Chimera Investment (NYSE:CIM) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 11, 2026 08:30 AM ET Company ParticipantsBose George - Managing DirectorEric Hagen - Managing DirectorJack MacDowell - CIOKenneth Lee - Managing DirectorKyle Walker - President and CEOMiyun Sung - CLO and Corporate SecretaryPhil Kardis - President, CEO, and DirectorSubra Viswanathan - CFO and Principal Accounting OfficerTrevor Cranston - Managing DirectorConference Call ParticipantsDoug Harter - Equity Research AnalystOperatorAs a reminder, this c ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for the fourth quarter was $194.7 million, up 9.1% year-over-year, and in line with guidance [21] - Full-year revenue reached $748.4 million, an increase of 12.2% from 2024 [21] - Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter was $42.5 million, an increase of 11.6% year-over-year [28] - Annual recurring revenue (ARR) was $671 million at quarter end, up 11.3% year-over-year [24] - Gross profit for the fourth quarter was $147.4 million, with a gross margin of 75.7% [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Subscription revenue in the fourth quarter increased 8.9% year-over-year to $166.2 million [21] - Services revenue grew 10.2% year-over-year to $28.5 million in the fourth quarter [23] - Cloud revenue for the fourth quarter was $94.6 million, up 23% year-over-year [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - New logos increased by 20% in 2025, indicating healthy revenue from new customers [9] - E-invoicing mandates are expected to drive growth, particularly in the second half of 2026 [39] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to accelerate revenue growth through AI transformation and innovation [7][10] - Focus on expanding customer success coverage and leveraging AI tools to enhance customer service [9][60] - Plans to broaden the functionality of Smart Categorization and expand into additional industries [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged challenges in 2025, including higher customer attrition primarily due to M&A and bankruptcies [8] - Confidence in achieving 2026 revenue guidance of $823.5 million to $831.5 million, with expected cloud revenue growth of 25% [30] - Emphasis on restoring growth and capitalizing on AI and e-invoicing opportunities [20] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately $10 million of its shares in the open market [29] - Ended the fourth quarter with over $314 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents [29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the losses to competitors at the lower end of the market? - Management noted that attrition was higher in 2025, primarily due to M&A and bankruptcies, with the highest churn in smaller customers [35] Question: How confident are you in achieving the guidance for next year? - Management expressed confidence in the guidance, considering various factors and aiming to return to a beat-and-raise cadence [39] Question: What parallels can you draw from your previous experiences that will help at Vertex? - Management highlighted the importance of AI transformation and the need for accuracy in tax compliance, drawing parallels from experiences at Microsoft [44][48] Question: What are your expectations around net retention rates? - Management is focused on improving net retention rates through new product offerings and proactive customer engagement [50] Question: How is the pipeline for 2026 shaping up, particularly with SAP customers? - Management reported steady growth in the SAP pipeline, with ongoing partnerships and win rates remaining strong [55] Question: Have you seen any AI tech budget crowding out affecting entitlement slowdown? - Management has not observed explicit budget crowding out in their business, indicating continued strength in their solutions [88]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, reported net income was $174 million or $1.76 per diluted share, while adjusted net income was $188 million or $1.91 per diluted share [24] - For the full year 2025, reported net income was $783 million or $7.77 per diluted share, with adjusted net income at $830 million or $8.24 per diluted share [24] - The company achieved a 13% return on equity and a 14% growth in book value per share [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, net orders totaled 2,499 homes, down 5% year-over-year, with a monthly absorption pace of 2.4 homes per community [24][25] - Home closings revenue for Q4 was approximately $2 billion, with an average closing price of $596,000 [25][26] - The home closings gross margin was 21.8%, slightly above prior guidance, but down from 24.8% in Q4 2024 [29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales were strongest in the east and west areas, particularly in Florida, California, and Phoenix, while the central region, especially Texas, showed slower performance [11] - The company entered 2026 with a backlog of just over 2,800 homes, lower than normal due to slower sales of to-be-built homes in 2025 [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to accelerate the number of new community openings in 2026, with over 100 new outlets planned, including more than 20 new Esplanade outlets [12] - The focus will be on move-up and resort lifestyle segments, with a strategic shift away from non-core submarkets that cater to price-sensitive buyers [14][15] - The company aims to reach 20,000 closings in the long term, emphasizing attractive returns on invested capital [14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about sales success in Q4 2025 and early momentum in 2026, despite elevated inventory levels and competitive pricing dynamics [9][10] - Consumer confidence in the economic outlook is deemed critical for demand recovery, with management noting improvements in affordability and wage growth [9] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 1.2 million shares for $71 million in Q4 2025, totaling 6.5 million shares for approximately $381 million for the full year [32] - The company maintains strong liquidity of approximately $1.8 billion, including $850 million in unrestricted cash [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Long-term view on business mix and geographies - Management expects a slight decrease in entry-level mix but will continue to focus on professional first-time buyers, particularly millennials [39][40] Question: Spec versus to-be-built mix - Management is encouraged by the shift towards to-be-built sales but does not expect a 50/50 mix in 2026 [43][44] Question: Esplanade community growth and absorption rates - Absorption rates in Esplanade communities are consistent with the overall business, with no significant change expected [51] Question: Construction cost outlook - Management anticipates stable construction costs but is monitoring lumber prices and other potential cost increases [53][54] Question: Land investment strategy - The company is shifting focus back to core markets for land investments, finding better opportunities in move-up and resort lifestyle segments [82]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, reported net income was $174 million or $1.76 per diluted share, while adjusted net income was $188 million or $1.91 per diluted share, reflecting a solid performance despite market challenges [25][26] - For the full year 2025, reported net income was $783 million or $7.77 per diluted share, with adjusted net income at $830 million or $8.24 per diluted share [25][26] - The company achieved a 13% return on equity and a 14% growth in book value per share [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company delivered nearly 13,000 homes in 2025 with an adjusted home closings gross margin of 23% [5] - In Q4, net orders totaled 2,499 homes, down 5% YoY, driven by a moderation in monthly absorption pace [25][26] - The average price of homes delivered in Q4 was $596,000, generating approximately $2 billion in home closings revenue [26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales were strongest in the east and west regions, particularly in Florida, California, and Phoenix, while the central region, especially Texas, showed slower performance [11] - The company experienced a 7% YoY net order growth in its Esplanade resort lifestyle communities, while move-up sales saw a low single-digit decline [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to accelerate new community openings in 2026, with over 100 new outlets expected, including more than 20 new Esplanade outlets [12][13] - A focus on the move-up and resort lifestyle segments is emphasized, with a strategic shift away from non-core submarkets that cater to price-sensitive buyers [15][16] - The company aims to maintain a controlled ratio of at least 65% for home-building lots to optimize capital efficiency [19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about sales success in Q4 2025 and early momentum in 2026, despite ongoing affordability constraints and elevated inventory levels [9][11] - The company anticipates that consumer confidence in the economic and political outlook will be critical for demand recovery [9] - Management highlighted the importance of understanding consumer needs and preferences, which has contributed to the company's reputation as a trusted builder [8] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 1.2 million shares for $71 million in Q4 2025, totaling 6.5 million shares for approximately $381 million for the full year [33] - The company ended Q4 with strong liquidity of approximately $1.8 billion, including $850 million in unrestricted cash [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Long-term view on business mix and geographies - Management expects a slight decrease in the entry-level mix, focusing on core markets and avoiding fringe locations that attract different buyers [40][41] Question: Spec versus to-be-built mix - Management aims for a more balanced mix, potentially reaching a 50/50 split between spec and to-be-built homes over time, though achieving this in 2026 may be challenging [44][46] Question: Absorption rates in new communities - New communities are performing well, with strong interest and sales, indicating positive absorption trends compared to legacy communities [63] Question: Construction cost outlook - Management anticipates stable construction costs but is monitoring potential increases in lumber prices and other cost factors [54][56] Question: Incentives and gross margin guidance - Incentives were relatively flat from Q4 to Q1, with expectations for gross margins to improve gradually as the mix shifts towards to-be-built homes [60][62]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales for Q4 2025 increased approximately 10.5% to $1.143 billion from $1.034 billion in Q4 2024, driven by a 9.7% increase in organic sales and a 0.8% contribution from acquisitions [12][15] - Gross profit increased 10.2% to $276.6 million, with gross profit margins decreasing approximately 8 basis points to 24.2% [15] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2025 was $80.3 million, compared to $68.2 million for the prior year [17] - Adjusted EPS grew 29% versus 2024, reaching $0.68 per diluted share [10][17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Organic specialty sales were up 6.4% year-over-year, driven by unique placement growth of 4.2% and reported specialty case growth of 3.3% [7] - Excluding the Texas Produce Processing and Packaging Program, specialty case growth was 5.4% compared to the prior year quarter [8] - Pounds in Center-of-the-Plate were approximately 2.4% lower than the prior year, but excluding the Texas Commodity Poultry Program attrition, growth was 7.5% higher [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net inflation was 8.3% in Q4, with 3.4% inflation in the specialty category and 16.1% in the center-of-plate category [13] - Excluding the impact of the Commodity Poultry Program attrition, net inflation in center-of-the-plate was 9.5% [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to continue growing market share and expanding its customer base, focusing on upscale casual to higher-end dining [5][6] - Investments in distribution center capacity expansion and facility consolidation are ongoing, with a focus on operational efficiency and talent development [10][11] - The company is cautiously optimistic about overcoming challenges such as inflation and tariffs, leveraging a diversified portfolio of suppliers [29][51] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strong performance of customers and the overall market, despite challenges posed by weather and inflation [21][29] - The company anticipates revenue growth of 6%-8% for 2026, with a focus on maintaining operating leverage and managing inflation [37][39] Other Important Information - The company achieved over $4 billion in revenue for the first time in its history, with a full-year organic revenue growth of 9.1% [10] - Total liquidity at the end of Q4 was $280.5 million, with net debt to adjusted EBITDA at approximately 2.1x [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: How have year-to-date sales tracked versus expectations given the winter weather? - Management noted that January was strong, and while the storm impacted the first week of February, sales bounced back in the following week [21] Question: Can you discuss the drivers of operating expense leverage? - Management indicated that gross profit margins are expected to remain flat, focusing on growing gross profit dollars higher than adjusted operating expenses [23] Question: What challenges or uncertainties does management foresee for 2026? - Management highlighted inflation, tariffs, and market volatility as potential challenges but expressed confidence in the company's diversified portfolio [29] Question: What are the capital allocation priorities for 2026? - Management aims to keep dry powder for acquisitions while also considering share buybacks and strengthening the balance sheet [31] Question: Any notable regional performance variances? - Management reported strong performance across key markets like California, Texas, and Florida, with ongoing investments in facilities and sales teams [41] Question: How is the company leveraging AI for customer insights? - Management stated that AI is integrated into daily operations, enhancing customer behavior analysis and operational efficiency [48] Question: What is the outlook for M&A activity? - Management remains cautious but optimistic about finding strategic M&A opportunities that align with the company's growth strategy [50][52]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - GlobalFoundries reported fourth quarter revenue of $1.83 billion, an 8% sequential increase and flat year-over-year [28] - Full year revenue reached approximately $6.791 billion, up 1% year-over-year [28] - Gross profit for the fourth quarter was $530 million, translating to a gross margin of approximately 29%, up 300 basis points sequentially and 360 basis points year-over-year [34] - Full year gross margin was 26.1%, an increase of 80 basis points year-over-year [34] - Net income for the fourth quarter was approximately $310 million, resulting in diluted earnings of $0.55 per share [35] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Smart mobile devices accounted for approximately 36% of fourth quarter revenue, with a 13% sequential decline and 11% year-over-year decrease [29] - Automotive represented approximately 23% of fourth quarter revenue, with a 40% sequential increase and 3% year-over-year growth [31] - Home and industrial IoT made up approximately 17% of fourth quarter revenue, with a 17% sequential increase but a 15% year-over-year decline [31] - Communications infrastructure and data center contributed approximately 12% of fourth quarter revenue, with a 29% sequential increase and 32% year-over-year growth [32] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Automotive revenue grew approximately 17% year-over-year to a record $1.4 billion [31] - Communications infrastructure and data center revenue grew 29% year-over-year, driven by strong momentum in optical networking and silicon photonics [32] - Satellite communications revenue exceeded $100 million in 2025, marking significant growth [32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - GlobalFoundries is focusing on three core pillars: technology differentiation, deep customer partnerships, and leveraging a diversified geographical footprint [7] - The company aims to reach a $1 billion run-rate revenue for silicon photonics by the end of 2028, driven by strong customer demand and recent acquisitions [15] - Significant investments include $16 billion in the U.S. and EUR 1.1 billion in the Dresden facility to expand manufacturing capabilities [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about long-term potential, citing record design win momentum and a clear path towards a richer mix of business [25] - The company is well-positioned to capitalize on megatrends such as AI data centers and the need for resilient semiconductor supply chains [11] - Management expects to achieve over 30% year-on-year revenue growth in communications infrastructure and data center for 2026 [25] Other Important Information - The board of directors authorized a share repurchase of up to $500 million, reflecting confidence in the company's financial position [37] - The company expects total revenue for the first quarter of 2026 to be $1.625 billion, with gross margin around 27% [38] Q&A Session Summary Question: Strategy for silicon photonics and differentiation - Management highlighted the strong demand for silicon photonics as a critical enabler for AI data centers, supported by acquisitions like AMF and InfiniLink [47][49] Question: Strategy with quantum computing - Management expressed excitement about quantum computing, emphasizing partnerships across various modalities to build scalable systems [52][54] Question: Supply side tightness and CapEx - Management noted strong demand in differentiated technology areas and emphasized capital efficiency in investments [58][60] Question: Margin structure and OpEx intensity - Management discussed the positive impact of a diversified portfolio on margins and the expected increase in OpEx due to strategic investments [63][66] Question: Synergies between recent acquisitions - Management confirmed synergies between photonics-oriented acquisitions and the broader portfolio, enhancing customer engagement and technology offerings [72][74]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated FFO as adjusted of $1.43 per share for 2025, representing a 6% growth compared to 2024, driven by strong leasing activity and same-property NOI growth of 5% [5][18] - Full-year same-property NOI increased by 5%, while the fourth quarter saw a 2.9% increase, impacted by higher snow removal expenses [18] - The balance sheet remains strong with total liquidity of $849 million and no amounts drawn on the line of credit [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company executed 58 new leases at a record same-space cash rent spread of 32%, with total new leases covering over 360,000 sq ft [5][10] - The signed but not open pipeline is expected to generate an additional $22 million of annual gross rent, representing 8% of current NOI [6] - The company completed 14 projects totaling $55 million, generating unlevered yields of 19% [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - National shopping center vacancy remains near historic lows, with supply constraints particularly pronounced in the Northeast [11][12] - The company noted that finding land and securing entitlements is extremely difficult in its markets, which supports expectations for healthy rent growth [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims for FFO as adjusted growth of at least 4.5% in 2026, with same-property NOI growth above 3% [8] - The growth outlook is supported by six anchor repositioning projects expected to drive significant NOI growth through 2027 [9] - The company is focused on capital recycling, acquiring high-quality shopping centers while disposing of non-core assets [8][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in maintaining strong leasing momentum and achieving healthy rent growth due to limited supply and high demand for quality retail spaces [5][6] - The company anticipates that new lease spreads will remain above 20% in 2026, reflecting ongoing demand [5] - Management highlighted a positive outlook for 2027, expecting approximately 5% NOI growth driven by executed leases and contractual rent increases [9] Other Important Information - The company has a redevelopment pipeline of $166 million, with a projected unlevered yield of 14% [22] - An 11% increase in the annualized dividend to $0.84 per share was approved, reflecting a payout ratio of about 56% [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Expectations for shop occupancy growth - Management expects shop occupancy to stabilize around 94%-96%, with opportunities to improve leasing on occupied spaces [25][26][27] Question: Insights on capital recycling and acquisition pipeline - The acquisition market is competitive, with cap rates decreasing, but the company remains optimistic about capital recycling opportunities [28][29] Question: Same-property NOI growth path - The deceleration in 2026 is attributed to tenant fallout and one-time benefits in 2025, while growth visibility from the signed but not open pipeline supports a rebound in 2027 [34][35][36] Question: Impact of snow removal costs on guidance - Guidance for 2026 accounts for snow removal costs incurred in January, with appropriate provisions made [43][44] Question: Redevelopment pipeline opportunities - The company is focused on both small-scale and larger redevelopment projects, with a strong emphasis on enhancing existing assets [45][46][48] Question: Capital recycling avenues - Management is exploring opportunities to dispose of low-growth anchor tenants while maintaining control over the centers [53][54] Question: Specific asset performance inquiries - Gateway has long-term leases limiting immediate rent optimization, while Bruckner is undergoing significant redevelopment to enhance its value [63][66][68]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, the company reported sales of $3 billion, a 15% increase year-over-year, and adjusted EPS rose by 25% compared to the previous year [7][19] - For the full year 2025, the company achieved a top-line growth of 7.5% and adjusted EPS growth of nearly 19% [4][29] - The 12-month backlog reached $8.2 billion, up 7% from the prior year, while the multi-year backlog surpassed $27 billion, up 23% [8][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Equipment sales in Q4 were up 33.5% year-over-year, while services sales decreased by 5% due to timing of modernization deliveries [19][20] - Digital intelligence sales surged by 74.4% from last year, driven by acquisitions, although excluding acquisitions, digital sales were down 1% [21] - The freight segment saw sales increase by 18.3%, with adjusted operating income up 35.1% year-over-year [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In North America, carload traffic was flat, leading to fewer active locomotives, but those in service operated at higher intensity [8] - Internationally, carloads grew robustly in markets like Latin America, Africa, India, and Asia, supported by infrastructure investments [9] - The North American railcar build demand was down to approximately 31,000 cars for 2025, with an expected decline to 24,000 cars in 2026 [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on driving operational efficiencies through acquisitions and integration initiatives, aiming for mid- to high-teens adjusted EPS growth in 2026 [5][30] - The company plans to launch the EVO Modernization program in 2026, targeting the aging fleet in North America [15][16] - The company is committed to maximizing shareholder value through disciplined capital allocation, including a 24% increase in dividends and a $1.2 billion share buyback authorization [6][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's strong backlog and pipeline, indicating visibility for profitable growth in 2026 [30][31] - The company anticipates continued strong cash conversion performance, averaging over 110% in the past two years [31] - Management acknowledged challenges from tariffs but emphasized proactive measures to mitigate their impact [89] Other Important Information - The company achieved a cash flow from operations of $992 million in Q4, resulting in a total of $1.76 billion for the year [25][26] - The company has made significant progress in integration initiatives, achieving $103 million in run rate savings from Integration 2.0 [27][28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Recent orders and pipeline opportunities - Management confirmed a strong pipeline of opportunities, particularly in international markets, and emphasized customer commitment to fleet modernization [37][39] Question: Components business and offsets for railcar delivery declines - Management noted that all businesses are expected to drive profitable growth, with specific investments in the heat exchanger business providing offsets [40][42] Question: Cash conversion and guidance rationale - Management highlighted strong cash conversion performance and the importance of cash in their operations, with a focus on maintaining above 90% long-term guidance [44][46] Question: Impact of backlog on visibility - Management indicated that the 12-month backlog provides consistent coverage for 2026, with stronger visibility for 2027 and beyond [69][70] Question: Tariff impacts and mitigation strategies - Management discussed the growing financial impact of tariffs and outlined a four-pronged approach to mitigate costs [89][90]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for the fourth quarter was $194.7 million, up 9.1% year-over-year, and in line with guidance [21] - Full-year revenue reached $748.4 million, an increase of 12.2% from 2024 [21] - Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter was $42.5 million, reflecting an increase of 11.6% year-over-year [28] - Annual recurring revenue (ARR) was $671 million at quarter end, up 11.3% year-over-year [24] - Gross profit for the fourth quarter was $147.4 million, with a gross margin of 75.7% [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Subscription revenue in the fourth quarter increased 8.9% year-over-year to $166.2 million [21] - Services revenue grew 10.2% year-over-year to $28.5 million in the fourth quarter [23] - Cloud revenue for the fourth quarter was $94.6 million, up 23% year-over-year [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - New logo revenue was up 20% in 2025, indicating healthy demand for Vertex's solutions [9] - E-invoicing mandates are expected to drive growth, particularly in the second half of 2026 [39] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to accelerate revenue growth through AI transformation and innovation [7][10] - Vertex is focusing on expanding its customer success coverage and leveraging AI tools to enhance customer engagement [9] - The company plans to broaden its Smart Categorization offering and expand into additional industries [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged challenges in 2025, including lower entitlement growth and higher customer attrition, primarily among smaller accounts [8] - The company is optimistic about restoring growth through new product offerings and proactive customer engagement [20] - Management emphasized the importance of AI in improving workflows and driving future growth [10][12] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately $10 million of its shares in the open market [29] - Vertex ended the fourth quarter with over $314 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents [29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the losses to competitors at the lower end of the market? - Management indicated that attrition was higher in 2025, driven by M&A and bankruptcies, particularly among smaller customers [35] Question: How confident are you in achieving the guidance for next year? - Management expressed confidence in the guidance, citing e-invoicing and AI products as potential growth drivers [39] Question: What parallels can you draw from your previous experiences that will help at Vertex? - Management highlighted the importance of AI and the need for accurate tax compliance as key areas where previous experiences will be beneficial [44][48] Question: What are the expectations around net retention rates? - Management is focused on improving net retention rates through new product offerings and proactive customer engagement [50] Question: How is the pipeline for 2026 shaping up, particularly with SAP customers? - Management noted steady growth in the SAP pipeline, with ongoing partnerships and win rates remaining strong [55] Question: Have you seen any AI tech budget crowding out that might have driven the entitlement slowdown? - Management has not observed explicit budget crowding out affecting their business [88]

Cellebrite DI (NasdaqGS:CLBT) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 11, 2026 08:30 AM ET Company ParticipantsAndrew Kramer - VP of Investor RelationsBhavin Shah - Director of Software Equity ResearchDavid Barter - CFOMarcus Jewell - Chief Revenue OfficerShaul Eyal - Managing Director of Equity ResearchTom Hogan - CEOConference Call ParticipantsBrian Essex - Executive Director and Equity Research AnalystEric Martinuzzi - Senior Research AnalystJeff Van Rhee - Partner and Senior Research AnalystJonathan Ho - Partner ...