Oil States International (NYSE:OIS) Conference December 10, 2025 10:45 AM ET Company ParticipantsBrian Mazzell - VP of Investor RelationsCindy Taylor - President and CEOConference Call ParticipantsSteve Ferazani - Senior Equity AnalystSteve FerazaniGood morning, everyone, and welcome back to Sidoti's December Virtual Investor Conference. I'm Steve Ferazani, an analyst at Sidoti. We're expecting about a 20-minute presentation followed by a 10-minute Q&A this morning. If you have any questions, I'd just like ...

Summary of Conference Call Company Overview - The company has focused on creating consistent, sustainable, long-term performance over the last 10 years, prioritizing soundness, profitability, and growth [2][3][4] - Investments have been made in business, talent, and technology to diversify revenue [2][6] Key Financial Performance - The company has improved credit risk management and capital allocation, leading to strong results in the CCAR process [3] - Shareholder value has been driven by a compound annual growth rate of over 10% in dividends over the last six years and significant share buybacks [3][4] - The return on tangible common equity has improved from the bottom to the top of the peer group over the last five years [4] - Earnings per share growth has been in the top quartile over the last three, five, and ten years [4] Market Position and Growth Strategy - The company has experienced top deposit growth among peers at a lower cost [6] - Eight priority markets have been identified for growth, contributing over 50% of deposit growth in the last five years [6] - Plans to add 170 bankers over the next three years to enhance service in key markets [6][7] Economic and Client Sentiment - The economy in the company's markets is characterized as decent, with good job creation and consumer confidence [12][14] - Client sentiment in the wholesale business has improved, with a 75% probability to close pipeline up 84% year-over-year [14] Competition and Market Dynamics - Increased competition from larger banks is noted, but the company believes its long-standing presence and local leadership provide a competitive edge [16][19] - The company aims to leverage disruptions in the market to grow its share [19] Loan Growth and Capital Management - Loan growth has been impacted by strategic de-risking, with a focus on maintaining soundness and profitability [27][28] - Total client liquidity is expected to lead to loan growth in 2026 as customers begin to draw down excess liquidity [14][28] Revenue Components and Fee Income - Fee income has grown by 5% year-to-date, with expectations for continued growth in service charges, treasury management, and wealth management [37][38] - The company is focused on enhancing its treasury management services and small business opportunities [41][42] Technology and Systems Upgrade - A significant technology project is underway, expected to be completed by 2027, which will modernize the deposit system and improve operational efficiency [59][74] - The new system is anticipated to increase speed to market for new products and services, providing a competitive advantage [74] Capital Allocation and Share Buybacks - The company maintains a CET1 ratio of almost 11%, with capital priorities focused on supporting organic growth, paying dividends, and potential non-depository acquisitions [50][52] - A new $3 billion share buyback plan has been announced, but the company prefers to use capital for growth rather than buybacks [52][54] Conclusion - The company is positioned for strong performance in 2026, with a focus on loan growth, margin improvement, and continued investment in technology and talent [33][35][63]

Summary of Interactive Brokers Group Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Interactive Brokers Group (NasdaqGS:IBKR) - **Founder**: Thomas Peterffy, who has been instrumental in the evolution of electronic market making and retail brokerage over 48 years Market Insights - **Current Economic Cycle**: The speaker believes a bull market is likely to continue, driven by potential economic initiatives from the Trump administration aimed at boosting the economy for midterm elections [4][5] - **Client Risk Appetite**: Clients are showing a willingness to engage in large trades without being front-run, facilitated by Interactive Brokers' unique algorithmic trading features [2][3] Investment Priorities - **Focus on Forecast Trader**: The company sees significant growth potential in its Forecast Trader platform, which is expected to surpass equity markets in importance [6] - **Thematic Trading**: Development of presentation layers for theme trading, allowing clients to invest in specific themes like solar energy or healthcare [7] - **Global Expansion**: Plans to add brokerage subsidiaries in various countries and new exchanges to enhance trading capabilities [6][8] Regulatory Environment - **Stablecoin Adoption**: Interactive Brokers plans to accept stablecoins from Tether, Ripple, PayPal, and Circle, which is expected to increase the velocity of money [9] - **SEC Clarification Needed**: The company seeks clarity from the SEC regarding whether certain prediction market questions related to companies would be classified as securities [10] Prediction Markets - **Development of Institutional Prediction Markets**: The company anticipates a future where prediction markets will involve economists and traders, with a focus on building liquidity [11][12] - **Integration of Weather Data**: Interest in using temperature data to gauge economic activity, with plans to include wind speed data for insurance considerations [12][13] - **Investment Models**: Investors may develop models based on prediction market data, continuously updating their portfolios [14] Client Growth and Channels - **Account Growth**: The company has achieved a 33% growth in accounts over the last 12 months, with a long-term target of 20% [18] - **Referral and Advertising**: 30% of new accounts come from referrals, 20% from sales, and 50% from advertising [18] - **Introducing Broker Channel**: Growth in this channel is slow due to existing long-term contracts with other platforms [20] Competitive Landscape - **Prime Brokerage Offering**: Ranked fourth in hedge fund clients, the company faces competition from big banks but maintains a focus on equity capital growth [22][23] - **Technology Advantage**: Interactive Brokers is recognized for its superior technology compared to competitors, which often require long-term contracts [20] Technology and Innovation - **AI Utilization**: The company is investing in AI for customer service and internal processes, with a focus on keeping costs low [26] - **Excess Capital**: Currently has $8 billion in excess capital, which is reserved for potential acquisitions, although the preference is to build rather than acquire [27][28] Crypto Products - **Crypto Custody**: The company offers crypto trading but does not custody crypto itself, which may deter some clients [31][32] Conclusion - **Future Outlook**: The company is optimistic about the growth of prediction markets and stablecoin adoption, while also focusing on enhancing its technology and global presence [30][31]

Tradeweb Markets Conference Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Tradeweb Markets (NasdaqGS:TW) - **Industry**: Electronic trading platforms, particularly in fixed-income markets Key Points and Arguments Financial Performance - Tradeweb reported nearly high-teens earnings per share growth in 2025, primarily driven by revenue increases despite tough year-over-year comparisons [7][19][186] - The company anticipates continued strong performance into 2026, with organic growth drivers identified [7][19] Market Environment - The debt markets are experiencing growth, with central banks being less active, creating favorable conditions for Tradeweb's business [19] - The current market structure is evolving, with a shift towards electronic trading, particularly in the swaps market [27][34] Swaps Market - Tradeweb's swaps business has seen a revenue increase of approximately 35% year-over-year [38] - The company is focusing on electronifying non-cleared swaps and expanding its international swaps business, particularly in Australia and Japan [28][34] - There is a significant opportunity to transition the wholesale swaps market from a voice-oriented to an electronic model, which is still in early stages [32][34] Credit Market - Tradeweb's credit business, including US Investment Grade (IG) and High Yield, has room for growth, with a focus on increasing dealer proactivity in electronic trading [84][85] - The company is exploring traditional RFQ (Request for Quote) mechanisms to enhance trading efficiency and market share [95][97] Emerging Markets - Tradeweb has made significant progress in the emerging market (EM) credit space, leveraging its strengths in rates to penetrate this area [132][136] - The company aims to build strong sales engagement and capitalize on portfolio trading as a leading driver in EM credit [134][136] Tokenization and Innovation - Tradeweb is exploring the potential of tokenization in financial markets, particularly through its partnership with Canton Network, which aims to enhance collateral management [142][144][178] - The company is taking a pragmatic approach to innovation, focusing on building relationships and understanding the evolving landscape of digital assets [177][183] Q4 Outlook - For Q4 2025, Tradeweb expects continued momentum, with November showing significant growth in average daily revenue compared to the previous year [186][191] - The company acknowledges challenges in the credit market but remains optimistic about its diverse platform and leading position in the rates market [195][196] Additional Important Insights - The conversation highlighted the importance of adapting to client behavior and market dynamics, particularly in the context of electronic trading [54][56] - Tradeweb's strategy includes solving client problems and enhancing trading efficiencies, which are critical for maintaining competitive advantage [60][122] - The company is aware of pricing pressures and is focused on preserving value for clients while navigating fee structures [118][120] This summary encapsulates the key insights from the Tradeweb Markets conference, emphasizing the company's growth strategies, market dynamics, and future outlook.

Summary of NICE's Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: NICE - **Industry**: Cloud Communications and Customer Experience as a Service (CCaaS) Key Points and Arguments AI as a Growth Driver - NICE identifies AI as a significant growth driver, with AI revenue embedded in cloud platforms increasing by over 40% year-to-date [3][6] - The acquisition of Cognigy, a leader in agentic AI, is expected to enhance NICE's capabilities in customer experience (CX) [3][4] Performance Metrics - NICE has consistently outperformed guidance, expecting a 12% growth in cloud revenue quarter-over-quarter [6] - Year-over-year cloud backlog has increased by 13%, indicating strong future growth potential [6] Market Position and Strategy - NICE's CCaaS business is underpenetrated, with only about 40% of organizations having migrated to the cloud [9] - The company is focusing on strategic partnerships with major players like Salesforce, ServiceNow, and AWS to enhance market presence [9][10] Future Revenue Growth Plans - NICE aims to double cloud revenue over the next four years, targeting 17%-19% growth by 2028 [11] - Key growth catalysts include AI capabilities, depth of offerings, and international momentum [12][13] Investment Strategy - NICE plans to invest an additional $160 million in 2026 across delivery costs, R&D, and go-to-market strategies [16][17] - Investments will focus on enhancing international infrastructure and embedding Cognigy into the CX platform [17][18] Total Addressable Market (TAM) Expansion - NICE's TAM is projected to expand to between $31 billion and $72 billion, driven by moving into mid and back office operations and proactive customer engagement [19][20] - The company is leveraging its existing capabilities to transition from inbound to outbound customer interactions [21][22] Acquisition of Cognigy - Cognigy was chosen for its strong technology and ability to scale, particularly in large enterprises [25][26] - Cross-selling opportunities exist between NICE and Cognigy, with minimal customer overlap [28] Financial Performance - AI and self-service ARR reached $268 million in Q3, growing 49% year-over-year [30] - NICE expects AI to represent 30% of cloud revenue by 2028, supported by a robust financial model and strong pipeline [30][31] Partnership Ecosystem - NICE has expanded its partnership ecosystem significantly, with expected near-term impacts from collaborations, particularly with AWS [34][35] - Long-term growth is anticipated as partnerships mature and sales teams are trained [35] Financial Crimes and Compliance (FCC) Business - NICE's FCC business remains core, contributing to overall profitability, despite CX being the primary focus [36][37] - The FCC segment operates independently and continues to attract long-term global financial institutions as clients [36] Additional Important Insights - The company emphasizes the importance of real-time capabilities in its platform, which are unmatched in the market [10] - NICE's leadership transition, particularly with the new CEO Scott Russell, is seen as a positive factor for future growth [8]

Summary of Huntington Bancshares Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Huntington Bancshares (NasdaqGS: HBAN) - **Date**: December 10, 2025 - **Key Speakers**: Steve Steinour (Chairman, President, and CEO), Zach Wasserman (CFO) Key Industry and Company Insights 1. Growth Strategy - Huntington is focused on best-in-class loan and deposit growth, particularly in the Carolinas and Texas, supported by recent acquisitions of Veritex and Cadence [1][2] - The company emphasizes a differentiated operating model that drives sustained above-peer growth, with a focus on organic growth as the foundation of its strategy [2][3] 2. Acquisitions and Integration - The integration of Veritex and Cadence is seen as a springboard for organic growth rather than an alternative to it, with a disciplined approach to capital allocation and risk management [3][4] - Huntington's proven track record of successful integrations, such as with TCF, gives confidence in the upcoming integrations [4][6] 3. Financial Performance - Loan and deposit growth has significantly outpaced peers, with expectations to maintain strong momentum into 2026 [4][5] - The company has achieved a growth rate of 5% annually post-TCF integration, compared to a pre-acquisition growth rate of just over 4% [7][8] 4. Market Positioning - Huntington is positioned to become the 10th largest bank in the U.S. with a strong presence in high-growth markets, particularly in Texas [9][10] - The company anticipates significant demographic tailwinds in its new markets, with a focus on customer acquisition and deepening relationships [10][11] 5. Revenue Synergies - Expected revenue synergies from the Cadence acquisition include offering a full suite of Huntington products to Cadence's customer base and enhancing customer relationships [11][12] - The company has a strong pipeline of capital markets activities already emerging from the Veritex partnership [44][45] 6. Operational Efficiency - Huntington has maintained a commitment to positive operating leverage, with a focus on re-engineering costs to invest in growth areas such as technology and marketing [39][40] - The company has achieved a positive operating leverage of 250 basis points and expects to continue this trend into 2026 [32][40] 7. Customer Retention and Integration Challenges - Customer retention post-merger is a priority, with efforts focused on building trust and transparency with new colleagues and customers [45][46] - The company is prepared for the integration challenges, with a focus on maintaining organic growth during the integration process [24][25] 8. Future Outlook - Huntington is optimistic about its growth trajectory, with expectations for continued strong loan and deposit production and growth in value-added fee services [32][48] - The company is not looking to expand beyond its current geographic footprint but aims to deepen its market share in existing regions [22][23] Additional Important Points - The competitive landscape in the South and Texas is described as dynamic, with expected market growth rates significantly above the national average [16][17] - Huntington's approach to M&A is cautious, focusing on organic growth as a prerequisite for future partnerships [21][22] - The company has invested in data and automation to prepare for regulatory requirements associated with its Category III designation, with no expected incremental expenses [47]

Lazard (NYSE:LAZ) Conference Summary - December 10, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: Lazard - **CEO**: Peter Orszag, who assumed the role on October 1, 2023, and became Chairman on January 1, 2025 [1][3] Key Points Cultural and Structural Transformation - Significant transformation within the advisory division, with 87 managing directors separated and 91 hired or promoted over two years [3][4] - Currently, 40% of managing directors are in their first three years, expected to decrease to 30%, which could increase productivity by approximately $1 million per managing director [4][5] Market Positioning and Growth Opportunities - Increased client emphasis on "contextual alpha," which involves comprehensive analysis for decision-making in M&A and financing [6][7] - Advisory revenue from private capital has grown from 25% in 2019 to 40% currently, with a target of 50% [8][9] - Anticipation of strong M&A activity in 2026, driven by private equity sponsors needing to return cash to LPs, alongside ongoing restructuring and liability management [9][10] Economic and Regulatory Environment - The U.S. economy is increasingly reliant on AI, with growth concentrated in AI sectors while non-AI sectors lag [22][23] - The regulatory environment for M&A has become more accommodating, but requires nuanced strategies to navigate [26][27] Advisory and Asset Management Insights - Strong expectations for European IPOs due to private companies growing too large for alternative exits and regulatory simplifications [30][33] - Lazard is well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities in the Middle East, particularly with sovereign wealth funds across various sectors [34][35] Future Strategic Directions - Focus on expanding the Private Capital Advisory (PCA) business and enhancing restructuring services due to increased demand [39][40] - New leadership in asset management under Chris Hoffman, with a focus on active management strategies and AI integration [41][42] Financial Performance and Projections - Projected positive net inflows for 2026, with year-to-date net inflows of $8.7 billion, excluding a previously mentioned low-fee account [13][50][51] - Targeting a 60% or lower compensation ratio, with revenue per managing director as a key driver for operating leverage [53][54] Capital Return Strategy - Plans to offset dilution from deferred compensation and explore inorganic growth opportunities while maintaining discipline [58] Additional Insights - The cultural transformation within Lazard has been noted as remarkable, contributing to a more vibrant internal environment [11] - The firm is committed to leveraging AI to enhance its competitive edge in the market [24][57] This summary encapsulates the key insights and strategic directions discussed during the conference, highlighting Lazard's focus on growth, transformation, and market positioning in the evolving financial landscape.

Xenon Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGM:XENE) Update / Briefing December 10, 2025 10:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsIan Mortimer - President and CEOChris Kenney - Chief Medical OfficerDarren Cline - Chief Commercial OfficerIan MortimerGood morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us. We're excited to be speaking with you fresh off a highly successful American Epilepsy Society meeting for Xenon. Before we begin, please note the standard notice that we will make a number of statements today that are forward-looking ...

Allegro MicroSystems FY Conference Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Allegro MicroSystems (NasdaqGS:ALGM) - **Date**: December 10, 2025 - **Key Speakers**: Derek D'Antilio (CFO), Mark Gill (VP of Corporate Strategy) Industry Context - **Industry**: Automotive and Industrial Semiconductor Market - **Recent Changes**: CEO change in February 2025, with a focus on innovation and leadership restructuring Key Points Performance and Market Dynamics - Allegro celebrated its fifth anniversary as a public company, having experienced strong growth during the automotive upcycle post-COVID [3][4] - A significant inventory correction occurred in the automotive sector starting in December 2023, leading to a 30% sequential revenue decline in June 2024, particularly in China [4][5] - The company is optimistic about the end of the inventory correction, with improved internal models for inventory management and customer behavior [5][6] Revenue Guidance and Market Drivers - For the December quarter, Allegro guided a 5% sequential revenue increase, which is better than the typical seasonal decline of 5% [7][8] - Key drivers for this growth include: - Strength in the automotive sector, with an expected increase in auto production by 3 million units in 2025 [9] - A resurgence in the data center business, which accounted for 8% of revenue last quarter [9] Inventory and Consumption Insights - Allegro has observed lean inventories in the U.S., China, and Korea, while European inventories remain higher [13][14] - Distributors are back to a target inventory model of 10-12 weeks, indicating a more stable supply chain [13] Automotive Market Trends - The content opportunity per vehicle is approximately $9, with potential increases to $40 for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and up to $100 for electric vehicles (EVs) [18][19] - Allegro is well-positioned to benefit from the shift towards electrification and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), which significantly increase content per vehicle [20][21] Regional Performance - In the September quarter, all regions grew except Europe, which faced challenges [24] - China represents about 27% of Allegro's business, primarily in automotive, with strong growth expected in exports [25] Industrial Market Insights - The industrial market is seeing growth in medical applications and electrification of the grid, with a focus on robotics as a significant future opportunity [26][28] - Allegro is actively engaging with various robotics companies globally, indicating a robust pipeline for future growth [31] Data Center and Power Management - Allegro's data center business has rebounded, now accounting for 8% of revenue, with a broader portfolio including power management solutions [33][35] - The company is well-positioned for the transition to higher voltage systems (48V to 800V), leveraging technology developed for the automotive sector [35][36] Sensor Technology and Competitive Position - Allegro claims a 23% market share in the magnetic sensing market, positioning itself as a leader over competitors like Infineon and Melexis [55] - The acquisition of TMR technology enhances Allegro's sensor portfolio, offering better precision and lower power consumption compared to traditional Hall Effect sensors [56][57] Future Outlook - The company anticipates significant growth in humanoid robotics, with content opportunities estimated at $100-$110 per robot [52] - Allegro is focused on design wins today to ensure meaningful revenue contributions from robotics and automation in the coming years [52] Conclusion Allegro MicroSystems is navigating a complex market landscape with a focus on innovation, inventory management, and strategic growth in both automotive and industrial sectors. The company is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging trends in electrification, robotics, and data center technologies, with a strong emphasis on enhancing its sensor capabilities.

Summary of Smithfield Foods FY Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Smithfield Foods (NasdaqGS:SFD) - **Annual Sales**: Over $15 billion [2] - **Key Segment**: Packaged meats business generating over $1 billion in segment profit [3] Financial Performance - **Sales for Trailing 12 Months**: $15.3 billion [3] - **Adjusted EBITDA**: $1.6 billion [3] - **Packaged Meats Segment Sales**: $8.7 billion, representing 57% of total sales [4] - **Adjusted Segment Profit Margin**: 12.7% [4] - **Liquidity**: $3.1 billion with a net debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio of 0.8 times [5] - **Record Adjusted Operating Profit**: Achieved each quarter of 2025 despite challenging market conditions [5] Market Position and Growth Opportunities - **U.S. Value-Added Packaged Meats Market**: Approximately $46 billion [4] - **Market Share**: Number-two ranked across 25 categories with a 93% ACV and 81% repurchase rate [4] - **Growth Rate**: Packaged meats business grew at 6% through the first nine months of 2025 [6] - **Future Outlook**: Strong outlook for 2026 with expectations of continued volume and share growth through innovation [10] Vertical Integration Advantage - **Hog Production**: Producing about 11.5 million head, supplying 80% of raw materials for packaged meats [15] - **Cost Structure**: Best-in-class operations across the vertically integrated network, reducing raw material costs [16] Innovation and Product Development - **Product Categories**: Focus on expanding in categories like packaged lunch meat, where Smithfield holds a 9% market share [19] - **New Product Lines**: Introduction of Prime Fresh Slice Deli for convenience and double-digit growth in dry sausage category [22][23] - **Food Service Innovations**: Emphasis on pre-cooked products to reduce labor costs and meet consumer needs [25] Competitive Environment and Pricing Strategy - **Promotional Strategy**: Focus on brand strategy rather than deep discounting, resulting in flat to growing market share [28][29] - **Pricing Power**: Ability to maintain pricing despite inflationary pressures, with a strategy to renegotiate contracts with private label customers [33] Future Strategic Direction - **Protein Strategy**: Maintaining an 80% pork and 20% beef split, with potential for opportunistic expansion in non-pork proteins [30] - **M&A Strategy**: Focus on bolt-on acquisitions to fill capacity gaps, particularly in the dry sausage category and potential expansion in Mexico [41][44] Ownership Structure - **Current Ownership**: WH Group remains a long-term shareholder post-IPO, with local management running day-to-day operations [47] Key Takeaways - **Operational Excellence**: Continued focus on cost savings and efficiency to offset inflation [35] - **Market Misunderstanding**: The market may underestimate Smithfield's ability to deliver results despite macroeconomic challenges [54]