Latest news with #Abernethy
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pegasystems Affirms Outlook As Cloud Strategy Powers Momentum
Pegasystems Inc. (NASDAQ:PEGA) exceeded expectations in its fiscal second-quarter 2025 results, demonstrating strong momentum driven by its cloud strategy. The enterprise software company reported robust increases in both overall revenue and a significant surge in cloud revenue, along with key growth metrics like Annual Contract Value (ACV). This solid performance reinforced confidence in Pegasystems' ongoing shift to cloud-based solutions and its embrace of AI-powered these impressive results, Wall Street is taking note of Pegasystems' trajectory. Among the analysts providing updated commentary, Rosenblatt analyst Blair Abernethy maintained Pegasystems with a Buy and raised the price forecast from $59 to $61 on Wednesday. Abernethy maintained a bullish outlook on Pegasystems following its strong fiscal second-quarter 2025 results, which beat estimates and reinforced confidence in its cloud-driven growth strategy. Pegasystems reported total revenue of $384.5 million, rising 9% year-over-year and exceeding the analyst's estimate of $367.1 million and the consensus of $361.8 million. The upside was primarily fueled by a 24% year-over-year increase in cloud revenue, which reached $166.7 million and accounts for 43% of total revenue. Abernethy emphasized that Annual Contract Value (ACV), a key growth metric, rose 16% year-over-year (14% in constant currency) to $1.514 billion, surpassing the estimated $1.476 billion. Pega Cloud ACV jumped 28% year-over-year, reaching $761.1 million, indicating a continued shift from on-premise to cloud-based deployments. The analyst attributed these gains to strong customer renewals and growing traction for Pega Blueprint, which helps enterprises modernize and expand workflows using AI-powered automation. Abernethy noted that recurring maintenance revenue came in at $79.3 million, slightly ahead of the $76.5 million projection, while term license revenue, though down 6% year-over-year, beat estimates at $74.6 million. Operating margins reached 14.2%, supported by ongoing expense control and economies of scale in the cloud business. Free cash flow (FCF) hit $84.1 million, and operating cash flow reached $86.3 million in the quarter. The company reaffirmed its fiscal 2025 guidance, including 12% ACV growth, $1.7 billion total revenue (up 7% year-over-year), $440 million free cash flow, and $455 million operating cash flow. According to the analyst, the court reversal of the previous $2 billion Appian (NASDAQ:APPN) judgment has significantly reduced legal risk, and customer sentiment around the case appears to be improving. Abernethy expects Pega to generate $452.2 million in FCF in fiscal 2025, translating to a 27% FCF margin, with continued expansion into fiscal 2026-27 as the subscription model fully scales. Following second-quarter results, Abernethy slightly adjusted fiscal 2025–26 and estimates, introduced fiscal 2027 forecasts, based on a blended average of discounted cash flow (DCF) and EV/Sales valuation models. The analyst concluded that Pega remains well-positioned for long-term growth, citing strong momentum in its cloud business, improving FCF profile, expanding automation opportunities, and reduced legal overhang. Price Action: PEGA stock is trading lower by 0.90% to $57.45 at last check Thursday. Photo via Shutterstock Latest Ratings for PEGA Date Firm Action From To Mar 2022 Truist Securities Initiates Coverage On Buy Feb 2022 Macquarie Maintains Outperform Feb 2022 JMP Securities Maintains Market Outperform View More Analyst Ratings for PEGA View the Latest Analyst Ratings UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? PEGASYSTEMS (PEGA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Pegasystems Affirms Outlook As Cloud Strategy Powers Momentum originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. 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
14-06-2025
- Yahoo
'Pretty evil birds' are dive-bombing pedestrians in Etobicoke, residents say
Red-winged blackbirds are dive-bombing residents of one Toronto neighbourhood, swooping down and pecking at their heads, but an expert says there's not too much the locals can do as the birds protect their nests. On one street in Etobicoke, near Kipling Avenue and Dundas Street W., the birds with the distinctive markings are annoying and even frightening residents. In some cases, if the pedestrians flee, the birds will chase. Ron Glatt, a local resident who has lived in the area for four years, said on Thursday that the attacks seem to be worse this year than last. He said the red-winged blackbirds live in the trees in the area, including outside his house. "We've just really been seeing them be more aggressive than usual," Glatt said. "When people are running, it seems to make things worse. The birds will follow them down the street. We've seen delivery drivers get repeatedly attacked while they're trying to deliver packages. So yeah, they're pretty evil birds." Glatt said his home security camera footage has shown instances where people have been attacked to the point where they have fallen over. Glatt said it would be good if the birds found another area in which to nest. But failing that, he said he has found that staring at the birds, or making eye contact, is one way to lessen attacks. "Walking backwards and looking at the birds tends to work pretty well," he said. One of the homeowners who lives in the neighbourhood told CBC Toronto that her family stopped using the front door to avoid getting attacked. 'A territorial bird just protecting its eggs' Tristan Boswell, another resident, said he was pecked in the head earlier this week in the evening when he was not wearing anything on his head. "It's a territorial bird just protecting its eggs. And it's annoying," he said. "I've seen people, when people are just passing through, get swooped on and they're like, they're being attacked by some invisible enemy, but it's just a bird nesting and trying to protect its little ones." Boswell said he thinks the birds' behaviour is more of an inconvenience rather than a major problem, but he said the city could perhaps put decoys of hawks or owls or blue jays in the trees to ward the red-winged blackbirds off. "Nothing invasive or anything like that... because life is life, you know," he said. Shane Abernethy, bander-in-charge at the Tommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station, an initiative of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, said the nests are "extremely vulnerable" because the eggs have hatched and they now contain live chicks. Abernethy said bird nests and their eggs are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, an international treaty. Moving them is not possible, he said. 'They're not out for blood' "These birds are defending their nests so this is a purely defensive action. They're not out for blood. This is nesting season for red-winged blackbirds and, in fact, the peak of it," Abernethy said. "As a result, they're aggressively driving away anything they perceive as a threat, which will include any potential predators as well people who have wandered a little bit too close to the nest sites themselves," he said. Abernethy said the attacks should end in the next few weeks. He said the birds attack from behind and he recommends that people make eye contact if a bird is spotted close by, avoid getting close to the birds and consider wearing a hat for protection. In a statement, a city spokesperson said the city can't anticipate where nests are being built or how a bird might react to a person's proximity to one. "We encourage the public, if they see or encounter an aggressive red-winged blackbird, to please keep their distance because they're protecting their young and their nest."
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Daily Record
Fundraising effort to help Ukrainian children visit Dumfries and Galloway
A group of 27 children from the east of the country will be coming to the region in August following the success of a similar trip last year. Children from war-torn Ukraine are set to visit Dumfries and Galloway – if a fundraising effort is successful. A group of 27 children from the east of the country will be coming to the region in August following the success of a similar trip last year. All of the children have either lost parents or close relatives during the war or have family volunteering on the frontline, which is just 25km from their homes in Lyubotin, near Kharkiv. The trip aims to give the youngsters some respite from the horrors of war and they'll be staying at Abernethy's Barcaple Outdoor Centre near Ringford with their teachers – but funds are needed to make sure the trip happens. Centre director, Dave Crudgington, said: 'The group had an amazing time staying in at Abernethy Barcaple, going on activities in the local area especially enjoying mountain biking and rock climbing. 'The community in Kirkcudbright warmly supported the group last year, giving them seats of honour at the Kirkcudbright Tattoo and from donations from the Rotary group. 'Ukrainian flags were flown at all town halls and many public buildings across Dumfries and Galloway in a show of support for the struggles of the Ukraine people while they were here last August. The group were really encouraged for the support they received while they were here with us. 'This year we are planning a Burns supper and ceilidh to give them a truly Scottish experience! 'Abernethy have committed to fully funding the trip this year and due to success of last year's trip there are nine more children coming. To pay for all the visas, flights, transport and a 12 night stay at Abernethy Barcaple we need to raise £36,000. 'Currently we have £26,000 donated or pledged but need help to raise the final amount. Last year's trip happened after Abernethy was approached by Simon Lidwell and Tatyana Bondarenko from St John's Church in Dumfries. Tatyana is herself a refugee from the war with Russia who lives in Dumfries and is also a committee member of the Hallmuir POW Chapel and cultural heritage centre near Lockerbie. She wanted to help a group of children from the Kharkiv region who had been taking part in online conversations with volunteers in Dumfries and learning about places in Scotland. The trip came together with thanks to the Help Lyubotin organisation, chapel members, MOOL and the Quartz group at John's Church. Dumfries Lions Club and Kirkcudbright Rotary Club were among the groups that helped provide with fundraising. This year, the Murray usher Foundation has donated £1,000 and Kirkcudbright Rotary has provided £1,400. Lockarbie Rotary are providing a trip to an Alpaca farm as well as fish and chips, with Station House Cookery School in Kirkcudbright donating a morning of cookery classes. Thanks go to them and all other groups and people who have supported the visit. • To support the fundraising appeal, click here.
NZ Herald
19-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Northland employers highlight benefits of paying living wage
'When you increase the wages, you attract more people with qualifications. 'If you're advertising for minimum wage, you lose some top candidates.' The living wage emerged as a response to growing poverty and inequality, which hold back many Kiwi workers, their families and the economy. The living wage is considered the minimum to provide workers and their families with the basic necessities of life factoring in expenses, rest, activities, and some savings. It is a voluntary amount that employers can choose to set as a base rate for their staff. It is currently set at $27.80 and will increase to $28.95 per hour from September 1. That's compared to the minimum wage, which is $23.50 an hour. While there is no data on how many Northland businesses pay the living wage, five are listed on Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand's website including Oromahoe Kindergarten. Wilson said that paying a living wage helps staff have more money to cover their bills, such as rent, mortgage, food, and power, and they have more money left over for leisure activities. 'It's not just about surviving, it's about thriving as well,' he said. 'At first, moving from minimum to living wage was a big jump, and we wondered how it would work, but we managed it. 'If you really want to, you can make it work.' Janine Abernethy, who owns Marsden Metals and Recycling, a Northland metal recycler, said all 18 of their staff are paid above the living wage except for a teenage cadet, who was paid 'just below it'. Abernethy said the living wage was 'a good barometer for employing people to understand what it costs to live now'. The familyowned company had paid the living wage 'forever', she said. 'We've never paid the minimum wage. 'We've always paid good wages for our staff. 'You just have to appreciate your staff.' However, Abernethy acknowledged that business owners had 'different circumstances'. There were other ways to improve workplaces for staff, she said. 'Wages are not the main factor of employment relationships between employers and employees. 'There are a whole range of things you need to consider ... we just recently offered medical insurance to the team. 'You have to make it so it works for both parties.' Northland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Leah McKerrow said paying the living wage would be 'challenging' for employers with a lot of staff. 'It's not a small investment, but many want to pay well because that's the way they attract staff. 'But for some, that means a 20% increase in their overall salary bill, and they can't afford it either; things are also going up for them, like rent increases.' McKerrow said that, generally, employers want to pay their employees well. 'They know it's important for job satisfaction and retention. 'The living wage is slightly out of reach for some of them. 'Many are wanting to pay well, but the living wage requirements' impact overall is too great.'
Business Insider
05-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Rosenblatt Securities Remains a Buy on PDF Solutions (PDFS)
In a report released today, Blair Abernethy from Rosenblatt Securities maintained a Buy rating on PDF Solutions (PDFS – Research Report), with a price target of $31.00. The company's shares closed last Friday at $19.19. Protect Your Portfolio Against Market Uncertainty Discover companies with rock-solid fundamentals in TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter. Receive undervalued stocks, resilient to market uncertainty, delivered straight to your inbox. According to TipRanks, Abernethy is a 4-star analyst with an average return of 5.5% and a 56.62% success rate. Abernethy covers the Technology sector, focusing on stocks such as PDF Solutions, Pegasystems, and Ansys. PDF Solutions has an analyst consensus of Strong Buy, with a price target consensus of $30.00. PDFS market cap is currently $750.6M and has a P/E ratio of 185.23. Based on the recent corporate insider activity of 24 insiders, corporate insider sentiment is positive on the stock. This means that over the past quarter there has been an increase of insiders buying their shares of PDFS in relation to earlier this year. Most recently, in February 2025, MICHAEL B GUSTAFSON, a Director at PDFS bought 4,000.00 shares for a total of $92,240.00.
