Latest news with #SKIL
Business Wire
19 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Chervon Selects Blue Yonder To Elevate Demand Forecasting and Customer Service
NANJING, China & DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--From global tariff concerns to highly volatile demand, manufacturers are facing unprecedented challenges and uncertainty. That's why Chervon, a global leader in power tools and outdoor power equipment, has selected Blue Yonder to transform its planning processes and increase customer satisfaction. Chervon will deploy Blue Yonder's demand and replenishment capabilities, supported by Shanghai Compass Information and Science Co., Ltd., a Blue Yonder partner. Founded in 1993, Chervon designs and manufactures a wide range of tools, including handheld power tools, bench tools and outdoor power equipment. Its products, which include popular brands such as EGO, FLEX and SKIL, are sold in over 100 countries worldwide. With a growing multi-channel sales and distribution network and a constantly changing business landscape, Chervon turned to Blue Yonder to improve its forecasting and increase efficiency across its global operations. With Blue Yonder, Chervon will be able to: Increase forecast accuracy to ensure the right products are available in the right place at the right time. Automate routine planning tasks to increase efficiency and labor productivity. Achieve cross-functional collaboration to improve decision-making across the organization. Dynamically adjust inventory to align with actual demand, minimizing stockouts and overstock while increasing customer satisfaction. With Blue Yonder's cloud-based demand and replenishment capabilities, Chervon will be able to quickly and accurately respond to demand fluctuations and optimize inventory levels. This will allow Chervon to increase customer satisfaction and operational efficiency while also reducing waste and costs across its global network. 'In today's complex, global supply chain environment, speed and precision are crucial for meeting customer expectations and adapting to rapidly changing conditions,' said Antonio Boccalandro, president, APAC, Blue Yonder. 'Our demand and replenishment capabilities will enable Chervon to improve and accelerate decision-making and build a more resilient and efficient supply chain.' About Blue Yonder Blue Yonder is the world leader in end-to-end digital supply chain transformation. With a unified, AI-driven platform and multi-tier network, Blue Yonder empowers businesses to operate sustainably, scale profitably, and delight their customers — all at machine speed. A pioneer in applying AI solutions to the most complicated supply chain challenges, Blue Yonder's modern innovations and unmatched industry expertise help more than 3,000 retailers, manufacturers, and logistics service providers confidently navigate supply chain complexity and disruption. 'Blue Yonder' is a trademark or registered trademark of Blue Yonder Group, Inc. Any trade, product or service name referenced in this document using the name 'Blue Yonder' is a trademark and/or property of Blue Yonder Group, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of the companies with which they are associated.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Skillsoft Corp (SKIL) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Challenges with Strategic ...
Total Revenue: $124.2 million, down 2.8% year over year. Talent Development Solutions (TDS) Revenue: $99.1 million, up 1% year over year. Global Knowledge Revenue: $25.1 million, down 15.7% year over year. Adjusted EBITDA: $22.1 million, 17.8% of revenue, up from $18.9 million in the prior year. Net Loss: $38 million, compared to $27.6 million in the prior year. Adjusted Net Income: $2.5 million, compared to an adjusted net loss of $390,000 in the prior year. Free Cash Flow: $26.2 million, an improvement of $15.8 million from the prior year. Cash and Cash Equivalents: $131 million at quarter-end. Total Gross Debt: $580 million at the end of Q1. Total Net Debt: Approximately $449 million, down from $477 million at the end of the fourth quarter. Fiscal Year 2026 Revenue Guidance: $530 million to $545 million. Fiscal Year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA Guidance: $112 million to $118 million. Fiscal Year 2026 Free Cash Flow Guidance: $13 million to $18 million. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Signs with SKIL. Release Date: June 09, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Skillsoft Corp (NYSE:SKIL) experienced growth within its Talent Development Solutions (TDS) segment for three consecutive quarters, indicating a positive trend in this area. The company delivered improvement in adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow, showcasing enhanced profitability and financial health. Skillsoft Corp (NYSE:SKIL) is actively investing in its business, with expectations of positive free cash flow and top-line growth for the full fiscal year. The company expanded its leadership team, including the appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, which is expected to strengthen execution and strategic focus. Skillsoft Corp (NYSE:SKIL) continues to expand its product offerings, including enhancements to its AI capabilities and the launch of new features like the Percipio certification dashboard, which are expected to drive learner engagement and differentiation. Skillsoft Corp (NYSE:SKIL) faced macroeconomic uncertainty, leading to lower discretionary spending by customers and elongated decision-making processes, impacting revenue. The company's Global Knowledge revenue declined by approximately 15.7% year over year, primarily due to softer demand within the US public sector. Total revenue for the first quarter was down approximately 2.8% year over year, indicating challenges in maintaining growth across all segments. The company experienced a GAAP net loss of $38 million in the first quarter, compared to $27.6 million in the prior year, reflecting ongoing financial challenges. Skillsoft Corp (NYSE:SKIL) anticipates a reversal of its strong first-quarter free cash flow performance in the second quarter due to seasonality and timing of collections and disbursements. Q: What gives Skillsoft confidence in reiterating its full-year target despite macro uncertainty and elongated sales cycles? A: John Frederick, CFO, explained that Skillsoft's Talent Development Solutions (TDS) segment has shown growth for three consecutive quarters, providing confidence. The Global Knowledge (GK) segment, despite a decline, has a strong deal pipeline and recurring relationships that offer visibility. Assuming market stabilization, Skillsoft decided to reaffirm its P&L guidance. Q: How does Skillsoft plan to manage the business dynamics and achieve its reiterated guidance? A: Ronald Hovsepian, CEO, noted that discretionary spending, particularly in live learning and coaching, was impacted. However, the last month of the quarter showed positive trends, boosting confidence. The company aims to adapt to market uncertainties as part of the new normal, similar to how it managed during COVID-19. Q: What is the next phase for Skillsoft after stabilizing the business? A: Ronald Hovsepian emphasized that the focus is on executing the current year's plans and then accelerating growth. The strategic direction is set, and the company is concentrating on product plans, go-to-market strategies, and sales coverage. The goal is to enhance marketing and sales capabilities to drive future growth. Q: Can you provide insights into the strong free cash flow performance in Q1 and expectations for the rest of the year? A: John Frederick highlighted that Q1 benefited from strong cash collections and timing of disbursements. While Q2 is expected to see a reversal of some benefits, the company remains on track for its full-year free cash flow expectations. The strong Q1 performance was primarily driven by seasonality and effective cash management. Q: How is Skillsoft addressing the softness in government spending, particularly in the US federal sector? A: Ronald Hovsepian noted that discretionary spending in the federal sector impacted live learning revenue. However, there is positive activity in European public sectors. The company is closely monitoring the situation, especially regarding workforce reductions, and remains steady in its approach to government business. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Skift
28-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Inside India's Events and Meetings Aspirations
India upped its convention center game for the G20 Summit last year. Now, it is trying to drum up the marketing for these spaces across the country. But is India really MICE ready? India wants to feature among the world's top destinations for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE). Earlier this month, tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat called MICE the fastest-growing tourism segment in India and a key driver for the country's economic growth. According to Shekhawat, India's MICE market generated $49.4 billion in revenue last year. That figure is expected to more than double to $103.7 billion by 2030. This growth, he said, will be driven by 'recent developments in MICE-ready destinations coming up in cities like Varanasi, Khajuraho and Kochi.' But while the government is bullish, event industry insiders say the ground reality is more complicated. More Than Convention Centers: A successful MICE destination requires more than just a convention center, Ramanpreet Singh, vice president of growth and strategy at events management company SKIL told Skift. 'It is about building a holistic ecosystem through air connectivity, multiple high-quality hotel options, efficient ground logistics, safety and security, digital readiness and above all, ease of doing business." Singh added that simple permissions, proactive local authorities, and support from the community are just as crucial as physical infrastructure. Samit Garg, president of the Event and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA) and co-founder of E-Factor Experiences, agreed. For him, destinations need to be appealing on multiple levels. "Culture, sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment matter to delegates." Both SKIL and EEMA pointed to several smaller cities that are on the way to be MICE-suitable: Jaipur, Udaipur, Goa, Rishikesh, Jim Corbett, Kochi, Gandhinagar, Varanasi, and Amritsar. But the real challenge: converting intent into real MICE capability. Take for instance, a destination like Khajuraho that the central government is positioning as a MICE venue after the opening of a convention center. 'The ground reality is still quite different,' Singh said. 'It remains a Tier‐2 town with limited flight connectivity, modest hotel infrastructure, and very basic support services." Singh pointed out that while the intent to develop it as a MICE destination is commendable, the actual ecosystem required to host large‐scale corporate events is still a work in progress. "Other cities that show strong promise include Hampi, Mahabalipuram, Shillong, Diu, and Bhubaneswar,' he said. Emerging Trends in MICE: According to Garg, the MICE sector itself is changing: "Event formats are evolving with hybrid events, AI-driven delegate engagement, and immersive technologies like AR/VR. Also, sustainability and smaller, boutique summits are gaining popularity." Personalization and incorporation of corporate-social responsibility (CSR) activities are also becoming key elements of events, Singh said. 'There is also a growing preference for experiential venues over standard banquet spaces,' he added. Integration of local culture, wellness, and local experiences is also becoming the norm. Singh added, 'MICE on cruises is an emerging format that is becoming increasingly attractive for corporates looking to create immersive, high‐impact experiences. Cruises work particularly well for incentive travel, leadership offsites, and celebratory events because they offer a contained environment with curated experiences.' Global Standing: India is positioning itself as a MICE destination for the world. Globally, MICE destinations have smooth transport, vendor readiness, top‐tier hospitality, entertainment options, and active government support. In India, Singh said, 'The infrastructure still feels disjointed. Organizers often have to stitch things together on their own. We're moving in the right direction, but we're not there yet.' Indian Visitors Were Washington, DC's Highest Spenders in 2024 In 2024, Indian visitors were the highest spenders in Washington, DC as they spent $344 million in the city last year. India was also the third-biggest international source market for Washington after Canada and the United Kingdom, Destination DC said in a statement. According to Tourism Economics, 191,000 Indians visited the destination. In 2024, India was the fourth-largest source country for the U.S., after Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. Nearly 2.2 million Indians visited the country, according to data from the U.S. International Trade Administration. According to recent data shared by Skift Research, among the five major source markets of the U.S. — Canada, Germany, India, Mexico, and the United Kingdom — there is a sharp decline in interest in visiting the U.S. among all sources except for India. 'In Canada, the share of negatively biased travelers exceeded those with a positive bias by 36%. In India, there was a net positivity gap of +41% in favor of travelers being 'more likely' to visit the U.S. today versus 12 months ago,' the report said. IHCL to Invest in Hotels in Northeast Indian States Taj-parent Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) is looking to invest in hotels in Northeast India as the number of tourists in the region increase. The company's area director for North East Jayanta Das said at a recent event that IHCL is looking to increase its presence in the Northeast across its brands to 30 hotels by 2030. He added that the company is looking to invest INR 25 billion ($293 million) in the region over the next three years. IHCL is also looking to build new tourist circuits and itineraries across all eight states in the region, Das added. 'Our planned expansion into the northeast is backed by belief in sustainable luxury and community-led development. We currently have nine operating hotels and two luxury homestays,' he said. The company's pipeline includes five upcoming hotels in Agartala, Itanagar, Guwahati, Jorhat, and Dibrugarh. Delhi's Terminal 1 Airport Roof Damaged A part of the roof outside Delhi Airport's domestic terminal T1 was damaged in the rainfall. The tensile fabric used as the roof in the arrival forecourt tore off due to water collection. No one was injured in the incident. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) spokesperson said that there was no structural compromise or impact to other parts of the terminal. 'Swift action was taken by the ground teams to restore normal conditions, ensuring safety and continuity of operations with minimal disruption,' the statement added. A similar incident had taken place last June when a canopy at the departure forecourt collapsed leading to one fatality and injuries to several other people. Meliá Hotels Launches 'Atithi Program' for Indian Groups Spanish hotel chain Meliá Hotels International has unveiled an initiative designed for Indian groups. The 'Atithi Program' (guest program) has been created to welcome Indian groups traveling to Europe, the company said in a statement. It added that the program introduces specialized offerings for Indian tourists including culturally familiar aspects and Indian cuisine. The program also aims to cater to Indian weddings, corporate offsites, and celebratory getaways. For this, Meliá has curated a portfolio of hotels across key European destinations. All the properties are experienced in hosting Indian groups and events, it added. Radisson Expands Presence in East India Radisson Hotel Group has signed three new hotels in East India — Radisson Blu Hotel Deoghar, Jharkhand, Radisson RED Puri, Odisha, and Radisson Resort & Spa, Ranchi, Jharkhand. The three properties have a combined inventory of 400 keys. According to Nikhil Sharma, managing director in South Asia region for Radisson Hotel Group, the expansion is driven by growing momentum of spiritual, cultural, and medical tourism in India and these regions.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Skillsoft (SKIL): AI Coach CAISY Hits 1M Launches, FY2026 Revenue Set for Growth
We recently published a list of . In this article, we are going to take a look at where Skillsoft Corp. (NYSE:SKIL) stands against other top AI news moving the market today. Investors continue to pour back into Big Tech stocks after the US government announced temporary tariff relief. For many, this is a signal that the technology sector may not suffer much, and further relief could follow. This is moving the major tech stocks and, with it, the index. The S&P and Nasdaq indices are both up over 4% in the last five trading sessions. Apart from the tariff developments, some companies are moving based on company-specific news as tech players continue to race ahead in the race for AI supremacy. Some of these companies are surging considerably and still have ample room to go, so you need to look at these developments before the market prices them in. To come up with our list of top 5 AI news you may have missed, we carefully considered the recent news reports and press releases while ordering the list based on hedge fund sentiment. School children in a classroom using digital learning services to access educational content. Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 11 Skillsoft Corp. offers a global platform for instructor-led training services. The company has two main segments: Instructor-Led Training and Content & Platform. It is known for the Percipio platform, which is an AI-powered learning platform that delivers learning through SaaS solutions. The firm has just announced its earnings report, and its AI initiatives are starting to gain investor attention. According to the management, SKIL is set for growth in 2026 after successfully implementing its transformation strategy. The firm's CAISY AI-powered coach is already gaining traction with over 1 million launches so far. SKIL is now integrating it with customer feedback and planning a rollout in the latter half of this fiscal year. Similar measures have been taken at the integration level, allowing integration with platforms like Oracle, Docebo, and SAP Talent Intelligence Hub. This is also expanding SKIL's ecosystem, which would eventually help it down the road. FY2026 revenue is expected to come in between $530 million and $545 million. This is welcome news for investors as the YoY decline in Q4 revenue had some worried about the company's topline. Free Cash Flow has nearly doubled in a year to $13.2 million, and the management is confident it will land somewhere between $13 million and $18 million in FY2026. Overall, SKIL ranks 4th on our list of top AI news moving the market today. While we acknowledge the potential of SKIL as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than SKIL but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Skillsoft Corp (SKIL) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Challenges and Seizing ...
Total Revenue: $133.8 million in Q4, down 2.8% year over year; $531 million for the full year, down 4% year over year. Talent Development Solutions (TDS) Revenue: $102.8 million in Q4, up 1% year over year; $405.5 million for the full year, flat compared to FY24. Global Knowledge Revenue: $30.9 million in Q4, down 13% year over year; $125.4 million for the full year, down 15% year over year. Adjusted EBITDA: $29.9 million in Q4, 22% of revenue; $109.1 million for the full year, 21% of revenue. GAAP Net Loss: $31.1 million in Q4; $121.9 million for the full year. Adjusted Net Income: $17 million in Q4; $35 million for the full year. Free Cash Flow: $13.2 million in Q4; $11.6 million for the full year. Dollar Retention Rate (DRR): 105% in Q4; 100% for the full year FY25. Cost of Revenue: $33.3 million in Q4, 25% of revenue; $133.8 million for the full year, 25% of revenue. Cash and Cash Equivalents: $103 million at the end of Q4. Total Gross Debt: $581 million at the end of Q4. FY26 Revenue Guidance: $530 million to $545 million. FY26 Adjusted EBITDA Guidance: $112 million to $118 million. FY26 Free Cash Flow Guidance: $13 million to $18 million. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with SKIL. Release Date: April 14, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Skillsoft Corp (NYSE:SKIL) delivered solid fourth-quarter and fiscal-year results, with revenue exceeding the high end of guidance and adjusted EBITDA at the upper end of the range. The company achieved a dollar retention rate (DRR) of 105% in the fourth quarter, bringing the last 12 months DRR to 100%, meeting expectations. Skillsoft Corp (NYSE:SKIL) is focusing on transforming its go-to-market strategy and product offerings, targeting the enterprise market segment for growth. The company has made significant progress in its transformation strategy, achieving $45 million in annualized expense reduction, with a portion reinvested into the business. Skillsoft Corp (NYSE:SKIL) is well-positioned in a large and growing market, estimated at over $400 billion, with differentiated offerings in global skills development and AI-powered learning experiences. Global Knowledge revenue declined by 13% year over year in the fourth quarter and 15% for the full year, indicating challenges in this business unit. Total revenue for the fourth quarter was down approximately 2.8% year over year, and full-year revenue was down 4%, reflecting ongoing revenue challenges. The company faces macroeconomic uncertainties, including potential impacts from evolving government policies, which could affect future performance. Despite improvements, the Global Knowledge business unit still faces margin challenges due to varying margins between tech partners and the mix of trainers used. Skillsoft Corp (NYSE:SKIL) is in the early stages of its transformation journey, with ongoing efforts needed to fully realize the benefits of its strategic initiatives. Q: Can you provide insights into how the recent tariff news is impacting Skillsoft's business, particularly in terms of customer reactions and market segments? A: Ronald Hovsepian, CEO, explained that as a federal contractor, Skillsoft is directly involved with the federal government and has not seen any material impact from the tariffs. Customers are reacting in three ways: some want to continue receiving materials, others are complying with regulations even if not directly affected, and some are adopting a wait-and-see approach. Skillsoft is well-prepared to handle these scenarios, but the overall uncertainty could affect decision-making over time. Q: How does the FY26 growth outlook account for potential impacts from the current uncertain environment? A: Richard Walker, CFO, stated that the FY26 outlook reflects the current business environment without assuming any significant impact from uncertainties. The company acknowledges the fluid situation and will adjust if necessary, but the current guidance is based on the business as it stands. Q: Why does the EBITDA guidance for FY26 not show significant margin expansion despite revenue growth? A: Richard Walker explained that while there is modest margin expansion, the focus is on reinvesting in growth. The company is prioritizing strategic investments to drive future growth rather than immediate margin expansion. The reinvestment is expected to yield better profitability in the latter half of FY26. Q: Can you elaborate on the progress and impact of the go-to-market transformation and large deal activity? A: Ronald Hovsepian highlighted that the company is seeing positive results from its go-to-market transformation, with significant large deal activity, including $22 million in total contract value from the top 10 deals in the Talent Development Solutions segment. The focus is on enhancing enterprise sales capabilities and leveraging subject matter expertise to drive growth. Q: What is the engagement level and potential monetization of the CAISY AI simulator among test customers? A: Ronald Hovsepian noted strong engagement from the 100 test customers, with many using the simulator for customer-facing revenue activities. About a third of these customers engaged Skillsoft's professional services, indicating high interest and potential for monetization through cross-sell and upsell opportunities. The company is working on packaging and pricing strategies for broader rollout. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
