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CrowdStrike (CRWD) stock price has staged a comeback in the past few weeks as investors wait for its upcoming earnings. After dropping to $201 in August, it has bounced back by over 52%, and is hovering near its highest level since July. Its market cap has moved to over $73 billion. 

CrowdStrike has been a top growth company

CrowdStrike has grown from a relatively small technology company a few years ago to become one of the biggest ones in the US. 

Its annual revenue has jumped from $481 million in 2020 to over $3 billion, a trend that may continue in the coming years.

CrowdStrike is one of many cybersecurity companies that have achieved that strong performance. For example, SentinelOne’s revenue has soared from $46.5 million in 2020 to $621 million last year.

Fortinet’s revenue has also moved from $2.1 billion to $5.3 billion, while Okta has moved from $586 million to $2.26 billion, respectively.

This growth will likely continue to do well in the coming years as the demand for cybersecurity rises.

However, it has not been a smooth ride, as we saw a few months ago when a CrowdStrike outage led the world to a halt. For example, Delta Air Lines noted that it lost over $500 million because of that outage, and has sued the company. 

As we wrote at the time, we don’t believe that the outage would lead to substantial client cancellations. Besides, all its competitors could have a similar outage. 

Read more: CrowdStrike and Microsoft shares plunge after major outage

CrowdStrike earnings ahead

The next important catalyst for the CrowdStrike stock will be its quarterly earnings, which are expected to come in on November 26.

These results are expected to show that its revenue rose to $982 million in the third quarter, up from over $783 million in the same period last year. 

Analysts also expect that CrowdStrike’s annual revenue will jump by 27.50% to over $3.9 billion. They also see the revenue soaring to $4.77 billion in 2025. CrowdStrike has a long track record of doing better than what analysts expect.

Meanwhile, its profits are expected to do well. The earnings per share (EPS) are expected to come in at 81 cents, lower than the 82 cents it made in the same period last year. The decline will be because of the impact of the outage.

For the year, the earnings per share is expected to come in at $3.63, higher than the previous $3.09. Also, the earnings growth will continue rising, reaching $4.27 in 2025. 

Valuation concerns remain

The biggest concern for CrowdStrike stock is that it is a highly overvalued company since it has a market cap of over $74 billion and annual revenue expected to be $3.9 billion. This means that the company has a forward price-to-sales ratio of 18, a significantly higher number.

The valuation is also much higher than its trailing twelve-month (TTM) net income of $173 million. This means that the company has a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 664, significantly higher than the sector median of 28. The non-GAAP forward P/E ratio of 82 is much higher than the sector median of 23.

For SaaS companies like CrowdStrike, the best approach to value it is the rule of 40, which is made up of revenue growth and margins. CROWD’s revenue growth is 33% and its profit margin is 4.8%, bringing the total to 38%. This is a sign that the company is overvalued even using this metric.

These numbers mean that CrowdStrike will need to continue reporting strong results to justify the valuation. 

Double-digit growth metrics will likely be difficult in the coming years since most companies now have their cybersecurity providers. Also, competition in the sector is growing, with most of it coming from Wiz, a recently launched company that was about to be acquired by Google for over $20 billion. 

CrowdStrike stock analysis

CRWD chart by TradingView

The daily chart shows that the CRWD share price bottomed at $201 in August, and has bounced back by over 53% to the current $307. It has risen above the 38.2% Fibonacci Retracement level. 

CrowdStrike has also formed an ascending channel shown in black. It has also moved above all moving averages. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has formed a bearish divergence pattern. Also, the MACD indicator has formed a bearish crossover pattern.

Therefore, there is a likelihood that the stock will have a bearish breakout in the coming days. If this happens, the next point to watch will be $201, the 50% retracement point. A move above the key resistance point at $324.86 will point to more gains. A move above that level will lead to more gains to $397, its highest level this year. 

The post CrowdStrike stock price: CRWD valuation concerns remain appeared first on Invezz

The Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) stock price has come under pressure in the past few days as investors assess the impact of the CEO shakeup and its recent softening sales. After peaking at $70 in June, it has moved into a bear market, falling by about 20%.

Chipotle Mexican Grill’s growth concerns

The CMG stock price has done well in the past few years, helped by its strong store additions and revenue growth. Its annual revenue jumped from $5.5 billion in 2019 to over $9.8 billion in 2023 and $10.9 billion in the trailing twelve months.

This growth has been helped by the soaring number of locations in the United States. Its store count has risen from 2,491 in 2018 to 3,465 today. 

At the same time, the company has embraced technology and tweaked the ordering process, with a substantial number of orders being filled online or through its Chipotlane. Additionally, it has increased prices of its top products. For example, the price of burritos has risen from $6.50 in 2019 to about $10.7, a 60% increase. 

Still, there are now concerns about its growth trajectory as new store additions slow. The most recent results showed that Chipotle’s revenue rose by 13% in the third quarter to $2.8 billion, while its comparable store sales rose by 6.0%. Chipotle’s operating margin was 16.9%. 

While the 13% revenue was a good one, it was also lower than what it was to a few years ago. Also, there are concerns about the number of stores that it can open and run profitably in the coming years.

Additionally, it is now having to pay more wages, especially in California, which has hiked restaurant wages recently. Labor costs in the last quarter stood at 24.9%, an increase it attributed to the state.

The other concern is that the company recently lost Brian Niccol who engineered its turnaround and now heads Starbucks. It is now led by Scott Boatwright who is the interim CEO. Analysts believe that he has the experience he needs to continue to run the company for a while.

There are other reasons why Chipotle stock price has jumped over time. Most notably, the management has continued to reduce its share count over time. It has reduced the number of outstanding shares from over 1.4 billion in May 2021 to 1.36 billion. It repurchased stock worth $488 million in the last quarter and authorized another $1.1 billion. 

Read more: Chipotle shares up 10% after announcing its financials for the second quarter

Valuation concerns remain

The biggest concern for the CMG stock price is its valuation, which is substantial. Data shows that Chipotle has a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 50.58, much higher than the sector median of 18.

The non-GAAP forward P/E ratio of 50.56 is also higher than the sector median of 16.86. Also, the forward EV to EBITDA of 35, higher than the industry median of 11.

These numbers mean that Chipotle is more valuable than some of the most popular technology companies that are growing at a fast pace and have higher margins. 

For example, Microsoft has a forward P/E ratio of 31 and net income margins of 35 compared to Chipotle’s 13%. Microsoft is also having faster growth than Chipotle.

Chipotle is also more expensive than Alphabet, which has a forward P/E ratio of 21.3. The same is true with other firms, including NVIDIA, which has become the biggest company in the world. 

Still, despite these valuation concerns, analysts believe that CMG has more upside to go. The average estimate for the stock is $65.28, which is higher than the current $56.18. These analysts expect that Chipotle Mexican Grill’s revenue will be $11.32 billion this year, a 14.7% annual increase followed by $12.83 billion next year. 

Some of the most bullish analysts are from Wedbush, TD Cowen, Citigroup, and Loop Capital.

Chipotle Mexican Grill stock price analysis

CMG chart by TradingView

The weekly chart shows that the CMG share price peaked at about $70 earlier this year and formed an evening star candlestick pattern. In most periods, this is one of the most bearish chart patterns in the market, which explains why it has suffered a harsh reversal.

The stock has also formed a bearish flag chart pattern, a popular bearish sign in the market. It is characterised by a long vertical line and a rectangle pattern. The MACD and the Relative Strength Index (RSI) have also formed a bearish divergence pattern.

On the positive side, the stock remains above the 50-week moving average. Still, the stock will likely have a bearish breakout, with the next point to watch being at $48.10, its lowest point on August 12. A break below that point will lead to more downside. 

The post Chipotle stock is expensive than NVIDIA and Microsoft: is it a buy? appeared first on Invezz

SoundHound (SOUN) stock price has moved sideways in the past few months as the momentum it had a few months ago has faded. It was trading at $5.37 on Tuesday as traders repositioned for the upcoming earnings, which will provide more color about its growth trajectory. 

What is SoundHound?

SoundHound is a technology company that has become popular in the new artificial intelligence era. It is a firm that creates tools that help companies deliver quality conversational experiences to companies. This is a big market, which Juniper Research estimates will be worth $165 billion by 2016.

There are many areas where AI voice can be used. For example, companies are leveraging SoundHound’s technology to deliver customer care solutions to their customers. Also, restaurants can leverage its technology to improve the ordering process, saving substantial sums of money at a time when wage growth is growing.

SoundHound’s technology is also used by electronic manufacturers like smart TVs and smartphones. Some of the top clients include the likes of Stellantis, Honda, Hyundai, Dunkin, and White Castle.

SoundHound has expanded its business by acquiring Amelia, a company that makes AI agents for enterprises. Its technology is used to manage critical tasks and processes and help employees to be more productive. It spent $80 million to fund the acquisition.

SOUN business is growing

SoundHound’s business has been growing, and analysts expect it to keep expanding in the coming years. Its annual revenue rose from over $7.7 million in 2019 to over $45.9 million in 2023. 

The challenge, however, is that this growth has come at a great cost. Its annual loss has moved from $64.5 million in 2019 to over $89 million last year. Its trailing twelve-month net loss has risen to $108.5 million.

The most recent results showed that SoundHound’s business was doing well, with its revenue growing by 54% to $13.5 million. However, the gross margin dropped to 63%.

The net loss also grew to $37.3 million. Most notably, the company had a cumulative subscriptions and bookings backlog of over $723 million, more than double what it had last year. 

The company ended the last quarter with over $201 million in cash and short-term investments. Part of this cash came from the $100 million it raised in 2023 and some of the investment it received from NVIDIA.

Analysts expect that the company’s revenue will continue growing this year. Its revenue is expected to grow to $23.02 million. For the year, SoundHound is expected to have $82 million in revenue, an 80% increase from last year. 

SoundHound’s 2025 revenue is expected to be $152 million, a 84% increase from what it will make in 2023. The company has a long history of beating analysts’ estimates, meaning that its growth will continue.

The risk for the SOUN stock price is that the company may need to raise cash in the past few years. Its outstanding shares have risen from 194 million in 2023 to over 315 million.

Read more: SoundHound stock is getting closer to removing a huge overhang

SoundHound stock price analysis

SOUN chart by TradingView

The daily chart shows that the SOUN share price has moved sideways in the past few months as investors focus on its growth. It has formed an ascending channel shown in black. This channel connects the lowest and highest swings since May 10. It has moved between the 50% and 61.8% Fibonacci Retracement levels.

SOUN stock has remained above the 50-day and 100-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMA). It has also formed a bearish flag chart pattern. It has also formed a head and shoulders pattern, a popular bearish sign.

Therefore, the stock will likely remain in this range ahead of its earnings results on December 11. It will then have a bearish breakout, with the next point to watch being at $4.0.

The post SoundHound stock price analysis: Is SOUN a good AI investment? appeared first on Invezz

Shares in Donald Trump’s media company, Trump Media & Technology Group, surged as election results started to roll in on Tuesday evening.

With the former president seeking re-election in a close race against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, investors closely tracked Trump Media’s stock as a potential indicator of his political fortunes.

The stock initially rose 10% after formal trading hours and continued its climb in late trading, reaching a 43% gain and surpassing $48 a share on the Robinhood platform.

This volatility in Trump Media’s shares underscores the market’s response to political developments and the broader uncertainty of the 2024 election.

Election night drives Trump Media shares up by 43%

Trump Media’s stock price surged 43% in special late trading on Tuesday, signalling strong investor interest as the election results remained uncertain.

The stock’s rise came as polling stations across the US reported results, with Trump showing an early lead in the Electoral College.

With the media sector sensitive to political outcomes, Trump Media & Technology Group’s performance on election night reflected market sentiment surrounding Trump’s re-election bid.

During the election season, Trump Media shares have experienced notable volatility, mirroring the competitive nature of the race between Trump and Harris.

Market observers have pointed to the stock as a proxy for Trump’s political prospects, with share price fluctuations reflecting his changing odds in a polarised political environment.

Investors appear to view Trump Media & Technology’s future performance as intertwined with the former president’s potential return to the White House.

Trump Media posts $19.2 million loss in Q3 earnings

In a surprise earnings announcement, Trump Media reported a $19.2 million loss for the third quarter, raising questions about its financial resilience.

Despite the loss, Trump Media shares rallied, highlighting the influence of Trump’s political standing over financial performance in driving investor sentiment.

Market analysts suggest that while the loss may raise concerns, the stock’s strong performance is primarily driven by speculative trading linked to the election.

Trump Media stock benefits from Robinhood’s late trading boost

Trading on Robinhood after formal market hours provided an additional lift to Trump Media’s stock, with investors actively buying shares on Election Day.

Robinhood, which facilitates retail trading, reported heightened activity for Trump Media shares, underscoring the influence of retail investors on the stock’s post-election movements.

The 43% increase, achieved in this extended trading window, marked one of Trump Media’s most significant gains of the year.

Despite the absence of a decisive result from major swing states, Trump’s early lead in the Electoral College appeared to fuel optimism among Trump Media investors.

As news outlets held off on calling key states, the preliminary results prompted a bullish response from traders expecting a favourable outcome for Trump.

This speculative trading indicates that, for now, Trump Media’s value may hinge on the evolving election narrative.

Tuesday’s spike pushed Trump Media’s share price to levels not seen in months, reflecting a highly responsive trading environment influenced by the election.

With its price now above $48, Trump Media’s stock has become a focal point for investors speculating on the political landscape.

Analysts caution, however, that future gains may depend on Trump’s long-term political and legal viability.

The post Trump Media shares up by 40% on Robinhood as early indicators show former US President leading appeared first on Invezz

As the 2024 presidential election unfolds, betting markets have swung sharply in favour of Donald Trump.

While traditionally Republican and Democratic states have aligned with their respective candidates, early signs indicate Trump is likely to secure key battlegrounds such as Georgia and North Carolina.

This momentum shift has seen Trump’s odds on major betting platforms rise dramatically, reflecting increased confidence among market participants in his potential win.

As financial and prediction markets react to these early developments, both candidates’ paths to victory are becoming clearer, though no major swing state has yet been called.

Kalshi and PredictIt show dramatic rise in Trump’s odds

On Tuesday night, prediction markets recorded a striking surge in Trump’s odds of victory. Kalshi, a popular forecasting platform, saw his odds leap to 90% from a 57% probability at the beginning of the day.

PredictIt similarly reflected a shift, with a contract on Trump winning the election climbing to 88 cents from 54 cents just 24 hours prior.

Meanwhile, Interactive Brokers’ Forecast Trader indicated a comparable rise, with Trump’s chances soaring to 90% from 59%, echoing the broader sentiment across financial prediction platforms.

Crypto-based markets also favour Trump’s chances

The influence of blockchain-based prediction markets is adding a new layer to election forecasts.

On Polymarket, a crypto-driven prediction site, Trump’s odds surged to 94% from a starting point of 62% on Tuesday morning.

These odds shifts suggest that users on decentralised platforms, which cater to a tech-savvy demographic, have also taken note of early vote counts favouring Trump.

The higher odds signal a broader market anticipation of his victory and underline the wider adoption of crypto markets in high-stakes forecasting.

Financial markets price in Trump victory, boosting dollar and Bitcoin

Beyond betting markets, financial instruments have shown a clear response to the prospect of a Trump presidency.

The dollar strengthened in after-hours trading, with a corresponding rise in Treasury yields, Bitcoin, and stocks of Trump Media and Technology Group.

This shift indicates investor sentiment adjusting to a potential continuation of Trump’s policies, particularly those favourable to market deregulation and tax relief, which had defined his previous administration.

These early movements suggest that investors are preparing for a renewed pro-market environment should Trump secure the presidency.

Traditional poll predictions still highlight close race

Despite market trends, traditional election trackers continue to emphasise a close race.

The New York Times currently forecasts an 89% chance of a Trump victory, while The Washington Post’s forecast suggests a slightly narrower path to his winning the electoral college.

This reflects the inherent volatility of real-time election tracking, where early results and projections can often swing based on turnout in key urban and suburban districts.

Harris’s early momentum dips despite prior gains in Iowa

While Tuesday’s betting market shifts suggest a Trump lead, Kamala Harris had previously gained traction over the weekend, backed by positive polling in critical areas.

The Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll by Selzer & Co., a respected barometer of Iowa voter sentiment, showed Harris leading Trump by 47% to 44%.

This temporary gain, however, appears to have waned as the first votes were counted, illustrating the unpredictable nature of election night dynamics and the rapid shifts in market sentiment.

The post US Election results: Donald Trump’s odds surge to 90% on betting markets appeared first on Invezz

Super Micro, a major player in the server manufacturing sector, reported unaudited quarterly financials on Tuesday, missing revenue expectations and issuing a weaker-than-anticipated forecast.

Super Micro is at risk of being delisted from the Nasdaq stock exchange if it does not file its annual report by mid-November.

The company’s stock fell by 17% in extended trading, heightening concerns about its governance and transparency.

In recent months, Super Micro has come under fire following allegations by an activist investor that it engaged in accounting irregularities and potentially violated export controls by shipping sensitive technology to sanctioned nations.

Despite the company’s reassurances that a special board committee found no evidence of fraud, the inability to provide audited annual results has unnerved investors and analysts alike.

Revenue falls short of expectations, impacted by Nvidia chip shortages

Super Micro reported revenue of $5.9 billion to $6 billion for the quarter ending Sept. 30, below the $6.45 billion experts had anticipated.

The figures represented a substantial 181% year-over-year increase, driven primarily by demand for its AI-optimised servers equipped with Nvidia processors.

Yet, Nvidia’s latest Blackwell GPU release has faced distribution delays, and Super Micro’s CEO Charles Liang highlighted ongoing challenges in securing sufficient chip supplies to meet demand.

Q4 forecast trails expectations, continues to weigh on market sentiment

For the upcoming December quarter, Super Micro provided revenue guidance of $5.5 billion to $6.1 billion, trailing the market’s expectation of $6.86 billion.

The company projects adjusted earnings per share (EPS) between 56 and 65 cents, significantly below the 83-cent consensus forecast.

Investors have shown concern about the company’s growth trajectory, as uncertainties regarding financial oversight continue to impact its valuation.

The departure of EY as Super Micro’s auditor last week signalled potential governance issues, prompting the board to establish a special committee tasked with investigating the firm’s financial oversight practices.

After a three-month review, the committee concluded there was no evidence of fraud but recommended a series of governance enhancements.

This report is expected to be finalised within days, potentially offering insights into the firm’s next steps to restore investor confidence.

CEO Charles Liang stated that Super Micro is urgently working to address its delayed reporting, aiming to retain its Nasdaq listing.

In the meantime, the company is actively seeking a new auditing firm to resolve its compliance issues.

Super Micro’s share price, which reached a high of $118.81 in March following its inclusion in the S&P 500, has since plummeted by nearly 80%, erasing over $55 billion in market capitalisation.

The recent developments highlight Super Micro’s struggle to balance rapid growth with effective regulatory compliance and transparent governance practices.

The post Super Micro stock plunges 17% on weak guidance, delayed results appeared first on Invezz

If Donald Trump secures a return to the White House, his policies could bring mixed outcomes for Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk.

While a Trump presidency might provide Musk with favourable conditions to advance certain initiatives, experts warn it could also unsettle Tesla’s consumer base and market stability.

Musk, a vocal Trump supporter, could see some policies work to his advantage, yet the broader electric vehicle (EV) sector may face challenges under Trump’s administration.

Tesla’s advantage in a Trump-led economy

A primary concern for the EV industry under Trump’s leadership is the potential elimination of federal EV subsidies and tax incentives.

Trump has historically supported the fossil fuel industry and criticised green energy policies, suggesting his approach would likely be less supportive of EV growth compared to the Biden administration.

Tesla’s expansive scale in the EV market could give it a unique edge over smaller US competitors if federal support dwindles.

According to a report by Investing.com, analysts at Wedbush suggest that Tesla’s market dominance and unmatched production capabilities could allow it to weather a less EV-friendly economic environment better than most.

By reducing or removing subsidies, Tesla could benefit from a reduction in market competition.

Domestic players lacking Tesla’s production capabilities would face steeper challenges in maintaining competitiveness without these incentives, potentially narrowing the field in favour of Musk’s company.

Trade policies and Tesla’s position against Chinese EV manufacturers

Another aspect likely to favour Tesla under a Trump administration would be stricter trade policies, particularly tariffs targeting Chinese goods.

Trump has previously imposed significant tariffs on Chinese imports, and analysts predict he may intensify these measures if re-elected.

Chinese EV manufacturers like BYD and Nio, known for producing affordable electric cars, may find it harder to penetrate the US market under Trump’s tariffs.

This protectionist stance could allow Tesla to maintain a stronger hold on the American market without the influx of low-cost EV imports from China, thereby boosting Tesla’s sales opportunities domestically.

Support for Musk’s autonomous driving ventures amid regulatory changes

Musk’s interest in autonomous vehicles could gain momentum with Trump’s support for deregulation.

Analysts speculate that Trump’s approach to technology and business deregulation may expedite Musk’s ambitious goals in autonomous driving.

The introduction of Tesla’s anticipated “Cybercab” robotaxi, for instance, could be fast-tracked under a Trump administration that is less stringent about the regulatory red tape surrounding self-driving technology.

While full production of the Cybercab is not anticipated until at least 2027, a friendlier regulatory landscape could accelerate its development timeline, giving Tesla a potential advantage in the autonomous vehicle sector.

Potential backlash from US consumers amid political polarisation

Despite these favourable prospects, a Trump-backed Tesla could face significant backlash from American consumers.

Tesla’s brand has historically aligned with environmentally conscious buyers, and Musk’s association with Trump could alienate parts of this demographic.

Wedbush analysts warn that Musk’s vocal support for Trump could influence consumer sentiment, potentially driving some environmentally focused customers away from Tesla.

While this impact may be gradual, it could create long-term challenges for Tesla’s brand, particularly if eco-conscious buyers view Tesla as politically aligned with policies that don’t support the broader green agenda.

Market volatility and Tesla’s valuation amid election uncertainties

Trump’s polarising stance on green energy and climate change has the potential to inject more volatility into the EV market, particularly for Tesla investors.

As the stock market reacts to political shifts, Tesla’s valuation could see significant swings depending on investor sentiment and expectations about EV incentives.

Analysts advise investors to be cautious, highlighting that a Trump victory could lead to uncertainty for Tesla’s future earnings, even with potential support for Musk’s business initiatives.

Assessing Tesla’s stock prospects in a Trump-led administration

With Trump’s potential return to office, investors face complex questions about Tesla’s stock value.

The mix of potential deregulation, trade protections, and weakened competition may provide Tesla with certain advantages, yet concerns over consumer sentiment and market volatility complicate the outlook.

While Tesla’s long-term potential remains robust, a Trump 2024 win presents a double-edged sword for Musk, bringing both opportunities and risks to Tesla’s future in the ever-evolving EV market.

The post How Donald Trump’s 2024 US election win could favour Elon Musk yet undermine Tesla’s stability appeared first on Invezz

SoundHound (SOUN) stock price has moved sideways in the past few months as the momentum it had a few months ago has faded. It was trading at $5.37 on Tuesday as traders repositioned for the upcoming earnings, which will provide more color about its growth trajectory. 

What is SoundHound?

SoundHound is a technology company that has become popular in the new artificial intelligence era. It is a firm that creates tools that help companies deliver quality conversational experiences to companies. This is a big market, which Juniper Research estimates will be worth $165 billion by 2016.

There are many areas where AI voice can be used. For example, companies are leveraging SoundHound’s technology to deliver customer care solutions to their customers. Also, restaurants can leverage its technology to improve the ordering process, saving substantial sums of money at a time when wage growth is growing.

SoundHound’s technology is also used by electronic manufacturers like smart TVs and smartphones. Some of the top clients include the likes of Stellantis, Honda, Hyundai, Dunkin, and White Castle.

SoundHound has expanded its business by acquiring Amelia, a company that makes AI agents for enterprises. Its technology is used to manage critical tasks and processes and help employees to be more productive. It spent $80 million to fund the acquisition.

SOUN business is growing

SoundHound’s business has been growing, and analysts expect it to keep expanding in the coming years. Its annual revenue rose from over $7.7 million in 2019 to over $45.9 million in 2023. 

The challenge, however, is that this growth has come at a great cost. Its annual loss has moved from $64.5 million in 2019 to over $89 million last year. Its trailing twelve-month net loss has risen to $108.5 million.

The most recent results showed that SoundHound’s business was doing well, with its revenue growing by 54% to $13.5 million. However, the gross margin dropped to 63%.

The net loss also grew to $37.3 million. Most notably, the company had a cumulative subscriptions and bookings backlog of over $723 million, more than double what it had last year. 

The company ended the last quarter with over $201 million in cash and short-term investments. Part of this cash came from the $100 million it raised in 2023 and some of the investment it received from NVIDIA.

Analysts expect that the company’s revenue will continue growing this year. Its revenue is expected to grow to $23.02 million. For the year, SoundHound is expected to have $82 million in revenue, an 80% increase from last year. 

SoundHound’s 2025 revenue is expected to be $152 million, a 84% increase from what it will make in 2023. The company has a long history of beating analysts’ estimates, meaning that its growth will continue.

The risk for the SOUN stock price is that the company may need to raise cash in the past few years. Its outstanding shares have risen from 194 million in 2023 to over 315 million.

Read more: SoundHound stock is getting closer to removing a huge overhang

SoundHound stock price analysis

SOUN chart by TradingView

The daily chart shows that the SOUN share price has moved sideways in the past few months as investors focus on its growth. It has formed an ascending channel shown in black. This channel connects the lowest and highest swings since May 10. It has moved between the 50% and 61.8% Fibonacci Retracement levels.

SOUN stock has remained above the 50-day and 100-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMA). It has also formed a bearish flag chart pattern. It has also formed a head and shoulders pattern, a popular bearish sign.

Therefore, the stock will likely remain in this range ahead of its earnings results on December 11. It will then have a bearish breakout, with the next point to watch being at $4.0.

The post SoundHound stock price analysis: Is SOUN a good AI investment? appeared first on Invezz

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) maintained its cash rate at 4.35% on Tuesday, a 13-year high, opting for a steady approach as global attention remains fixed on the US election results.

This decision marks a full year at this elevated rate.

The RBA acknowledged the “high level of uncertainty” surrounding the international outlook, while emphasizing its commitment to tackling persistent inflation.

In its official statement, the rate-setting board declared underlying inflation “remains too high,” and projected a continued period before inflation sustainably returns to the target range.

This necessitates ongoing vigilance towards upside inflation risks, with the board explicitly stating it is “not ruling anything in or out” regarding future policy adjustments.

Following the announcement, the Australian dollar and three-year sovereign bond yields held their gains, suggesting market confidence in the RBA’s current stance.

Governor Michele Bullock, echoing previous statements, reiterated the board’s position that a rate cut is not yet warranted, emphasizing the need for clear evidence of sustainable inflation control within the target band.

While Australia’s core CPI has retreated from its 2022 peak, the current 3.5% rate remains elevated, with services inflation still robust.

The RBA’s latest forecasts anticipate core inflation reaching the 2-3% target band by mid-to-late 2025, a slightly earlier timeline than its August projections.

Governor Bullock affirmed the RBA’s readiness to adjust policy based on incoming data, particularly if consumption weakens significantly.

Market expectations for an easing cycle have shifted to May 2025, compared to February previously.

Charu Chanana, chief investment strategist at Saxo Asia Pacific, told Bloomberg that the RBA’s hawkish stance within the global central banking landscape, particularly its avoidance of signaling rate cuts, has had limited market impact, especially given the anticipation surrounding the US election and potential stimulus measures from China.

Governor Bullock acknowledged these factors influenced the rate decision.

The RBA emphasized that its policy remains “less restrictive” than its international counterparts, even after rate cuts implemented elsewhere.

This distinguishes the RBA from other major central banks, including the Federal Reserve (also meeting this week) and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, which have already initiated rate reductions to bolster their economies or stimulate growth.

The US election adds another layer of complexity.

Donald Trump’s campaign, focused on protectionist policies including potential trade tariffs on China, could have significant implications for Australia, given China’s status as its largest trading partner.

Governor Bullock, however, deemed it “premature” to speculate on the election’s potential impact on Australia.

Australia’s economic growth has slowed considerably over the past year due to tight monetary policy.

However, a robust labor market, with unemployment at a historic low of 4.1%, provides the RBA with confidence in achieving a soft landing.

Despite the strong labor market supporting demand, economists suggest a disconnect between monetary and fiscal policy is complicating the RBA’s task.

Su-Lin Ong, chief economist at Royal Bank of Canada, points to “hot” public expenditure in Australia, suggesting government consumption levels support only a limited easing cycle in 2025.

Fitch Ratings predicts a shift to a budget deficit for Australia in fiscal year 2025, attributed to tax cuts, cost-of-living support, and declining export prices.

Fitch characterizes Australia’s fiscal policy as “modestly expansionary.”

The RBA has upwardly revised its public demand forecasts from June 2025 through December 2026.

The Australian government has refuted claims that its policies are contributing to inflationary pressures.

The post Will rates rise or fall? RBA offers no clues, focus on US vote appeared first on Invezz

Ryanair Holdings plc (NASDAQ: RYAAY) chief executive Michael O’Leary expects Boeing Co (NYSE: BA) delays to be a positive for his company’s shareholders in 2025.

The ultra-low-cost air carrier cited Boeing delays and trimmed its passenger volume forecast for the coming year from 215 million to 210 million on Monday.

But that may exert an “upward pressure on pricing through [next] summer … and flow straight through to our bottom line,” O’Leary argued this morning on CNBC’s “Squawk Box”.   

Ryanair stock is in the red today after reporting a 20% year-on-year decline in quarterly profits.   

Boeing delays remain frustrating for Ryanair CEO

Despite his take on what Boeing delays may mean for shareholders, Michael O’Leary agreed they remain frustrating for him as the chief executive.

Ryanair lost 5 million passengers this year and expects to lose another 10 million in 2025 due to Boeing delays.

It had an agreement with the planemaker to receive 29 deliveries before the summer of next year – but the chief executive now expects only half of them to come through.

“Boeing delays are bad for my market growth ambitions,” O’Leary added.

Boeing machinists have been on strike since September 13th after rejecting the company’s offer to increase wages by 25% over four years. The union had demanded a 40% pay increase instead.

The aerospace giant has revised its proposal twice over the past eight weeks and is now offering a 38% pay raise through 2028. The union has advised its members to approve the latest proposal as they vote on it later tonight.

However, if the labor issues persist for some reason, Ryanair may not even receive 15 aircraft from Boeing by the summer of 2025, as per CEO Michael O’Leary.   

Ryanair has confidence in Boeing’s new management

On the plus side, Ryanair’s chief executive expressed confidence in the leadership of Stephanie Pope who is fully committed to getting the MAX 7 as well as the MAX 10 certified by the end of 2025.  

Michael O’Leary expects these aircraft to “rocket fuel our growth and our cost advantage over every other airline in Europe for the next decade” as they have more seats but burn up to 20% less fuel.

The CEO also finds it unfortunate that Boeing receives all the “negative PR” even though Airbus’s production is just as “badly disrupted” as Boeing’s. “Airbus even has engines that have to come off the aircraft to get repaired,” he noted.   

Note that Ryanair is the biggest customer of Boeing outside of the United States. It is also the only airline in Europe that’s keeping its unit costs flat at a time when other air carriers in the region have been struggling to maintain them.

Wall Street currently has a consensus “overweight” rating on Ryanair stock that pays a dividend yield of 1.75% at writing.

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