Asit Sharma, a financial analyst for retail companies, joins the podcast to discuss Zoom's customer-driven approach to AI, Lowe's earnings report, and the impact of retail shrink on Dick's profits.
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Quick takeaways
Zoom focuses on integrating AI into its product and plans to introduce add-on features rather than upselling customers with new ones.
Lowe's is being impacted by macro forces such as lumber deflation, high consumer debt, and retail therapy, but is becoming more efficient with handling goods and investments in technology.
Deep dives
Zoom's Stabilizing Growth and Focus on AI
Zoom reported a decent quarter with almost 4% year-over-year growth and a solid net income. The deceleration in growth seems to be stabilizing, particularly in the enterprise business. Zoom's philosophy on AI focuses on integrating it into the product and not hiding anything behind price hikes. They also plan to introduce add-on features rather than upselling customers with new ones. With $6 billion in cash and equivalents, Zoom has financial fortitude, which could lead to opportunistic moves or reinvesting to drive growth.
Lowe's Mixed Quarter and Focus on Efficiency
Lowe's had mixed results, with earnings beating expectations but revenue lagging slightly. The company is more subject to the whims of the DIY market compared to its competitor, Home Depot. However, Lowe's is becoming more efficient with handling goods and investments in technology. The macro forces impacting Lowe's include lumber deflation and its effect on sales, consumer debt being at an all-time high but offset by a tight job market, and some consumers engaging in retail therapy.
Dix's Struggles with Retail Theft and Outdoor Segment
Dix reported profits down 23% year over year and a miss on the top line. The struggle was attributed to the outdoor segment, which is affected by consumer caution in delaying projects. Furthermore, retail theft impacted margins, making up a third of the margin reduction. The increase in retail theft across the industry raises uncertainty in analyzing the impact. Quantifying the effects of theft and implementing measures may provide greater clarity for investors.
Dick’s is the latest retailer to feel the pinch of shrink – just remember all theft is shrink, not all shrink is theft.
(00:21) Asit Sharma and Dylan Lewis discuss:
- Zoom’s customer-driven approach to AI and how the company’s cash hoard is showing up in its earnings. - How a decrease in DIY is impacting Lowe’s results. - Dick’s management joins the ranks of retailers dealing with theft affecting results.
Companies discussed: ZM, LOW, DKS
Host: Dylan Lewis Guests: Asit Sharma Engineers: Dan Boyd