Blog Post Title: Stocks Update – September 6th, 2023

Introduction:

Riot Platforms, Inc. Reports Strong Bitcoin Production and Operations in August 2023

Riot Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ: RIOT), a leading Bitcoin mining and data center hosting company, has announced impressive unaudited production and operations updates for August 2023. Despite challenges, Riot’s performance remains strong.

In August, Riot produced 3334 bitcoins, marking a 19% decrease compared to July 2023. The average daily production also saw a similar decline. However, the company’s Bitcoin holdings increased by 9%, indicating confidence in the cryptocurrency. Notably, Riot sold bitcoins at an average net price of $28,617, resulting in net proceeds of $8.6 million.

Riot’s deployed hash rate remained stable at 110.7 EH/s, showcasing its reliability in the highly competitive Bitcoin mining market. Additionally, the company recorded record-high power and demand response credits, totaling $31.7 million in August.

Considering Riot’s strong performance and robust financials, I recommend holding onto the stock. The company’s unique power strategy and ability to adapt to market conditions position it for future success in the Bitcoin mining industry.

Daktronics Reports Record First Quarter Sales, Signaling Strong Performance

Daktronics, Inc. (NASDAQ – DAKT), a leading provider of electronic display systems, has announced its impressive financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Net sales during this period reached an all-time high of $232.5 million, representing a substantial increase of 35.3 percent compared to the same period last year. This growth can be attributed to record sales volume, stable operations, and strategic pricing actions.

One of the most noteworthy achievements in this quarter is the rebound in operating income, which rose to $40.2 million from an operating loss of $5.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2023. This significant improvement demonstrates the successful execution of Daktronics’ business strategies and the effective utilization of manufacturing capacity. Moreover, the company’s product order backlog stood at $323.7 million, indicating a stable operating environment and a deliberate effort to reduce lead times.

Reece Kurtenbach, Chairman, President, and CEO of Daktronics, expressed his satisfaction with the company’s Q1 performance. He highlighted the successful completion of manufacturing and installation projects for the football season in the High School Park and Recreation and Live Events business units, as well as the company’s efforts to bring lead times back to pre-pandemic levels.

Looking ahead, Daktronics aims to leverage its leading market position by offering cutting-edge technologies and services to both its existing and new customers. The company’s focus remains on capturing the market’s expected growth and broadening its product offerings. In addition, Daktronics is proactively monitoring the changing geopolitical and global economic landscape to adapt its strategies and maintain profitability in various cycles.

Based on the strong quarterly results and the company’s strategic initiatives, it is highly recommended to consider buying Daktronics stock. The impressive growth in net sales, improved operating income, and successful execution of business plans highlight the company’s potential for long-term success in the electronic display systems market. Investors should seize the opportunity to be part of Daktronics’ ongoing journey towards capturing market growth and expanding its market share.

Disclaimer: Please conduct thorough research and consider your own financial goals before making any investment decisions.

Zscaler, Inc. Reports Impressive Fourth Quarter Results for Fiscal Year 2023

Zscaler, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZS), the leading provider of cloud security solutions, announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended July 31, 2023. The results showcase remarkable growth and profitability, emphasizing the company’s position as a force to be reckoned with in the industry.

Key highlights of the report include a 43% YoY increase in revenue, reaching an impressive $455.0 million. Calculated billings also experienced substantial growth, with a 38% YoY increase to $719.3 million. Zscaler’s deferred revenue demonstrated impressive growth as well, with a 41% YoY increase to $1,439.7 million. On a year-over-year basis, GAAP net loss significantly improved, decreasing from $97.7 million to $30.7 million. Furthermore, non-GAAP net income rose to $100.9 million, a significant increase from $36.4 million.

Zscaler’s Chairman and CEO, Jay Chaudhry, expressed delight in the company’s performance, emphasizing the growing demand for their zero-trust architecture and cloud security solutions. Chaudhry highlighted their successful penetration of the market, doubling annual recurring revenue to surpass the $2 billion milestone. With continuous investments in product innovations, Zscaler aims to capture the vast opportunities in the cybersecurity landscape.

Based on the impressive financials and the company’s strong growth trajectory, it is recommended to consider buying Zscaler stock. The consistent revenue growth, profitability, and the increasing demand for their cloud security services indicate a positive outlook for the company.

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GitLab Inc. Reports Strong Quarterly Revenue Growth: Should You Buy the Stock?

GitLab Inc., the DevSecOps Platform, recently announced its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024. The company reported a quarterly revenue of $139.6 million, showing a significant increase of 38% year-over-year. This impressive growth can be attributed to the successful execution of their go-to-market strategy and their focus on creating an innovative DevSecOps platform.

It is worth noting that industry analysts have recognized GitLab as a category leader, which is a significant achievement for the company. This recognition demonstrates the shift in the market from point solutions to comprehensive platforms. With their rapid pace of product innovation and strong customer demand, GitLab is well positioned to capture a larger portion of the estimated $40 billion total addressable market opportunity.

From a financial standpoint, GitLab’s performance is commendable. Despite a GAAP operating margin of (39%) and a net loss per share of $(0.33), the company’s non-GAAP operating margin was (3)% and non-GAAP net income per share was $0.01. These figures indicate a path towards profitability and responsible growth.

Considering the positive news surrounding GitLab and their consistent business momentum, I recommend buying the stock. With their market-leading DevSecOps platform and the potential to capture a greater share of the market, GitLab is well positioned for future success.

Please note that this blog post is not intended as financial advice, and it is essential to conduct thorough research and consult with a professional before making any investment decisions.

Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Financial Results

Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASO), a leading sports and outdoors retailer, has released its financial results for the second quarter ended July 29, 2023. Despite a decline in net sales and comparable sales, the company showed resilience in its earnings performance.

In the second quarter, net sales declined by 6.2%, while comparable sales dropped by 7.5%. However, Academy’s gross margin rate improved by 30 basis points to 35.6%. The company also demonstrated its commitment to shareholders by returning $114 million through repurchases and dividends.

“While facing a challenging economic environment, Academy remains focused on providing value to customers through our wide range of products and immersive shopping experience,” stated CEO Steve Lawrence. “Although sales were down compared to last year, we observed steady improvement throughout the quarter. We are confident in our ability to capture market share and continue growing as a leader in the sports and outdoors space.”

Academy is actively expanding its presence, planning to open 11-12 new stores this fall and investing in omnichannel capabilities. The company also aims to enhance its brand portfolio to resonate with its core customer base.

Considering the overall performance, I remain cautiously optimistic about Academy’s prospects. While the decline in sales is concerning, the steady improvement seen during the quarter is encouraging. With a solid earnings performance and a strategic focus on future growth, Academy could rebound in the coming months. Therefore, I recommend holding onto the stock for now.