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Tag: Expectations
Managing Customer Expectations in Technical Support: Best Practices and Tips
Technical support is an essential component of any business that offers products or services to customers. It is crucial for businesses to effectively manage customer expectations in technical support to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty. By setting clear expectations and providing excellent service, businesses can build trust with their customers and create positive experiences that will keep customers coming back for more.Here are some best practices and tips for managing customer expectations in technical support:
1. Communicate clearly and effectively: It is important for technical support teams to communicate with customers in a clear and concise manner. This includes explaining technical issues in a way that is easy for customers to understand, setting realistic expectations for resolution times, and providing regular updates on the status of the issue.
2. Set realistic expectations: It is important to set realistic expectations for customers regarding the resolution of their technical issues. This may involve providing estimated resolution times, explaining the steps involved in resolving the issue, and being transparent about any potential challenges that may arise during the process.
3. Provide excellent customer service: Excellent customer service is key to managing customer expectations in technical support. This includes being responsive to customer inquiries, providing timely updates on the status of technical issues, and ensuring that customers feel valued and supported throughout the process.
4. Empower customers with self-service options: Providing customers with self-service options can help manage their expectations and reduce the need for direct technical support. This may include offering online resources, FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and other tools that customers can use to resolve common technical issues on their own.
5. Follow up and gather feedback: Following up with customers after a technical issue has been resolved is an important step in managing customer expectations. This allows businesses to ensure that the customer is satisfied with the resolution and gather feedback on their experience. This feedback can be used to improve the technical support process and address any areas for improvement.
In conclusion, managing customer expectations in technical support is essential for ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty. By communicating clearly, setting realistic expectations, providing excellent customer service, empowering customers with self-service options, and following up with customers, businesses can build trust and create positive experiences that will keep customers coming back for more. By implementing these best practices and tips, businesses can effectively manage customer expectations in technical support and create a positive customer experience.
Service Level Agreements: Setting Expectations and Ensuring Accountability
A Service Level Agreement (SLA) is a crucial document that outlines the expectations and responsibilities of both parties involved in a service agreement. It serves as a roadmap for the service provider and the client to ensure that both parties are on the same page regarding the level of service that will be provided.Setting clear expectations is essential in any business relationship, and SLAs are no exception. By clearly defining the scope of services, response times, and performance metrics, both parties can avoid misunderstandings and disputes down the line. This not only helps in managing expectations but also ensures accountability on both sides.
One of the key benefits of SLAs is that they provide a framework for measuring the performance of the service provider. By setting specific targets and metrics, the client can hold the provider accountable for meeting these standards. This can help in improving the quality of service and ensuring that the client’s needs are met in a timely manner.
Additionally, SLAs can help in resolving conflicts and disputes between the parties. If there are any issues or breaches of the agreement, the SLA can serve as a reference point for resolving the dispute. This can help in avoiding legal battles and maintaining a healthy business relationship.
When creating an SLA, it is important to involve all stakeholders in the process. This includes representatives from both the client and the service provider, as well as any other relevant parties. By involving all stakeholders, you can ensure that all expectations are addressed and that the agreement is fair and reasonable for both parties.
In conclusion, Service Level Agreements are a critical component of any service agreement. By setting clear expectations and ensuring accountability, SLAs can help in improving the quality of service, resolving conflicts, and maintaining a healthy business relationship. It is important to involve all stakeholders in the process of creating an SLA to ensure that all expectations are met and that the agreement is fair for both parties.
Caught in a Pitching Crossfire, the Phillies’ Beloved Suarez May Dawn a New Role, Shattering Fan Expectations
A Potential Shift in Strategy: Suarez’s Role with the Phillies
In the world of sports, unexpected changes can sometimes lead to groundbreaking results. The Philadelphia Phillies, a team with a rich history and passionate fan base, are contemplating a significant alteration in their lineup that might leave many supporters both surprised and intrigued.
Rethinking the Rotation: Setting the Stage
The Phillies, known for their starting rotation prowess, have been actively fine-tuning their lineup to address any potential gaps. Despite finishing with an impressive ERA in the previous season, concerns loomed over the performance of their fifth starter.
The addition of Jesus Luzardo from the Miami Marlins was a strategic move aimed at bolstering the pitching unit. With Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola anchoring the rotation, the Phillies seemed poised for success. However, the emergence of pitching prospect Andrew Painter added a new dimension to their plans, potentially leading to a surplus of starting pitchers.
A Shift in Focus: The Potential Role Change for Suarez
As discussions surrounding the pitching lineup intensify, speculations have arisen regarding Ranger Suarez’s future role within the team. Matt Gelb, a respected voice in sports journalism, hinted at the possibility of Suarez transitioning to a bullpen position.
While Suarez has made a name for himself as a reliable starter, his versatility and adaptability mark him as a valuable asset in various pitching roles. His journey from the bullpen to the starting rotation showcases his ability to excel under different circumstances.
Navigating Challenges: The Path Ahead
Suarez’s career trajectory has been a mix of highs and challenges, from stellar performances to injury setbacks. The prospect of utilizing his skills in a relief role opens up new opportunities for both him and the team.
By strategically managing his workload and leveraging his strengths, Suarez could offer a fresh dynamic to the Phillies’ pitching strategy. The potential for enhanced performance and prolonged effectiveness in crucial game moments could redefine his impact on the team’s overall success.
Embracing Change: A New Chapter Unfolds
In the realm of sports, adaptation is key to staying ahead of the game. The Phillies’ contemplation of reshaping Suarez’s role reflects their commitment to innovation and optimization.
As fans eagerly anticipate the unfolding of this potential transformation, the stage is set for Suarez to embrace a new chapter in his career. The fusion of talent, strategy, and determination could lead to a narrative that transcends expectations and elevates the Phillies to new heights.
Conclusion: A Paradigm Shift in Progress
In the ever-evolving landscape of sports, change is not only inevitable but often necessary for growth and success. The Philadelphia Phillies’ deliberation on Suarez’s role exemplifies a strategic shift aimed at maximizing the team’s potential and achieving greater outcomes.
As the season progresses and decisions are made, the impact of this potential transition will unfold, shaping the team’s trajectory and captivating fans with its narrative. Suarez’s journey stands as a testament to resilience and adaptability, embodying the spirit of transformation within the realm of professional sports.
As the Philadelphia Phillies continue to navigate their way through a tumultuous season, one player has emerged as a potential game-changer: Ranger Suarez. The left-handed pitcher has been a bright spot for the team, showcasing his talent and versatility on the mound.But as the Phillies find themselves caught in a pitching crossfire, with injuries and inconsistencies plaguing their rotation, Suarez may soon find himself in a new role – one that could shatter fan expectations.
Suarez, who has primarily been used as a reliever this season, has shown that he has the stuff to be a starter. His pinpoint control, deceptive fastball, and devastating changeup have made him a valuable asset out of the bullpen. But with the team in desperate need of starting pitching help, Suarez may be called upon to make the transition to the rotation.
If Suarez does indeed make the move to a starting role, it could be a game-changer for the Phillies. His ability to go deep into games, keep hitters off balance, and consistently deliver quality outings could be just what the team needs to turn their season around.
So, as the Phillies navigate the ups and downs of a challenging season, all eyes will be on Suarez. Will he dawn a new role and shatter fan expectations? Only time will tell. But one thing is for certain – the Phillies are counting on Suarez to be the difference-maker they so desperately need.
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#Caught #Pitching #Crossfire #Phillies #Beloved #Suarez #Dawn #Role #Shattering #Fan #Expectations
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 review: big expectations, small gains
Nvidia’s new RTX 5080 graphics card isn’t as exciting as I was hoping it would be. While the sleek new Founders Edition redesign dramatically shrinks the size of the card compared to the RTX 4080 and RTX 4080 Super, you’re getting the same 16GB of VRAM and only small performance improvements over the previous generation of cards.
The RTX 5080, which arrives January 30th for $999, is about 15 percent faster than the RTX 4080 at 4K without the use of any AI-powered upscaling tricks. While the RTX 4080 managed to beat the RTX 3090, and the RTX 3080 dethroned the RTX 2080 Ti, the RTX 5080 isn’t enough to topple the RTX 4090. Nvidia has built up an expectation that the 80-series card will surpass the previous generation’s flagship, and that’s simply not the case this time around.
The RTX 5080 does comfortably beat its only competition at this price point: the $999 AMD RX Radeon 9700 XTX. That makes the RTX 5080 a good card for 4K if you’re willing to drop settings in some games and more GPU than you probably need for 1440p. For meaningfully better 4K performance, you’ll have to spend $2,000 on the RTX 5090.
If you’re upgrading to the RTX 5080 from the RTX 3080 or RTX 3080 Ti, expect to see average performance gains of more than 50 percent at 1440p and 4K. If you want more than that, you’ll have to rely on Nvidia’s new DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Gen to create more frames with AI models. As we work our way down the RTX 50-series lineup, it increasingly feels like Multi Frame Gen is going to be the main talking point.
$1000
The Good
- Sleek two-slot design
- DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Gen
- Good average power draw in games
The Bad
- 16GB of VRAM
- Not a big performance boost over the RTX 4080
The RTX 5080 Founders Edition model looks identical to the RTX 5090. It’s dramatically thinner than the RTX 4080 it succeeds, shrinking from a three-slot design down to two slots. I really like this redesign, which includes double flowthrough fans that exhaust air above the RTX 5080 into the case instead of out of the top and back of the card.
The RTX 5080 has an angled power connector. Just like the RTX 5090, Nvidia has slightly angled the power connector on the RTX 5080 so it’s easier to fit into a variety of cases. The included dongle, which converts three eight-pin PCIe power cables to fit the card’s 12VHPWR connector, has slightly more flexible cables than the one that shipped with the 40-series cards. You can also ditch the dongle and get a 12V-2×6 or 12VHPWR cable that connects directly to your power supply.
It’s disappointing to see Nvidia has stuck with 16GB of VRAM on the RTX 5080. AMD’s RX 7900 XTX offers 24GB, and while the RTX 5080 delivers better performance for now, it may well hit video memory limits in 4K gaming in the future.
Nvidia has moved the RTX 5080 to a two-slot card. For both my 4K and 1440p testing, I’ve paired Nvidia’s RTX 5080 with AMD’s latest Ryzen 9 9800X3D processor and Asus’ 32-inch 4K OLED PG32UCDP monitor. I’ve put the RTX 5080 up against the RTX 5090 — Nvidia’s current flagship — as well as the RTX 4090, RTX 4080 and 4080 Super, AMD’s Radeon RX 7900 XTX, and the RTX 3080 Ti from 2021.
Without DLSS or ray tracing enabled, the results are largely consistent across both 4K and 1440p: the RTX 5080 is about 15 percent faster on average than the 4080 at 4K and 12 percent faster at 1440p. It’s 12 percent faster than the Radeon RX 7900 XTX at 4K and 11 percent at 1440p, and it beats the RTX 4080 Super by 11 and 10 percent, respectively.
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9800X3D
- CPU cooler: Corsair H150i Elite LCD
- Motherboard: Gigabyte Aorus Master
- RAM: 32GB G.Skill DDR5-6000
- Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2TB
- PSU: Corsair HX1000W
- Case: Streacom BC1 V2 open benchtable
That’s enough to make this the best $999 graphics card, but by historical standards, it’s disappointing. I really wanted to see the RTX 5080 beat the RTX 4090, but it lags the older card by about 18 percent. Maybe it was a big ask for a $999 GPU to beat a $1,599 last-gen flagship. The $1,199 RTX 4080 was faster than the $1,499 RTX 3090, but there was only a $300 gap there, not $600. Still, it’s the first time in a long time we’ve had such a paltry increase in an 80-series card.
Nvidia’s top GPU, the RTX 5090, is 50 percent faster than the RTX 5080 at 4K resolution, but it’s also double the price. That certainly leaves the door open for an RTX 5080 Ti, priced between the 5080 and 5090, that can beat the RTX 4090.
The RTX 5080 makes the most sense if you’re upgrading from the RTX 30 series or earlier. At 4K, without DLSS or ray tracing, it’s nearly 54 percent faster than the RTX 3080 Ti (56 percent at 1440p), and you’ll also be able to make full use of DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Gen if you upgrade.
DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Gen
Nvidia claimed the RTX 5080 would be twice as fast as the RTX 4080. For those kinds of numbers, you’ll need to turn to DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Gen.
Nvidia’s new Multi Frame Generation tech uses the latest AI graphics models, powered by an updated transformer architecture, to generate up to three additional frames per traditionally rendered frame, pushing the RTX 5080’s frame rates beyond what it’s normally capable of at 4K.
Cyberpunk 2077 is the only game with official support for DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Gen before the RTX 5080’s official launch on January 30th. In my testing, I’ve found big frame rate increases at 4K with full ray tracing enabled, with fewer graphical glitches than Nvidia’s previous frame-generation tech thanks to the new transformer model. Without DLSS 4, Cyberpunk runs at an unplayable 19fps average with ultra settings and full ray tracing. DLSS 4 Multi Frame Gen x4 brings that up to a far more playable 128fps, but it isn’t the same as a true 128fps.
DLSS Super Resolution — which renders the game at a lower resolution and then uses AI to upscale it — bumps the frame rate up to 38fps. Multi Frame Gen creates the three extra frames to get to that 128fps mark. While motion does look smoother, in terms of input latency, it still feels like a 38fps game. Multi Frame Gen is far less noticeable when the base frame rate with DLSS Super Resolution is higher than 60fps, so at 4K, you might need to lower the quality settings to really see the benefits.
It’s this Multi Frame Gen that lets Nvidia say the RTX 5080 is twice as fast as the RTX 4080, with the previous-gen card managing 62fps on average in Cyberpunk 2077 with full ray tracing and Frame Gen x2. The RTX 5080 more than doubles this with x4 enabled.
It’s a better story at 1440p thanks to higher base frame rates. Without DLSS 4, Cyberpunk 2077 averages 39fps at 1440p with full ray tracing and ultra settings. DLSS 4 Multi Frame Gen x4 brings that all the way up to 225fps. While it’s still not a true 225fps, it feels a lot better than the 4K equivalent because DLSS Super Resolution gets the base frame rate up to 73fps before Multi Frame Gen kicks in.
This is the ideal situation for Multi Frame Gen because you’re getting the motion clarity benefits and the game still feels more responsive. It’s obviously not as responsive as 225fps would be without Multi Frame Gen if you really dropped the settings, but in a game like Cyberpunk 2077, I think people are going to notice the motion clarity improvements more than the input latency.
When the RTX 5080 launches on January 30th, there’ll be a new DLSS override feature inside the Nvidia app that lets you force games to use its new Multi Frame Gen and transformer models. I haven’t been able to test this yet, since it’s not available, but if it works, it could be a great way to improve DLSS image quality and Frame Gen in games before developers can officially patch them.
I focus most of my GPU testing on gaming — because that’s what GeForce cards are designed for — but the RTX 5080 is also very capable of video editing or AI workloads. I found that the RTX 5080 was nearly 10 percent faster than the RTX 4080 in PugetBench’s DaVinci Resolve test, and in Procyon’s AI XL (FP16) test, it was nearly 28 percent faster.
The RTX 5080 isn’t powerful enough to beat the RTX 4090. Nvidia recommends an 850-watt power supply for the RTX 5080, which is 100 watts more than for the RTX 4080 and 4080 Super. The RTX 5080’s total graphics power is 40 watts more than the RTX 4080; it maxes out at 360 watts instead of the massive 575-watt power draw of the RTX 5090.
I’m glad to see that the RTX 5080 doesn’t significantly increase the power draw over the previous generation. I only saw it hit 360W once, in the Metro Exodus extreme benchmark. Even in Cyberpunk 2077 running full path tracing and no DLSS, it only got up to 348 watts.
More impressively, on average, the RTX 5080 drew 278 watts of power across the nine games tested without DLSS or ray tracing. That’s slightly less than the 281-watt average I found on the RTX 4080 but 12 watts more than the RTX 4080 Super.
The RTX 5080 didn’t heat up excessively in my open bench testing. The highest temperature I recorded was in Metro Exodus, where it reached 71 degrees Celsius (160 degrees Fahrenheit). The RTX 4080 reached 68C in this same test, and the RTX 4080 Super hit a maximum of 63C.
The fans on the RTX 5080 push air out of the top. DLSS 4 is really the star of the show so far with the RTX 50 series, but there still aren’t enough games to test it with. Multi Frame Gen has shown early promise, and it makes a lot more sense at 1440p in Cyberpunk 2077 on the RTX 5080 than it does at 4K. I’m waiting to test more games with DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Gen or even the ability to force these options on with the Nvidia app.
The RTX 5080 is the best $999 card on the market right now, beating AMD’s Radeon RX 9700 XTX by an average of 11 or 12 percent across the games I tested, without DLSS or ray tracing. It’s a significant upgrade over an RTX 30 series or earlier, with over 50 percent higher frame rates than the RTX 3080 Ti, plus access to the latest Multi Frame Generation technique. The 5080 offers about two-thirds the performance of the RTX 5090 for half the price and a little more than half the power draw.
But Nvidia hasn’t delivered the pure performance gains I was expecting. The RTX 5080 isn’t the cheaper RTX 4090 many were hoping for. I wanted to see a more meaningful bump to 4K performance than just 15 percent over the RTX 4080 without DLSS. I’m left wondering whether Nvidia will introduce an RTX 5080 Ti down the line and how close the upcoming $749 RTX 5070 Ti will get to the RTX 5080.
The highly anticipated Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 has finally arrived, but it seems that the hype may have been a bit premature. While many were expecting a significant leap in performance from the previous generation, the gains with the RTX 5080 are actually quite modest.In terms of raw power, the RTX 5080 does offer a slight improvement over its predecessor, the RTX 4080. However, the increase in performance is not as drastic as some had hoped for. Gamers looking for a significant boost in frame rates and graphics quality may be left feeling underwhelmed by the modest gains of the RTX 5080.
That being said, the RTX 5080 still delivers a solid gaming experience, with impressive visuals and smooth gameplay. The ray tracing capabilities of the card are top-notch, providing stunning lighting effects and realistic reflections in supported games.
Overall, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 is a solid graphics card that offers a decent performance boost over its predecessor. While it may not be the huge leap forward that some were expecting, it still delivers a great gaming experience for those looking to upgrade their rig.
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Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 review, gaming graphics card, performance analysis, next-gen GPU, PC gaming, ray tracing technology, gaming benchmarks, Nvidia RTX series, graphics card comparison, gaming hardware, GPU review, tech review, gaming performance, Nvidia graphics card.
#Nvidia #GeForce #RTX #review #big #expectations #small #gainsStarbucks beats low earnings expectations for its first quarter under new CEO
Starbucks (SBUX) is striving to brew up a comeback.
The Seattle-based coffee giant posted its first quarter fiscal year 2025 results on Tuesday after market close, which showed declines across the board but beat Wall Street’s expectations.
This was the first full quarter under CEO Brian Niccol, who took the helm on Sept. 9.
“While we’re only one quarter into our turnaround, we’re moving quickly to act on the ‘Back to Starbucks’ efforts and we’ve seen a positive response,” Niccol said in the release.
Revenue was flat year-over-year at $9.4 billion, versus estimates of $9.32 billion. Earnings per share of $0.69 was a 23% drop compared to the same quarter a year ago, but higher than the $0.66 expected. The company alluded to “heightened investments” for Niccol’s turnaround plan as part of the reason for the earnings decline.
“We believe this is the fundamental change in strategy needed to solve our underlying issues, restore confidence in our brand and return the business to sustainable, long-term growth,” said Niccol in the release. His “Back to Starbucks” plan calls for a focus on core coffee products, better pricing, and faster service.
Global same-store sales and foot traffic declined 4% and 6%, the fourth straight quarter of such decline. The average ticket size grew 3%.
North America and US same-store sales fell 4% year over year, while foot traffic dropped 8%, partially offset by a 4% jump in average ticket.
As part of Niccol’s effort to improve Starbucks’ value proposition, it got rid of extra charges for nondairy milks, and paused price increases.
Operating margin contracted by 390 basis points in the quarter, partially driven by “deleverage and investments” in Niccol’s strategy and in store wages, benefits, and hours.
In the past year, Starbucks stock has gained 5%, far lagging the S&P 500’s (^GSPC) 24% rise. But the shares have risen 32% in the past six months after Niccol was announced as the new CEO in August.
Here’s results for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, compared to what Wall Street expected, per Bloomberg consensus estimates:
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Same-store sales: -4% versus -5.30%
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Foot traffic: -6% versus -7.28%
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Ticket Growth: 3.0% versus 1.87%
Starbucks has exceeded low earnings expectations for its first quarter under the leadership of new CEO, Kevin Johnson. The coffee giant reported strong profits and revenue growth, surpassing analysts’ predictions.The company’s net income for the quarter was $886.3 million, up from $752.1 million in the same period last year. Revenue also saw a significant increase, reaching $6.67 billion compared to $6.07 billion in the previous year.
Starbucks has been focusing on expanding its digital offerings and driving customer loyalty through its rewards program, which has contributed to its success in the first quarter. Johnson’s strategic initiatives seem to be paying off, as the company continues to attract new customers and drive sales growth.
Investors are optimistic about Starbucks’ future under Johnson’s leadership, as the company remains a dominant player in the coffee industry. With a strong start to the year, Starbucks is poised for continued success in the coming quarters.
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- Starbucks earnings report
- Starbucks CEO performance
- Starbucks first quarter earnings
- Starbucks financial results
- Starbucks stock performance
- Starbucks revenue growth
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- Starbucks market performance
#Starbucks #beats #earnings #expectations #quarter #CEO
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Expectations for AT&T, BRO and SoFI Earnings on Monday, January 27th
Monday – January 27, 2025 Today is special for investors as three major companies; AT&T (NYSE:T), Brown & Brown (NYSE:BRO) and SoFi technology (NASDAQ:SOFI) will report their earnings. And here’s an overview of what to expect from the companies:
AT&T is predicted to grow nearly flat, and its mobility and fiber segments are anticipated to grow marginally, and analysts predict the telecom giant would see its wireless and broadband segments to grow steadily.
Revenue is expected to be $32.29 billion, 0.8% higher over the past year. Meanwhile, EPS is expected to be $0.48 or decline 11.1%. The cost-cutting measures are predicted to not enough to increase profitability.
Tailwinds:
The industry is seeing growth in 5G and fiber internet adoption, the ARPU (average revenue per user) is also higher due to bundling services.
Headwinds:
The competitive pressure in telecommunication industry is growing especially from T-Mobile and Verizon that apply cheaper packages. The 5G infrastructure deployment would require high capital expenditure.
The insurance brokerage is expected to report solid earnings result. Analysts project higher revenue of 8.2% growth in line with higher premium price in property and casualty (P&C) insurance, revenue is expected to be around $1.11 billion and earnings to be at $0.76 per share or 31% higherfrom previous year.
Tailwinds:
Despite economic challenges, insurance industry is resilient with favorable pricing in P&C insurance premium. Continued growth in M&A activity within the insurance brokerage industry also helps Brown & Brown
Headwinds:
Costs would go higher as higher potential of catastrophic events. There’s also competition from larger brokers and online insurance platforms.
Membership and product adoption is expected to continue the massive growth, particularly in personal loans. SoFi is expanding its product offering to cater the growing member base and help increase revenue streams. Lending and financial services will continue to deliver double digit growth in revenue, and margins are expected to improve.
Tailwinds:
Users are growing in number as federal student loan repayments resuming. SoFi has become the top of mind among young generations related to digital financial services that are reachable for them.
Headwinds:
Changing in interest rates affecting SoFi in cost. Competition pressure comes as more financial institution offer digital banking services too. The company is still focused on scaling, so it’s hard for shareholders to hope for profitability.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
As we head into another busy earnings week, all eyes are on three major players in the financial and telecommunications sectors: AT&T, BRO, and SoFI. With their earnings reports scheduled for Monday, January 27th, investors are eagerly anticipating what these companies have in store.AT&T, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world, is expected to report strong earnings driven by its wireless and entertainment divisions. With the recent rollout of 5G technology and the continued growth of its streaming services, analysts are optimistic about AT&T’s performance in the fourth quarter.
BRO, a leading insurance and financial services provider, is also expected to deliver solid results. With a strong focus on risk management and a diverse portfolio of products, BRO has been able to navigate through challenging market conditions. Investors will be looking for updates on its growth strategies and any potential headwinds in the coming quarters.
SoFI, a fintech company known for its innovative approach to personal finance and investing, has been gaining traction among younger investors. With its recent IPO and expanding product offerings, SoFI is poised for growth in the digital banking space. Analysts will be watching closely for any updates on user growth and profitability.
Overall, market expectations are high for AT&T, BRO, and SoFI as they prepare to release their earnings reports on Monday. Stay tuned for further analysis and insights into these key players in the financial and telecommunications industries.
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AT&T earnings, BRO earnings, SoFI earnings, Monday earnings report, January 27th earnings, stock market news, earnings expectations, financial updates, AT&T stock, BRO stock, SoFI stock, investment opportunities, market analysis, earnings forecast
#Expectations #ATT #BRO #SoFI #Earnings #Monday #January #27thJ.P. Morgan Sets Expectations on SoFi Stock Ahead of Earnings
SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ:SOFI) was a standout performer in 2024, and its momentum has carried into 2025, with the stock surging ~15% year-to-date. In fact, this rally has propelled the stock to levels not seen in three years, defying a broader downturn in the fintech sector even amid rising Treasury yields and reduced expectations for rate cuts in 2025.
With the neobank set to report Q4 earnings before the market opens tomorrow (January 27), investors will be hoping the company can deliver a strong print and build on the current momentum.
Looking ahead to the readout, J.P. Morgan analyst Reginald Smith takes an upbeat stance on what is about to unfold.
“Ultimately,” Smith notes, “we are positive into the print, despite rising treasury yields, which could be a ~$100M headwind to loan FVs (net of hedges and cushion from 3Q24), as we think SoFi’s Loan Platform business, which contributed >$50M in high-margin revs in 3Q24, could be a source of upside this quarter and a meaningful (and underappreciated) profit driver in ‘25.”
The capital-light Loan Platform Business’ momentum was the big surprise last quarter. Here, SoFi originates loans and right away transfers them to third parties, earning referral or origination fees. The company had previously not brought much attention to this channel, but in 3Q24, SoFi originated approximately $1 billion in personal loans, generating $56 million in high-margin fees – a year-over-year increase of more than 5x.
“We like this business,” Smith adds, “as it allows SoFi to monetize applicants that may have otherwise been rejected (SoFi rejects >70% of PL applicants), without burdening its own balance sheet or capital ratios, which could ultimately boost ROE and drive multiple expansion.”
Looking ahead, Smith expects SoFi’s 2025 guide will likely factor in low 20% revenue growth and around 30% EBITDA margins, inline with Street expectations. Smith also points out that the company has a track record of beating and raising targets as the year progresses.
As for what to do with the stock, Smith’s advice is to load up on any post-print weakness, but he refrains from getting on board right now. While positive on 2025, given the recent strength, shares “could take a breather on the print.”
“Looking to 2025,” the analyst summed up, “we expect the conversation to shift to Financial Service monetization, the Loan Platform business, Tech Platform deals and balance sheet growth, while acknowledging inflation and rising rates could reignite debates around fair value marks and credit losses.”
All told, Smith assigns a Neutral rating for SoFi shares, along with a $16 price target, suggesting an ~11% downside from the current share price. (To watch Smith’s track record, click here)
Smith isn’t alone in playing it safe. 4 other analysts are also sitting on the fence, while 6 are betting on Buys and four are waving the Sell flag. The consensus? A Hold (i.e., Neutral) rating. The broader view suggests SoFi may be flying too high, with the $13.19 average price target pointing to a potential 26% drop over the next year. (See SOFI stock forecast)
To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks’ Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks’ equity insights.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analyst. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.
J.P. Morgan has set its expectations on SoFi stock ahead of the company’s upcoming earnings report. The financial services firm has stated that it expects SoFi to report strong financial results, driven by the company’s focus on expanding its customer base and diversifying its revenue streams.J.P. Morgan analysts have highlighted SoFi’s recent acquisitions and partnerships as key drivers of growth for the company. They believe that SoFi’s strategic moves in the fintech space will continue to drive momentum for the stock in the coming quarters.
Investors will be closely watching SoFi’s earnings report to see if the company meets or exceeds J.P. Morgan’s expectations. With the stock currently trading at attractive levels, there is potential for a positive price reaction if SoFi delivers strong results.
Overall, J.P. Morgan remains bullish on SoFi stock and believes that the company’s long-term growth prospects are promising. Investors should keep an eye on the upcoming earnings report for more insights into SoFi’s performance and future outlook.
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#J.P #Morgan #Sets #Expectations #SoFi #Stock #Ahead #EarningsCooper Flagg is exceeding unfathomably high expectations
Cooper Flagg’s first basketball role model wasn’t LeBron James, Stephen Curry or any other modern-day NBA megastar.
It was a player who retired 14 years before the ballyhooed Duke freshman was even born.
When Flagg and his twin brother, Ace, were in elementary school in his hometown of Newport, Maine, their parents purchased them DVDs chronicling the life and career of Larry Bird. Cooper Flagg would lie on the living room floor watching documentaries on Bird and on his rivalry with Magic Johnson. Or he’d pass time in the back of the family’s Chrysler minivan on the way to practices watching full-game replays over and over from the 1985-86 Celtics season
The purpose, according to Flagg’s parents, was more than just to introduce their sons to a Boston Celtics legend and to one of the franchise’s most beloved championship teams. Kelly and Ralph Flagg would point out that Bird was the Celtics’ best player and leading scorer, yet look how he disrupted opposing offenses by anticipating passes, dove after loose balls and sacrificed good shots for great ones.
“What we tried to instill in our kids is that however you can have an impact on winning, that’s the most important thing,” Kelly Flagg, who co-captained the University of Maine women’s team in 1999, told Yahoo Sports this past November. “That’s really to me what Larry Bird encapsulates as a player. He did whatever the team needed him to do night in and night out. Cooper is the same way. He isn’t somebody who feels like doing the dirty work is beneath him.”
The basketball education that Flagg gained studying Bird helped shape what sort of prospect he would become. Scouts rave about Flagg’s winning mentality, unparalleled competitiveness and relentless drive to get better as much as they do his rare combination of size, coordination, skill and athleticism.
Even though he only turned 18 last month, Flagg leads Duke in every statistical category, from points to rebounds to assists to blocks to steals. The presumptive No. 1 pick in next June’s NBA Draft has piloted the Blue Devils to No. 2 in the AP Top 25, thanks to marquee non-league wins over Auburn and Arizona and an 8-0 start to ACC play.
Cooper Flagg is averaging 19.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, leading Duke in every category. (M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) It’s not like Flagg’s first six weeks at Duke were disappointing, but recently he has taken a leap as he has grown more comfortable as the face of one of college basketball’s most tradition-rich programs. Questions about whether Flagg has a chance to be a No. 1 scoring option at the NBA level have faded as he has displayed the ability to hunt mismatches and create his own shot in half-court situations.
Flagg has averaged 23.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists over his past eight games while also shooting 55% from the field and 50% from behind the arc. That’s the most dominant stretch by a college freshman since Zion Williamson was abusing rims and blowing through shoes at Duke in 2019.
“The thing about Coop, he just keeps getting better,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said after Flagg dropped 28 points on Boston College on Saturday in an 88-63 victory. “He started off the year great, but he’s hit just a new level with what he’s doing and his assertiveness.”
Before his recent hot streak, Flagg was already entrenched as college basketball’s top prospect. Now, he’s also established himself as college basketball’s top player, having overtaken Auburn’s Johni Broome as the betting favorite to win the Wooden Award and distanced himself from long-shot candidates like Marquette’s Kam Jones, Alabama’s Mark Sears and Kansas’ Hunter Dickinson.
Broome averaged 17.9 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists while helping Auburn emerge as a surprise national title contender, but the 6-foot-10 senior has been out of action since suffering a high ankle sprain at South Carolina on Jan. 11. The top-ranked Tigers beat a pair of AP Top 25 teams in Broome’s absence last week and may have to face sixth-ranked Tennessee without him on Saturday.
While Broome has been out of sight while stuck in a walking boot, Flagg has produced the sort of jaw-dropping highlights that elevate a college basketball phenom into the mainstream.
There was Flagg’s midseason dunk-of-the-year candidate on Jan. 7, a vicious one-handed transition slam over Pittsburgh 7-footer Guillermo Diaz Graham.
There was Flagg’s 42-point explosion four days later against Notre Dame, an ACC freshman record that required only 14 field-goal attempts.
And there was Flagg’s New England homecoming at Boston College, a tour de force highlighted by this soaring dunk and this ice-cold staredown.
“I think I have a pinch-me moment almost every week at this point,” Flagg told reporters after the victory over Boston College. “This was my dream growing up my entire life to be in the position I’m in right now. I’m just trying to enjoy it.”
Now, national player of the year is Flagg’s to lose, even playing in a downtrodden ACC without a single other Top 25 team. He has a white-knuckle grip that realistically can only be loosened if Flagg fades down the stretch or Broome returns with a vengeance and powers Auburn’s title push in a historically strong SEC.
It should come as no surprise that Flagg has exceeded unfathomably high expectations so far this season. The projected No. 1 pick has made remarkable feats seem ordinary since he first picked up a basketball.
This is a kid who played against boys three or four years older than him since grade school and who eventually had to leave his home state of Maine to find sufficient competition. At 15, he led the U.S. U-17 World Cup team to a gold medal and became USA Basketball’s youngest male athlete of the year award winner. At 16, he guided a group of unheralded players from Maine to the Peach Jam title game and entrenched himself as the No. 1 player in his class. At 17, he was the only teenager selected to train with the U.S. men’s national team as it prepared for the Paris Olympics and looked at ease scoring over some of the NBA’s biggest superstars.
“It was another moment where we’re all looking at each other in the gym shaking our heads,” Flagg’s longtime trainer, Matt Mackenzie, told Yahoo Sports last year. “Every time we put a challenge in front of this kid, he not only rises to the occasion, he blows it out of the water.”
Cooper Flagg is guarded by Stephen Curry of the 2024 USA Basketball men’s national team during a scrimmage at the team’s training camp in Las Vegas prior to the Paris Olympics. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Before Flagg hit the floor at Cameron Indoor Stadium for the first time, he made the AP’s 2024-25 preseason All-American team. To no one’s surprise, Flagg validated that selection right away, making an immediate impact with his ball-hawking instincts, his knack for finding open teammates and his ability to finish in transition.
The real question for NBA scouts was whether Flagg was capable of generating offense in half-court situations. Could he take advantage of a mismatch and create off the bounce? Could he knock down an open 3-pointer if left free behind the arc?
At first, Flagg had some big-stage moments where he looked his age. Two costly last-minute turnovers against Kentucky served as a learning experience. So did another key giveaway down one against Kansas in the final minute.
Since then, Scheyer has figured out creative ways to get his best player mismatches and space to operate. Flagg has also made massive improvements as a shot creator, blowing by bigs off the dribble, bullying his way to the rim against guards and looking for teammates if the defense collapses on him. He has even caught fire as a spot-up shooter when defenders go under ball screens and don’t respect his 3-point range.
Years ago, Kelly Flagg dreamed that Cooper might one day get drafted by her beloved Boston Celtics.
“We’re from New England,” she said. “We bleed green.”
Now, with the Celtics contending for the NBA title and Flagg a near shoo-in to go No. 1 overall, that’s no longer a realistic possibility.
Flagg will always draw some inspiration from Larry Bird, but the beneficiary will be some other NBA team.
Cooper Flagg is exceeding unfathomably high expectationsCooper Flagg, the rising star in the world of sports, is continuing to impress fans, coaches, and critics alike with his exceptional talent and dedication to his craft. From his remarkable performances on the field to his unwavering work ethic off the field, Cooper has proven time and time again that he is a force to be reckoned with.
Despite facing immense pressure and scrutiny, Cooper has managed to surpass all expectations, setting new standards for excellence in his sport. His incredible speed, agility, and precision have left audiences in awe, and his ability to perform under pressure has solidified his place as a true champion.
With each game, Cooper continues to raise the bar for himself and his competitors, showing no signs of slowing down. His drive to succeed and passion for the game are evident in every play he makes, inspiring those around him to strive for greatness.
As Cooper Flagg continues to exceed unfathomably high expectations, it is clear that he is destined for greatness. Keep an eye on this rising star as he continues to shine on and off the field.
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