Latest news with #QD
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Qudian: Q1 Earnings Snapshot
XIAMEN, China (AP) — XIAMEN, China (AP) — Qudian Inc. (QD) on Friday reported net income of $20.7 million in its first quarter. On a per-share basis, the Xiamen, China-based company said it had net income of 12 cents. The online micro-lending company posted revenue of $3.6 million in the period. _____ This story was generated by Automated Insights ( using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on QD at 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
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
Qudian: Q1 Earnings Snapshot
XIAMEN, China — XIAMEN, China — Qudian Inc. (QD) on Friday reported net income of $20.7 million in its first quarter. On a per-share basis, the Xiamen, China-based company said it had net income of 12 cents. The online micro-lending company posted revenue of $3.6 million in the period. _____ This story was generated by Automated Insights ( using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on QD at
New Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
The perfect son — but no talent, said Dad. Now this teen is en route to conquering the world.
IT'S a bit surreal, to be honest. One moment, I'm brushing shoulders with the likes of Agassi, the Johns brothers, McGuffin, Bright, Buckner and Wang — all pickleball (and tennis) royalty converging in Vietnam. Fast-forward a few weeks and here I am: drenched in heat that's every bit as fierce as the tournament's name — The PANAS Cup 2025. Court side in Setia Alam, Selangor, the temperature is practically boiling over, and out walks Quang Duong, or QD — Asia No. 1 and world No. 6 pickleball player. Cap perched on his shaven head, he approaches me with a cautious smile; the kind that says he's still sizing up the moment. Right behind him, in complete contrast, is his younger brother Bao, bursting with a grin wide enough to rival the court itself. If QD is a measured sonata, Bao is jazz improv on a sugar high. Fresh off their headline appearance at the event — an exciting showcase hosted by 9Pickle that drew together Malaysia's top pickleball talent and a slew of local celebrities bitten by the pickleball bug — the Duong brothers still had time for one last detour. Before retreating to their hotel and the tantalising promise of Malaysian street food, they have graciously agreed to be "grilled". Not on the court this time, but by yours truly. By now, the once-thundering stands have thinned out. The crowd, largely comprising Malaysians, had cheered with warmth and good humour for the brothers, despite their own countrymen being in the draws. The gregarious Bao, the 14-year-old wildcard, doesn't carry the weight of global rankings or media expectations. He's dressed accordingly too — rocking a bright turquoise T-shirt and shorts like he's about to hit a beach party. QD, meanwhile, is decked out in an understated grey sports attire — less "chill" and more "let's get down to business". The latter carries himself with a quiet reserve. Warm, but measured. His younger brother? He's the kind of kid who probably came out of the womb smirking. "I'm more talented than him!" Bao fires off with zero hesitation when asked what sets them apart. He tosses a mischievous look at his big brother, who just shakes his head with a resigned grin. "Yeah, he's the talent," concedes QD, before adding cheekily: "But I've got the discipline." It's a sentiment echoed by their father — and coach — Duc Duong, the man behind the 19-year-old's meteoric rise. Just hours earlier, I caught up with Duc in the grandstand, where he was observing the game with a handphone in hand, furiously scrolling on YouTube matches and casually dropping truth bombs. "Oooh, QD? No talent. None!" he replied, laughing heartily, before adding swiftly: "But he's disciplined. Works harder than anyone. Bao just plays." Mentally, QD is incredibly strong — he doesn't break under pressure. "Every day he trains, and every day he proves he can perform. When the stakes are high, when the pressure hits, Bao tends to falter. QD rises," Duc confided proudly. And somehow, that balance works. One son grinding away to the top of the world, the other dancing around the edges — definitely having a lot of fun. My mind travels back to my earlier conversation with the head of the Duong family… It certainly has been a dizzying ascent — from backyard drills in suburban Los Angeles to centre court showdowns in Asia. But if you ask Duc, it was all part of the plan. In the VIP section above the sweltering grandstand, the affable gentleman sits like a general surveying a battlefield. Below, his sons make their entrance. The crowd roars their appreciation as Bao flashes his signature grin, while QD walks in with the steely calm of someone who's been through fire — and emerged totally polished. "He's more like his mum," Duc says, throwing me a proud grin. I'm standing next to him, sweating buckets but excitedly waiting for the exhibition match to begin. His voice rising just above the din of the match announcer, the patriarch continues: "QD? He's shy, quiet. But Bao? Like me. All energy!" The brothers, five years apart, couldn't be more different. One is already a global contender. The other? A wildcard wrapped in charisma, untamed and unbothered. But the foundation they stand on is unmistakably solid: built by sweat, sacrifice and one man's relentless belief in discipline over talent. IVY LEAGUE TO COURT Rewinding back to Duc's own journey, it began thousands of miles away, both geographically and philosophically. Born in Vietnam, he moved to the United States at age 14, his mother in tow, after the death of his university-professor father when he was just 2. He studied hard, pursued excellence and eventually became a chief technology officer in an American company, overseeing investments across Asia. But by the time QD was 6, he was done chasing boardrooms. "I kind of retired," confides Duc, adding: "I decided I wanted to train my little boy to be a tennis player." He wasn't kidding. This was no "weekend lessons and snacks after practice" kind of parenting. Before his boys could even walk, they were already in the pool — swimming lessons to develop coordination, stamina and, as Duc insists, height. "Swimming makes them grow tall," he exclaims earnestly. QD was the prototype of a plan meticulously designed before he was even born. "They had no say," Duc says, before adding: "Before they could walk, they could swim. Then tennis. Everything else came after." For years, when the children were growing up, the family bounced between Vietnam and the US, spending half the year training under Vietnamese skies before settling permanently in Los Angeles once QD turned 12. Tennis was the path. Until, quite literally, it broke him. An injury during a pro tennis event derailed everything. A bad wrist. A career in limbo. But out of that uncertainty came opportunity. Recalls Duc, brows furrowing: "I told him, find something else. And that was when he found pickleball." PRODIGY TO POWERHOUSE At 19, QD is already the highest-ranked Asian male in global pickleball. His meteoric rise is built on the same values his father drilled into him since 6: repetition, structure, discipline. No frills. No shortcuts. "He has no talent," Duc reiterates with a straight face, just as he did earlier. "It's all hard work. Bao? He's got the talent. QD has the grind." And grind he does. From dawn to dusk, every movement is measured, every shot rehearsed. Duc runs the whole operation — agent, coach, manager, academic supervisor... Every dollar QD earns is invested. Every travel plan scrutinised. Even flights come with lessons in humility. Chuckling, Duc shares: "I tell them, we don't fly business class. Not yet. You need to suffer. Know how the normal people live. That's how you teach them how to stay grounded." WARRIOR'S TEMPERAMENT If QD is the stoic engine powering through adversity, Bao is the breeze that flits in and disrupts the silence. He already commands a magnetic presence, even if his game is still raw. Where QD plots, Bao plays. Where QD drills, Bao imitates. "He copies everything," Duc says, elaborating: "He doesn't train the same way. But he learns fast. He's talented." QD respects the free-spirited nature of his brother. Meanwhile, Bao admires QD's steel. It's not rivalry. It's rhythm. They're dancing to the same beat — just in wildly different tunes. "I'm stricter with QD," admits Duc, before adding: "If he misses one shot, I raise my voice. Bao? I let it go. Bao plays for fun. QD plays to survive." What separates the older sibling isn't just discipline. It's the unshakable core beneath the surface. Shares Duc: "QD doesn't get angry, doesn't complain. Even after everything I put him through… he just shakes things off." But that unflappability can also be a weakness. Continues the patriarch: "I told him, you need to learn who's on your side. Don't be too nice. People take advantage." It's the double-edged sword of humility. The same quality that makes QD admired on court can make him vulnerable off it. But as Duc points out, he's learning. Fast. BEATING BEN JOHNS There are wins that make noise. And then there are wins that echo across an entire sport. For QD, that moment came on Jan 11 last year, in the sun-baked courts of Palm Springs, California. At just 17 years old, the Vietnamese-American phenom, then seeded 17, walked onto the court at the PPA Hyundai Masters and did the unthinkable: he beat pickleball's most decorated male player, Ben Johns. Johns, the face of professional pickleball, the standard every rising star measures themselves against was supposed to be unbeatable — until he wasn't. Duc, watching from the sidelines with the same analytical intensity he's honed over years of engineering his son's development, confides that he wasn't too surprised. "I was happy, of course. But I expected it. I remember Ben was a little 'bigger' (in weight) then. He wasn't as fast." Shares Duc: "We'd looked at Ben's cat-and-mouse games, worked on a few things, including the new serve… everything. We watched footage on loop. Drilled scenarios. Over and over. And QD was able to capitalise on a few line calls too." Just months earlier, in the semi-finals at the 2023 Baird Denver Open, QD had faced Johns but was dismantled — straight sets, no room to breathe. "At that time, QD wasn't ready," Duc confides, adding: "He didn't understand how to play Ben yet. That loss taught us a lot." That victory at the Hyundai Masters launched QD into a new stratosphere — suddenly, every match carried more weight. Expectations ballooned. Media attention intensified. Fans, once curious, were now watching his every move. Still, the approach never changed. Shares Duc: "We don't dwell on wins. Because Ben is out there, training harder now. Everyone's levelling up. That's why we keep grinding. Because winning once doesn't mean you win again." Despite the relentless grind, QD is no machine. Off-court, he's a self-declared foodie who once dreams of becoming a Michelin-starred chef. Chuckling, Duc shares: "I told him once that if tennis didn't work out, he could try culinary school!" Their post-match ritual says it all: food. "That's when they can abuse me," Duc jokes. "After a match, everything breaks loose. We relax, we eat, we just enjoy being family. And QD loves to cook!" For most people, beating Ben Johns would be the pinnacle. A line to etch in gold on your resume. For Duc, it was just a milestone, one of many. Because for him, success isn't a ranking. Not a podium. Not even that earth-shaking win in Palm Springs. So, how do you measure success for your son? I can't help asking. Duc pauses. Not out of hesitation, but as though he's weighing something deeper than a trophy. "As a human being," he begins, "I want QD to give back. That's success to me. Not how much money he makes. Not how many titles. "I tell him all the time: you can stop playing pickleball at 25. Do business, invest, go into something else — but make sure you help people." It's a striking perspective from someone who's spent nearly two decades in pursuit of excellence. But it makes perfect sense when you look at the full scope of the "Duong method". Every detail, every dollar, every discipline has been about shaping not just a champion, but a citizen. "My kids, they may have fame — but they don't have money," confides Duc, chuckling heartily. Eyes lighting up, he adds: "I invest all of QD's prize money. Every penny. If he wants to eat, he comes to me and asks." It sounds harsh. But it's not about control — it's about character and keeping the children grounded. And grounded is exactly what QD remains. Even after beating the best player in the world, he didn't let the win change him. "We don't dwell on the ranking. When he was playing tennis, I use to block them out anyway. I just told him to focus on training. That's his job." The philosophy is simple, but profound. Discipline. Humility. Responsibility. For Duc, the true test of success isn't what his son achieves on the court — it's how he lives off it. "Being a successful player is one thing. But to be a good human being? That's harder. That's what I want. That's what I teach." On what advice he'd give to parents or kids hoping to replicate QD's success, Duc replies: "Discipline. It's everything. Train them young. Don't give them too much freedom. Guide them. Make them strong. Life will test them, so you have to ensure they're ready." As the minutes slip away and I sense my time with Duc drawing to a close, I pose him my last question, intent on playing the devil's advocate: "QD sounds like the perfect son. But is he really? Duc smiles. "QD is the perfect son," he replies, after a long reflective pause, a flicker of emotion breaking through. I sense a heaviness in his voice now. "And yet... I feel for him," adds Duc. Another pause ensues, before he continues: "When people interview me about this, I get emotional. Because I know what he's been through. Since the age of 6, he's been training — day and night. I put him through programme after programme, pushing him harder than most could endure. Not many would have made it through. But he did." Eyes misting with pride, Duc concludes: "That's how tough he is. That's what makes him special. QD is a good son. A really good son."
Associated Press
17-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Qualified Digital Announces Acquisition of Xpediant Digital to Transform Pharma and Life Sciences Content and Data Operations
RENO, Nev.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 17, 2025-- Qualified Digital (QD), a leading full-service digital business and experience agency, has announced its acquisition of Xpediant Digital, a premier provider of content supply chain automations for Pharma and Life Sciences as a services and product partner. Through its innovative and integrated product, built natively into Adobe Experience Manager and Veeva, Xpediant and its solutions transform the regulatory process for its customers creating an incredible return on time and costs. With over two decades of delivering high quality services and innovative products to solve some of the greatest challenges in highly regulated industries such as Pharma and Medtech, Xpediant expands Qualified Digital's focus on quality and high business impact within the Healthcare industry. With Qualified Digital's strategically led practice spanning the entire Adobe Experience Cloud, notably its rapidly expanding Adobe AEP and Workfront practices, the newly combined capabilities, and powerful talent, stand to truly disrupt the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry go-to-market process. Said Jaqueline Saleem, CEO, Qualified Digital: 'We are beyond thrilled to welcome Xpediant to the QD family, expanding our collective capabilities to our existing and future customers. We are excited to hit the ground running, transforming content operations including MLR (Medical Legal Regulatory), while elevating digital experiences through consumer-led experience design and ecosystem orchestration. As the experience economy continues to realize the importance of end-to-end service providers who not only understand each standalone solution, but can execute on the vision and promise of orchestrating those connections to multiply the value they bring, our ethos only becomes stronger and ever more essential. The ability to automate and deliver truly multi-channel experiences from IVA, banner ads, email, SMS, web experiences and more has actually been made accessible to these brands in ways that have previously been arduous to attain. This acquisition doubles down on QD's commitment to accomplish ROI for our customers from both cost reduction and, even more so, revenue generating returns.' Added Qusai Mahesri, CEO, Xpediant Digital, 'With content creation demands growing exponentially, Pharma organizations need smarter, more efficient solutions. Joining the Qualified Digital family allows us to deliver an integrated approach that optimizes the entire content lifecycle— from strategy and development to compliance and deployment. Customers have realized both months of time and millions in cost savings within a year of adopting Xpediant's XpConnect ® platform and elite services.' Xpediant's clients include life science powerhouses Novo Nordisk, Fresenius, Bristol Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca and Zimmer Biomet. QD serves clients in various industries, including CommonSpirit Health, Cigna, Mercy Health, CVS Health, Kaiser Permanente, Hitachi Vantara, and Rubrik. The acquisition of Xpediant represents QD's first major expansion since partnering with Stella Point Capital, who invested in QD in 2024 to help scale its long term vision for expansion and growth. About Qualified Digital Qualified Digital (QD) is a leading full-service digital consultancy agency, specializing in customer experience and digital transformation. Founded in 2017 by CEO Jaqi Saleem, QD leverages its expertise in B2B and B2C business and marketing, prioritizing strategy in customer experience, data, content, and technology. Qualified Digital aims to deliver true customer journey orchestration, automation, and personalization, enabling you and your organization to drive meaningful experiences together. With a strategic focus on Fortune 500+ companies, and specializations across healthcare and the complexities of B2B marketing life cycles, QD is dedicated to cultivating long-term relationships that drive unmatched customer experience and digital return on investment by keeping a close pulse on a brand's needs and opportunities. Learn more at About Xpediant Digital Xpediant Digital is a leading provider of content supply chain automation solutions, helping organizations streamline content creation, compliance, and delivery across multiple channels. With proprietary solutions that integrate seamlessly with leading content management and regulatory platforms, Xpediant Digital enables faster approvals, improved efficiency, and greater content reusability for life sciences and pharmaceutical companies. By leveraging AI-driven automation, intelligent workflows, and best-in-class integration technologies, Xpediant Digital empowers organizations to enhance content velocity and ensure compliance in a complex regulatory landscape. Learn more at About Stella Point Capital Stella Point Capital, a New York-based private equity firm, partners with founders, families and management teams of services businesses, including tech-enabled financial, consumer and marketing companies. The firm seeks investment opportunities with sellers who seek a value-added partner and often choose to retain equity stakes in their businesses. Founded by Justin Wender and Adam Godfrey, Stella Point focuses on well-positioned businesses with strong cultural foundations across North America. With over $500 million of equity invested across eight platform investments and eleven add-on acquisitions, Stella Point delivers operational expertise and senior counsel to achieve accelerated growth and build long-term value for its partners. For more information, please visit SOURCE: Qualified Digital Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 03/17/2025 08:00 AM/DISC: 03/17/2025 08:00 AM
