Dougal Waters/DigitalVision via Getty Images Listen here or on the go via Apple Podcasts and Spotify Andres Cardenal from The Data Driven Investor and Beth Kindig from Tech Insider Network discuss their top growth picks for 2026: MercadoLibre (MELI) and Bloom Energy (BE). This is an excerpt from this week's live event: Growth & Tech Investing Strategy For 2026. Transcript Daniel Snyder: Welcome back, everyone, to Investing Experts Live. Top ideas for 2026. Obviously, if you were tuning in to the firs ...

MIAMI, Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lean Solutions Group, a global leader in AI-enabled business services, today announced its selection by CarParts.com (NASDAQ: PRTS) to deliver advanced business operations for CarParts.com’s Manila-based teams. This win marks a milestone in Lean Solutions Group’s growth and expansion, demonstrating the momentum of the company’s business transformation solutions – all of which are powered by an optimum balance of AI with embedded experts. Under this multi-year agreeme ...

Hardman Johnston Global Advisors, an investment management company, released its “Hardman Johnston Global Equity Strategy” investor letter for the fourth quarter of 2025. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Global equity markets delivered robust results in the quarter, backed by easing inflation trends and strong economic data. The Hardman Johnston Global Equity Strategy returned 2.91%, net of fees, compared to the MSCI AC World Net Index’s 3.29% gain. The Financials and Consumer Staples sectors c ...

Sydney, Australia and New York, NY, Jan. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Btab Ecommerce Group, Inc. (OTC: BBTT) (“Btab”), a global ecommerce and technology company, today announced the development of its AI Powered Commerce Engine, a platform designed to drive automation, personalization, and scalability across its global ecommerce network. The AI engine will form the core of Btab’s digital infrastructure, powering online storefronts and enabling small businesses to compete globally with data driven efficiency ...

Key Takeaways from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call covered various companies within the North American Internet sector, specifically focusing on web builders, digital advertising, eCommerce, EdTech, and online dating. Company-Specific Insights GoDaddy (GDDY) - Management is positive about GoDaddy's vibe coding strategy, focusing on current customers and web building, with cost guardrails in place [5] - The ANS marketplace was launched, but significant financial contributions are not expected until 2026 [5] - Growth drivers for A&C bookings in 2026 include Airo, P&B strategy, and seamless commerce experiences [5] - Airo is improving average order value (AOV) and retention metrics, with a focus on high lifetime value (LTV) customers [5] Wix (WIX) - Management expects approximately 25% free cash flow (FCF) margins in 2026, despite anticipated margin compression [7] - Gross margins are improving, but variability exists due to free users abandoning projects [7] - Wix is testing a new self-creator platform with more GenAI features, but price increases in 2026 are less likely [7] - Core Wix performance remains strong, but growth acceleration may be challenging [7] The Trade Desk (TTD) - Recent layoffs affected only 1% of headcount, aligning with product and engineering initiatives [8] - No expected impact from OMC and IPG consolidation; strong relationships with both companies [8] - Kokai adoption reached 85% in November, with expectations to reach 100% soon [8] Criteo (CRTO) - Management sees agentic commerce as a significant opportunity, leveraging commerce data for better ad spend efficiency [8] - Retail Media core is performing well, with good traction in auction-based display products [8] Zeta (ZETA) - OneZeta is a key growth factor for 2026, part of the Marigold acquisition strategy [9] - Athena is on track for general availability in 1Q, but management is cautious about setting high expectations [9] IAC (IAC) - Core assets are People and MGM, with management believing both are undervalued [9] - The M&A strategy will focus on digital publishing and content sites [9] eBay (EBAY) - Guidance indicates healthy US consumer spending but weak trends in Europe [10] - eBay's holiday window extends into 1Q, with a focus on collectibles [10] - Management expects to buy back 90-100% of normalized FCF in 2026 [10] Wayfair (W) - Management reiterated 4Q guidance, noting slight deterioration in industry volume levels [11] - Success in initiatives like loyalty programs and influencer marketing is driving share gains [11] - AI initiatives are expected to roll out in 2026, enhancing user experience [11] Duolingo (DUOL) - Focus remains on user growth trends, with certain features moved back in front of the paywall [12] - Management is experimenting with GenAI features to drive user engagement [14] Match Group (MTCH) - Product testing at Tinder is ongoing, with a focus on product outcomes over near-term monetization [15] - Face Check has been rolled out in the US, with revenue impact being optimized [15] Bumble (BMBL) - Management expects a peak in declines in 4Q, with initiatives aimed at improving user experience [15] - A new AI app is being tested to enhance onboarding and matching processes [15] Additional Insights - The overall sentiment across the companies indicates a cautious optimism, with many focusing on strategic initiatives to drive growth while managing costs and market challenges [5][7][8][9][10][11][12][14][15]

Core Insights - Walmart, GameStop, and GigaCloud Technology are highlighted as key Ecommerce stocks to monitor, reflecting their significant trading volume and growth potential in the online retail sector [2] Group 1: Walmart (WMT) - Walmart Inc. operates in retail, wholesale, and eCommerce globally, segmented into Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club [3] - The company manages various store formats including supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, and discount stores, alongside its eCommerce platforms such as walmart.com.mx and flipkart.com [3] Group 2: GameStop (GME) - GameStop Corp. is a specialty retailer focused on games and entertainment products, operating both physical stores and eCommerce platforms across multiple countries [4] - The company offers a range of products including new and pre-owned gaming platforms, accessories, and digital content [4] Group 3: GigaCloud Technology (GCT) - GigaCloud Technology Inc. provides comprehensive B2B eCommerce solutions for large parcel merchandise, facilitating cross-border transactions primarily between Asia and the U.S. [5] - The GigaCloud Marketplace integrates product discovery, payments, and logistics into a single platform, connecting manufacturers with resellers [5]

Core Insights - The Asia-Pacific ecommerce market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9%, reaching approximately US$4.83 trillion by 2029, up from US$3.58 trillion in 2024 [2][10] - The market is expected to grow by 7% annually, reaching US$3.83 trillion by 2025 [1][10] Market Growth - The ecommerce market in Asia-Pacific has experienced a robust growth rate of 9.7% from 2020 to 2024 [2] - The forecast indicates a continued upward trajectory with a CAGR of 5.9% from 2025 to 2029 [2] Competitive Landscape - Competitive intensity is increasing as short-video platforms integrate commerce in China and Southeast Asia, while cross-border entrants are reshaping price expectations in Australia and Japan [4] - India is witnessing stronger competition in grocery and FMCG sectors due to the expansion of quick-commerce into more categories [4] Current State of the Market - The ecommerce landscape in Asia-Pacific is characterized by high competitive intensity, with multinational platforms, domestic marketplaces, social-commerce players, and quick-commerce operators expanding their presence [5] - In China, Alibaba and JD.com are facing pressure from short-video ecosystem platforms like Douyin and Kuaishou [5] Key Players and New Entrants - Major players include Alibaba, JD.com, and Pinduoduo in China; Amazon, Flipkart, and Reliance in India; Shopee, Lazada, and Tokopedia in Southeast Asia; Rakuten and Yahoo! Shopping in Japan; and Coupang in South Korea [8] - New entrants are primarily cross-border Chinese platforms like Temu and Shein, which are gaining consumer adoption in Australia and Japan [8] Recent Developments - TikTok's integration with Tokopedia in Indonesia marks a significant restructuring, allowing it to resume ecommerce operations after regulatory restrictions [9] - In Australia, increased scrutiny of consumer protection is prompted by rising activity from Temu and Shein [9] - Reliance is actively acquiring and partnering with offline retail brands to enhance omnichannel capabilities [9]

Core Insights - The global ecommerce market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%, reaching approximately US$9.21 trillion by 2029, up from an estimated US$7.25 trillion in 2025 [3][13]. Market Growth and Trends - The ecommerce market has experienced a robust growth rate of 9.5% from 2020 to 2024, with expectations of continued growth at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2025 to 2029 [3]. - Digital payments are becoming more localized, with countries like India and Brazil seeing rapid adoption of local payment methods integrated into ecommerce platforms [4]. - Social commerce is reshaping online purchasing pathways, with platforms like Douyin and TikTok Shop driving engagement and sales through content [5][9]. Competitive Landscape - Competitive intensity is expected to increase as cross-border discount platforms scale globally and social-commerce ecosystems deepen their integration with traditional commerce [2]. - Major players such as Amazon, Alibaba, Walmart, JD.com, and Mercado Libre are scaling logistics networks and financial services as key differentiators [11]. - New entrants like Temu are expanding their presence in the U.S. and Europe, intensifying competition in the ecommerce space [11]. Cross-Border Commerce - Cross-border ecommerce is gaining momentum as consumers seek imports and price advantages, with platforms like Temu and Shein attracting customers through competitively priced international goods [6][9]. - Improved international logistics and favorable government trade policies are facilitating cross-border flows, although regulatory scrutiny may impact certain models [9][10]. Omni-Channel Integration - Retailers are increasingly integrating ecommerce with physical store formats to enhance fulfillment and inventory management, leveraging existing store networks for improved last-mile efficiency [7][10]. - The trend towards omni-channel retail integration is expected to strengthen as retailers seek margin stability and adapt to consumer expectations for flexible delivery options [7][10]. Recent Developments - Strategic partnerships and mergers have been prominent, such as Shopify and TikTok's collaboration for cross-border merchant onboarding and Amazon's investment in Deliveroo for grocery fulfillment [12].

Core Insights - The transition from informational AI to actionable AI is evident as India approaches 2026, with agentic models leading this shift [1][28] - The BFSI sector has emerged as the primary beneficiary of agentic AI, with significant applications in collections, underwriting, fraud detection, and customer automation [1][17] Group 1: Adoption and Impact of Agentic AI - Enterprises are increasingly adopting multi-purpose AI agents to enhance customer interactions and streamline operational workflows [2] - The focus has shifted from experimentation to measurable ROI and outcomes in the deployment of agentic AI [3][28] - Companies like Gnani.ai are entering the agentic AI space, recognizing the potential for multi-purpose AI automation [4] Group 2: Transformation of Customer Interactions - Agentic AI has significantly improved customer-facing processes, enabling systems to understand context and solve complex problems [7] - Voice-based agents have seen a surge in adoption due to their improved latency and accuracy, particularly among large enterprises [8] - Notable implementations include Air India's partnership with Salesforce and State Bank of India's integration of autonomous workflows [9] Group 3: Enhancing Employee Productivity - The deployment of internal AI co-pilots is transforming how employees access information and perform tasks across various sectors [11] - Axis Bank reported a 30% increase in product conversions and a 10-point rise in net promoter score due to its GenAI-powered assistant [12] - Tata Steel's use of GenAI for predictive maintenance has led to reduced equipment downtime and cost savings [13] Group 4: BFSI Sector Dynamics - The BFSI sector is experiencing nuanced impacts from agentic AI, particularly in debt collection and fraud detection [17][19] - Companies are deploying specialized agents for various functions, enhancing operational efficiency [18] Group 5: Build vs Buy Strategy - Many companies prefer adopting SaaS-based agentic solutions from AI startups rather than developing in-house capabilities [20][21] - When proprietary business intelligence is crucial, large enterprises are more inclined to build in-house solutions [25] Group 6: Future Outlook - The shift towards actionable AI is expected to continue, with AI agents becoming capable of independent reasoning and task execution [28] - Industries such as logistics and automotive are poised for significant advancements with the integration of AI agents [30] - While automation may lead to job displacement, new roles are anticipated to emerge, alongside challenges in data security and workforce adaptation [31]

Core Insights - Flipkart has appointed Dan Neary, a former Meta executive, to its board as it prepares for a public listing, indicating a strategic move to enhance leadership and expertise in digital commerce [1][4][3] Company Developments - The company is currently valued at over $35 billion and is in the process of relocating its headquarters to India, which reflects its commitment to strengthening its operational base ahead of the IPO [4] - Flipkart has been enhancing its board by bringing in experienced executives, including Walmart's Dan Bartlett and former SoftBank partner Lydia [4] Financial Performance - Flipkart Internet, the B2C arm of the company, reported an operating revenue of INR 20,493 crore (approximately $2.5 billion) for FY25, marking a 14.4% increase from INR 17,907 crore (approximately $2.2 billion) in FY24 [6] - The net loss for Flipkart decreased by 37% to INR 1,494 crore (approximately $180 million) in FY25, down from INR 2,359 crore (approximately $285 million) in FY24, indicating improved financial health [6] Market Context - The ongoing IPO boom in the Indian tech sector is highlighted by PhonePe, a fintech company spun off from Flipkart, which filed for an IPO with a valuation between $12 billion and $15 billion [6] - Flipkart's competitor, Meesho, is currently seeking a valuation of INR 50,096 crore (approximately $5.6 billion) for its public issue, marking a significant event in the ecommerce landscape [7]