NEW YORK, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced Freelancer Limited (ASX: FLN; OTCQX: FRLCY), the world's largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace by number of users and projects, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market. Freelancer Limited upgraded to OTCQX from the Pink® market. Freelancer Limited begins trading its ADR today on OTCQX under the symbol “FRLCY ...

BROOKLYN, N.Y., July 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Etsy, Inc. (Nasdaq: ETSY), which operates two-sided online marketplaces that connect millions of passionate and creative buyers and sellers around the world, plans to release its second quarter 2025 financial results before the opening of the market on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. The press release can be accessed on the Etsy Investor Relations website (investors.etsy.com).Etsy will also host a video webcast conference call to discuss those results at 8:30 a.m.  Ea ...

PALO ALTO, Calif., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Upwork Inc. (Nasdaq: UPWK), the world’s largest work marketplace that connects businesses with independent talent from across the globe, today announced that it will report its financial results for the second quarter of 2025 on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 after market close. The company will host a Q&A conference call to discuss these results at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on the same day. A live webcast of the call will be available on ...

Group 1 - Instacart, also known as Maplebear Inc. (NASDAQ: CART), is currently an overlooked marketplace stock that has shown steady outperformance since its public listing in Q3 of 2023 [1] - The company has a conservative balance sheet and a steady growth profile, which may appeal to long-term investors seeking stability [1] - The article emphasizes the potential for safe and growing dividends, positioning Instacart as a long-only investment opportunity [1] Group 2 - The author has a background in both equity and real estate markets, with experience in sourcing over $100 million in commercial real estate investments [1] - The focus on correlation across asset classes and sectors, along with a strong foundation in economics, supports the analysis of investment opportunities [1] - The article aims to provide timely analyses and strategies for investors looking to enhance their portfolios [1]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of efficiency levels in assessing a company's potential for profitability, suggesting that higher efficiency correlates with better price performance [1] Efficiency Ratios - Receivables Turnover measures a company's ability to extend credit and collect debts, with a higher ratio indicating better performance [2] - Asset Utilization indicates how effectively a company converts its assets into sales, with higher values suggesting greater efficiency [3] - Inventory Turnover assesses a company's ability to manage inventory relative to its cost of goods sold, where a higher ratio indicates better inventory management [4] - Operating Margin reflects a company's control over operating expenses, with higher margins indicating more efficient expense management [5] Screening Criteria - The screening process included efficiency ratios that surpassed industry averages, narrowing down over 7,906 stocks to 12 candidates [7] - A favorable Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) was also included to enhance the profitability of the strategy [6] Selected Stocks - Post Holdings (POST), CarGurus (CARG), and Koppers (KOP) were identified as top stocks based on strong efficiency metrics, each exceeding industry averages [8] - POST reported an average earnings surprise of 22.9%, CARG had 11.8%, and KOP achieved 6% [8][9][10][11]

Industry Overview - The gig economy has gained significant traction since the pandemic, redefining work by offering flexibility in hours, workload, and workspace [1][2] - The global gig economy market is projected to reach $2.15 trillion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.2% from 2025 [4] Key Players - Lyft operates in the ride-hailing segment, providing a flexible platform for drivers to earn income through ridesharing, shared rides, and rentals [6][8] - DoorDash holds over 65% market share in the U.S. food delivery market, utilizing independent contractors for deliveries, which allows for reduced operational costs [9][10] - Uber connects passengers with drivers through its app, allowing drivers to work as independent contractors with flexible schedules [12][13] Business Models - Lyft's model allows drivers to choose their working hours and earn income on their terms, emphasizing the potential of gig-based transportation solutions [8][14] - DoorDash's business model leverages a flexible workforce to scale operations quickly, responding to fluctuating demand [11][12] - Uber's gig-based approach enables drivers to earn based on completed rides rather than a fixed salary, providing autonomy and flexibility [13][14] Investment Opportunities - Companies like Lyft, DoorDash, and Uber present compelling investment opportunities within the expanding gig economy [5][12]

Core Viewpoint - Inspirato and Buyerlink are merging through a reverse merger, valuing Buyerlink at approximately $326 million, aiming to create a leading platform for online marketplaces across various sectors, with projected revenues of around $350 million and adjusted EBITDA of approximately $30 million by 2025 [1][7]. Strategic Rationale - The merger aims to transform Inspirato from a luxury hospitality brand into a technology-driven luxury travel marketplace, enhancing member services and expanding luxury travel experiences [2]. - By integrating Buyerlink's capabilities, the combined entity will focus on maximizing value for members and tapping into new segments of the global luxury travel market [2]. Company Profiles - Inspirato is a luxury vacation club and property technology company, providing curated vacation options and custom travel experiences [14]. - Buyerlink is a leading marketing technology platform specializing in online marketplaces across high-value verticals, particularly in automotive and home services [15]. Transaction Details - The merger will consist of 90% common stock and 10% preferred stock, with preferred stock carrying a 7% accrued dividend [8]. - The average closing price of Inspirato's common stock prior to the agreement was $3.61 per share [8]. Governance and Leadership - One Planet Group will become the majority shareholder of the new entity, which will be named One Planet Platforms, with Payam Zamani serving as Chairman and CEO [9]. - Inspirato will continue to operate as a premier luxury travel company within the combined entity [9]. Approval Process - A Special Committee of Inspirato's Board of Directors conducted a thorough review and unanimously recommended the merger, which was subsequently approved by the full Board [11].

Core Insights - The freelance economy is rapidly growing, with more individuals opting for freelance work due to its flexibility and control over time and workspace [1] - The global freelance platforms market is expected to grow from $7.65 billion in 2025 to $16.54 billion by 2030, reflecting a CAGR of 16.66% [2] Company Performance - Upwork Inc. reported record first-quarter 2025 results with revenues of $193 million, exceeding both company guidance and Wall Street estimates [5] - Adjusted EBITDA reached $56 million with a margin of 29%, and net income was $37.7 million, marking a quarterly best for the company [5] - Key metrics showed improvement, with gross services volume per active client rising year over year for the first time in six quarters [6] Strategic Initiatives - Upwork is leveraging AI to enhance productivity and client engagement, with significant increases in user engagement with AI tools [9] - The company has made strategic acquisitions, including Headroom and Objective AI, to accelerate its AI roadmap and expand capabilities [10] - Upwork has positioned itself as a key resource for companies seeking AI talent, with access to over 80,000 AI specialists [11] Market Position - Upwork's strong execution and AI integration signal long-term potential, despite a year-to-date stock price decline [14] - The company has reaffirmed its revenue target of $740-$760 million and raised its adjusted EBITDA guidance to $190-$200 million for the full year [8] - Upwork's competitive landscape includes other platforms like Fiverr and Microsoft, which are also enhancing their AI capabilities [13]

Core Viewpoint - Etsy, Inc. has announced the pricing of $650 million in convertible senior notes due 2030, with an option for initial purchasers to buy an additional $50 million, aimed at raising capital for share repurchases and general corporate purposes [1][5]. Group 1: Notes Details - The notes will have a 1.00% annual interest rate, maturing on June 15, 2030, and will be convertible into cash, shares, or a combination at Etsy's discretion [2]. - The initial conversion rate is set at 11.6570 shares per $1,000 principal amount, translating to an initial conversion price of approximately $85.79 per share, which is a 42.5% premium over the last reported sale price on June 11, 2025 [2]. - Etsy can redeem the notes for cash starting June 20, 2028, if the stock price meets certain conditions [3]. Group 2: Use of Proceeds - Etsy estimates net proceeds from the offering to be approximately $639.3 million, or $688.5 million if the additional notes option is fully exercised, with $150 million allocated for share repurchases and the remainder for general corporate purposes [5][7]. - Concurrently, Etsy plans to repurchase shares at a price of $60.20, which was the last reported sale price on June 11, 2025 [7]. Group 3: Company Overview - Etsy operates two-sided online marketplaces connecting buyers and sellers globally, with a mission to "Keep Commerce Human" [9]. - The company also owns the fashion resale marketplace Depop, benefiting from shared expertise across its platforms [10].

Xometry (XMTR) FY Conference Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Xometry - **Industry**: Custom Manufacturing Marketplace - **Founded**: 2013 - **IPO**: 2021 - **CEO**: Randy Altshuler - **CFO**: James Milne Key Points Industry Dynamics - Custom manufacturing is a significant subsegment of the overall manufacturing market, estimated to exceed $2 trillion [9][10] - The market is highly fragmented, consisting of millions of small and medium-sized manufacturers globally [6][10] Company Growth and Performance - Xometry has tripled its customer base and doubled its manufacturing partner base since its IPO [3][14] - The marketplace revenue has tripled, with gross margins increasing from the mid-twenties to the mid-thirties percentage range [3][14] - In Q1, Xometry reported a 23% year-over-year revenue growth, with marketplace revenue growing 27% year-over-year [14][37] - Active buyers reached over 71,000, marking a 22% year-over-year increase [30][14] - Active suppliers numbered approximately 4,375, with a significant focus on enterprise accounts [30][31] Technology and Innovation - Xometry utilizes machine learning and AI to optimize the manufacturing process, providing instant pricing and lead time options [6][7][15] - The AI analyzes CAD models and matches them with suitable suppliers, enhancing efficiency and profitability for both buyers and suppliers [7][8][15] - The company has integrated with major ERP systems to streamline purchasing processes for large enterprises [53] Market Opportunity and Strategy - Xometry's market penetration is currently less than 1%, indicating substantial growth potential [18] - The company aims to deepen relationships with enterprise customers, with over 100 accounts generating more than $500,000 in revenue [24][31] - International revenue has grown from 2% to 18% of total marketplace revenue from 2020 to 2024, with expansion efforts in Europe and Asia [34] Financial Metrics - Total revenue for the last twelve months (LTM) reached $600 million, with a gross profit of $224 million [14][37] - Gross margins improved from 23.5% in 2020 to 33.5% in 2024, with a long-term target of 35% to 40% [41][42] - The company maintains a strong balance sheet with $231 million in cash and cash equivalents [46] Challenges and Resilience - Xometry has demonstrated durable growth across various economic conditions, including during COVID-19 and periods of supply chain disruptions [57] - The company is positioned to benefit from market uncertainties, as customers seek reliable manufacturing solutions [58] Future Outlook - Xometry plans to continue expanding its technology offerings and marketplace capabilities, aiming for sustained growth and profitability [45][48] - The focus will remain on organic growth, enhancing buyer and supplier networks, and exploring potential acquisitions to accelerate growth [48] Additional Insights - The company has a clear strategy for growth, emphasizing the importance of technology and customer engagement [22][24] - Xometry's approach to supplier engagement and customer satisfaction is designed to optimize profitability and operational efficiency [8][15][40]