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ARM vs. APP: Which AI-Exposed Tech Stock is a Better Buy Right Now?
ZACKS· 2025-08-27 18:46
Core Insights - AppLovin Corporation (APP) and Arm Holdings plc (ARM) are both leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance their business models, with AppLovin focusing on AI-driven advertising and Arm providing chip architectures for AI hardware performance [1][2] Group 1: AppLovin Corporation (APP) - AppLovin has established itself as a leader in mobile advertising with its AI engine, Axon 2, which has significantly improved ad performance, leading to a quadrupling of advertising spend on its platform [3][4] - The company reported a 77% year-over-year revenue increase in Q2 2025, with adjusted EBITDA rising 99% and net income soaring 156%, indicating strong operational efficiency and market demand [6] - AppLovin's forward P/E ratio is 39.36X, which is more attractive compared to ARM's 73.32X, suggesting a favorable valuation given its stronger earnings growth outlook [9][18] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts a 17% year-over-year sales increase and a remarkable 98% surge in earnings for the current year, highlighting the company's operational leverage [12][15] Group 2: Arm Holdings plc (ARM) - ARM is becoming a key player in AI and IoT, with major tech companies relying on its energy-efficient chip architecture for AI-driven innovations [7][8] - Despite its growth potential, ARM faces risks due to its significant exposure to the Chinese market, where the adoption of RISC-V technology could challenge its position [9][11] - ARM is expected to report an 18% sales growth and a modest 3% increase in EPS, indicating a steadier growth trajectory as it invests in AI-enabled chip innovation [15] Group 3: Comparative Analysis - While both companies are positioned to benefit from AI advancements, AppLovin's ability to convert innovation into profitability more efficiently sets it apart [19] - AppLovin's valuation appears more grounded relative to its earnings potential, offering a favorable risk-reward profile compared to ARM's premium pricing and external risks [18][19] - AppLovin currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), while ARM has a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating a stronger investment outlook for AppLovin [20]
AppLovin Stock Skyrockets 20% in a Month: Should You Board the Train?
ZACKS· 2025-08-18 16:51
Key Takeaways AppLovin stock has jumped 20% in three months, outpacing industry and major digital ad rivals.Axon 2 AI has quadrupled ad spend, lifting APP to a $10B annual run rate from gaming clients.Q2 2025 revenues rose 77%, EBITDA 99%, and net income surged 156% year over year.AppLovin Corporation (APP) has surged 20% over the past three months, outpacing the broader industry’s modest 6% rally and outperforming major digital ad rivals like Alphabet (GOOGL) and Meta Platforms (META) , which have gained 7 ...
Will Top-Line Improvement Benefit AppLovin's Q2 Earnings?
ZACKS· 2025-08-05 18:32
Key Takeaways APP's Q2 revenues are expected to rise 12.3% year over year to $1.21 billion.Advertising revenues may surge 72%, driven by performance gains from Axon 2 technology.EPS is projected at $1.99, marking a 123.6% increase from the prior-year quarter.AppLovin Corporation (APP) is set to announce its second-quarter 2025 results on Aug 6, after the bell. The company is expected to report strong year-over-year revenue growth, primarily driven by the strength of its Advertising segment.The consensus est ...
AppLovin Stock Before Q2 Earnings: To Buy or Not to Buy?
ZACKS· 2025-08-04 18:30
Core Insights - AppLovin Corporation (APP) is set to report its second-quarter 2025 results on August 6, with earnings expected to reach $1.99, reflecting a 123.6% increase year-over-year, and revenues projected at $1.21 billion, indicating a 12.3% growth from the previous year [1][8]. Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the upcoming quarter shows two upward revisions in the last 30 days, while the overall consensus has declined by 1.5% during the same period [2]. - The company has a strong history of earnings surprises, having exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all of the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 22.9% [4][5]. Revenue and Advertising Performance - Advertising revenue is anticipated to be a key driver for growth, with estimates at $1.23 billion, representing a 72% year-over-year increase, and adjusted EBITDA projected to rise by 92% [7][8]. - AppLovin's stock has surged 465% over the past year, significantly outperforming the broader industry growth of 71% and competitors like Alphabet and Meta Platforms [9]. Technological Advancements - The company has strengthened its position in mobile advertising through its AI engine, Axon 2, which has significantly improved ad performance and quadrupled advertising spend on its platform [11]. - Financial performance has been robust, with a 40% year-over-year revenue increase in Q1 2025 and a 144% rise in net income compared to the previous year [12]. Market Sentiment - There is cautious optimism ahead of the earnings report, driven by strong advertising performance and the success of Axon 2, although recent estimate revisions indicate mixed sentiment [13].
UiPath vs. AppLovin: Which AI-Driven Tech Stock is Purchase-Worthy?
ZACKS· 2025-07-25 18:06
Core Insights - UiPath (PATH) and AppLovin Corporation (APP) are leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance digital operations, with UiPath focusing on robotic process automation (RPA) and AppLovin on mobile advertising technology [1][2] UiPath Overview - UiPath is a leader in the RPA market, which is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, positioning the company to capitalize on the increasing demand for AI-driven solutions [3] - Strategic partnerships with major technology firms like Microsoft, Amazon, and Salesforce enhance UiPath's credibility and expand its capabilities within enterprise ecosystems [4] - The company has a high customer retention rate, with net retention rates between 110% and 115%, and reported a 6% year-over-year revenue increase to $357 million in Q1 of fiscal 2026 [5] - Annual recurring revenue rose 12% to $1.69 billion, indicating strong customer loyalty and a robust subscription-based business model [5][6] AppLovin Overview - AppLovin has established itself in mobile advertising, particularly with the launch of its AI engine, Axon 2, which has significantly improved ad performance and quadrupled advertising spend on its platform [7] - The estimated annual run rate for ad spend from gaming clients has reached $10 billion, positioning AppLovin among the top global ad tech firms by valuation [7] - Axon 2 has been crucial in revitalizing ad-driven growth in a challenging mobile gaming environment, despite modest growth in in-app purchases [8] Comparative Analysis - UiPath is trading at a forward sales multiple of 4.09X, which is below its 12-month median of 4.44X, while AppLovin's forward sales multiple is at 19.88X, above its median of 18.7X, indicating a more attractive valuation for UiPath [10][18] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UiPath's 2025 sales indicates an 8.5% year-over-year growth, while AppLovin's estimate shows a 16.3% growth [12][15] Conclusion - UiPath is identified as the more compelling investment opportunity due to its leadership in the expanding RPA market, strong enterprise partnerships, high customer retention, and more favorable valuation compared to AppLovin [19]
5 Tech Stocks That Could Help Set You Up for Life
The Motley Fool· 2025-07-25 10:45
Group 1: Palantir Technologies - Palantir Technologies has adopted a unique approach to artificial intelligence (AI), focusing on making AI more actionable through its data gathering and analytics foundation [2][3] - The company's AI platform (AIP) connects data to real assets and processes, functioning as an orchestration layer for AI, which has gained traction in the U.S. commercial sector [3] - In the last quarter, U.S. commercial revenue surged by 71%, overall revenue increased by 39%, and commercial deal value rose by 127%, indicating strong growth potential [4] Group 2: IonQ - IonQ is a leader in quantum computing, developing real systems with low error rates and a clear path to fault tolerance, which is essential for practical applications [6] - The company collaborates with major firms like Nvidia and AstraZeneca and has opened a large facility for manufacturing quantum computers, supported by nearly $700 million in cash and no debt [7] - If quantum computing reaches a significant breakthrough, IonQ could emerge as a major player in the tech industry [8] Group 3: SoundHound AI - SoundHound AI specializes in AI voice technology and aims to create voice-first AI agents capable of understanding and acting on complex requests [10][11] - The acquisition of Amelia has enhanced its capabilities in conversational intelligence, allowing it to serve enterprise customers in various sectors [11] - The potential market for AI-powered voice agents is vast, and SoundHound's unique approach positions it well for future growth [12] Group 4: AppLovin - AppLovin has transformed into a profitable growth company due to its Axon 2 AI ad engine, which has significantly boosted advertising revenue and gross margins [13] - The company is expanding its AI capabilities beyond gaming apps into e-commerce, which could lead to substantial business growth [14] - Despite scrutiny from short sellers and concerns over alleged ties to China, AppLovin's financial performance indicates strong potential for upside [15] Group 5: GitLab - GitLab is positioning itself as a key platform for AI-driven software development, countering the narrative that AI will diminish the need for coders [16] - The recent GitLab 18 release introduced over 30 new features, including the Duo Agent platform, which automates much of the software development lifecycle [17] - The company may shift its pricing model to consumption-based, reflecting the added value of its platform and opening new markets beyond traditional developers [18][19]
Axon 2 Powers AppLovin's Explosive Growth in Mobile Advertising
ZACKS· 2025-07-24 18:15
Core Insights - AppLovin Corporation has emerged as a leader in mobile advertising, driven by its advanced AI engine, Axon 2, which has significantly increased advertising activity on its platform [1][2] - The company has successfully adapted to the post-IDFA landscape, turning challenges into opportunities for marketers [2] - AppLovin's financial performance has shown remarkable growth, with revenues increasing by 40% year over year in Q1 2025, and adjusted EBITDA rising by 83% [4][9] Group 1: Impact of Axon 2 - Axon 2 has quadrupled advertising spend on AppLovin's platform, contributing to a $10 billion annual run rate from gaming clients alone [1][9] - The platform has enabled gaming publishers to achieve growth rates significantly higher than the industry average, which is experiencing modest growth [3] - AppLovin's strategy focuses on direct monetization in mobile advertising, contrasting with other tech giants that emphasize enterprise productivity [6][7] Group 2: Financial Performance - In 2024, AppLovin reported a 43% increase in annual revenue and an 81% surge in adjusted EBITDA, indicating a structural shift in profitability [4][5] - The company's net income soared by 144% year over year in Q1 2025, reflecting the effectiveness of its AI-driven strategy [4][9] - Despite strong operational execution, AppLovin's stock momentum has slowed, with shares rising only 12% year to date, slightly underperforming the broader industry [8][10] Group 3: Valuation and Market Sentiment - AppLovin currently trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 34.56, significantly higher than the industry average of 24.01, raising concerns about valuation sustainability [10] - Recent downward revisions in earnings estimates have led to a cooling of investor confidence, with the stock now carrying a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [12][15] - The market is awaiting either a reacceleration of growth or a repricing of the stock, as high margins and AI capabilities are overshadowed by valuation concerns [15]
Spotify vs. AppLovin: Which Ad-Powered Tech Stock is the Better Buy?
ZACKS· 2025-06-24 17:20
Core Insights - Both Spotify Technology S.A. and AppLovin Corporation are utilizing AI to enhance their advertising strategies, with Spotify focusing on consumer engagement and AppLovin optimizing in-app advertising [1][2] Spotify (SPOT) - Spotify is leveraging AI to improve user experience and engagement, with features like Spotify Wrapped that analyze user data to strengthen brand loyalty [7][10] - The AI DJ tool curates personalized playlists in real-time, enhancing user retention and increasing time spent on the platform, which directly boosts monetization potential [8][10] - Spotify's strategic integration of AI tools positions it as a leading innovator in digital audio, creating a defensible data-driven moat [10] AppLovin (APP) - AppLovin is transforming into a diversified, AI-powered advertising leader, with a strategic focus on web advertising, e-commerce, and connected TV (CTV) through the acquisition of Wurl [3][4] - The Axon 2 AI engine has significantly improved ad performance, quadrupling ad spend on the platform and contributing to an estimated $10 billion annual run rate from gaming clients [5][6] - AppLovin's AI-driven approach is enabling hyper-targeted ad campaigns across CTV devices, enhancing ad efficiency and measurable outcomes for advertisers [4][9] Financial Estimates - AppLovin's 2025 sales and EPS are projected to grow by 17% and 89% year-over-year, respectively, with EPS estimates trending upward [11] - Spotify's 2025 sales are expected to grow by 818%, while EPS is projected to increase by 57%, although EPS estimates have been trending downward [13] - AppLovin's forward sales multiple is 18.82X, while Spotify's is 7.03X, indicating a more attractive valuation for Spotify despite its downward-trending EPS estimates [15][16] Investment Outlook - AppLovin is currently viewed as the more compelling buy due to its strong EPS growth estimates and AI-driven recovery in a post-IDFA world, while Spotify's deeper user engagement is offset by concerns over its EPS trends [16][17]
AppLovin Stock Jumps 50% in 3 Months: Is it Too Late to Buy?
ZACKS· 2025-06-11 17:36
Core Insights - AppLovin Corporation (APP) has experienced a remarkable 50% increase in stock price over the past three months, outperforming the industry average of 21% and major competitors like Alphabet (7%) and Meta Platforms (14%) [1][7] Group 1: Company Performance - AppLovin has solidified its leadership in mobile advertising through its AI engine, Axon 2, which has significantly improved ad performance and quadrupled advertising spend on its platform, leading to an estimated $10 billion annual run rate in ad spend from gaming clients [3][4] - In Q1 2025, AppLovin reported a 40% year-over-year revenue growth, an 83% increase in adjusted EBITDA, and a 144% rise in net income, showcasing its ability to convert revenue growth into substantial profitability [9][10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Q2 2025 earnings is projected at $2.01 per share, reflecting a 125.8% increase from the previous year, with revenue expected to reach $1.45 billion, indicating a 33.9% year-over-year growth [10][12] Group 2: Market Position and Strategy - AppLovin's Axon 2 has played a crucial role in revitalizing ad-driven momentum in a challenging market, particularly after the disruptions caused by changes in mobile user acquisition strategies [4][13] - The company is leveraging AI to drive direct monetization in mobile advertising, distinguishing itself from larger tech firms that focus on enterprise productivity [8][13] - Analyst projections indicate continued growth, with full-year 2025 earnings expected to rise by 85.7% and revenues projected to increase by 21.5% [10][11]
Axon 2 Drives AppLovin's Advertising Surge and Gaming Ecosystem
ZACKS· 2025-06-04 18:10
Core Insights - AppLovin Corporation (APP) has established itself as a leading player in the mobile advertising sector, driven by the success of its AI engine, Axon 2 [1] Group 1: Axon 2 and Its Impact - Launched in Q2 2023, Axon 2 has transformed AppLovin's ad platform, resulting in a fourfold increase in advertising spend, with gaming client ad spend reaching an estimated $10 billion annual run rate [2][8] - Axon 2 has played a crucial role in revitalizing mobile gaming growth in a challenging post-IDFA environment, with MAX publishers expanding at rates significantly higher than the mid-single-digit annual growth of in-app purchase revenues [3][4][8] - The financial performance reflects Axon 2's effectiveness, with Q1 2025 revenue increasing by 40% year over year, adjusted EBITDA rising by 83%, and net income soaring by 144% [4][8] Group 2: Competitive Landscape and Valuation - While major tech companies like Alphabet, Microsoft, and Salesforce focus on AI for enterprise productivity, AppLovin differentiates itself by leveraging AI for direct monetization in mobile advertising [5][6] - AppLovin's stock has increased by 23% year to date, outperforming the industry's 5% growth [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AppLovin's earnings has been rising, with the stock currently trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 40.31, significantly above the industry's 24.17 [10][12]