Latest news with #ASCA
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Thunderful Group AB (OSTO:THUNDR) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Stability Amidst ...
Release Date: May 15, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Thunderful Group AB (OSTO:THUNDR) reported a slight increase in net revenue to 62 million SEK, indicating stability despite not having major new releases. The restructuring programs have led to significant cost reductions, particularly in personnel costs, which decreased by 27 million SEK. The company signed a new publishing contract with a talented developer, Plot Twist, indicating future growth potential. The existing game catalog continues to perform well, providing a stable revenue backbone. The co-development and services segment saw an 11% growth, driven by project milestone deliveries and stable costs. Cash flow from operations was negative at minus 12 million SEK, partly due to restructuring costs. The liquidity position decreased significantly from 150 million SEK to 83 million SEK. The company is still facing challenges in achieving positive cash flow and long-term commercial sustainability. There were delays in some co-development projects, affecting the average billing rate and revenue. The game 'Rainbreaker' had a muted sales impact, aligning with limited financial expectations. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 3 Warning Signs with OSTO:THUNDR. Q: What are you most satisfied with in the publishing segment this quarter? A: Martin Wolfishsch, CEO: Despite not having any major new releases in Q1, the stability of our existing catalog was the best performer. This stability is crucial for our business, supported by the efforts of our sales and marketing teams. Q: Did you conduct any specific events in the quarter that boosted transactional sales? A: Martin Wolfishsch, CEO: We didn't have any specific events this quarter, but we did various activities for games like ASCA, which helped increase revenue. Q: How did Rainbreaker perform in terms of sales, and was it in line with expectations? A: Martin Wolfishsch, CEO: Rainbreaker received good reviews but had a muted sales impact, which was in line with our limited financial expectations for the game. Q: Can you provide details about the games pipeline, especially regarding the new contract with Plot Twist? A: Martin Wolfishsch, CEO: We have an exciting pipeline for this year and are signing new titles for 2026 and beyond. The publishing contract with Plot Twist is part of this, and more details will be visible in the Q2 report. Q: How has productivity improved since the organizational changes? A: Martin Wolfishsch, CEO: Productivity has improved, though it's hard to quantify. The focus is on operational excellence, and improvements are ongoing, which will reflect in our commercial performance. Q: How should we think about the co-development and services segment's growth and profitability? A: Miguel Faulkner, CFO: The segment saw an 11% growth, and profitability improved. We aim to maintain a strong EBIT margin, but fluctuations are expected. The segment should be viewed like a consulting business with potential revenue share boosts. Q: Is the current cash position sufficient to reach positive free cash flow? A: Miguel Faulkner, CFO: Our goal is to reach positive cash flow without needing additional investments, but this depends on the performance of our releases this year. We constantly evaluate our cash position with the board. Q: What impact do you hope the new creator program, Thunderful Insiders, will have? A: Martin Wolfishsch, CEO: The program aims to engage more influencers and enhance community activity around our games, potentially improving marketing efficiency and community engagement. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. 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
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Thunderful Group AB (OSTO:THUNDR) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Stability Amidst ...
Release Date: May 15, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Thunderful Group AB (OSTO:THUNDR) reported a slight increase in net revenue to 62 million SEK, indicating stability despite not having major new releases. The restructuring programs have led to significant cost reductions, particularly in personnel costs, which decreased by 27 million SEK. The company signed a new publishing contract with a talented developer, Plot Twist, indicating future growth potential. The existing game catalog continues to perform well, providing a stable revenue backbone. The co-development and services segment saw an 11% growth, driven by project milestone deliveries and stable costs. Cash flow from operations was negative at minus 12 million SEK, partly due to restructuring costs. The liquidity position decreased significantly from 150 million SEK to 83 million SEK. The company is still facing challenges in achieving positive cash flow and long-term commercial sustainability. There were delays in some co-development projects, affecting the average billing rate and revenue. The game 'Rainbreaker' had a muted sales impact, aligning with limited financial expectations. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 3 Warning Signs with OSTO:THUNDR. Q: What are you most satisfied with in the publishing segment this quarter? A: Martin Wolfishsch, CEO: Despite not having any major new releases in Q1, the stability of our existing catalog was the best performer. This stability is crucial for our business, supported by the efforts of our sales and marketing teams. Q: Did you conduct any specific events in the quarter that boosted transactional sales? A: Martin Wolfishsch, CEO: We didn't have any specific events this quarter, but we did various activities for games like ASCA, which helped increase revenue. Q: How did Rainbreaker perform in terms of sales, and was it in line with expectations? A: Martin Wolfishsch, CEO: Rainbreaker received good reviews but had a muted sales impact, which was in line with our limited financial expectations for the game. Q: Can you provide details about the games pipeline, especially regarding the new contract with Plot Twist? A: Martin Wolfishsch, CEO: We have an exciting pipeline for this year and are signing new titles for 2026 and beyond. The publishing contract with Plot Twist is part of this, and more details will be visible in the Q2 report. Q: How has productivity improved since the organizational changes? A: Martin Wolfishsch, CEO: Productivity has improved, though it's hard to quantify. The focus is on operational excellence, and improvements are ongoing, which will reflect in our commercial performance. Q: How should we think about the co-development and services segment's growth and profitability? A: Miguel Faulkner, CFO: The segment saw an 11% growth, and profitability improved. We aim to maintain a strong EBIT margin, but fluctuations are expected. The segment should be viewed like a consulting business with potential revenue share boosts. Q: Is the current cash position sufficient to reach positive free cash flow? A: Miguel Faulkner, CFO: Our goal is to reach positive cash flow without needing additional investments, but this depends on the performance of our releases this year. We constantly evaluate our cash position with the board. Q: What impact do you hope the new creator program, Thunderful Insiders, will have? A: Martin Wolfishsch, CEO: The program aims to engage more influencers and enhance community activity around our games, potentially improving marketing efficiency and community engagement. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Hype Malaysia
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Concert Review: FLOW Gave Fans A Night To 'Re:member' At Their Final Tour Stop In KL
In February 2024, SACRA MUSIC FES brought an electrifying atmosphere to Zepp Kuala Lumpur. The event featured some of Japan's leading musical acts, including ASCA, Mikiha (幹葉) of Spira Spica (スピラ・スピカ), Who-ya Extended, and FLOW. Notably, the rock band returned to Malaysia for the first time in over a year, performing once again at the very venue where it all began. What made their concert on Monday (12th May) particularly special was that Malaysia was the final stop on the band's year-long ANIME SHIBARI 2024–2025 World Tour. Kicking off in July 2024, this marked the largest world tour of their career to date. It was an unforgettable evening – here's a look at what went down at their KL show: As an anime-themed concert, it was no surprise that FLOW's performance incorporated audio clips featuring familiar character voices from beloved anime series. The crowd erupted with excitement the moment the lights dimmed and the voices of Naruto and his friends from the iconic series 'Naruto' echoed through the venue. The band then took to the stage to open the night with 'Re:member', the eighth opening theme from the 'Naruto' series, followed by '⾵ノ唄' before pausing the performance to thank their fans for their overwhelming support over the years. On behalf of bassist Got's, who was unfortunately unable to attend the show, the band apologised for his absence but assured fans they would still deliver an unforgettable performance for everyone. FLOW continued with 'LOVE & JUSTICE', the opening theme for 'Kinnikuman Perfect Origin Arc', followed by 'Steppin' out', the opening for 'Durarara!!x2 Ketsu', and the iconic 'CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA' from 'Dragon Ball'. Throughout the show, each member demonstrated impressive stamina, jumping and running across the stage while singing or playing their instruments. That energy was infectious, with fans equally energised and hardly able to stay still. The concert maintained a high-octane pace throughout, with no slow numbers in sight. FLOW kept raising the energy with each song, and neither the band nor the audience showed any signs of fatigue, even after delivering the adrenaline-charged 'HERO 〜希望の歌〜', from 'Dragon Ball Z: Kami to Kami'. After performing several songs from the 'Eureka Seven' and 'Code Geass' series, including 'DAYS', 'ブレイブルー', 'COLORS', and 'WORLD END', the band introduced fans to one of their newer tracks, 'Alright!!! (新曲)', from the 2025 anime series 'From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman'. At last, the moment fans had been eagerly waiting for arrived. As the lights dimmed, character voices from 'Naruto' echoed through the venue once more, prompting the audience to erupt in screams of excitement and anticipation. FLOW then launched into a medley of tracks from the popular anime series, which included 'ビバ★ロック', 'シルエット', and '遥か彼方'. Fans can be heard singing along to every word of one of the band's most iconic tracks, 'Sign', while waving their lightsticks in the air. Sadly, the concert was drawing to a close. After thanking the audience once again for making the final stop of their tour an unforgettable one, FLOW ended the night on a high note with 'GO!!!' followed by 'GOLD'. Of course, no concert would be complete without a group photo with the fans, and thankfully, the band came prepared. In a light-hearted gesture, they brought out a cardboard cutout of their missing member, Got's, so he could still be part of the moment. We personally had an amazing time at the ANIME SHIBARI 2024–2025 World Tour, and we hope to see FLOW return to Malaysia in the future for another concert or music festival.
Calgary Herald
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Opinion: Teachers deserve better, and so do Alberta families
Article content On April 27, the education minister addressed parents gathered virtually for the Alberta School Councils' Association (ASCA) Spring Symposium. It should have been a moment of genuine connection with the parents who volunteer their time to help improve our schools. Article content Article content Instead, it felt like a hollow performance, ignoring the urgent concerns echoed by families across the province. Article content Article content ASCA is a pillar of parental engagement in education. It supports more than 1,500 school councils and 50,000 parent volunteers across Alberta, yet its funding was slashed by 90 per cent in 2022. Article content Article content What used to be a free symposium for registered school council members now costs $95 per attendee. Parent councils are forced to use their $500 Alberta School Council Engagement Grant — or pay out of pocket — just to access essential resources and workshops. That leaves $400 for the rest of the school year to support essential resources and seminars on mental health, well-being, cyberbullying and support for English as an Additional Language (EAL) families. Article content Meanwhile, Alberta classrooms are at a breaking point. Students face overcrowded rooms, reduced access to mental-health supports and a growing number of complex learning needs. Teachers are burning out. Article content And now, in a direct response to these conditions, they have rejected a government-mediated contract and are considering a strike vote. Within weeks, we could see rotating strikes, cancelled extracurriculars or worse — a full walkout in June, just as Grade 12 students prepare for final exams and post-secondary transitions. Article content Article content And yet, the government insists it's doing enough. Budget 2025 earmarked $9.9 billion for education. But the Alberta Teachers' Association has made it clear — that's not enough. They estimate that the budget needs to increase by at least 15.8 per cent, bringing it to $11.35 billion, just to reach the national average for per-student funding. Article content Instead of confronting the crisis, the government is doubling down on distractions. The School Construction Accelerator Program promises 90 new schools in the next seven years, but our kids need help now. These new schools won't be built in time to help the students sitting on the floors of overcrowded classrooms today. They won't provide the educational assistants, specialist supports and mental-health resources our schools desperately need. Article content As a parent of three children in the Calgary Board of Education and the chair of the Valley Creek School Parent Council, I hear daily from families overwhelmed by this growing crisis. Parents are being pushed to the brink — financially, emotionally and logistically — while the government continues to underinvest in our children's futures.
