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Clorox(CLX) - 2025 FY - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-09-03 12:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The fiscal year 2025 was mixed for the company, with top-line performance falling short of expectations, but margins and earnings exceeding expectations due to a strong margin transformation program [1][2] - The company expects to be at the low end of its range for Q1, but anticipates a rebound in shipments and consumption in September [3][4] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. business, which constitutes 85% of the company's operations, is undergoing a greenfield implementation of a new ERP system, which has caused some initial disruptions but is expected to stabilize [3][4] - The company has seen volatility in category growth, particularly in food, which has historically been steady, but is now expected to be flattish to slightly growing this year [11][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that consumer behavior is under stress, leading to cautious spending and a tendency to trade down to larger sizes or value SKUs, which compresses category growth [13][14] - The company expects U.S. retail growth to average 0% to 1% through the year, with category growth anticipated to be lower than historical averages [55] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on strong category investments and winning market share, aiming to return category growth to the historical range of 2% to 2.5% [14][27] - The company is investing over $550 million in rebuilding its digital foundation to enhance capabilities and respond more effectively to consumer needs [22][23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenges posed by a volatile consumer environment and the need for rapid adjustments to plans in response to changing consumer behavior [21][20] - The company is optimistic about its innovation pipeline and plans to launch new platforms in the back half of the year, which are expected to drive growth [36][37] Other Important Information - The company experienced a significant cyber attack in 2023, which impacted operations but highlighted the strength of its brands as it regained distribution and share [24][25] - The company is currently in a stabilization phase following the ERP implementation, with expectations for productivity improvements and cost savings in the future [59][60] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the long-term category growth expectations? - The company expects U.S. categories to grow about 2% to 2.5% on average, with recent volatility noted [11][12] Question: Why is Clorox losing share in many categories? - The company identified execution issues and rapid changes in consumer behavior as key factors for losing share in certain categories [15][20] Question: How is the organization managing the transformation and operational challenges? - Management emphasized that the organization is not distracted but is focused on building strong capabilities while navigating various challenges [21][26] Question: What is the outlook for promotional activity in the current environment? - The company noted a rational promotional environment overall, but acknowledged increased competitive activity in specific categories like litter and trash [48][50] Question: What are the key assumptions in the guidance for the balance of the year? - The guidance includes a significant impact from the ERP implementation, with expectations for organic sales growth to be between -1% to +2% [54][55]
Clorox(CLX) - 2025 FY - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-09-03 12:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company delivered less than expected top-line results for FY 2025 but exceeded expectations on margin and earnings due to a strong margin transformation program [2] - The company expects to be at the low end of its range for Q1, with shipments rebounding and consumption expected to improve in September [6][7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. business, which constitutes 85% of the company's operations, performed well in Q4, but there were challenges in order fulfillment and inventory management in August [4][5] - The company noted that while some categories are performing well, others, like food, have experienced unexpected volatility [11][12][23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates U.S. retail growth to average 0% to 1% for the year, with category growth expected to be lower than historical averages [71] - The company observed that consumers are trading down to larger sizes and more value-oriented SKUs, which compresses category growth [15][16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on strong category investments and aims to return to a growth rate of 2% to 2.5% once consumer conditions stabilize [16][33] - The company is undergoing a significant transformation, investing over $550 million to modernize its digital foundation and improve operational capabilities [27][28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged that the consumer is under stress due to inflation and uncertainty, which is affecting spending behavior [14][71] - The company is optimistic about its innovation pipeline and expects to launch new platforms in the back half of the year [48][75] Other Important Information - The company is implementing a new ERP system, which has created some short-term noise in sales figures but is expected to drive long-term productivity improvements [70][78] - The company is focused on maintaining brand superiority and has a framework in place to assess and improve its brand performance [53][54] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the long-term category growth expectations? - The company expects categories in the U.S. to grow at about 2% to 2.5% historically, but recent volatility has made predictions more challenging [9][12] Question: Why is Clorox losing market share in several categories? - The company identified execution issues in certain categories, particularly in adapting to rapid consumer changes, but noted strong performance in international and professional segments [18][20][23] Question: How is the organization managing the transformation amidst operational challenges? - Management emphasized that the transformation is crucial and not a distraction, focusing on building capabilities to better respond to consumer needs [25][32] Question: What is the outlook for promotional activity in the current competitive environment? - The company sees a rational competitive environment overall but acknowledges increased promotional activity in specific categories like litter and trash [61][62] Question: What are the key assumptions in the guidance for the upcoming quarters? - The guidance includes expectations for organic sales growth to be between -1% to +2%, with a focus on improving consumption trends in the back half of the year [71][73]
Herbalife(HLF) - 2025 FY - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-09-02 21:32
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has seen a stabilization in global net sales, with five out of the last seven quarters showing constant currency net sales growth [59] - North America experienced a significant turnaround, with July marking the first year-over-year volume growth since April 2021 [58][60] - The company is guiding for improved EBITDA margins, projecting an increase from 11.3% in 2023 to 12.7% last year, with expectations to exceed this in the current year [93] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The nutrition club model remains strong, with approximately 10,000 clubs in the U.S. and 4 million consumers engaging in around 50 million transactions [67] - The company is focusing on converting nutrition club visitors into long-term customers who purchase products for home use, which is currently a small percentage of the total visitors [70][72] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company operates in 95 markets, with India being the largest market where Herbalife is perceived as a premium brand with limited competition [26] - The U.S. market is showing signs of recovery, with a focus on leveraging the existing distributor network to drive sales [61][70] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to transition into a digital-first health and wellness platform, connecting customers directly with distributors and enhancing service offerings [21][22] - Recent acquisitions, including ProveIt, Pro2col app, and Link BioSciences, are intended to enhance the company's digital capabilities and personalized nutrition offerings [37][39] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management views the rise of GLP-1 medications as an opportunity, positioning Herbalife to support customers regardless of their weight loss choices [73][74] - The company is optimistic about future growth, particularly in the U.S. market, and is focused on building credibility through consistent performance [61][92] Other Important Information - The company has a robust forecasting process and tight control over expenses, which has contributed to exceeding EBITDA guidance for several quarters [87][88] - The company is committed to paying down debt, which is expected to enhance shareholder value significantly [93] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is the company addressing the challenges of integrating new technology with distributors? - Management indicated that many distributors are already tech-savvy and excited about new tools, which will help them engage a broader customer base [26][27] Question: What is the revenue model for the Pro2col app? - The app is expected to generate revenue through health and wellness services, product sales, and subscription models, leveraging the existing customer base [50][51] Question: How does the company plan to improve customer conversion in nutrition clubs? - The company is implementing strategies such as QR codes to engage customers and facilitate conversations about health and wellness, aiming to convert them into long-term users of Herbalife products [69][70]
HealthEquity(HQY) - 2026 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-09-02 21:32
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue increased by 9% year over year, with net income up 67% and adjusted EBITDA up 18% to an all-time quarterly high [8][24][26] - Gross margin reached a record 71%, with adjusted EBITDA margin near record levels at 46% [8][26] - HSA assets grew by 12% year over year, totaling over $33 billion [8][9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Service revenue increased by 1% to $117.9 million, while custodial revenue grew 15% to a record $159.9 million [24] - Interchange revenue grew 8% to $48.1 million, indicating increased member contributions and distributions [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The number of HSA members who invest grew by 10% year over year, driving invested assets up 23% to $16.1 billion [9] - Total accounts reached over 17 million, with HSA accounts growing by 6% and CDB accounts by 4% [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on enhancing consumer experiences through a mobile-first strategy, including the rollout of a secure mobile app and passkey authentication [11][15] - Legislative changes in July expanded HSA eligibility, which the company aims to capitalize on by improving enrollment processes and targeted marketing campaigns [17][20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that despite a softer labor market, the company opened 163,000 new HSAs in the quarter, indicating strong enterprise wins and client retention [9][10] - The company remains optimistic about the impact of recent legislative changes on HSA adoption and overall market growth [19][21] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately $66 million of its outstanding shares during the quarter, with $352 million remaining on its repurchase authorization [27][28] - The introduction of new security measures and AI technology is expected to enhance member experience and reduce service costs [12][14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Any milestones regarding HSA fraud? - Management emphasized ongoing improvements in member experience and security measures, with no specific milestones highlighted [36][37] Question: Future legislative opportunities for HSA reform? - Management expressed excitement about recent HSA expansions and indicated ongoing efforts to advocate for further reforms, including Medicare-related provisions [39][45] Question: Clarification on locked rates for HSA cash? - Management confirmed that the locked rates apply to both basic and enhanced yield products, with a focus on rolling over maturing contracts [49][51] Question: Insights on HSA cash growth and investment behavior? - Management noted that the dip in HSA cash is due to increased investment behavior among account holders, alongside higher spending [80][83] Question: Implications of rising healthcare premiums on HSA enrollment? - Management believes that rising healthcare costs will strengthen the value proposition for HSAs, leading to increased enrollment [87][89]
Zscaler(ZS) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-09-02 21:32
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue grew 21% year over year in Q4, reaching $719 million, and total revenue for fiscal year 2025 was $2.7 billion, representing 23% year over year growth [8][24] - Annual recurring revenue (ARR) surpassed $3 billion, marking a 22% year over year increase [9][23] - Operating margin exceeded 22%, a quarterly record, and free cash flow margin was 24% for Q4 [8][26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - AI security solutions, including AI Guard and JNI security offerings, saw significant customer interest, contributing to the overall growth [8][10] - SecOps ARR grew over 85% year over year, while IT operations innovations drove 58% year over year growth in bookings of ZDX Advanced plus SKU [14][19] - Data Security Everywhere ARR reached approximately $425 million, with strong demand for comprehensive data security capabilities [19][20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Americas accounted for 55% of revenue, EMEA for 29%, and APJ for 16% in Q4 [24] - The company now serves nearly 40% of the Global 2000 and over 45% of Fortune 500 companies, indicating a strong market presence [25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on three growth factors: AI security, Zero Trust Everywhere, and Data Security Everywhere, which together surpassed $1 billion in ARR in Q4 [10][20] - The Z Flex program generated over $100 million in TCV bookings in Q4, representing over 50% sequential growth, and is becoming a preferred method for strategic multi-year deals [21][70] - The company aims to accelerate platform innovations and capitalize on the $100 billion security market opportunity [22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strong demand for their solutions and the operational scale, expecting continued growth in fiscal year 2026 [23][31] - The macro environment is anticipated to remain relatively unchanged, with a focus on ARR as the primary growth metric moving forward [28][95] Other Important Information - The company successfully closed the acquisition of Red Canary, contributing approximately $83 million to ARR at close [27] - The gross margin for Q4 was 79.3%, lower than the historical target of 80% due to a one-time deployment [25][26] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is SASE replacing firewall appliances? - Management indicated that firewall appliances, particularly in branches, are being replaced by Zero Trust architecture, with significant demand for Zero Trust branch solutions [34][36] Question: How will Z Flex help exceed sales goals? - Z Flex provides flexibility in module adoption and pricing, allowing for larger and better deals, and is being expanded to a broader customer base [40][44] Question: What does a Zero Trust Everywhere customer look like? - A Zero Trust Everywhere customer typically sees significant increases in ARR, with many deals resulting in 2x or 3x growth [46][50] Question: What is the focus of AI security product adoption? - Customers are primarily focused on securing public AI applications and private models, with growing interest in agent-to-agent communication [54][56] Question: What is the expected growth for data security solutions? - Data security solutions are being adopted alongside Zero Trust solutions, with a significant opportunity for upselling additional modules [61][65] Question: What is the methodology behind fiscal year guidance? - The company maintains a prudent approach to guidance, shifting focus from billings to ARR as a better alignment with the business model [92][94]
HealthEquity(HQY) - 2026 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-09-02 21:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue increased by 9% year-over-year, reaching $656.7 million for the first half of fiscal 2026 [19][24] - Net income rose by 67% to $59.9 million, or $0.68 per share on a GAAP basis [6][21] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 18% to $151.1 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 46% [6][22] - HSA assets grew by 12% year-over-year, totaling over $33 billion, with HSA cash reaching $17 billion [6][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Service revenue increased by 1% to $117.9 million, while custodial revenue grew by 15% to a record $159.9 million [19][20] - The number of HSAs grew by 6%, and CDB accounts increased by 4%, contributing to a total account growth of 5% [6][19] - The average balances of HSA members increased by 6% year-over-year [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The labor market is underperforming relative to expectations, with job growth down 40% year-to-date [7][59] - HealthEquity opened 163,000 new HSAs in the quarter, indicating strong enterprise wins and client retention [7][48] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on enhancing its member-first secure mobile experience and leveraging AI for service modernization [10][12] - Legislative changes in the budget bill passed in July are expected to expand HSA adoption significantly, allowing more families access to HSAs [14][16] - The company plans to invest in marketing and technology to capitalize on the new market opportunities created by the legislative changes [27][28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the future, citing the largest expansion of HSA regulations in 20 years and the potential for increased HSA adoption [17][39] - The company anticipates continued growth despite macroeconomic challenges, focusing on improving member engagement and service efficiency [80][81] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately $66 million of its outstanding shares during the quarter, with $352 million remaining on its repurchase authorization [23][29] - The introduction of passkey authentication is expected to enhance security and improve the member experience [12][13] Q&A Session Summary Question: What milestones are expected regarding HSA fraud? - Management highlighted ongoing improvements in security and member experience, with no specific milestones but a focus on continuous progress [32][33] Question: Are there opportunities for HSA reform in future legislation? - Management noted the recent significant HSA expansion and expressed optimism about future legislative opportunities [34][39] Question: How does the company view the impact of interest rate changes on custodial revenue? - Management refrained from speculating on future interest rates but confirmed that they are locking in rates for upcoming maturities [91][92] Question: What is the outlook for HSA cash growth? - Management indicated that the dip in HSA cash is due to increased investment behavior among account holders and higher spending [72][75] Question: How does the company plan to capture the ACA opportunity? - Management stated that they will not separately break out ACA-related accounts but are focused on overall HSA growth [96][98]
Zscaler(ZS) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-09-02 21:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q4 2025 was $719 million, representing a 21% year-over-year growth and exceeding guidance [19] - Annual recurring revenue (ARR) surpassed $3 billion, marking a 22% year-over-year increase [19][6] - Operating margin reached 22.1%, a record high, with a free cash flow margin of 24% [21][19] - Gross margin was 79.3%, slightly lower than the historical target of 80% due to a one-time deployment [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - AI Security, Zero Trust Everywhere, and Data Security Everywhere collectively surpassed $1 billion in ARR in Q4 [6] - SecOps ARR grew over 85% year-over-year, while ZDX Advanced Plus Queue bookings increased by 58% year-over-year [10] - Data Security Everywhere ARR grew to approximately $425 million, with significant deal wins [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Americas accounted for 55% of revenue, EMEA for 29%, and APJ for 16% [20] - The company serves nearly 40% of the Global 2000 and over 45% of Fortune 500 companies [19][5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on three growth vectors: AI Security, Zero Trust Everywhere, and Data Security Everywhere [6] - The ZFlex program is being utilized to facilitate strategic multi-year deals and increase module adoption [17] - The company aims to replace legacy solutions in various sectors, including finance, healthcare, and retail [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the demand for their solutions, particularly in AI and Zero Trust security [5] - The company anticipates a stable macro environment for fiscal 2026, with a focus on ARR as the primary growth metric [24][72] - Management expects to continue strong growth in AI Security and Zero Trust solutions, with significant upsell opportunities [67] Other Important Information - The acquisition of Red Canary is expected to contribute approximately $95 million to ARR in fiscal 2026 [23] - The company ended Q4 with $3.6 billion in cash and short-term investments [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is SASE replacing firewall appliances? - Management indicated that Zero Trust architecture is essential, and firewall appliances are being phased out, starting with branch firewalls [29] Question: How will ZFlex be utilized by the sales force? - ZFlex is designed to provide flexibility in module adoption, allowing for larger and better deals, and is being expanded to a broader customer base [33] Question: What does a Zero Trust Everywhere customer look like? - A Zero Trust Everywhere customer typically adopts multiple modules, leading to significant increases in ARR [36] Question: What is the focus of AI security product adoption? - Customers are primarily interested in securing both public and private AI applications, with a growing focus on agent-to-agent communication [41] Question: What is the expected growth trajectory for net new ARR? - Management is guiding for high single-digit net new ARR growth in fiscal 2026 on an organic basis [46] Question: How is the data security portfolio performing? - Data security solutions are often purchased alongside Zero Trust solutions, with significant growth potential as customers consolidate their security products [49] Question: What is the impact of ZFlex on financial metrics? - ZFlex is applicable to both new and existing customers, increasing potential deal sizes without fundamentally changing the financial model [53]
HealthEquity(HQY) - 2026 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-09-02 21:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue increased by 9% year over year, with net income up 67% and adjusted EBITDA up 18% to an all-time quarterly high [6][22][24] - Gross margin reached a record 71%, up from 68% in the same quarter last year, with adjusted EBITDA margin near record levels at 46% [6][22][24] - HSA assets grew by $3.7 billion year over year, with total accounts exceeding 17 million [6][7][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Service revenue increased by 1% to $117.9 million, while custodial revenue grew 15% to a record $159.9 million [22] - Interchange revenue grew by 8% to $48.1 million, indicating increased member contributions and distributions [22] - HSA accounts grew by 6%, and CDB accounts grew by 4%, driving total accounts up by 5% [6][22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The labor market is underperforming relative to expectations, impacting hiring rates [7] - The budget bill passed in July expanded HSA eligibility, allowing more families access to HSAs, which is expected to drive future growth [15][17][19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on enhancing consumer experiences through a mobile-first strategy and improved security measures [10][13] - Investments in AI technology are aimed at automating claims processing and enhancing member satisfaction [10][11] - The company is preparing for a busy growth season by leveraging improved data analytics and upselling opportunities [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the future, citing strong early indicators for new enterprise wins and client retention [8][9] - The company is confident that the recent legislative changes will significantly expand the market for HSAs, potentially allowing 3 to 4 million more families access to HSAs [19][20] - Management acknowledged the challenges posed by the current macroeconomic environment but emphasized the strength of their value proposition in helping employers manage healthcare costs [86][88] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately $66 million of its outstanding shares during the quarter, with $352 million remaining on its repurchase authorization [25][30] - The introduction of passkey authentication is expected to enhance security and improve the member login experience [12][13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Any milestones regarding HSA fraud? - Management highlighted ongoing improvements in member security and the introduction of PassKey for better authentication, with no specific milestones identified [34][35] Question: Future legislative opportunities for HSA reform? - Management noted the recent HSA expansion as significant and expressed intent to pursue further opportunities in future legislation [37][40] Question: Impact of interest rate changes on custodial revenue? - Management refrained from specific modeling but acknowledged that placement rates will depend on market conditions at the time of asset placement [102][104] Question: Increase in service gross margin? - Management attributed the increase to efficient service delivery and investments in technology, with ongoing efforts to automate processes [98][100] Question: Implications of rising healthcare premiums on HSA enrollment? - Management indicated that rising healthcare costs strengthen the value proposition for HSAs, potentially leading to increased enrollment [86][88]
Herbalife(HLF) - 2025 FY - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-09-02 21:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has seen a stabilization in global net sales growth, with five out of the last seven quarters showing constant currency net sales growth [57] - North America experienced a significant turnaround, with July marking the first year-over-year volume growth since April 2021 [56][58] - The adjusted EBITDA margin improved from 11.3% in 2023 to 12.7% in the previous year, with expectations to exceed this in the current year [90] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The nutrition club model remains strong, with approximately 10,000 clubs in the U.S. and 4 million consumers participating in around 50 million transactions [64] - The company is focusing on converting nutrition club visitors into long-term customers who purchase products for home use [66] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company operates in 95 markets, with India being the largest market where Herbalife is perceived as a premium brand [26] - The U.S. market is showing signs of recovery, with a focus on leveraging the existing distributor network to drive sales [58][66] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to transition into a digital-first health and wellness platform, similar to models like Airbnb and Uber, to better connect with customers and distributors [20][21] - Recent acquisitions, including ProveIt and Link BioSciences, are intended to enhance the company's digital capabilities and personalized nutrition offerings [36][38] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management views the rise of GLP-1 medications as an opportunity to support customers in their weight loss journeys, regardless of their chosen path [70][71] - The company has a robust forecasting process and tight control over expenses, which has led to consistent guidance achievement [84][85] Other Important Information - The company is in the process of launching a health and wellness app that is expected to generate revenue and enhance customer engagement [48][49] - The app will facilitate incremental product sales and subscription revenue opportunities, although significant impacts are anticipated in 2026 rather than 2025 [55] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is the company managing guidance and revenue predictions? - The company has exceeded EBITDA guidance for six or seven consecutive quarters and maintains a robust forecasting process [84][85] Question: What is the company's stance on GLP-1 medications? - Management considers GLP-1 medications a friend, aiming to support customers regardless of their weight loss choices [70][71] Question: How does the company plan to leverage its distributor network? - The company is focused on converting nutrition club visitors into long-term customers and enhancing distributor engagement through new tools and technology [66][68]
Zscaler(ZS) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-09-02 21:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q4 2025 grew 21% year over year, reaching $719 million, and total revenue for fiscal year 2025 was $2.7 billion, representing a 23% year over year growth [6][23] - Annual recurring revenue (ARR) surpassed $3 billion, marking a 22% year over year increase [7][22] - Operating margin for Q4 was 22.1%, exceeding long-term targets and growing approximately 60 basis points year over year [26] - Free cash flow margin for Q4 was 24%, with data center CapEx at 8% of revenue [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - AI security solutions, including AI Guard and JNI security offerings, saw significant customer interest, contributing to the overall growth [6][10] - SecOps ARR grew over 85% year over year, while ZDX Advanced plus SKU bookings increased by 58% year over year [12][19] - Data Security Everywhere ARR reached approximately $425 million, with strong demand driving growth [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Americas accounted for 55% of revenue, EMEA for 29%, and APJ for 16% [23] - The company now serves nearly 40% of the Global 2000 and over 45% of Fortune 500 companies, indicating a strong market presence [22][24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on three growth factors: AI security, Zero Trust Everywhere, and Data Security Everywhere, which together surpassed $1 billion in ARR in Q4 [8][19] - The Z Flex program generated over $100 million in TCV bookings in Q4, representing over 50% sequential growth, and is expected to drive future growth [20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ongoing demand for their solutions and the potential for growth in the Zero Trust and AI security markets, which are expected to disrupt a $100 billion security market [20][21] - The macro environment is anticipated to remain relatively unchanged, with a focus on ARR as the primary growth metric moving forward [28][92] Other Important Information - The acquisition of Red Canary is expected to contribute approximately $95 million to ARR and $90 million to revenue in fiscal year 2026 [27] - The company plans to optimize new products for margins over time as they scale [29] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is SASE replacing firewall appliances? - Management indicated that firewall appliances, particularly in branches, are being replaced by Zero Trust architecture, with significant demand for Zero Trust branch solutions [33][36] Question: How will Z Flex help exceed sales goals? - Z Flex provides flexibility in module adoption for customers, allowing for larger and better deals, and is being expanded to a broader customer base [39][42] Question: What does a Zero Trust Everywhere customer look like? - A Zero Trust Everywhere customer typically adopts multiple modules, with significant increases in ARR observed as they transition to this model [45][50] Question: What is the focus of AI security product adoption? - Customers are primarily focused on securing public AI applications first, followed by private models, with significant interest in agent-to-agent communication solutions [54][56] Question: What is the expected growth for data security solutions? - Data security solutions are being adopted alongside Zero Trust solutions, with a significant opportunity for upselling additional modules to existing customers [60][63] Question: What is the methodology behind fiscal year guidance? - The company maintains a prudent approach to guidance, shifting focus from billings to ARR as a more aligned growth metric [90][92]