Toast Inc. (NYSE:TOST) is one of the best tech stocks to buy, according to Cathie Wood. On September 9, at the Goldman Sachs Communicopia + Technology Conference 2025, the company outlined its strategic priorities, which include innovation in AI and international expansion. Toast Inc. (TOST) Poised for AI Innovation and International Expansion Additionally, the company reiterated its robust growth trajectory, which includes a 31% year-over-year increase in gross profit for the second quarter. The company ...

Core Insights - Toast, Inc. is enhancing its profitability through new product launches and expansion efforts, including the Toast Go 3 handheld device and the AI-powered ToastIQ [1][10] - The company has raised its full-year outlook for gross profit and adjusted EBITDA, indicating strong performance expectations [5] Product Innovations - The Toast Go 3 handheld features built-in cellular connectivity and a 24-hour battery life, facilitating easier order taking and payment processing for restaurant staff [1][10] - ToastIQ, launched in May 2025, automates workflows and personalizes experiences using restaurant data, with features like Menu Upsells and AI-Marketing Assistant [2][3] Financial Performance - Toast expects non-GAAP subscription services and financial technology solutions gross profit to be between $1.815 billion and $1.835 billion, reflecting a growth of 28–29% over 2024 [5] - Adjusted EBITDA guidance has been increased to $565 million–$585 million from a previous range of $540 million–$560 million [5] Cost Challenges - Operating expenses rose 18% year over year in Q2, with sales and marketing expenses increasing by 28%, raising concerns about profitability [6] - Management anticipates lower margins in Q4 due to seasonal payment volume slowdowns and higher tariff expenses [6][7] Market Dynamics - Gross Payment Volume (GPV) per location declined by 1%, despite a 23% year-over-year increase in overall GPV, indicating potential challenges in transaction volumes [7] - The competitive landscape is intensifying with rivals like Block and Lightspeed, which are also innovating aggressively in the cloud-based POS and payments solutions space [8][9][12] Stock Performance - TOST shares have increased by 80.9% over the past year, outperforming the Internet-Software industry's growth of 36% [13] - The price/book ratio for TOST is currently at 11.67X, significantly higher than the industry average of 6.07 [14]

Core Insights - Toast, Inc. (TOST) is scheduled to report its second-quarter 2025 results on August 5, with earnings expected at 24 cents per share and revenues projected at $1.53 billion, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 23.4% [1][8] Earnings Performance - TOST has a strong earnings surprise history, having outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 197.15% [2][3] Financial Metrics - The company anticipates gross profit growth in its subscription and fintech segments between 26% and 29% year over year, with adjusted EBITDA expected to be between $130 million and $140 million [5][8] Market Expansion - TOST has expanded its presence in the U.S. SMB restaurant market, adding over 6,000 net locations in Q1 2025, totaling approximately 140,000 customer locations globally, which is a 25% year-over-year growth [6] Technological Advancements - The company is leveraging AI-powered tools, such as ToastIQ, to enhance its platform and improve restaurant operations, with reported positive impacts on clients' performance [7][9] Stock Performance - TOST shares have increased by 12.9% over the past six months, outperforming the Internet Software market and the Zacks Computer & Technology sector [12] Valuation Concerns - TOST is trading at a premium with a price/book multiple of 13.89X compared to the industry average of 6.74X, indicating a stretched valuation [16][18]

Core Insights - Investors should focus on companies with strong growth potential, competitive advantages, and adaptability to technology trends Group 1: Nvidia - Nvidia is the leader in AI infrastructure, holding a 92% market share in Q1 [2] - The company's competitive edge lies in its CUDA software platform, which has been widely adopted in research and development [3] - Nvidia is expanding into new markets, including autonomous driving, while recently receiving approval to sell H20 chips in China [4] Group 2: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing is the leading chip foundry, producing chips for major companies like Nvidia and Apple [6] - The company has seen a rise in revenue from high-performance computing, which now constitutes 60% of its revenue, up from 52% a year ago [7] - TSMC's advanced manufacturing capabilities position it as a key player in the growing AI and autonomous driving markets [8] Group 3: Meta Platforms - Meta Platforms is leveraging AI to enhance its digital advertising capabilities, increasing user engagement on Facebook and Instagram [9] - The company is beginning to monetize WhatsApp and Threads, which have significant user bases, providing a long growth runway [10] - CEO Mark Zuckerberg is investing heavily in AI talent to achieve ambitious goals, positioning Meta as a potential leader in AI [11] Group 4: GitLab - GitLab is evolving into a comprehensive software development lifecycle platform, integrating AI to enhance development processes [12] - The introduction of over 30 new features in GitLab 18 aims to improve efficiency across the software development lifecycle [13] - GitLab's focus on AI-driven solutions positions it well for future growth in an increasingly AI-centric software landscape [13] Group 5: Toast - Toast is becoming essential in the restaurant industry by providing software that enhances operational efficiency and sales [14] - The integration of AI tools like ToastIQ is helping restaurants make data-driven decisions in real time [15] - As restaurants face economic pressures, Toast's technology solutions offer significant growth opportunities in a large and fragmented market [16]

Core Insights - Toast, Inc. (TOST) shares have increased by 21.6% year to date, outperforming the Internet Software market and the Zacks Computer & Technology sector, which grew by 14.6% and 8.4% respectively, while the S&P 500 returned 5.6% in the same period [1] Company Performance - TOST closed at $44.34, down 0.3% recently, and is near its 52-week high of $46.57 [4] - The company registered over 6,000 net locations in Q1 2025, totaling approximately 140,000 customer locations globally, reflecting a 25% year-over-year growth [7] - Toast achieved an adjusted EBITDA margin of 32%, exceeding its medium-term target of 30-35%, attributed to disciplined expense management [8] - Free cash flow turned positive at $69 million, compared to a $33 million loss a year ago [9] Growth Opportunities - Toast is expanding in the U.S. SMB restaurant market, with significant wins like Applebee's and Topgolf, and has only 10% penetration in its total addressable market of 1.4 million locations, indicating substantial long-term growth potential [5] - The company is targeting to exceed 10,000 locations by the end of 2025 across new growth areas: enterprise, international, and food & beverage retail [6] - Toast projects a 26% growth in fintech and subscription gross profit for 2025, with an estimated adjusted EBITDA of $550 million and a 31% margin, up five percentage points from 2024 [10] Challenges - The decline in Gross Payment Volume (GPV) per location poses a challenge, with GPV per location down 3% year-over-year, despite overall GPV increasing by 22% to $42 billion in Q1 [12] - The restaurant industry remains sensitive to consumer spending, labor inflation, and supply-chain volatility, which could impact TOST's performance [11] - TOST's stock is considered expensive, trading at a price/book multiple of 13.20X compared to the industry's 6.57X, indicating a stretched valuation [16] Investment Outlook - Despite headwinds, Toast's focus on expanding its addressable market and strategic investments in AI support long-term upside [17] - The company is currently rated Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting long-term investors should maintain their positions while new entrants may benefit from waiting for a more favorable entry point [18]

Core Insights - Toast Inc (TOST) started 2025 with strong momentum, adding over 6,000 net locations in Q1 2025, totaling approximately 140,000 customer locations globally, reflecting a 25% year-over-year growth [1] - The company aims to achieve record net additions in the current quarter and expects 2025 to surpass 2024's full-year net additions [1] - Toast is focusing on expanding its presence in the U.S. SMB restaurant market, with only 10% penetration into its total addressable market (TAM) of 1.4 million locations, indicating significant long-term growth potential [1] - The company is also pursuing growth in three new areas: enterprise, international, and food & beverage retail, targeting over 10,000 locations by the end of 2025 in these segments [1] Technology and Innovation - Toast's AI-powered tools, such as Sous Chef and ToastIQ, are enhancing its competitive edge in restaurant technology [2] - The company has improved its reporting, payroll, and accounting tools, and introduced a Benchmarking tool to assist restaurants in managing costs [2] - These advancements position Toast as a full-stack solutions provider, which is expected to support its growth trajectory beyond the current quarter [2] Financial Projections - Toast projects a 26% growth in fintech and subscription gross profit for 2025 at the midpoint, with adjusted EBITDA estimated at $550 million and a 31% margin, reflecting a five percentage point increase from 2024 [3] Market Environment - Management is closely monitoring the macro environment, acknowledging the restaurant industry's sensitivity to consumer spending, labor inflation, and supply chain volatility [4] - A downturn in consumer spending or increased cost pressures could potentially impact restaurant technology budgets, affecting TOST's performance [4] Competitive Landscape - Competitor Lightspeed Commerce Inc. is pivoting towards North America's Retail and Europe's Hospitality sectors, reporting a 3% year-over-year increase in customer locations and a 6% rise in GTV for these customers [5][6] - Block, Inc. offers a comprehensive commerce ecosystem, including Square for Restaurants, which competes directly with TOST's offerings, generating $1.48 billion in transaction revenues, up 5.9% year over year [7][8] Stock Performance and Valuation - TOST shares gained 13.9% year to date, slightly underperforming the Internet-Software industry's growth of 14.2% [9] - The shares are currently trading at a price/book ratio of 12.34X, higher than the industry average of 6.49X [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TOST's earnings for 2025 has remained unchanged over the past 30 days [12]

Core Insights - Toast Inc. (TOST) and Lightspeed Commerce Inc. (LSPD) are key players in the point-of-sale (POS) solutions market, with Toast focusing on restaurants and Lightspeed serving both restaurants and retail, making them direct competitors in the hospitality tech sector [1][2] Company Analysis: Toast Inc. (TOST) - TOST ended the first quarter with approximately 140,000 customer locations globally, reflecting a 25% year-over-year growth, and added over 6,000 net locations in the same period [3][9] - The company has only 10% penetration into its total addressable market (TAM) of 1.4 million locations, indicating significant long-term growth potential [3] - TOST is expanding into three new growth areas: enterprise, international, and food & beverage retail, with a target of exceeding 10,000 locations in these segments by the end of 2025 [4] - The introduction of AI-powered tools, such as Sous Chef and ToastIQ, is enhancing TOST's platform and improving operational efficiency for restaurant operators [5] - Despite strong growth, TOST faces challenges such as a 3% year-over-year decline in gross payment volume (GPV) per location, indicating lower average transaction volumes [7] Company Analysis: Lightspeed Commerce Inc. (LSPD) - LSPD reported an 18% revenue increase in fiscal 2025, surpassing $1 billion in annual revenues for the first time [8] - The company is strategically focusing on North American retail and European hospitality, with customer locations in these markets increasing over 3% year-over-year [10] - LSPD is investing heavily in innovation, with a 35% increase in product development budget for fiscal 2026 compared to fiscal 2025 [11] - Transaction-based revenues for LSPD rose 14% to $157.8 million, with GPV increasing by 40%, showcasing strong growth in its payments segment [12] - However, LSPD is also facing macroeconomic challenges, with a revenue growth guidance of 10% to 12% for the current fiscal year, lower than the previous year's 18% growth [13] Market Comparison - TOST shares have appreciated by 5.2%, while LSPD shares have gained 11.7% [16] - Valuation metrics indicate that both companies are overvalued, with TOST trading at a Price/Book ratio of 13.28X compared to LSPD's 1.04X [18] - Analysts have slightly revised earnings estimates upward for TOST, while LSPD has seen a marginal downward revision for the current year [20][22] - Despite facing similar macro and competitive challenges, LSPD's diversified revenue base across multiple sectors makes it a more compelling investment option compared to TOST's restaurant-heavy model [22]

Core Insights - Toast Inc. (TOST) is expanding its presence across various geographies and segments, targeting not only small and medium-sized restaurants but also food & beverage retail and enterprise chains, currently supporting around 140,000 locations globally [1][9] - The company's strategy focuses on scaling locations, demonstrating growth in new markets, increasing platform adoption with a data and AI focus, and maintaining high standards while gradually expanding margins [2][7] Product and Technology Developments - Toast has developed an all-in-one platform tailored for the restaurant industry, leveraging AI to enhance usability and efficiency for operators [3] - The introduction of Sous Chef, an AI assistant for restaurant operators, is currently in pilot testing and aims to provide business insights and manage various operational tasks [4] - ToastIQ, an AI-powered intelligence engine, has shown positive impacts for early adopters, enhancing the platform's capabilities [5] Operational Enhancements - Recent updates for front-of-house staff include improvements to POS systems, kiosks, and kitchen displays, along with new tools for guest engagement such as Websites, Branded Apps, and AI-powered SMS Marketing [6] - The company has also introduced enhanced reporting, payroll, accounting tools, and a Benchmarking tool to help restaurants manage costs [6] Financial Performance - Toast has raised its full-year outlook, now expecting a 26% growth in fintech and subscription gross profit, with adjusted EBITDA estimated at $550 million and a 31% margin, reflecting a five-point increase from previous estimates [7][9] - TOST shares have gained 76.7% over the past year, outperforming the Zacks Internet-Software industry's growth of 37.2% [11] Valuation Metrics - TOST trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 3.2X, which is lower than the industry's average of 5.68X, indicating potential undervaluation [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TOST's earnings for 2025 has been rising over the past 60 days, suggesting positive market sentiment [13]

Summary of Toast (TOST) FY Conference Call - May 13, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: Toast, Inc. (TOST) - **Industry**: Payments and IT services, specifically focused on restaurant management software and point of sale systems Key Points and Arguments Market Share and Growth - Toast has increased its market share in the U.S. restaurant sector from **10% to 15%** over the last two years [12][16] - The company aims to continue expanding its market share by leveraging social proof and increasing visibility among restaurant owners [16][18] - Productivity among account executives (AEs) has improved, indicating effective execution and product performance [19][22] Focus on Restaurants - Toast maintains a strong focus on the restaurant sector, having chosen to specialize rather than diversify into other areas [20] - The company has seen success in enterprise solutions, with notable clients like Applebee's and Topgolf, indicating growth potential in larger chains [21][42] Macro Environment and Resilience - Toast tracks various metrics such as same-store sales, new openings, and churn to gauge the health of the restaurant industry [24][25] - Historical data suggests that restaurants tend to perform better than retail during economic downturns, providing confidence in Toast's resilience [26][27] Profitability and Capital Allocation - The leadership team emphasizes long-term growth and capital allocation aligned with strategic goals, focusing on core business while exploring new opportunities [31][32] - Toast is prepared to adjust discretionary spending in response to economic pressures while ensuring long-term investments are not compromised [32][33] Competitive Landscape - Toast is enhancing its pricing strategy and sales approach to maintain a competitive edge in the market [34][35] - The company tracks win rates and customer satisfaction metrics to assess product effectiveness and market positioning [40] AI and Technological Innovations - Toast is investing in AI technologies, such as Sous Chef and Toast IQ, to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience [61][71] - The AI initiatives aim to provide restaurant operators with tools to optimize operations and improve customer interactions [69][70] Consumer Opportunities - The company sees potential in consumer-facing applications, leveraging data to enhance customer experiences and drive demand for restaurants [75][79] - Toast is exploring ways to integrate consumer services with its existing platform to create a seamless experience for users [81][82] International Expansion - Toast aspires to grow its international presence, focusing on markets with high potential for restaurant operations [91][92] - The company aims to achieve product parity with the U.S. offerings in international markets while being strategic about market entry [93] Additional Important Insights - Toast's capital business is designed to balance risk while providing necessary funding to SMB restaurants, especially in challenging economic conditions [86][88] - The company is committed to maintaining strong relationships with restaurant staff and franchisees, which helps drive its growth through word-of-mouth and community support [48][49] This summary encapsulates the key insights and strategic directions discussed during the Toast FY Conference Call, highlighting the company's focus on growth, innovation, and resilience in the restaurant technology sector.

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, the company added over 6,000 net locations, with total locations reaching approximately 40,000, a 25% year-over-year increase [9][28] - Recurring gross profit streams grew 37% year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA increasing to $133 million and GAAP operating income at $43 million [9][26] - Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) grew 31%, while total FinTech and subscription gross profit increased by 37% year-over-year [26][27] - Subscription revenue rose by 38%, and gross profit grew by 45%, benefiting from improved ARR to revenue conversion [29] - Payments ARR grew 31%, with Gross Payment Volume (GPV) at $42 billion, a 22% year-over-year increase [30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 5% increase in SaaS Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) on an ARR basis [29] - Non-payment fintech solutions, particularly Toast Capital, contributed $47 million in gross profit, with solid growth in originations [31] - Operating expenses, excluding bad debt and credit-related expenses, increased by 12%, primarily due to a 25% rise in sales and marketing expenses [32] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is on track to cross 10,000 locations across international, food and beverage retail, and enterprise in 2025 [16] - The company continues to see strong momentum in international markets, with guest attached doubling over the past year for recent locations [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to scale locations and market share in the U.S. restaurant business while demonstrating that new markets can drive material growth [11][16] - The focus is on increasing customer adoption of the platform and driving differentiation through data and AI [20] - The company plans to continue investing in high-priority areas while gradually expanding margins [23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating the macro environment, noting stable consumer trends and strong sales productivity [49][51] - The company raised its full-year outlook based on strong Q1 performance and momentum heading into Q2 [34][28] - Management remains optimistic about the resilience of restaurants in a dynamic macro environment [27][78] Other Important Information - The company achieved a 32% adjusted EBITDA margin, exceeding medium-term margin goals [33] - Free cash flow for Q1 was $69 million, with expectations to mirror adjusted EBITDA for the full year [33] Q&A Session Summary Question: Discussion on payback periods for large enterprise wins - Management highlighted that enterprise deals, like Applebee's, have attractive payback periods due to large ARR booked [41] Question: Insights on macro trends and same-store sales - Management noted that same-store sales and consumer trends remain stable, contributing to confidence in future net adds [49][51] Question: Update on AI solutions rollout - Management indicated that AI solutions like Sous Chef and ToastIQ are still early in development but show promising early results [57][63] Question: Impact of tariffs on hardware costs - Management stated that incremental costs from tariffs are manageable and reflected in guidance, with a diversified supply chain reducing reliance on China [114][115] Question: Location growth algorithm and market share - Management confirmed that the share between new and existing locations remains balanced, with core business being the primary growth engine [118]