Latest news with #intelligence-driven
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
5 Insightful Analyst Questions From ServiceNow's Q1 Earnings Call
ServiceNow's first quarter results were well received by the market, reflecting management's focus on broad-based workflow adoption and rapid expansion in artificial intelligence-driven solutions. CEO Bill McDermott credited the quarter's growth to substantial increases in large enterprise deals, particularly within technology, CRM, and public sector workflows. The company highlighted significant acceleration in its Pro Plus and Now Assist AI products, noting that the number of Pro Plus deals more than quadrupled year over year. Management also emphasized strong renewal rates and customer expansion, with CFO Gina Mastantuono noting, 'Our renewal rate remained best in class at 98%, underscoring the consistent value that ServiceNow delivers to our customers.' Is now the time to buy NOW? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $3.09 billion vs analyst estimates of $3.08 billion (18.6% year-on-year growth, in line) Adjusted EPS: $4.04 vs analyst estimates of $3.83 (5.4% beat) Adjusted Operating Income: $953 million vs analyst estimates of $928 million (30.9% margin, 2.7% beat) The company provided subscription revenue guidance for the full year of $12.66 billion at the midpoint Operating Margin: 14.6%, up from 12.8% in the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $208.5 billion While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention. Keith Weiss (Morgan Stanley) asked whether macro uncertainty or elongated sales cycles factored into guidance. CFO Gina Mastantuono replied that guidance incorporates a healthy degree of conservatism, but 'demand that we're seeing remains strong,' with comprehensive pipeline analysis supporting outlook. Kash Rangan (Goldman Sachs) inquired about the impact of the Moveworks acquisition and any changes to the sales playbook amid customer tariff concerns. President and Chief Product Officer Amit Zavery explained Moveworks will accelerate the roadmap and user experience, while CEO Bill McDermott emphasized continued strong demand despite macro variables. Mark Murphy (JPMorgan) questioned ServiceNow's ambitions in CRM and whether the company intends to be a core system of record. McDermott confirmed broader aspirations, aiming to deliver a fully integrated, AI-powered front office that connects sales and service for improved customer productivity. Alex Zukin (Wolfe Research) asked about the quarterly mix shift in workflows and whether manufacturing and federal results reflected pull-forward demand. Mastantuono noted that all workflows continue to perform well and no material pull-forwards were seen, attributing results to strong execution. Kylie (Citi) asked about the adoption trajectory for Pro Plus and its importance to growth targets. Zavery said adoption is expected to continue accelerating, and Mastantuono reiterated Now Assist and AI as key contributors to ServiceNow's multi-year growth goals. In coming quarters, our analysts will watch (1) the adoption rate and customer expansion of AI-powered products like Pro Plus and AgenTek, (2) integration progress and customer impact from the Moveworks and acquisitions, and (3) continued momentum in public sector and regulated industry segments. Execution on these priorities, along with the rollout of new workflow automation features, will be critical markers of ServiceNow's ability to sustain growth. ServiceNow currently trades at $1,007, up from $814.07 just before the earnings. At this price, is it a buy or sell? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election sent major indices to all-time highs, but stocks have retraced as investors debate the health of the economy and the potential impact of tariffs. While this leaves much uncertainty around 2025, a few companies are poised for long-term gains regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate, like our Top 5 Strong Momentum Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Kadant (+351% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Intuit forecasts strong quarterly profit after tax season boost
(Corrects typo in paragraph 1) By Jaspreet Singh (Reuters) -Intuit forecast fourth-quarter revenue and profit above Wall Street estimates on Thursday, signaling growing demand for its artificial intelligence-driven financial management tools and sending its shares up more than 5% in extended trading. The tax filing season in the U.S. from January 27 to April 15 also helped the company report upbeat third-quarter results as many taxpayers used Intuit's software to file their federal income-tax returns. Intuit provides financial management and compliance products such as its tax-preparation software TurboTax, personal finance portal Credit Karma and accounting software QuickBooks. The company said it would launch AI agents, systems which can take actions for users, in the coming weeks and add these agents into its QuickBooks product portfolio. "These agents are going to be incorporated into the lineup... we are going to be revamping our lineup. There's going to be a new lineup, and as part of that, we will have price changes," CFO Sandeep Aujla told Reuters. In addition to the core portfolio, there will be options where customers can choose specific agents based on their needs, such as an accounting agent or a finance agent, and pay for them separately, he said. Intuit forecast fourth-quarter revenue between $3.72 billion and $3.76 billion, above analysts' average estimate of $3.51 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. Adjusted profit per share expectations of $2.63 to $2.68 for the quarter ending July 31 also beat estimates of $2.59. Revenue for the third quarter ended April 30 rose 15% to $7.75 billion, beating estimates of $7.56 billion. The adjusted profit per share of $11.65 also exceeded estimates of $10.91. Intuit also lifted fiscal 2025 forecasts. The company expects revenue growth of about 15%, up from its prior forecast of 12% to 13%. The company said its total TurboTax Online units, number of individual online tax returns filed using the platform, are expected to decline about 1% in fiscal 2025, while the paying units are expected to grow 6%. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Intuit forecasts strong quarterly profit after tax season boost
By Jaspreet Singh (Reuters) -Intuit forecast fourth-quarter revenue and profit above Wall Street estimates on Thursday, signaling growing demand for its artificial intelligence-driven financial management tools. The tax filing season in the U.S. from January 27 to April 15 also helped the company report upbeat third-quarter results as many taxpayers used Intuit's software to file their federal income-tax returns. Intuit provides financial management and compliance products such as its tax-preparation software TurboTax, personal finance portal Credit Karma and accounting software QuickBooks. The company said it would launch AI agents, systems which can take actions for users, in the coming weeks and add these agents into its QuickBooks product portfolio. "These agents are going to be incorporated into the lineup... we are going to be revamping our lineup. There's going to be a new lineup, and as part of that, we will have price changes," CFO Sandeep Aujla told Reuters. In addition to the core portfolio, there will be options where customers can choose specific agents based on their needs, such as an accounting agent or a finance agent, and pay for them separately, he said. Intuit forecast fourth-quarter revenue between $3.72 billion and $3.76 billion, above analysts' average estimate of $3.51 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. Adjusted profit per share expectations of $2.63 to $2.68 for the quarter ending July 31 also beat estimates of $2.59. Revenue for the third quarter ended April 30 rose 15% to $7.75 billion, beating estimates of $7.56 billion. The adjusted profit per share of $11.65 also exceeded estimates of $10.91. Intuit also lifted fiscal 2025 forecasts. The company expects revenue growth of about 15%, up from its prior forecast of 12% to 13%. The company said its total TurboTax Online units, number of individual online tax returns filed using the platform, are expected to decline about 1% in fiscal 2025, while the paying units are expected to grow 6%.
India.com
06-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Warplay Or Warfare? How India Could Break Pakistan Without Crossing Nuclear Line
Indo-Pak Border Flare-Up: Amid fresh outrage over the Pahalgam massacre that killed 26 Indian tourists, India stands at a decisive crossroads: respond with overwhelming force or strike with smart, multi-domain precision. While a full-scale war with Pakistan may seem unlikely due to nuclear risks, India has a wide range of conventional and unconventional warfare options—each carrying different levels of impact, escalation, and risk. Here's a clear-eyed look at how India could make Pakistan pay—without triggering a catastrophic conflict. 1. Conventional Full-Scale War: Risky but Dominant India's military advantage—1.4 million troops vs. Pakistan's 617,000—offers clear superiority on paper. If war broke out along multiple fronts (Punjab, Rajasthan, LoC), India could aim to capture strategic territories or paralyze Pakistan's military structure. However, Pakistan's first-use nuclear doctrine makes such a move incredibly risky. Any large-scale territorial advance could provoke nuclear retaliation. Verdict: Technically feasible, but practically ruled out due to the nuclear red line. 2. Limited Conventional Conflict: Precision with Restraint Localized clashes along the LoC or border areas, like India's past 'surgical strikes' or Kargil-style operations, offer tactical payback. These actions are meant to inflict pain without pushing for escalation. India's 2019 Balakot airstrikes post-Pulwama terror attack are a template: direct hits on terror infrastructure with minimal footprint. Verdict: Most practical and proven option—but still carries escalation risk if mismanaged. 3. Surgical Airstrikes & Missile Hits Using fighter jets or cruise missiles (like BrahMos) to take out terror camps, military depots, or ISI assets inside Pakistan is an option with symbolic and strategic punch. Risk of pilots being captured (like in 2019) or collateral damage is high, but missile-only options reduce exposure. Verdict: Feasible, and India has done it before. Must avoid civilian casualties to retain international support. 4. Covert Operations & Proxy Pressure India's RAW could ramp up intelligence-driven operations to target terror financiers or support dissident movements like Baloch separatists. Hard to prove, but high on impact and deniability. Could pressure Pakistan without public war declaration. Verdict: Ongoing in shadows. Sustainable, but risks tit-for-tat escalation. 5. Naval Pressure in the Arabian Sea A blockade of Karachi or destruction of key Pakistani naval assets would cripple their economy. India's INS Vikrant, Scorpène-class submarines, and naval aviation could dominate sea battles. Verdict: High-risk, high-reward. Could impact global trade and provoke massive escalation. 6. Economic Warfare: Choking the Lifelines India's 2025 suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty sent a bold signal. Trade bans, cutting off airspace, and lobbying for global sanctions can further squeeze Pakistan. With a $3.4 trillion economy, India holds massive leverage compared to Pakistan's shrinking economy. Verdict: Very effective—and already in play. Escalation is minimal, but long-term retaliation possible. 7. Cyber Warfare: Hit Without a Trace India can target Pakistan's power grids, telecom systems, or financial networks using NTRO and allied agencies. Cyberwar is deniable and effective but could invite counterstrikes. Verdict: Low-cost, high stealth—perfect for asymmetric response. 8. Diplomatic Isolation: Weaponizing Global Influence India is already using its strong global partnerships to brand Pakistan a terror sponsor and rally support. 2025 saw visa suspensions, trade restrictions, and pressure campaigns on platforms like the UN and G20. Verdict: Long-term game—but highly feasible and sustainable. Final Take: No Boots Needed to Break Pakistan India doesn't need to march into Islamabad to deliver a blow. Through calibrated force, economic pressure, covert operations, and global diplomacy, New Delhi can degrade Pakistan's terror machinery without triggering nuclear war. This is not about avoiding conflict—it's about winning smartly. From the skies of Balakot to the rivers of Indus, India has options. The message is clear: act, retaliate—but don't stumble into all-out war.
Khaleej Times
03-03-2025
- Science
- Khaleej Times
AI robots may hold key to nursing Japan's ageing population
Recently in Tokyo an AI-driven robot leaned over a man lying on his back and gently put a hand on his knee and another on a shoulder and rolled him onto his side — a manoeuvre used to change diapers or prevent bedsores in the elderly. The 150-kg artificial intelligence-driven humanoid robot called AIREC is a prototype future "caregiver" for Japan's rapidly ageing population and chronic shortage of aged-care workers. "Given our highly advanced ageing society and declining births, we will be needing robots' support for medical and elderly care, and in our daily lives," said Shigeki Sugano, the Waseda University professor leading AIREC's research with government funding. Japan is the world's most advanced ageing society with a falling birth rate, dwindling working-age population and restrictive immigration policies. Its "baby boomer" generation, a bulging cohort created by a spike in post-war child births from 1947 to 1949, all turned at least 75 by the end of 2024, exacerbating the severe shortage of aged care workers. The number of babies born in 2024 fell for a ninth straight year, by five per cent to a record low 720,988, data from Japan's health ministry showed on Thursday. The nursing sector, meanwhile, is struggling to fill jobs. It had just one applicant for every 4.25 jobs available in December, far worse than the country's overall jobs-to-applicants ratio of 1.22, according to government data. As the government looks overseas to help fill the gap, the number of foreign workers in the sector has grown over the years, but stood only at around 57,000 in 2023, or less than three per cent of the overall workforce in the field. "We are barely keeping our heads above water and in 10, 15 years, the situation will be quite bleak," said Takashi Miyamoto, a director at Zenkoukai, an operator of elderly-care facilities. "Technology is our best chance to avert that." Zenkoukai has actively embraced new technologies, but the use of robots has been limited so far. At one facility in Tokyo, a bug-eyed, doll-sized robot assists a care worker by singing pop songs and leading residents in simple stretching exercises, while human caretakers busily tended to other pressing tasks. One of the most practical uses of nursing care technologies currently is as sleep sensors placed under residents' mattresses to monitor their sleeping conditions, cutting back on humans doing the rounds at night. Although humanoid robots like Tesla's Optimus are being developed for the nearer future, Sugano said robots that can safely interact physically with humans require next-level precision and intelligence. "Humanoid robots are being developed the world over. But they rarely come into direct contact with humans. They just do household chores or some tasks on factory floors," said Sugano, who is also president of the Robotics Society of Japan. "Once humans enter the picture, issues like safety and how to coordinate a robot's moves with each individual's spring up." Sugano's AIREC robot is capable of helping a person sit up or put on socks, cook scrambled eggs, fold laundry and some other useful tasks around the house. But Sugano does not expect AIREC to be ready for use in nursing-care and medical facilities until around 2030 and at a hefty price of no less than 10 million yen ($67,000) initially. Takaki Ito, a care worker at a Zenkoukai facility, is cautiously optimistic about the future of robotic nursing. "If we have AI-equipped robots that can grasp each care receiver's living conditions and personal traits, there may be a future for them to directly provide nursing care," he said. "But I don't think robots can understand everything about nursing care. Robots and humans working together to improve nursing care is a future I am hoping for."
