Summary of VERSES (VRSS.D) Update / Briefing July 29, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: VERSES (VRSS.D) - **Focus**: Development of AI and robotics technology, particularly in real-world applications and enterprise solutions Key Points Uplist Plans - The company is actively pursuing an uplist to a major tier one US exchange, such as Nasdaq or the New York Stock Exchange, to access larger pools of capital and greater liquidity [3][4][6] - A reverse split is required to meet minimum share price requirements for listing on these exchanges [3] - Transitioned from a foreign private issuer to a domestic SEC reporting company, which comes with different public disclosure requirements [4] Corporate Strategy and Technology Development - The company is focused on creating real-world intelligence through AI, addressing the limitations of current AI technologies that struggle with practical applications [14][15][18] - Emphasis on developing enterprise-ready solutions that can handle mission-critical applications, such as real-time sensing and modeling of environments [19][22] - The company has made significant advancements in its technology, including the development of Genius, a platform designed for adaptive real-time learning [32][35] Product Innovations - **Acxiom**: A cognitive architecture that demonstrates superior performance in spatial reasoning and real-time learning, outperforming competitors like Google's models [35][37] - **VBGS**: A new machine vision technology that allows for real-time mapping and sensing of environments, significantly improving accuracy and efficiency [40][41] - **Genius Act**: A robotic simulation that showcases the ability of robots to learn and adapt in real-time, achieving tasks without extensive pre-training [44][46] Market Position and Recognition - The company has gained attention from various media outlets and industry experts, indicating a growing recognition of its technology and potential [75] - Partnerships with notable organizations, including NASA and JPL, highlight the credibility and applicability of its technology in real-world scenarios [74] Customer Adoption and Revenue Potential - Strong adoption of the Genius platform across diverse industries, including CRM, banking, and media, with customers acting as both users and potential resellers [67][70] - The company is optimistic about future revenue growth as it transitions from research to revenue-generating phases [72][75] Future Outlook - The company believes it is at a pivotal moment, with the potential to significantly impact the AI and robotics market by solving complex real-world problems [89][90] - Continued focus on developing systems that can operate intelligently in dynamic environments, aiming to lead in the enterprise and industrial sectors [66][87] Additional Important Insights - The company acknowledges the challenges faced during the transition period but emphasizes the strength and resilience of its team and technology [5][6] - The strategic focus on real-world applications of AI and robotics positions the company uniquely in a market that is increasingly recognizing the limitations of traditional AI approaches [14][18][63]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Organic growth for Q2 2025 was 3%, aligning with expectations, while non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA margin remained flat at 15.3% compared to the previous year [5][20]. - Non-GAAP adjusted net income per share increased by 5.1% to $2.50, compared to the same period in 2024 [6][32]. - Cash flow supported dividends, acquisitions, and share repurchases, with $223 million used for share repurchases in the first half of 2025, on track for a total of $600 million for the year [6][35]. Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Media and advertising grew by 8%, driven by strong media performance, while precision marketing increased by 5% [24]. - Public relations saw a decline of 9%, primarily in the U.S., due to weaker performance in global networks [25]. - Healthcare revenues decreased by 5%, and branding and retail commerce fell by 17% due to market uncertainties [26][27]. Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. market experienced organic growth of 3%, while Asia Pacific and Continental Europe also posted solid growth, with the UK being the only region without growth [28]. - The auto category saw year-over-year increases, reflecting new business wins, although some client spend reductions were noted [28]. Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on completing the acquisition of Interpublic, with 13 out of 18 required jurisdictions approved, aiming for a seamless integration [7][10]. - A reorganization of advanced data and technology assets into a platform organization was implemented to enhance client service and accelerate growth [10][11]. - The strategy emphasizes the integration of generative AI to enhance creativity and operational efficiency, positioning the company for long-term competitive advantage [14][18]. Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while macroeconomic uncertainties persist, they remain confident in achieving full-year organic growth and margin targets [13][20]. - The company is prepared to adapt to changing market conditions and is optimistic about future growth opportunities, particularly post-acquisition [70][71]. Other Important Information - The company has appointed a new Chief People Officer to enhance HR capabilities and attract top talent [12]. - The integration planning for Interpublic is ongoing, with a focus on achieving identified synergies [13][76]. Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you speak to the progression of things since your last update in April? - Management indicated that the environment has not changed significantly, with ongoing macro concerns being manageable [40][41]. Question: How do you view the sustainability and growth of principal trading? - Management expressed confidence in the continued growth of media, highlighting their unique product offerings [46][47]. Question: What is the expected impact of AI agents on financials? - The deployment of AI agents is expected to enhance operational efficiency and drive top-line growth, although the full financial impact is yet to be determined [60][62]. Question: How do you view the current pipeline of opportunities? - Management noted that while some decision processes have slowed, they continue to be invited to significant pitches, indicating ongoing interest from clients [88][89]. Question: How should repositioning and acquisition-related costs be modeled for the year? - Management clarified that repositioning costs are separate from the synergy target and do not expect further charges in the near term [82][83]. Question: How does the company view the impact of new AI tools on the creative business model? - Management believes that advancements in AI will enhance creativity and efficiency, allowing for new compensation models based on outcomes rather than time spent [106][111].

Nasdaq (NDAQ) 2025 Conference Summary Industry Overview - Nasdaq is a global exchange operator that has been transforming its business model to become a technology and platform provider for corporates, investment managers, and financial institutions [2][3] Key Points and Arguments Market Dynamics - The first half of 2025 has seen significant market volatility, with record volumes in equity options in April, followed by normalization in May [5][6] - Nasdaq reported record-breaking statistics on trading volumes, including 100 million options contracts and 31 billion shares in equities on Liberation Day [8] - The exchange managed over 550 billion messages in a single day, showcasing its operational resilience [10] - The Nasdaq index has shown a recovery, up 2.5% year-to-date after being down 20% earlier [12] - European markets, which Nasdaq operates in, are outperforming U.S. markets, indicating strong performance across its international operations [13] Retail Participation - Retail participation in the markets remains strong, particularly in equities and options, with foreign retail ownership of U.S. equities doubling over the past five years [14][15] - Retail investors are described as more sophisticated, utilizing better tools and information compared to previous years [16] 24/5 Trading Initiative - Nasdaq plans to launch 24/5 trading by the second half of 2026, driven by demand from retail investors, particularly from North Asia [17][18] - The initiative aims to harmonize trading hours across exchanges while ensuring market integrity and transparency [19][20] - Operational challenges include staffing, managing corporate actions, and ensuring liquidity during extended trading hours [27][28] Strategic Pivot Towards Information Services - Nasdaq has been pivoting towards information services since 2017, focusing on financial technology and risk management solutions [29][30] - The company has made several acquisitions to enhance its portfolio, including regulatory technology and financial crime management solutions [34] - Nasdaq aims to be a trusted partner for clients, helping them navigate increasing complexity in the financial landscape [33] Demand for Regulatory and Risk Management Solutions - Acxiom, a regulatory technology solution, is positioned to capitalize on global modernization efforts in banking systems [41][42] - Surveillance solutions are benefiting from increased trading activity in crypto and heightened regulatory scrutiny across asset classes [44][45] AI Integration - Nasdaq is embedding AI capabilities into its products, such as the XVA accelerator in Calypso, which significantly reduces computation time for complex derivatives [61][65] - AI is expected to enhance both product offerings and operational efficiencies, improving client satisfaction [62] Digital Assets Strategy - Nasdaq is actively involved in the digital asset space, offering trading and surveillance technology, and listing ETFs related to crypto [70] - The company sees opportunities in collateral management for digital assets, aiming to integrate traditional finance with digital rails [72][74] Other Important Insights - Nasdaq's operational resilience has been tested during periods of high volatility, and the company has successfully managed record trading volumes [10][11] - The strategic focus on technology and information services positions Nasdaq well for future growth in a rapidly evolving financial landscape [34][35] - The integration of AI and digital asset strategies reflects Nasdaq's commitment to innovation and adapting to market demands [61][70]

Summary of Interpublic Group of Companies (IPG) FY Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Interpublic Group of Companies (IPG) - **Event**: FY Conference Call - **Date**: May 13, 2025 Key Points Merger with Omnicom - The merger with Omnicom is a significant focus, with a high level of conviction about the value it will unlock through enhanced capabilities and efficiencies [3][4] - There is strong interest from clients regarding the combined offerings post-merger, indicating potential for powerful synergies [4] - Integration of different agency cultures is expected to be smooth due to prior competition and talent flow between the two companies [6][7][8] - Concerns about client conflicts and talent retention have been deemed overblown, with a focus on client-centric operations [9][10][12] Regulatory Process - The regulatory review process is ongoing, with confidence that the deal will close in the latter half of the year, having received approvals from 7 out of 18 jurisdictions [14][15] Financial Performance and Growth - IPG has reiterated its organic growth guidance at -1% to -2% for the year, primarily due to account losses [16] - Current underlying growth, excluding recent losses, is estimated at +1% to +1.5% [20] - The media environment remains steady, with clients engaging in scenario planning rather than immediate spending changes [18][19] Acxiom's Role - Acxiom has been highlighted as a strong contributor to IPG's performance, providing long-term contracts and data management capabilities that enhance media offerings [30][31] - The integration of Acxiom's data capabilities is expected to improve client engagement and performance across various agencies [32][33] Healthcare Sector - The healthcare vertical remains a strong area for IPG, despite recent performance being affected by a single account loss. The long-term outlook is positive due to ongoing innovation and a rich drug pipeline [34][35][36] Creative Services and Technology Integration - The creative side of the business is evolving, with a focus on integrating technology and data to enhance content performance and attribution [39][40] - The merger with Omnicom is expected to provide additional resources for technological investments, benefiting creative services [40] Business Transformation Program - IPG has initiated a business transformation program aimed at improving operational efficiency and freeing up resources for higher-value services [41][42][43] - The program includes centralizing corporate functions and optimizing production and analytics capabilities [44] Additional Insights - The current economic environment is causing some marketers to slow down on RFP processes, but overall pitch activity remains average [27][28][29] - The focus on data-driven decision-making and sophisticated client engagement strategies is crucial for navigating market volatility [18][19] This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the conference call, highlighting the strategic direction and operational focus of IPG amidst the ongoing merger with Omnicom and the broader market context.