Guidewire(GWRE) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-06-03 22:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported total revenue of $294 million, representing a 22% year-over-year increase, exceeding the high end of expectations [21] - Subscription and support revenue reached $182 million, reflecting a 32% year-over-year growth [21] - Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) finished at $960 million, allowing the company to raise its full-year outlook [20][27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company closed 17 cloud deals in Q3, including 14 for InsuranceSuite applications and 3 for InsuranceNow, indicating strong sales activity [7] - The company secured its first Guidewire Industry Intelligence sale, a predictive model embedded in ClaimCenter, marking progress in data and analytics offerings [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced significant international momentum, with cloud expansions in Canada and wins in APAC and EMEA [9] - The company announced a $60 million investment in Japan over the next five years to enhance local operations and partnerships [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to continue driving growth through its Guidewire Cloud Platform, which is recognized for its flexibility and agility [6] - The acquisition of Quanti is expected to enhance the company's pricing and rating technology, contributing to its long-term product strategy [18][25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in maintaining upper teens growth for fully ramped ARR, emphasizing the importance of Q4 for closing large deals [34][35] - The company is committed to the Japanese market, focusing on long-term relationships and investments to support local insurers [38][39] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with over $1.2 billion in cash and cash equivalents, with operating cash flow at $32 million [26] - The company raised its ARR outlook for fiscal year 2025 to between $1.012 billion and $1.022 billion, reflecting a growth of 17% to 18% year-over-year [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the fully ramped ARR outlook for this year? - Management indicated strong momentum and confidence in maintaining upper teens growth for fully ramped ARR, with Q4 being critical for large commitments [34][35] Question: What is helping the company win cloud deals in Japan? - The company highlighted its long-term commitment to the Japanese market and the importance of delivering a robust platform tailored to local needs [36][39] Question: Was there any pull forward from Q4 due to Q3 outperformance? - Management clarified that the strong Q3 performance was due to high close rates and execution, with no significant pull forward from Q4 [44][50] Question: How is the company addressing the widening coverage gap in the insurance industry? - The company emphasized agility in product structuring and pricing, enabling insurers to respond quickly to market needs and close coverage gaps [58][60] Question: What is the incremental functionality from the Quanti acquisition? - The acquisition is expected to enhance pricing and rating capabilities, providing flexibility for insurers to adjust rates and strategies in real-time [91][92]
HPE(HPE) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-06-03 22:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q2 revenue was $7.6 billion, up 7% year over year, exceeding the high end of previous guidance [9][22] - Non-GAAP diluted net earnings per share were $0.38, above the guided range of $0.28 to $0.34 [10][25] - Non-GAAP gross margin was 29.4%, down 370 basis points year over year [23] - Non-GAAP operating margin was 8%, down 150 basis points year over year [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Server revenue was $4.1 billion, up 7% year over year but down 5% sequentially [27] - Intelligent Edge revenue was $1.2 billion, up 8% year over year, marking the first growth in five quarters [30] - Hybrid Cloud revenue was $1.5 billion, up 15% year over year, with strong performance across all product lines [33] - Financial Services revenue was $856 million, up 1% year over year [34] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - AI systems saw $1.1 billion in net new orders, with over $1 billion converted into revenue, up from $900 million last quarter [12][29] - The annualized revenue run rate for GreenLake reached $2.2 billion, up 47% year over year [14] - Orders for Alletra MP grew more than 75% year over year for four consecutive quarters [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on executing its strategy in AI, networking, and hybrid cloud, capitalizing on megatrends reshaping the IT industry [11][18] - A commitment to closing the Juniper Networks transaction is expected to deliver at least $450 million in annual run rate synergies [19] - The company is implementing a cost reduction program aimed at streamlining operations and improving profitability [38][39] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted a dynamic macro and trade policy environment, with significant uncertainty affecting demand [8] - The company expects revenue growth of 7% to 9% year over year for the second half of the fiscal year [11][42] - Management remains optimistic about the profitable growth opportunities ahead, including the anticipated closure of the Juniper Networks transaction [20] Other Important Information - The company is maintaining a rapid pace of AI innovation and has launched several new products to enhance its offerings [15][17] - Free cash flow was negative $847 million, slightly better than expected due to AI backlog conversion [24][36] - The company is on track to achieve its cost savings goals related to workforce reduction by year-end [38][39] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is needed for server margins to improve? - Management addressed execution challenges from Q1, implementing targeted actions to improve pricing and inventory management, aiming for 10% margins by Q4 [48][49][51] Question: Can you elaborate on the pipeline strength? - The pipeline showed strength across AI, hybrid cloud, and networking, with significant order growth in AI systems and strong demand for Alletra storage [56][60][62] Question: What are the trends in federal and state spending? - Management noted a solid pipeline for U.S. federal business, with expectations for improvement in spending as government plans are enacted [96][97] Question: How is the company addressing inventory levels? - The company has reduced inventory by $500 million and is managing inventory exposure related to AI transactions [51][75] Question: What is the outlook for server margins? - Management reiterated expectations for sequential improvement in server margins, targeting around 10% by Q4 [83][84]
Sportsman’s Warehouse(SPWH) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-06-03 22:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales for Q1 2025 were $249.1 million, a 2% increase from $244.2 million in the same period last year, marking a strong start to the year [17] - Gross margin for the quarter was 30.4%, up 20 basis points from 30.2% a year ago, driven by favorable mix and rate improvements in the Fishing business [18] - SG&A expenses were $95.3 million, or 38.2% of net sales, compared to 38.6% in the prior year, reflecting continued focus on expense discipline [19] - Net loss for Q1 was $21.3 million, or negative $0.56 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $18.1 million, or negative $0.48 per diluted share in the prior year [19] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 was negative $9 million, compared to negative $8.7 million in Q1 2024 [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Firearms unit sales increased nearly 7% year-over-year, significantly outpacing the adjusted NICS data, which declined by 5.4% [8] - Positive sales comps were achieved in most core categories, including firearms, clothing, footwear, and ammunition, which was up 3% [8] - Fishing sales were up 11%, validating the new merchandising strategy with a two-year comp stock growth of 12.3% [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - E-commerce business posted a positive comp, up 8% over last year, outpacing the overall business [11] - The company experienced a 12% increase in ammo unit sales during the quarter, driven by strategic pricing and inventory management [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a turnaround plan to transform Sportsman's Warehouse for sustained profitability and growth, emphasizing inventory precision, local relevance, personal protection, and brand awareness [6][7] - A new omni-channel brand campaign is being launched to reestablish Sportsman's Warehouse as the preferred destination for outdoor gear [14] - The company aims to reduce total inventory by the end of the year while maintaining the right products in the right stores at the right time [22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strategic plan despite ongoing consumer macroeconomic challenges, highlighting the unique competitive advantage of local expertise [15] - The company anticipates generating positive free cash flow and reducing debt throughout 2025 [23][24] - Full year guidance for net sales is expected to range between down 1% to up 3.5% compared to 2024, with adjusted EBITDA projected between $33 million and $45 million [24] Other Important Information - Total inventory at the end of Q1 was $412.3 million, up from $391.6 million in the same period last year, reflecting a strategic decision to pull forward inventory ahead of rising tariffs [20] - The company reduced total active SKUs by approximately 20%, simplifying the assortment and improving inventory terms [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you break down comp trends by month and extend into May? - Management noted good trends in February, with a strong performance in April and positive comp for May [27][29] Question: Is the increase in sales due to foot traffic or inventory assortments? - Management indicated a mixture of better traffic trends and higher basket sizes due to improved inventory strategies [30] Question: Can you elaborate on the $20 million inventory pull forward? - The company confirmed the strategic decision to pull forward inventory to mitigate tariff impacts and ensure stock for key seasons [38] Question: Did sales mix negatively impact gross profit margin in Q1? - Management acknowledged that heavy penetration in firearms and ammo impacted gross profit margin [39] Question: What are the thoughts on debt repayment this year? - Management expressed confidence in generating positive free cash flow to apply towards debt repayment [43] Question: What is the expected impact of tariffs on the P&L? - Management indicated that the pull forward in inventory may mitigate tariff impacts until at least the third quarter [50] Question: What is driving the outperformance relative to the industry? - The company is significantly outperforming NICS on a unit basis, driven by strategic inventory management and customer value [53]
Yext(YEXT) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-06-03 22:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a strong Q1 performance, outperforming guidance on all metrics, with improvements in gross and net retention, customer satisfaction, and overall value perception across the platform [4][5][35] - There was a tailwind from foreign exchange rates, which contributed to revenue and ARR improvements [33] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The core business health is improving, with better retention rates and customer satisfaction [5][35] - The new product, Yext Scout, has seen significant interest, with a waitlist of 1,000 customers, indicating a mix of existing and new customers [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The fragmentation of the consumer search market is accelerating, driven by advancements in AI search, which enhances the importance of managing digital visibility for brands [4][22] - Google recently dipped below 90% market share, indicating a shift in the brand discovery landscape [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to strategically reinvest in organic initiatives and pursue opportunistic investments through M&A or partnerships [5][39] - The management is focused on maintaining a conservative outlook due to macroeconomic uncertainties while recognizing the fertile environment for growth [22][23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed caution due to macroeconomic factors but remains optimistic about the growth potential driven by the fragmentation of the search market [21][23] - The company is encouraged by the positive reception of its products and the increasing value perception among customers [42][46] Other Important Information - The company has a strong balance sheet and cash flow, allowing for flexibility in growth initiatives and share buybacks [5][39] - The integration of recent acquisitions, such as Hearsay, is complete, and the company is looking for further M&A opportunities [50][51] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on Yext Scout and customer interest - Management noted a mix of existing and new customers on the waitlist for Scout, indicating strong demand [10] Question: Balancing enthusiasm with macroeconomic caution - Management acknowledged macroeconomic uncertainties but highlighted the positive shifts in the brand discovery landscape as a potential growth driver [21][23] Question: Drivers of revenue outperformance in Q1 - Revenue improvements were attributed to favorable FX rates and better retention metrics [33][35] Question: Buyback strategy and appetite - The company views buybacks as a valuable tool for capital allocation, especially given the attractive stock price [36][39] Question: Organic growth and retention improvements - Management indicated that improved retention and upsell opportunities are driving organic growth [42][45] Question: Rationale for new loan facility with BlackRock - The new facility provides better terms and flexibility for growth initiatives and potential acquisitions [48][50]
CrowdStrike(CRWD) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-06-03 22:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved net new ARR of $194 million, exceeding expectations and bringing total ending ARR to over $4.4 billion, a 22% increase year-over-year [5][32] - Subscription gross margin was reported at 80%, indicating strong efficiency of the AI platform [5][34] - Free cash flow reached $279 million, representing 25% of revenue, with a quarter-on-quarter growth of double digits [5][35] - Total revenue for the quarter was $1.1 billion, reflecting a 20% growth compared to the same quarter last year [33] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Falcon Flex model has shown significant success, with a total account value of $3.2 billion across 820 accounts, growing 31% sequentially and more than six times year-over-year [5][6] - The company reported a sustained gross retention rate of 97%, indicating strong customer commitment to the Falcon platform [5][34] - The next-gen SIEM business delivered triple-digit ending ARR growth, showcasing its disruptive impact on legacy products [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The geographic revenue mix consisted of approximately 67% from the U.S. and 33% from international markets, indicating a balanced global presence [33] - The MSSP business has grown rapidly, now representing over 15% of total deal value, highlighting the increasing importance of managed service providers [26] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on consolidating point products and enhancing the Falcon platform to meet evolving market demands, particularly in AI and cybersecurity [4][29] - The strategic realignment plan aims to optimize investments in key growth areas such as cloud, identity, exposure management, and next-gen SIEM [38] - The company has authorized up to $1 billion in share repurchases, reflecting confidence in long-term growth prospects and cash flow generation capabilities [31][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in improving sequential net new ARR growth in Q2 and accelerating growth in the back half of FY 2026, driven by strong demand for the Falcon platform [31][36] - The company anticipates a divergence between ARR and subscription revenue due to the impact of the CCP program, which is expected to normalize in the future [37] - The management highlighted the necessity of cybersecurity in the AI age, positioning the company as a leader in protecting autonomous AI agents [15][29] Other Important Information - The company launched new technologies such as AI model scanning and AI security dashboard to address the growing demand for AI tools while managing associated risks [20] - The Falcon platform's capabilities are being enhanced to provide better protection for identities, workloads, and data, aligning with market needs [100] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on Falcon Flex and its impact on sales - Management noted that Falcon Flex has significantly changed the sales approach, focusing on outcomes rather than module-by-module sales, leading to increased customer adoption and spending [47][50] Question: Divergence between revenue growth and ARR growth - The divergence is attributed to the amortization impacts of the CCP program, which affects revenue recognition differently than ARR [54][55] Question: Budgeting for reflex deals - Customers typically reassess their budgets based on the value received from Falcon Flex, leading to discussions on replacing point products and planning phased rollouts [58][60] Question: Changes in sales compensation and market response - The salesforce has responded positively to the new compensation structures and the focus on innovation, leading to increased customer engagement and adoption rates [64][67] Question: Free cash flow margin expectations - The company expects to achieve a free cash flow margin of over 30% next year, driven by the success of Falcon Flex and larger deals [83][85] Question: Trends in the macro environment - The company has executed well despite market noise, with strong demand for next-gen SIEM and overall positive customer engagement [88][89] Question: Competitive positioning in the MSSP channel - The company has strengthened its relationships with managed service providers, leading to significant growth in this channel and improved competitive positioning [96][98] Question: Vision for identity management space - The company aims to deepen its capabilities in identity management, responding to customer demand for more comprehensive solutions [100][101]
Asana(ASAN) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-06-03 21:32
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1, total revenues reached $187.3 million, representing a 9% year-over-year increase, exceeding the midpoint of guidance by 1% [37] - Non-GAAP operating margins improved by over 1,300 basis points year-over-year, achieving a 4% operating income margin for the first time [5][43] - Adjusted free cash flow margin improved by over 700 basis points year-over-year, reaching 5% for the quarter [5][45] - The company reported a net income of $12 million, or $0.05 per share [43] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The number of core customers (spending $5,000 or more annually) grew to 24,297, with revenues from core customers increasing by 10% year-over-year [37] - Customers spending $100,000 or more annually grew by 20% year-over-year, totaling 728 customers [38] - Non-tech verticals grew in the mid-teens year-over-year, with notable growth in manufacturing, energy, media, and financial services [5][27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - International revenue grew by 11% year-over-year, with strong demand particularly in EMEA and Japan [25][26] - The company has not observed a material change in demand across segments or regions compared to previous quarters, although there are signs of increased buyer scrutiny [26][48] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to position itself as the leader in human and AI coordination, with a focus on AI Studio as a key growth driver [20][23] - Strategic initiatives include launching the Smart Workflow Gallery and AI Studio Plus to enhance customer engagement and adoption [15][17] - The company is committed to long-term profitable growth, focusing on customer health, acquisition, and value through product innovation, especially in AI [23][49] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted early signs of budget pressures and tool consolidation among enterprise customers, particularly in the Americas region [82] - The company expects net retention rates to be pressured in Q2 due to downgrades, particularly in the enterprise and tech verticals [39][48] - Despite short-term challenges, management remains confident in long-term improvements in net retention due to investments in customer success and AI Studio [41][84] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $15.6 million of its Class A common stock during the quarter, with an increased share repurchase authorization of $100 million [46] - The company updated its full-year revenue guidance to $775 million to $790 million, reflecting a 7% to 9% year-over-year growth [47][49] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide details on the $1,000,000 ARR for AI Studio? - The $1,000,000 ARR consists of diverse customers across regions and industries, primarily from the AI Studio Pro platform fees, with potential for increased consumption in the future [54][55] Question: What impact does the $100,000,000 contract renewal have? - The renewal represents the largest deal in Asana's history, with a modest downgrade in annual contract value (ACV) impacting net retention, particularly in the tech vertical [60][61] Question: How is the company addressing competition in AI? - The company differentiates itself by integrating AI into workflows, allowing for seamless human-AI collaboration, which enhances customer success across various use cases [71][72] Question: What are the expectations for revenue from tech customers? - The tech vertical remains stable, with non-tech growing in the mid-teens, despite the impact of the recent large renewal [78][79] Question: How is the company navigating macroeconomic pressures? - The company is actively working to mitigate churn and contraction through enhanced customer success management and flexible pricing strategies [83][84]
Mama’s Creations(MAMA) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-06-03 21:32
Mama's Creations (MAMA) Q1 2026 Earnings Call June 03, 2025 04:30 PM ET Company Participants Adam Michaels - CEO & ChairmanAnthony Gruber - CFOAnthony Vendetti - Executive Managing Director Conference Call Participants Ryan Meyers - Senior Research AnalystEric Des Lauriers - Senior Research AnalystGeorge Kelly - Managing Director, Senior Research Analyst Operator Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to Mama's Creations First Quarter Fiscal twenty twenty six Earnings C ...
HealthEquity(HQY) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-06-03 21:32
HealthEquity (HQY) Q1 2026 Earnings Call June 03, 2025 04:30 PM ET Company Participants Richard Putnam - Investor RelationsScott Cutler - President, CEO & DirectorStephen D. Neeleman - Founder & Vice ChairmanJames Lucania - CFO & Executive VPAnne Samuel - Executive DirectorC. Gregory Peters - Managing Director - InsuranceScott Schoenhaus - Managing DirectorMatthew Inglis - Equity Research Senior AssociateDavid Larsen - Managing DirectorConstantine Davides - Managing Director Conference Call Participants Geo ...
chbase(BASE) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-06-03 21:32
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total ARR was $252.1 million, up 21% year over year and 6% sequentially [6][19] - Net new ARR was $14.2 million, up more than 300% year over year [7][19] - Revenue in Q1 was $56.5 million, up 10% year over year and 3% sequentially [7][20] - Non-GAAP operating loss in Q1 was $4.2 million, improving from a loss of $6.7 million a year ago [8][23] - Gross margin was 88.7%, compared to 89.9% a year ago [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Capella ARR was $44 million, an increase of 84% year over year [19] - Capella now represents 17.4% of total ARR, up from 11.5% in Q1 of fiscal 2025 [19] - Professional service revenue was $1.7 million, down 27% year over year [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company exited Q1 with 937 customers, a decrease of 10 net new customers from the last quarter [21] - The dollar-based net retention rate (NRR) was greater than 114% [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to be the database for critical applications, focusing on large strategic accounts and Capella adoption [5][9] - Enhancements to the go-to-market strategy include dedicated strategic account teams and a Capella free tier to lower entry barriers for developers [8][14] - The company is focused on innovation, including the launch of Couchbase Edge Server and AI-driven solutions [15][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that macroeconomic uncertainty did not impact the company's ability to deliver strong results [6] - The pipeline of large strategic opportunities continues to grow, reinforcing confidence in the company's strategy [9][17] - Management expects total revenue for Q2 to be in the range of $54.4 million to $55.2 million, representing a year-over-year growth rate of 6% at the midpoint [26] Other Important Information - The company ended Q1 with $141.8 million in cash and short-term investments, remaining well-capitalized for long-term growth [24] - The remaining performance obligations (RPO) totaled $239.6 million, an increase of 9% year over year [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of macroeconomic conditions on customer conversations - Management acknowledged longer sales cycles and higher deal scrutiny but emphasized a healthy pipeline and execution [29][30] Question: Go-to-market improvements and Capella free tier - Management highlighted enhancements to offerings for developers, including the Capella free tier, which has increased trial volumes significantly [31][33] Question: Revenue performance versus ARR growth - Management explained that the difference in revenue and ARR growth is due to migration patterns and the timing of revenue recognition [38][41] Question: Competition from Postgres databases - Management expressed confidence in Couchbase's differentiation and its ability to support critical applications better than competitors [46][49] Question: Workloads added from strategic accounts - Management indicated that strategic accounts are adopting multiple applications, leading to significant growth potential [64][66] Question: Adjustments to guidance and early renewals - Management clarified that there were no early renewals impacting guidance, but they remain optimistic about the pipeline and execution [68][70]
Mama’s Creations(MAMA) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-06-03 21:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 increased 18% year over year to $35.3 million, driven primarily by volume gains and new customer expansions [20][21] - Gross profit rose 23.1% to $9.2 million, with gross margin improving to 26.1% from 25% in the same quarter last year [21][22] - Net income increased 123% to $1.2 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, compared to $0.6 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, in the prior year [22][23] - Cash and cash equivalents grew to $12 million from $7.2 million, driven by $6 million in cash flow from operations [23][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved significant operational efficiency improvements, particularly in chicken operations, with capacity more than doubling year over year [11][12] - Trade promotion investments increased to a record 6% of gross revenue, up from 2% in the previous quarter, reflecting a strategic focus on brand building [15][20] - The company reported that in-house trimming processes are running 35% ahead of plan, contributing to margin enhancements [12][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is benefiting from a shift towards deli prepared foods as consumers opt for supermarket prepared meals due to rising restaurant prices [9][10] - Recent data indicates that over two-thirds of shoppers have purchased deli prepared meals recently, with millennials and Gen Z driving growth [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on its foundational four Cs strategy: cost, controls, culture, and catapult, aiming for operational excellence and market share gains [10][11] - Strategic investments in production capabilities and automation are expected to deliver meaningful returns and support sustainable growth [25] - The company is actively evaluating potential M&A opportunities to enhance category leadership and expand capabilities [19][25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in maintaining double-digit growth rates despite macroeconomic challenges, citing strong demand from retailers [28][30] - The company is optimistic about gross margin improvements, supported by hedging strategies and operational efficiencies [32][34] - Management highlighted the importance of profitable growth and the need to balance trade promotion investments with margin targets [30][38] Other Important Information - The company has refined its acquisition criteria, focusing on targets that enhance capabilities and scale operations [54][56] - The company is seeing increased inbound interest for potential acquisitions, indicating a strong pipeline of opportunities [54][56] Q&A Session Summary Question: Growth rate expectations for the rest of the year - Management remains confident in achieving double-digit growth rates, supported by strong retailer demand and consumer trends [28][30] Question: Gross margin outlook amidst chicken price volatility - Management believes that operational efficiencies and hedging strategies will help maintain gross margins despite commodity volatility [32][34] Question: In-house chicken trimming capabilities - Management confirmed that achieving 100% in-house trimming is feasible within the year, with operational capabilities already in place [42][45] Question: Future capital expenditures - Management indicated that while there are no major capital projects planned, smaller investments will continue to support operational needs [46][48] Question: M&A criteria changes - Management clarified that the focus remains on acquiring deli companies with manufacturing capabilities, with a strong pipeline of opportunities [54][56] Question: Costco promotions and opportunities - Management confirmed ongoing discussions for additional promotions with Costco and expressed optimism about the club channel's growth potential [60][62] Question: Pricing strategy and implementation - Management refrained from providing specific quantification on pricing changes but emphasized collaborative efforts with customers to maintain margins [66][68] Question: Update on Walmart, Kroger, and Target rollouts - Management reported positive progress with Walmart and ongoing discussions with Kroger and Target, highlighting the importance of diversifying customer relationships [74][76]