(RTTNews) - XPeng Inc. (XPEV, 9868.HK), an AI mobility technology company, on Friday reported sequentially higher vehicle deliveries in April, citing intelligent driving features as a key driver of sales growth following its VLA 2.0 rollout.
(RTTNews) - XPeng Inc. (XPEV, 9868.HK), an AI mobility technology company, on Friday reported sequentially higher vehicle deliveries in April, citing intelligent driving features as a key driver of sales growth following its VLA 2.0 rollout.
Thousands of visitors have flocked to Hong Kong’s East Dam to view its rare volcanic rock columns at the start of the five-day Labour Day “golden week” holiday, prompting a lawmaker to suggest charging an entrance fee to maintain the Unesco global geopark. Drawn by the city’s natural scenery and well-established hiking trails heavily promoted on mainland Chinese social media, many tourists are inc...
Thousands of visitors have flocked to Hong Kong’s East Dam to view its rare volcanic rock columns at the start of the five-day Labour Day “golden week” holiday, prompting a lawmaker to suggest charging an entrance fee to maintain the Unesco global geopark. Drawn by the city’s natural scenery and well-established hiking trails heavily promoted on mainland Chinese social media, many tourists are increasingly trading traditional shopping sprees for ecotourism at East Dam of the High Island...
Earnings Call Insights: Exponent (EXPO) Q1 2026 Management view Exponent reported Q1 growth tied to AI-related client work and a mix shift across proactive and reactive engagements. Dr. Catherine Corrigan (President, CEO & Director) said, “Exponent delivered double-digit revenue growth, growth in net revenues and earnings in the first quarter,” adding that growth was “driven by user research studi...
Earnings Call Insights: Exponent (EXPO) Q1 2026 Management view Exponent reported Q1 growth tied to AI-related client work and a mix shift across proactive and reactive engagements. Dr. Catherine Corrigan (President, CEO & Director) said, “Exponent delivered double-digit revenue growth, growth in net revenues and earnings in the first quarter,” adding that growth was “driven by user research studies for consumer electronics clients who are integrating artificial intelligence into their devices,” and by “risk management work for utility clients evaluating asset performance under extreme weather conditions.” Management highlighted reactive demand across disputes and failure analysis. CEO Corrigan said, “Reactive engagements also contributed to our growth with increased dispute-related and failure analysis demand across construction projects, energy facilities and medical devices,” and added, “We saw increased activity from both domestic and international clients related to complex construction challenges and disputes.” Richard Schlenker (Executive VP, CFO & Corporate Secretary) framed Q1 execution and capital returns, including a repurchase authorization increase. CFO Schlenker said, “For the first quarter of 2026, total revenues increased 14% to $166.3 million, and revenues before reimbursements... increased 10% to $151.8 million,” and added, “Additionally, our Board approved a $50 million increase in our current stock repurchase program... and reflects our conviction in Exponent's long-term growth trajectory.” Leadership transition was a central governance update. CEO Corrigan said, “John Pye will assume the role of President effective tomorrow, May 1,” and “Eric Anderson will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer, also effective tomorrow, May 1,” while noting, “Rich will continue to play an important role as Executive Vice President, advancing Exponent's strategic priorities while remaining actively engaged with investors.” Outlook Q2 and FY 2026 guidance rema...
Earnings Call Insights: Zeta Global (ZETA) Q1 2026 Management View "We delivered our 19th consecutive beat and raise quarter" and said "AI is no longer a feature" and is "driving a replacement cycle" as enterprises demand "fewer systems, measurable results and applied intelligence that works today" (CEO David Steinberg). "First quarter revenue of $396 million" and "adjusted EBITDA was $66 million"...
Earnings Call Insights: Zeta Global (ZETA) Q1 2026 Management View "We delivered our 19th consecutive beat and raise quarter" and said "AI is no longer a feature" and is "driving a replacement cycle" as enterprises demand "fewer systems, measurable results and applied intelligence that works today" (CEO David Steinberg). "First quarter revenue of $396 million" and "adjusted EBITDA was $66 million" were paired with the view that "Athena by Zeta is an accelerant" and that "beta customers plus strong early adoption of Athena" contributed to the quarter’s revenue outperformance (CEO David Steinberg). "After raising the midpoint of our range for 2026 revenue guidance last quarter by $25 million, we are again raising it by $30 million" as the company framed "market share gains" tied to "legacy Marketing Cloud replacement" and vendor consolidation (CEO David Steinberg). "We also saw free cash flow conversion improved to 63%, generating $42 million in free cash flow" and "these results surpassed even our internal stretch goals" at "$26 million or 7 points above the midpoint of our revenue guidance" for the quarter (CFO Christopher Greiner). Outlook "For the full year 2026, we're increasing the midpoint of our revenue guidance by $30 million to $1.785 billion" and "increasing the midpoint of our 2026 guidance to $397 million" of adjusted EBITDA, plus "increasing our 2026 free cash flow guidance to $235 million" (CFO Christopher Greiner). "For the second quarter, we now expect revenue of $420 million at the midpoint" and "we now expect adjusted EBITDA of $86.6 million at the midpoint" (CFO Christopher Greiner). "None of our guidance increase is related to political candidate revenue" and "we continue to assume" political candidate revenue "will be $15 million in 2026" with "$7 million in the third quarter and $8 million in the fourth quarter"; guidance also assumed "minimal contribution from Athena" and a "conservative view of Marigold, contributing $47.5 million per quarter"...
lcva2 Huawei Technologies expects revenue from its AI chips to surge at least 60% this year, driven by strong demand from Chinese companies looking for local alternatives to Nvidia ( NVDA ), the Financial Times reported. The Chinese tech giant expects revenue from its chips to reach about $12B in 2026 based on orders it has already received, up from $7.5B in 2025, the report added , citing...
lcva2 Huawei Technologies expects revenue from its AI chips to surge at least 60% this year, driven by strong demand from Chinese companies looking for local alternatives to Nvidia ( NVDA ), the Financial Times reported. The Chinese tech giant expects revenue from its chips to reach about $12B in 2026 based on orders it has already received, up from $7.5B in 2025, the report added , citing people with knowledge of the matter. China’s tech groups have placed large orders for Huawei’s latest AI processor Ascend 950PR. The majority of orders this year are for Ascend 950PR, which entered mass production in March. The company also plans to launch an upgraded version of 950DT in the fourth quarter, the report noted. Huawei’s AI chip revenue forecast could increase if its manufacturing ramp-up exceeds projections, the report added. Huawei makes most of its AI chips with Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation. Later this year, two additional fabrication facilities dedicated to its needs are slated to launch, according to the report. Huawei did not immediately respond to Seeking Alpha's request for comment. Earlier this week, it was reported that the demand for Huawei's Ascend 950 AI chips had soared after DeepSeek ( DEEPSEEK ) unveiled its V4 AI models that run on Huawei's chips. Major Chinese tech companies, including Alibaba ( BABA ), ByteDance ( BDNCE ), and Tencent ( TCTZF ) ( TCEHY ), have been reaching out to Huawei about new chip orders. Huawei has aggressively expanded its chipmaking capabilities as Nvidia ( NVDA ) continues to face regulatory hurdles in China. Huawei's new AI chip Ascend 950PR outperforms Nvidia's ( NVDA ) H20 chip — the American company's most powerful chip which was permitted to sell in China until Beijing restricted its import last year. However, 950PR trails Nvidia's H200 AI chips, which have seen regulatory hurdles in China for their sale. Last week, U.S. Commerce Department Secretary Howard Lutnick said the H200...
Hungary has released previously undisclosed details of a €1 billion ($1.2 billion) loan that outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orban ’s government took from China in 2024, news website 444.hu reported Friday. While authorities had revealed the amount and maturity in 2024 after several months of delay, key details remained unknown. Incoming premier Peter Magyar , who is due to take office on May 9, sa...
Hungary has released previously undisclosed details of a €1 billion ($1.2 billion) loan that outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orban ’s government took from China in 2024, news website 444.hu reported Friday. While authorities had revealed the amount and maturity in 2024 after several months of delay, key details remained unknown. Incoming premier Peter Magyar , who is due to take office on May 9, said after defeating Orban at last month’s election that he would examine costly international agreements struck during the outgoing premier’s 16-year rule. The three-year loan was taken in April 2024 from China Development Bank, Export-Import Bank of China and the Hungarian unit of Bank of China Ltd., with the debt agency revealing its existence only four months later. Read more: Hungary Embraces China Loan Financing After €1 Billion Deal Authorities have long rejected requests by the press and opposition to release further details, citing banking secrecy rules. The 444.hu news website obtained fresh details after Orban’s election defeat. The loan carries an interest rate of 1.5 percentage points above six-month EURIBOR — the euro interbank rate — amounting to 3.916% per year in the current coupon period, the debt agency, known as AKK, told the newspaper. “The interest and premium paid on the loan was in line with market rates prevalent at the time of signing,” the AKK said. It also paid a total of €8 million in one-off fees at signing, which the agency said also aligned with international norms.