution regarding yearly guidance [36] Question: What feedback are you receiving from customers unfamiliar with Nexon? - Management highlighted improved messaging and the rising importance of data as key factors in attracting new customers [40] Question: Will there be incremental investments to take advantage of the Google outcome? - Management stated that no extra investment is needed, as growth can be achieved with current resources [44] Question: Can you provide more color on CTV segment growth versus platform improvements? - Management anticipates reaching around 40% CTV revenues out of programmatic revenue, while remaining cautious about external factors [49] Question: What partnerships are driving growth? - Management emphasized a diversified approach and did not rely on any single partnership for growth [70] Question: What percentage of DSP buys go through your SSP? - Currently, about 50% of DSP buys are facilitated through the SSP, with potential for growth in the future [74]

Q1 2025 Financial Performance - Revenue reached $89.3 million[48] - Adjusted EBITDA was $1.8 million, representing a 2% margin[48] - Non-GAAP net income amounted to $5.4 million, with a 5% ex-TAC margin[48] - Diluted non-GAAP EPS stood at $0.11[48] - Net cash reached $358.5 million[48] Revenue Breakdown by Channel - DOOH revenue increased by 80% year-over-year to $17.4 million, accounting for 19% of total revenue[53] - CTV revenue increased by 31% year-over-year to $10.7 million, accounting for 12% of total revenue[53] - Web revenue decreased by 28% year-over-year to $41.3 million, accounting for 46% of total revenue[53] - Search revenue decreased significantly by 76% year-over-year to $19.6 million, accounting for 22% of total revenue[53] Growth Engines - Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) experienced 80% year-over-year revenue growth[23] - CTV saw a 31% year-over-year revenue growth[23] - Retail Media achieved a 33% year-over-year revenue growth[23] Greenbids Acquisition - The company acquired Greenbids for a total consideration of $50 million, including $27.5 million in cash upon closing and a $22.5 million two-year cash earnout[82] - An additional $15 million was allocated for a three-year employee retention plan involving cash and equity[82] 2025 Financial Outlook - The company raised its full-year 2025 revenue guidance from $400-$420 million to $430-$450 million[85] - Adjusted EBITDA guidance was also raised from $40-$42 million to $44-$46 million, maintaining an Adjusted EBITDA/Revenue margin of 10% and an Adjusted EBITDA/Contribution ex-TAC margin of 22%[85]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q1 2025 was $451 million, with contribution ex TAC increasing to $264 million, reflecting a year-over-year headwind from foreign currencies of $6 million [30] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2025 was $92 million, up 30% year-over-year, driven by operational leverage from top-line growth and cost discipline [34] - Net income for Q1 2025 was $40 million, an increase from $9 million in the previous year, resulting in diluted earnings per share of $0.66 compared to $0.12 last year [35][36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail media revenue was $59 million, with contribution ex TAC growing 18% at constant currency, driven by strength in on-site and off-site campaigns [31] - Performance media revenue was $392 million, with contribution ex TAC increasing by 4% at constant currency, led by the Commerce Growth Solution [32] - The company activated $335 million in media spend in retail media, up 21% year-over-year, with significant growth in U.S. agency spend [18][19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Double-digit growth in media spend was observed in Asia Pacific, while low single-digit growth occurred in Europe and the Middle East, with lower budgets in the U.S. [33] - Travel was the fastest-growing vertical, up 44%, while retail and fashion saw declines, with fashion down 6% [34] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to reaccelerate growth and improve durability, fortifying its leadership position in retail media and reenergizing its performance media business [11][12] - Criteo is shifting from a managed service model to a more scalable self-service platform, investing in new formats like outcome-based native display and CTV [17][28] - The company plans to maintain adjusted EBITDA margins in the 33% to 34% range while generating industry-leading cash flows [28][41] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term prospects of the performance media segment, especially following Google's decision regarding third-party cookies [8][38] - The company anticipates contribution ex TAC to grow low single digits year-over-year at constant currency for 2025, with underlying growth expected to be around 20% excluding two specific clients [39][40] - Management acknowledged near-term challenges but emphasized the resilience of the business and the potential for continued growth and profitability [44] Other Important Information - The company has a strong financial position with $810 million in total liquidity and no long-term debt, allowing for disciplined capital allocation [36] - A share buyback program was initiated, with $56 million deployed for share repurchases in Q1 2025 [37] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of retail media client changes - Management noted that the largest retail media client will continue to use their technology but will curtail managed services, resulting in a significant impact on growth rates for retail media [49][51] Question: Macro trends in April - Management observed a soft macro environment in April, with mixed performance across categories, but emphasized resilience in their performance business [55] Question: Spending patterns across income demographics - Management indicated that spending patterns are being monitored, with some discretionary categories seeing less spend across income bands [61] Question: Revenue impact from large client downtick - Management clarified that the impact from the largest retail media client will be significant but is expected to lap within a year, with a focus on maintaining growth across the broader client base [63] Question: CTV and video strategy - Management expressed interest in CTV as a growing segment and is in the early stages of assessing how it fits into their overall strategy [95][96]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q1 2025 was $451 million, with contribution ex TAC increasing to $264 million, reflecting a year-over-year headwind from foreign currencies of $6 million [28] - Adjusted EBITDA was $92 million, up 30% year-over-year, driven by operational leverage from top-line growth and cost discipline [31] - Net income for Q1 2025 was $40 million, a significant increase compared to $9 million last year, with diluted earnings per share of $0.66 compared to $0.12 last year [32][33] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail media revenue was $59 million, with contribution ex TAC growing 18% at constant currency, driven by strength in on-site and off-site campaigns [29] - Performance media revenue was $392 million, with contribution ex TAC increasing by 4% at constant currency, led by the Commerce Growth Solution [30] - Retail media activated $335 million in media spend, up 21% year-over-year, with significant growth in U.S. agency spend [17][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Double-digit growth in media spend was observed in Asia Pacific, while low single-digit growth occurred in Europe and the Middle East, with lower budgets in the U.S. [31] - Travel was the fastest-growing vertical, up 44%, while retail and fashion saw declines of 6% [31] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to reaccelerate growth and improve durability, fortifying its leadership position in retail media and reenergizing its performance media business [9][10] - A shift from a managed service model to a more scalable self-service platform is underway, with investments in new formats like outcome-based native display and CTV [15][26] - The company plans to maintain a disciplined approach to growth through a build, partner, and buy framework, focusing on maximizing shareholder value [14][25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term prospects of the performance media segment, especially following Google's decision regarding third-party cookies [6][35] - The company anticipates a challenging macro environment impacting retail media growth, projecting low to mid-single-digit growth at constant currency for 2025 [36] - Despite near-term challenges, management remains optimistic about the underlying strength of the commerce media platform and expects continued growth and profitability [41][42] Other Important Information - The company has a strong financial position with $810 million in total liquidity and no long-term debt, allowing for disciplined capital allocation [33] - A share buyback program was initiated, with $56 million deployed for share repurchases in Q1 2025 [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of largest retail partner's changes - Management noted that the largest retail media client will continue to use their technology but will curtail managed services, impacting growth rates for retail media [46][48] Question: Macro trends in April - Management observed a soft macro environment in April, with mixed performance across categories, but emphasized resilience in their performance business [52][53] Question: Spending patterns across income demographics - Management indicated that discretionary categories are seeing less spend across income bands, with a focus on monitoring trends as retailers announce results [57][59] Question: Retail media client revenue impact - The impact from the largest retail media client is significant but is expected to lap within a year, with ongoing growth from other clients [61][62] Question: Self-service tools sophistication - Management acknowledged that Criteo is on a journey to enhance self-service capabilities, with excitement around the rollout of Commerce Go [98]

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) is the most valuable public company in the world, with a market capitalization of $2.9 trillion. However, select Wall Street analysts believe Amazon (AMZN 3.62%) and Alphabet (GOOGL 2.74%) (GOOG 2.81%) can top that figure in the next year.Rob Sanderson at Loop Capital has set Amazon with a target price of $285 per share. That implies 62% upside from its current share price of $175. It also implies a market value of $3 trillion.Brian Nowak at Morgan Stanley has set Alphabet with a bull-c ...

Core Viewpoint - The stock market is currently experiencing significant discounts, creating potential buying opportunities for investors amid economic uncertainty and trade tensions [1][2]. Group 1: Market Context - Major stock indexes have declined due to weakening consumer sentiment and fears of an economic slowdown, exacerbated by President Trump's tariff plan [2]. - A trade war with China has escalated, leading to increased uncertainty for business owners and investors, despite a temporary pause in tariffs [2]. Group 2: The Trade Desk - The Trade Desk's shares have decreased by 64% from their all-time high, primarily due to a weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings report and concerns over economic slowdown [4][5]. - The company, while not directly affected by tariffs, operates in an advertising sector sensitive to economic health, contributing to the stock's decline [6]. - Historically, The Trade Desk has shown resilience during advertising downturns, maintaining revenue growth of over 20% even when peers struggled [7]. - The stock is currently trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 30, reflecting investor concerns about potential earnings declines, but it is considered undervalued given the company's growth trajectory [8]. - If internal issues are resolved, the stock is expected to perform well in the long term [9]. Group 3: Nvidia - Nvidia's stock has fallen 26% from its peak due to economic headwinds impacting its revenue growth, despite its leadership in the AI sector [10]. - The company is relatively insulated from tariffs, as "bare die" semiconductors are excluded, and it is likely to benefit from government support for domestic chip manufacturing [11]. - Demand for Nvidia's products, particularly in AI, is expected to continue growing, as evidenced by substantial investment interest in the sector [12]. - The stock trades at a forward P/E under 25, providing a margin of safety even if growth slows, positioning the company well to maintain its leadership in the AI revolution [13][14].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported revenue of $11 million for Q4 2024, down from $14.5 million in Q4 2023, with a gross profit of $4.9 million compared to $7.5 million last year [7] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2024 was approximately $500,000, a decrease from $2.8 million in the previous year, with annual recurring revenue (ARR) at a run rate of $16.8 million [7][10] - The company achieved a record annual revenue exceeding $50 million with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 10% for the full year [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company completed 56 site installations in Q4 at an average sale price of $30,000, with expectations for a moderate increase in installations in the second half of 2025 [18] - The introduction of the AdLogic CPM plus platform is expected to enhance targeting precision and reduce costs for customers, positioning the company as a comprehensive ad tech solution provider [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is experiencing strong demand for its solutions, particularly in the quick-service restaurant and retail sectors, with significant projects in the pipeline [12][16] - The sports and entertainment sector has seen growth, with three MLB projects awarded in Q1 2025 and additional POCs ongoing at various venues [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to accelerate revenue growth in the second half of 2025, driven by better economies of scale and higher margins [10] - The focus is on enhancing customer experience through innovative solutions and expanding the retail media network offerings [12][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in overcoming the current operational challenges and anticipates a strong performance in 2025, despite a weaker Q1 [52] - The company is optimistic about the resolution of contingent liabilities, which will provide financial flexibility and allow a focus on growth [10][11] Other Important Information - The company has settled its contingent liability related to the acquisition of Reflex Systems, involving a $3 million cash payment and a $4 million promissory note [10][11] - The company achieved SOC2 Type one compliance, with expectations to reach Type two certification by year-end, enhancing its credibility with enterprise customers [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Commentary on customer conversations regarding the frozen pipeline - Management noted that customers are beginning to move projects forward after a period of stagnation, with expectations for several projects to finalize soon [21][22] Question: Impact of tariffs on business - Management indicated that while there are concerns about tariffs, most components are domestically sourced, and only slight increases in costs are expected [24] Question: Adoption of the new AdLogic platform by existing customers - Customers are embracing the AdLogic platform as it enhances their digital operations, leading to potential margin improvements [34] Question: Visibility and flexibility from the new ERP system - The new ERP system is expected to provide significant cost management benefits and improve operational metrics [37][38] Question: Progress with channel partners - The company is actively recruiting and signing new channel partners, with demand for licenses increasing [42] Question: Details on the contingent consideration settlement - The settlement includes a six-year warrant with a strike price of $3.25, totaling approximately $800,000 [48] Question: Expectations for revenue growth in 2025 - Management expects year-over-year revenue growth in 2025 to exceed 2024 levels, with adjusted EBITDA profitability anticipated in Q1 [52][53] Question: Dynamics of customer adjustments impacting ARR - Two large customers made adjustments that led to a temporary decline in ARR, but management expects to recover this revenue in 2025 [101][102] Question: Future cash flow dynamics on major projects - Cash flow can vary significantly based on whether projects are privately or publicly funded, with deposits typically required for private projects [78] Question: Clarification on adjusted EBITDA margin expectations - Management aims to achieve a 15% adjusted EBITDA margin by the end of the year, with expectations for revenue growth to support this target [81][84]