Latest news with #CulperResearch
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
AppLovin Shares Jump as Revenue Continues to Surge. Is It Too Late to Buy the Stock?
Key Points AppLovin once again saw its revenue and profits soar in Q2. The company has a lot of irons in the fire to continue to drive strong growth. The stock still looks reasonably priced. 10 stocks we like better than AppLovin › AppLovin (NASDAQ: APP) once again held up to the short-seller scrutiny it's been under, with yet another quarter of surging revenue and profitability growth. The stock is now up more than 500% over the past year and more than 30% year to date. A trio of short-sellers -- Fuzzy Panda Research, Muddy Waters, and Culper Research -- have tried to cast doubt on the legitimacy and effectiveness of AppLovin's artificial intelligence (AI) adtech platform, Axon 2.0. However, the company just keeps delivering outstanding growth quarter after quarter. Meanwhile, their claims that AppLovin's software violates user privacy and installs apps on users' devices without their consent have not been met with any blowback from app store operators Alphabet or Apple. No slowdown in sight After selling its legacy app business, AppLovin is now a pure-play adtech company. In the second quarter, its revenue surged 77% to $1.26 billion. The company also continues to see strong gross margin improvement and reduced operating costs. In Q2, its gross margins improved to 87.7% from 82.9% a year ago, while it lowered its operating costs by 29%, including a 34% reduction in sales and marketing spending. This is leading to soaring profitability metrics that are growing even faster than revenue. Earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations jumped from $0.89 a year ago to $2.39. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), meanwhile, nearly doubled year over year to $1 billion. AppLovin generated $772 million in operating cash flow and $768 million in free cash flow. It ended the quarter with $2.3 billion in net debt, down from $3.2 billion in Q1, following the sale of its app business. The majority of AppLovin's revenue growth continues to come from its core gaming ad business. It said that e-commerce, which it is piloting, also performed well, but it limited new customer onboarding to focus on the upcoming launch of its self-serve platform. The company believes its self-service portal will be the foundation for its next decade of growth. It said the platform establishes the framework for automatically generated ads and that it puts the day-to-day control directly in advertisers' hands. It will open up the Axon ads manager on a referral basis at the start of October, with plans for a global public launch in the first half of 2026. It will also open up its platform to advertisers outside the U.S. for the first time at the start of October. Notably, the company said that the vast majority of its user audience is outside the U.S. It also plans to implement a paid marketing campaign next year to recruit new advertisers. Historically, the company's adtech platform has grown more by word of mouth. Looking ahead, AppLovin forecasts Q3 revenue to be between $1.32 billion and $1.34 billion, representing growth of around 59%. It projected adjusted EBITDA to come in between $1.07 billion and $1.09 billion. It expects to be able to grow its revenue by 20% to 30% a year moving forward, just from gaming. However, management is upbeat about the potential of expanding beyond its core market. Is it too late to buy the stock? Despite its more than 500% gain over the past year, AppLovin's stock is still reasonably priced. It trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of about 40.5 times 2026 analyst estimates, but a one-year forward price/earnings-to-growth (PEG) ratio of just 1, with 1 being the threshold of whether a stock is considered undervalued. Meanwhile, 2026 appears to be shaping up to potentially be an exciting year. Between opening up its platform globally this fall to the launch of its self-serve platform and continuing to expand beyond gaming, AppLovin has a lot of irons in the fire to keep driving strong growth. While the short-seller scrutiny needs to continue to be monitored, I still think AppLovin's combination of growth and valuation warrants taking a position in the stock. Do the experts think AppLovin is a buy right now? The Motley Fool's expert analyst team, drawing on years of investing experience and deep analysis of thousands of stocks, leverages our proprietary Moneyball AI investing database to uncover top opportunities. They've just revealed their to buy now — did AppLovin make the list? When our Stock Advisor analyst team has a stock recommendation, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisor's total average return is up 1,060% vs. just 182% for the S&P — that is beating the market by 877.64%!* Imagine if you were a Stock Advisor member when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $653,427!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,119,863!* The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of August 4, 2025 Geoffrey Seiler has positions in Alphabet. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, AppLovin, and Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. AppLovin Shares Jump as Revenue Continues to Surge. Is It Too Late to Buy the Stock? was originally published by The Motley Fool 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
Globe and Mail
21-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Gorilla Technology Concludes Legal Action Against Culper Research via Settlement Agreement
London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - July 21, 2025) - Gorilla Technology Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GRRR) ("Gorilla" or the "Company"), today announced that it has resolved its previously disclosed litigation against Culper Research ("Culper") and its founder, Christian Lamarco. The Company issued the following statement: Subsequent to a report published on April 4, 2025 by Culper Research, Gorilla Technology filed a lawsuit against Culper and its founder, Christian Lamarco, on April 16, 2025. Given recent developments, including, but not limited to, the release of Gorilla's 20F filing dated April 30, 2025 and Gorilla's earnings release dated June 18, 2025, Gorilla Technology Group and Culper Research have agreed to resolve their litigation via a confidential non-monetary settlement. Jay Chandan, Chairman & CEO, added: "We are pleased to put this matter behind us. Gorilla has spent this year doing what matters most, executing our strategy and delivering results. With over $5.6 billion in active pipeline, new capital secured and a growing global customer base, we are not just moving forward, we are accelerating. The company remains committed to maintaining high standards of transparency and performance as it enters its next phase of growth. This resolution clears the runway, and I intend to use it." Gorilla recently hosted a webinar to share updates on its recent momentum, including a $5.6 billion global pipeline of active opportunities and continued U.S. expansion with wide-scale public sector relationships. Moreover, Gorilla's strong first quarter earnings released on June 18, 2025 reinforce its continued momentum and operational progress. For more information on Gorilla's business updates, please visit the Company's investor relations website here. About Gorilla Technology Group Inc. Headquartered in London U.K., Gorilla is a global solution provider in Security Intelligence, Network Intelligence, Business Intelligence and IoT technology. We provide a wide range of solutions, including Smart City, Network, Video, Security Convergence and IoT, across select verticals of Government & Public Services, Manufacturing, Telecom, Retail, Transportation & Logistics, Healthcare and Education, by using AI and Deep Learning Technologies. Our expertise lies in revolutionizing urban operations, bolstering security and enhancing resilience. We deliver pioneering products that harness the power of AI in intelligent video surveillance, facial recognition, license plate recognition, edge computing, post-event analytics and advanced cybersecurity technologies. By integrating these AI-driven technologies, we empower Smart Cities to enhance efficiency, safety and cybersecurity measures, ultimately improving the quality of life for residents.
Malay Mail
21-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Gorilla Technology Concludes Legal Action Against Culper Research via Settlement Agreement
[email protected] [email protected] London, United Kingdom - Newsfile Corp. - July 21, 2025 - Gorilla Technology Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GRRR) ("Gorilla" or the "Company"), today announced that it has resolved its previously disclosed litigation against Culper Research ("Culper") and its founder, Christian Company issued the following statement:Jay Chandan, Chairman & CEO, added:"We are pleased to put this matter behind us. Gorilla has spent this year doing what matters most, executing our strategy and delivering results. With over $5.6 billion in active pipeline, new capital secured and a growing global customer base, we are not just moving forward, we are company remains committed to maintaining high standards of transparency and performance as it enters its next phase of growth. This resolution clears the runway, and I intend to use it."Gorilla recently hosted a webinar to share updates on its recent momentum, including a $5.6 billion global pipeline of active opportunities and continued U.S. expansion with wide-scale public sector relationships. Moreover, Gorilla's strong first quarter earnings released on June 18, 2025 reinforce its continued momentum and operational progress. For more information on Gorilla's business updates, please visit the Company's investor relations website here Headquartered in London U.K., Gorilla is a global solution provider in Security Intelligence, Network Intelligence, Business Intelligence and IoT technology. We provide a wide range of solutions, including Smart City, Network, Video, Security Convergence and IoT, across select verticals of Government & Public Services, Manufacturing, Telecom, Retail, Transportation & Logistics, Healthcare and Education, by using AI and Deep Learning expertise lies in revolutionizing urban operations, bolstering security and enhancing resilience. We deliver pioneering products that harness the power of AI in intelligent video surveillance, facial recognition, license plate recognition, edge computing, post-event analytics and advanced cybersecurity technologies. By integrating these AI-driven technologies, we empower Smart Cities to enhance efficiency, safety and cybersecurity measures, ultimately improving the quality of life for more information, please visit our website: Public Relations Contact:Samantha DowdProsek PartnersInvestor Relations Contact:Dave GentryRedChip Companies, Inc.1-407-644-4256 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Gorilla Technology Group Inc.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
These Were the 2 Worst-Performing Nasdaq-100 Stocks in June 2025
The Nasdaq-100 spiked 6.3% higher in June. AppLovin and Lululemon were the worst-performing stocks in the Nasdaq-100 in June. A critical short report about AppLovin and downwardly revised guidance for Lululemon drove investors to sell. 10 stocks we like better than AppLovin › After climbing by 9% in May, the Nasdaq-100 continued to ascend in June, gaining 6.3%. But not all stocks in the index notched wins last month. Of the Nasdaq-100 stocks that sank lower, AppLovin (NASDAQ: APP), which provides a platform that allows mobile app developers to monetize and enhance their apps through targeted advertising, and athletic apparel designer Lululemon Athletica (NASDAQ: LULU) were at the bottom, plunging by 10.9% and 25%, respectively. While AppLovin stock raced higher in May, a variety of factors led many investors to reconsider their positions last month. For one, investors had hoped that the index committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices would add AppLovin to the S&P 500 during its quarterly rebalancing of the index in June. Investors' hopes were dashed, however -- the stock was not chosen for inclusion. Perhaps the greater catalyst for the stock's decline, though, was a critical report that short-seller Culper Research issued. Identifying a variety of concerns, Culper Research began that report with the blistering assertion that AppLovin "blatantly misrepresented the scope of both its Chinese shareholders and its Chinese operations, posing not only risks to shareholders, but national security." Meanwhile, Lululemon began last month on an inauspicious note when it reported its first-quarter fiscal 2025 results on June 5. While the company notched a couple of successes, including revenue and earnings per share (EPS) growth, investors largely focused on management's downwardly revised forecast for fiscal 2025. Management now projects diluted EPS of $14.58 to $14.78 for the year compared to the original forecast range of $14.95 to $15.15. Throughout the remainder of June, numerous analysts slashed their price targets on Lululemon stock, giving investors more motivation to exit their positions. Neither AppLovin nor Lululemon has recovered much from their June declines as of this writing, and it seems unlikely that they will in July. For the time being, prospective shareholders may be better advised to watch both stocks from a distance. Before you buy stock in AppLovin, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and AppLovin wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $687,764!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $980,723!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,048% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 179% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 7, 2025 Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Scott Levine has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends AppLovin, Bank of America, and Lululemon Athletica Inc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. These Were the 2 Worst-Performing Nasdaq-100 Stocks in June 2025 was originally published by The Motley Fool 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
05-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why AppLovin Stock Slumped in June
Outside development put the hurt on the specialty tech company's shares. One, a highly critical report published by a short-seller, was especially hurtful. 10 stocks we like better than AppLovin › Last month, AppLovin (NASDAQ: APP) was punished by investors more for what it didn't do than for what it actually did. A hoped-for graduation to a top stock index was one of the non-occurrences, while a short-seller felt compelled to write a scathing report on the company. In some respects, AppLovin was fortunate that its stock didn't decline more deeply than the sub-11% dip it experienced across June. The index let-down, such as it was, occurred near the top of the month. Every quarter, S&P Dow Jones Indices, the operator of the closely followed S&P 500 index (among many others), likes to "rebalance" the index, replacing component stocks deemed no longer suitable with new ones. Several days ahead of the current rebalancing, speculation grew about which companies would land on the hallowed index. AppLovin was mentioned as one of those candidates, at least by a team of analysts at heavyweight lender Bank of America. The leading prospect, in their take, was online securities brokerage Robinhood Markets, but it also mentioned six other prospects. Among these was AppLovin. Alas, S&P Dow Jones Indices performed what felt like a head fake, electing not to change the composition of the S&P 500 index at all this time. The market can usually shrug off a non-event like this, disappointing as it may be initially. It's tougher to ignore a highly critical and detailed analysis of a stock, such as the ones typically published by institutional short-sellers. Unfortunately for AppLovin, that's exactly what happened when such a firm trained its sights on the company. In mid-June, the firm, Culper Research, unveiled a rather sprawling 30-page screed criticizing AppLovin's business practices. Many of its accusations pertained to AppLovin's goal of acquiring the non-Chinese operations of controversial social media video app TikTok, a service that has fallen afoul of the U.S. government. In the report, Culper intimated that a significant AppLovin shareholder, Hao Tang, is an individual with a shady past and "extensive direct and indirect ties" to certain dark corners of the Chinese government. It decried this "covert Chinese ownership," and warned of the danger posed to U.S. national security. AppLovin hasn't made any official statement on the Culper Research allegations. Perhaps, management feels they'll blow over with investors before long. Personally, I'd view that as a mistake since troubling allegations like the ones the short-seller raises have a way of lingering and, in turn, negatively affecting investor morale. We'll see whether the company can deliver news encouraging enough to dislodge the numerous accusations from the collective investor memory. Before you buy stock in AppLovin, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and AppLovin wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $699,558!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $976,677!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,060% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 180% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 30, 2025 Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends AppLovin and Bank of America. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why AppLovin Stock Slumped in June was originally published by The Motley Fool 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
