Category: Entertainment

  • MIL-OSI: Oportun Announces Continued Board Evolution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN CARLOS, Calif., May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oportun (Nasdaq: OPRT), a mission-driven financial services company, today announced that its Board of Directors will nominate Carlos Minetti and Raul Vazquez for election at the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”). Scott Parker and R. Neil Williams will not stand for reelection at the Annual Meeting, and the Board will be reduced from ten to eight members at that time. If the Board’s recommended candidates are elected, three of the Board’s seven independent directors will have joined the Board within eighteen months of the Annual Meeting. Following the conclusion of Mr. Williams’ tenure on the Board, the Board will select a new Lead Independent Director.

    “The Board has thoughtfully repositioned Oportun for continued success. As part of that process, we took a comprehensive look at how to maintain the Board’s strength and independence, as well as its diversity of experience and expertise,” said Mr. Williams. “After benchmarking against industry peers and corporate governance best practices, and considering the perspectives of our shareholders, we recognized that a smaller Board would be both more conventional and efficient. I have full confidence the Board will continue to provide effective guidance and hold management accountable as the Company executes its strategic initiatives.”

    “On behalf of the Board, I’d like to thank Scott and Neil for their service and contributions to the Company. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors,” said Ginny Lee, Chair of the Nominating, Governance and Social Responsibility Committee. “Looking ahead, we remain focused on vigorous and independent oversight of the Company’s strategy and execution, with a goal of driving improved operating performance and delivering enhanced shareholder value.”

    About Oportun

    Oportun (Nasdaq: OPRT) is a mission-driven financial services company that puts its members’ financial goals within reach. With intelligent borrowing, savings, and budgeting capabilities, Oportun empowers members with the confidence to build a better financial future. Since inception, Oportun has provided more than $19.7 billion in responsible and affordable credit, saved its members more than $2.4 billion in interest and fees, and helped its members save an average of more than $1,800 annually. For more information, visit Oportun.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including statements as to our future performance and financial position, are forward-looking statements. These statements can be generally identified by terms such as “expect,” “plan,” “goal,” “target,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “predict,” “project,” “outlook,” “continue,” “due,” “may,” “believe,” “seek,” or “estimate” and similar expressions or the negative versions of these words or comparable words, as well as future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “likely” and “could.” These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events, financial trends and risks and uncertainties that we believe may affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. These risks and uncertainties include those risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and, except to the extent required by federal securities laws, we disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there is no assurance that the events or results suggested by the forward-looking statements will in fact occur, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

    Additional Information and Where to Find It

    Oportun Financial Corporation (“Oportun”), its directors and certain executive officers are participants in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders in connection with Oportun’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”). Oportun plans to file a proxy statement (the “2025 Proxy Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting.

    Jo Ann Barefoot, Mohit Daswani, Ginny Lee, Carlos Minetti, Louis Miramontes, Scott Parker, Sandra A. Smith, Richard Tambor, Raul Vazquez and R. Neil Williams, all of whom are members of Oportun’s board of directors, are participants in Oportun’s solicitation. Additional information regarding such participants, including their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the 2025 Proxy Statement and other relevant documents to be filed with the SEC in connection with the Annual Meeting. Information relating to the foregoing can also be found in Oportun’s definitive proxy statement for its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2024 Proxy Statement”), which was filed with the SEC on May 13, 2024, and is available here. Particular attention is directed to the sections of the 2024 Proxy Statement captioned “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance,” “Non-Employee Director Compensation,” “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters,” “Executive Compensation” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.” To the extent that holdings of such participants in Oportun’s securities have changed since the amounts printed in the 2024 Proxy Statement, such changes have been reflected on the following filings: for Ms. Barefoot, on June 28, 2024; for Mr. Daswani, on June 28, 2024 and December 13, 2024; for Ms. Lee, on June 28, 2024; for Mr. Minetti, on June 28, 2024 and December 13, 2024; for Mr. Miramontes, on June 28, 2024; for Mr. Parker, on April 25, 2024June 18, 2024, and June 28, 2024; for Ms. Smith, on June 28, 2024; for Mr. Tambor, on June 28, 2024 and June 28, 2024; for Mr. Vazquez, on June 18, 2024September 12, 2024December 2, 2024March 12, 2025, and April 4, 2025; and for Mr. Williams, on June 28, 2024 and December 11, 2024.

    Promptly after filing its definitive 2025 Proxy Statement with the SEC, Oportun will mail the definitive 2025 Proxy Statement and a GREEN proxy card to each stockholder entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE 2025 PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT OPORTUN WILL FILE WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Stockholders may obtain, free of charge, Oportun’s proxy statement (in both preliminary and definitive form), any amendments or supplements thereto, and any other relevant documents filed by Oportun with the SEC in connection with the Annual Meeting at the SEC’s website, which is located here. Copies of Oportun’s definitive 2025 Proxy Statement, any amendments or supplements thereto, and any other relevant documents filed by Oportun with the SEC in connection with the Annual Meeting will also be available, free of charge, at Oportun’s website, which is located here, or by writing to Investor Relations, Oportun Financial Corporation, 2 Circle Star Way, San Carlos, CA 94070. In addition, copies of these materials may be requested, free of charge, from Oportun’s proxy solicitor, Innisfree M&A Incorporated, by calling toll-free to (877) 800-5195.

    Investor Contact
    Dorian Hare
    (650) 590-4323
    ir@oportun.com

    Innisfree M&A Incorporated
    Scott Winter / Gabrielle Wolf / Jonathan Kovacs
    (212) 750-5833

    Media Contact
    John Christiansen / Bryan Locke
    FGS Global
    Oportun@fgsglobal.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Xi Jinping congratulates participants of Chinese-Russian cultural and humanitarian exchange event

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday sent a congratulatory message to participants in a China-Russia cultural and humanitarian exchange event dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Great Patriotic War.

    In his message, the Chinese leader noted that 80 years ago, the Chinese and Russian peoples jointly made an indelible historical contribution to the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and sealed with blood an unbreakable great friendship, laying a solid foundation for the high-level development of interstate relations.

    Xi said that after 80 years, thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, China-Russia ties have shown new vitality and set a new model for major power relations.

    He stressed that strengthening cultural and humanitarian exchanges is of great and profound significance for increasing mutual understanding, strengthening good-neighborliness and friendship, and increasing public and popular support for the development of bilateral relations.

    The Chinese President expressed the hope that the media of both countries will take on a common mission and move forward hand in hand, conducting cultural and humanitarian exchanges that connect peoples, are close to life and filled with warmth. According to the Chinese leader, this will give new impetus to deepening mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries, add new luster to the Sino-Russian relations of comprehensive strategic partnership and coordination in the new era, and make new contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

    The event was organized by China Media Corporation and the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company.

    On the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent a congratulatory message to the participants of the event. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Beijing to host first World Humanoid Robot Games

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) — China’s capital Beijing will host the 2025 World Robot Conference and the first World Humanoid Robot Games in August, it was announced at a press conference on Wednesday.

    The Robotics Conference will run from August 8 to 12, and the Games from August 15 to 17. These events will showcase cutting-edge advances in robotics and foster greater global collaboration in the industry.

    According to the organizers, in 2025 the program of the World Robotics Conference includes forums, exhibitions and networking events, where about 200 specialized companies will present their latest developments.

    Vice Chairman of the Board and Secretary General of the China Electronics Society Chen Ying noted the expansion of international participation. More than 30 international organizations, over 30 world-renowned experts and over 100 international teams are expected to take part in the events. The share of foreign exhibitors will exceed 20 percent.

    The core program of the games, the world’s first multi-discipline competition for humanoid robots, will include tests of their athletic and functional skills in such disciplines as track and field, football, dance, carrying objects and sorting medicine. Additional competitions in badminton, table tennis and basketball will emphasize entertainment and interaction with spectators.

    According to Jiang Guangzhi, head of the Beijing City Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, the games will demonstrate how close robots’ capabilities are to the human ideal. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Appeal for information following Hei Hei crash

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Canterbury Police are investigating a crash in Hei Hei last month and are appealing for witnesses.

    At around 4:15pm on Saturday 12 April, a vehicle collided with a pedestrian at the corner of Buchanans Road and Carmen Road.

    The pedestrian sustained serious injuries however these are not believed to be life threatening.

    Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the crash, or saw a dark-coloured Mazda people mover in the Hei Hei area between 4pm and 4:30pm on 12 April.

    The vehicle travelled towards the airport along Carmen Road following the collision and was last seen at around 4:25pm turning into Roydvale Ave from Memorial Ave.

    If you have any information that could assist, including dashcam or CCTV footage, please get in touch via 105, either over the phone or online.

    You can reference file number 250413/9097.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-Evening Report: Marvel’s Thunderbolts* shines a light on men’s mental illness – but falls down with this outdated plotline

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emily Baulch, Research Associate, Discipline of Media and Communications, University of Sydney

    Marvel Studios

    This piece contains spoilers.


    Marvel’s men are sad. And that’s a good thing.

    Thor’s depressed in Avengers: Endgame. Tony Stark has panic attacks in Iron Man 3. Peter grieves in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

    In Marvel’s latest release Thunderbolts* (or The New Avengers), we finally see a male superhero seek advice on how to deal with mental illness.

    The only problem? His impromptu therapist is a woman he’s only just met.

    A blanket of darkness

    Bob Reynolds (Lewis Pullman) is a new and damaged superhero experiment. Bob believes the world might be better off without him – foreshadowing that he’s not entirely wrong.

    Bob turns to Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) for help. Yelena understands, saying “that darkness gets pretty enticing”. As she struggles to describe the feeling, Bob supplies the word: a void.

    Yelena offers a survival tactic: push the darkness deep down and carry on. It’s terrible advice and they both know it. But in that moment, it’s honest, and it connects them.

    Thunderbolts explores suicidal thoughts, PTSD and bipolar disorder. Bob speaks of the euphoric highs and shattering lows he experiences, often resulting in blackouts. His mental illness becomes metaphoric: his internal darkness manifests in his powers, and he becomes the villainous superpower of the film.

    Some of the film handles these themes well. Bob’s bipolar spreads into a dangerous blanket of darkness into which others, literally, vanish. At the film’s climax, Bob battles the dark, depressed version of himself. He beats himself up, seeking to beat the evil version of himself and, metaphorically, his mental illness. It doesn’t work. The darkness spreads to his stable self, too.

    But Yelena and the Thunderbolts fight their way to him, embracing him in a hug, and their support gives him the strength to confront his trauma.

    Women as emotional supports

    Done well, positive depictions of mental health struggles can be important pieces of representation.

    Unfortunately, most mental health depictions in major films are not done well, when they are included at all. Accurate portrayals of bipolar disorder remain rare. Research shows on young adult literature continues to lack mental health representation, especially by authors with lived experience.

    Across Hollywood, from Rey saving Kylo Ren in Star Wars to Beauty fixing the Beast, women are constantly cast as emotional supports for men.

    This is also true throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Black Widow offers the Hulk her hand; Tony Stark punches him to sleep. Scarlet Witch is forced to carry her grief for Vision. In Thunderbolts, Yelena becomes the latest emotional ballast for a traumatised man.

    The film’s depiction of men’s mental illness through the story of Bob Reynolds (Lewis Pullman) is an important one.
    Marvel Studios

    These women take these roles despite their own troubles, often without support or recognition from their male counterparts.

    Yelena steps into the dark emanating from Bob, believing her own struggles will allow her to help him. It’s poignant and beautiful in a way. Those who have walked through hell know the pathway through.

    But it’s also troubling.

    To save Bob from himself, she must risk her body, mind and mental wellbeing. Alone, her flashbacks become real as she comes face to face with her childhood trauma, undergoing psychological torture at Bob’s hands to reach him.

    The weight of emotional labour

    Yelena’s actions aren’t just a trope. They reflect a broader cultural script where women are expected to take on emotional responsibility not just for themselves but also for the men around them.

    Women are taught to care about others. At home and at work, the emotional labour undertaken by women often goes unnoticed, but it comes with real costs: stress, burnout and self-neglect.

    As men struggle with loneliness and a lack of friendships, women are expected to fill that gap. This dynamic, sometimes called “mankeeping”, leaves women doing the emotional work of informal therapy without support or reciprocity.

    Taking on these informal therapist roles results in disempowerment and dissatisfaction.

    The film’s depiction of Bob’s mental health issues has positive aspects: it goes against the pressure to conform to traditional ideas of masculinity, where men are taught to suppress their emotions and be stoic. Bob is allowed to be vulnerable and ask for help, and, despite his actions, is still shown to be worth helping.

    Too much caring responsibility falls on the shoulders of Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), who has her own struggles.
    Marvel Studios

    A significant number of young men who follow masculinity influencers believe they need to be stoic and control their emotions and that women should occupy traditional gender roles, being soft, nurturing, motherly and supportive.

    These beliefs can not only discourage men from seeking professional help: they set women up to carry the emotional burden in relationships, often at great personal cost.

    Addressing mental health

    Toxic masculinity is well and truly alive, but women aren’t the answer to it.

    Addressing mental health issues effectively requires a multifaceted approach that includes professional intervention, personal responsibility and mutual support within relationships.

    Thunderbolts gestures toward progress, but doesn’t quite escape old tropes. Bob’s pain is real, but it’s also weaponised. His mental illness becomes a threat, and his instability something others must contain.

    The film acknowledges he’s struggling, but ultimately treats his struggle as dangerous as his void-like inner turbulence is unleashed on those around him. It’s a reflection of a broader cultural pattern: when men’s emotional pain is left unaddressed, it festers, and women are often expected to absorb the cost.

    We’re left with a troubling question: in the stories we tell, are we promising struggling young men a fairytale ending of romance and self-sacrifice in the shape of a young woman coming to save them from themselves?


    If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

    Emily Baulch does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. Marvel’s Thunderbolts* shines a light on men’s mental illness – but falls down with this outdated plotline – https://theconversation.com/marvels-thunderbolts-shines-a-light-on-mens-mental-illness-but-falls-down-with-this-outdated-plotline-255869

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to study looking at ultra-processed foods and early signs of Parkinson’s disease

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A study published in Neurology looks at ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and signs of Parkinson’s disease. 

    Dr Katherine Fletcher, Research Lead at Parkinson’s UK, said:

    Research into diet in general is difficult as people often will inaccurately self-report what their diet comprises. This could be down to forgetting to fill in the diary at the time, to subjective interpretation of amounts of UPFs.

    “The study group also lacked ethnic and socio-economic diversity, which is vital when looking to better understand factors that contribute to the causes of a health condition.

    “In respect of strengths, it was a long-running study with a reasonably large sample size, building on a theory that already exists about the impact of diet.  Nonetheless, a much wider body of research is required before drawing any conclusions i.e. looking globally at different diets.

    “This paper builds on previous research, such as the work of Dr. Laurie Mischley1 at Bastyr University, which has shown an association between processed foods and faster progression of Parkinson’s.  Additionally, evidence suggests that following a Mediterranean-style diet2 – rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, pulses, and olive oil – could reduce someone’s risk of going on to develop Parkinson’s.

    “Research into diet and nutrition is crucial, as there is growing evidence that, for some individuals, Parkinson’s may originate from changes in the gut.  Ongoing studies are exploring alterations in the gut microbiome in Parkinson’s and investigating potential interventions to address these changes and as well as investigating diet and supplements to help manage symptoms.”

     

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29081890/

    Prof Eef Hogervorst, Professor of Psychology, Loughborough University, said:

    Firstly, the outcome term ‘early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease’ is a bit misleading as symptoms such as constipation, and body pain here found to be associated with consumption of Ultra Processed Foods (UPF) are quite common in ageing and are not necessarily indicative of Parkinson’s disease.

    “Even the most likely predictor of Parkinson’s disease – probably REM sleep disorder – is seen in 65% of Parkinson patients but also in 10% of controls, with low (65%) sensitivity for Parkinson’s disease, even when people already have this disease (Kakazu, 2024: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2024.09.042).  This symptom only shows relations with the highest intake of UPF.

    “Other symptoms like reduced sense of smell, daytime sleepiness, impaired colour vision and depression by themselves seem not related to consumption of UPF.

    “With regards to the UPF outcome, 30% of food consumption assessed by questionnaire was not agreed on and while experts apparently re-assessed these, it is not clear how they agreed on categorisation of foods, so whether they were UPF or not.

    “It seemed strange that non-UPF food included beef, pork, lamb chicken or turkey sandwich (all processed meats); cream; pancakes or waffles; pie, home-baked or readymade; popcorn; potato or

    corn chips; soy milk; and tomato sauce, as well as distilled alcohol and dairy coffee.

    “Individual foods such as UPF breads or cereals and indeed microwaveable meals were by themselves not associated with the ‘early Parkinson disease symptoms’ while sauces, sweets, artificial sweetened drinks and desserts were as well as savoury snacks, animal and dairy products including yogurts.  Such foods are associated with diabetes mellitus and vascular (heart) disease, respectively, which can impact on brain disease because of their sugar and trans fat contents, respectively.

    “However, it is not the first study to show associations of UPF and brain disease.  We early wrote a piece on studies investigating dementia risk and processed meat consumption

    https://theconversation.com/processed-red-meat-isnt-just-bad-for-your-heart-its-also-associated-with-dementia-247619   A healthy varied whole food diet is associated with prevention of many diseases including dementia.

    “Lastly, these two cohorts were mainly white health professionals so the results do not necessarily translate to everyone.

    “So this study may be affected by UPF categorisation as a predictor, where also not all UPF foods showed an association; the limited study group associations were assessed in (only mainly white health professionals and nurses) and also by the outcome, as these symptoms are not necessarily predictive of Parkinson’s disease, nor were these symptoms individually all associated with UPF consumption.”

     

    Dr Daniel J van Wamelen, Clinical Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience and Honorary Consultant Neurologist, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, said:

    “The findings in this study are interesting and appear to be based on solid research with conclusions well supported by the data.  However, it is important to highlight that the symptoms examined in this study are possible early signs of Parkinson’s disease, not definitive indicators that someone will go on to develop it.  The study did not track whether participants were diagnosed with Parkinson’s later on.

    “Many of the individual symptoms noted, such as sleep disturbances, constipation, and mood changes, are common in the general population.  While the study found that people who ate more ultra-processed foods tended to report more of these non-motor symptoms, it did not find a direct increase in the risk of Parkinson’s disease itself.  That said, having more of these symptoms suggests a higher risk over time.  For example, a person experiencing a combination of REM sleep behaviour disorder, constipation, and depressive symptoms has a higher likelihood of developing Parkinson’s down the line, but the risk is not absolute.  To better understand the long-term implications, we would need a longer follow-up to see how many participants go on to develop Parkinson’s and how this is associated with their diet.

    “In short, this is an interesting piece of research addressing important questions.  But the connection to Parkinson’s disease should be viewed with caution until more definitive evidence becomes available.”

     

     

     

    ‘Long-Term Consumption of Ultraprocessed Foods and Prodromal Features of Parkinson Disease’ by Peilu Wang et al. was published in Neurology at 21:00 UK time on Wednesday 7 May 2025. 

    DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000213562

     

     

    Declared interests

    Dr Katherine Fletcher: “The author declares that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence their comment reported in this article.”

    Prof Eef Hogervorst: “A previous consultancy for Proctor on omega 3 and folic acid supplement review to protect against dementia (these did not in meta-analyses), and unpaid but a travel reimbursed media appearance (breakfast TV BBC) to discuss the Lancet 2024 risk factors for dementia and her own articles including the Conversation piece on nutrition and dementia risk https://theconversation.com/processed-red-meat-isnt-just-bad-for-your-heart-its-also-associated-with-dementia-247619.  Eef also acted as unpaid but travel reimbursed consultant for NICE on menopausal HRT and dementia risk and has received travel reimbursement to speak at ESG and BMS conference on dementia prevention in 2024/2025.”

    Dr Daniel J van Wamelen: “Supported by research funding from CHDI Inc, MRC, and BRC; received travel grants and speaker fees for educational purposes from Bial Pharma; served on advisory boards for Britannia Pharmaceuticals and Invisio Pharma; received in kind contributions (equipment) from Chrono Eyewear BV for research projects.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Best Fortune Teller Online For Accurate Fortune Telling In 2025 – The Psychic Experts

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Connect with the best fortune teller online offering accurate fortune telling and powerful insights about the future, love life, career path, and more.

    SAN FRANCISCO, CA, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – The psychic experts have just ranked the best fortune tellers of 2025 for those who want to know what the future holds for them. With one platform, people can connect with reliable online fortune-telling services and get answers to their pressing questions.

    Discover your destiny with the best fortune tellers online, offering accurate fortune telling that delivers clarity, truth, and trusted predictions.

    ⇒ Find out what your future holds – talk to the best fortune teller now!

    As spiritual curiosity and the demand for real psychics increase globally, the psychic experts are proud to be a trusted platform that helps users find a live fortune teller for psychic reading or fortune telling. The psychic experts are a reputable platform that reviews the best fortune teller websites. These websites provide their services through different mediums like live chat readings, video sessions, and phone consultations.

    Now, people can experience the best fortune teller online and receive accurate fortune telling with clear answers to their most important life questions.

    ⇒ Don’t guess your future – ask the best fortune teller!

    How The Psychic Experts Pick the Best Fortune Tellers

    After years of rating fortune tellers and psychic readers, the psychic experts have just launched their own curated guide of the most accurate and trusted fortune tellers of 2025.

    This new list is not just a deeper and more polished look at the best fortune tellers online, but also justifies the ratings using the five-pillar evaluation that goes like this;

    1. Accuracy & Intuition

    Do these psychic readers align their readings with events and real-life emotions? 

    2. Communication Style

    Are they communicating with clarity, empathy, and honesty?

    3. Reading Tools & Techniques

    What reading tools are being used for fortune-telling for the fortune-telling services? Tarot, runes, clairvoyance, astrology, or some other medium?

    4. Ratings & Reviews

    Do these fortune tellers have consistently high user satisfaction and offer meaningful results?

    5. Ethics & Energy

    Do they offer genuine spiritual service or try to upsell or manipulate their clients?

    Find peace of mind with the best fortune tellers specializing in accurate fortune telling for love, career, and personal growth.

    ⇒ The answers you need are here – talk to a verified fortune teller!

    What Is Fortune Telling and Why Does It Matter in 2025?

    Fortune telling is most often mystified more than it should be, which leads to misunderstandings, too. Fortune telling is just gaining insights about the future of a person or about unknown events via a range of metaphysical tools. 

    This is why many people sometimes have doubts about the authenticity of fortune-telling platforms. However, other people still believe that tarot cards, palm reading, astrology, or clairvoyant visions hold immense value, which is why they are always seeking a good fortune teller who will illuminate their path and offer clarity, compassion, and spiritual precision, and predict other information about their life and future.

    Get real answers from the best fortune tellers using accurate fortune telling to help guide your decisions and reveal your true path.

    ⇒ Real insights, real answers – start accurate fortune telling!

    2025 is filled with shifting perspectives, career transitions, uncertainty, and spiritual awakenings for many people. This increases the demand for genuine fortune tellers who offer spiritual advice or affirmation. However, many people are still cautious about whether online fortune-telling platforms can be misleading or fake. But all those doubts can be eliminated if a person checks out reviews and ratings of fortune tellers and their services before booking, or even better, approach them with an authentic platform like the-psychic-experts.com.

    In 2025, more and more people are turning to the online fortune teller world, as from the comfort of their homes, they can receive spiritual awakening and answers to their complex questions. A live fortune teller, for example, can offer genuine interpretations of someone’s life and future, dreams and events, and can help people with:

    • New relationships
    • Critical business and career decisions
    • Spiritual or karmic guidance
    • Emotional wounds from the past
    • Dreams and their interpretation
    • Complex situations arise with everyday choices.

    ⇒ Ask anything, get instant answers from the best fortune teller!

    Why Online Fortune Telling Is Booming In 2025

    With the rise of technology use and digital platforms, people turn to the internet for answers to everything. For people who want guidance from fortune tellers for their everyday purposes or for reading and spiritual consultations, a dependable platform is very necessary that carefully analyzes all the psychic reading platforms and provides unbiased ratings and reviews so that spiritual seekers can connect with genuine fortune tellers.

    The psychic experts have analyzed more than a hundred fortune-telling websites and have produced a database that claims to offer the utmost clarity and customer satisfaction. With the use of the psychic experts, users can be assured that the fortune-telling services they are going to get will be of the highest quality.

    ⇒ Wondering what’s next? Ask the best fortune teller now!

    The rise of fortune teller online services in 2025 is more prominent than ever. 

    Especially the online services, as they are convenient, anonymous, and 24/7 accessible. These online consultations and fortune-telling have revolutionized the way people seek spiritual consultations. From the comfort of their home, during a lunch break, or during a late-night moment of anxiety, platforms like the psychic experts are one umbrella under which all the seasoned fortune tellers instantly come together.

    There are many benefits of online fortune-telling in 2025, and some of them are:

    • Instant access to fortune-telling: There is no need to book weeks in advance.
    • Global Access: Connecting spiritual seekers with top psychics from all over the world.
    • A variety of Tools Include tarot, astrology, runes, numerology, and mediumship.
    • Free Trials & Readings: Many people like to try a free fortune teller before they pay online.
    • Flexible Pricing: Such online fortune-telling services are available for every budget and urgency level.
    • Authenticity: Verified ratings by the-psychic-experts.com help people avoid scams related to online fortune-telling services.

    If you still don’t know where to begin, you can try the free fortune teller online feature on the-psychic-experts.com. It is risk-free and 100% genuine and authentic.

    ⇒ Discover your destiny with the best fortune teller today!

    Why the Whole World Is Turning to Online Fortune Tellers in 2025

    Fortune telling comes in many shapes and forms. However, one of the most desired forms of fortune-telling is called “reading” and “spiritual consultation.” This type of fortune telling doesn’t rely on specific methods or devices; rather, the fortune teller gives their client predictions and advice that they claim to have come from visions or spirits.

    So, whether it’s love, career, family, or personal growth, every modern spiritual guidance-seeking individual is turning to fortune teller online services for answers to their worldly and otherworldly problems. 

    ⇒ Free fortune teller is live – ask your question now!

    However, not all readers out there are genuine or exceptional. While many websites and apps have made access to fortune tellers quite easy and affordable, it is not necessary that the said fortune tellers will always turn out to be authentic or real. This is why it is important to make sure that the quality of fortune that you are going to get will be of the highest level.

    The demand for virtual guidance through mobile apps and websites has driven the rise of online spiritual consultations, but along with it comes a jungle of unvetted services.

    This is where the psychic expert steps in. The online fortune tellers that they recommend have been in business for more than a decade. They help people who want to avail themselves of fortune-telling services get connected to qualified professionals in this field so that people can gain spiritual insights into their minds, bodies, and spirits.

    Discover the best fortune teller trusted for accurate fortune telling that reveals your destiny with clarity and truth.

    ⇒ Talk to the best fortune teller now and change your life!

    The readings provided by these spiritual professionals are very accurate because they go through an intensive screening process, which depends on detailed user review analysis and direct testing. The rigorous selection process is the reason why this platform is trustworthy and ensures that every online fortune teller it ranks is 100% experienced and effective.

    Unlike random listings or paid placements, the list of best fortune tellers by the psychic experts in 2025 list represents the top 1% of spiritual advisors. The reason for their authenticity is vigorous testing for accuracy, communication levels with their clients, and spiritual alignment.

    ⇒ Don’t wait – get accurate fortune telling instantly online!

    What Sets an Accurate Fortune Teller Apart in 2025?

    What sets an accurate fortune teller apart in 2025 is their intuitive abilities and the various divination techniques that they use to make predictions about a person’s future. These fortune tellers are able to interpret symbols, read patterns, and use tools like palm lines, tarot cards, or tea leaves in order to offer guidance and spiritual insights to individuals. With this guidance, these individuals can navigate their life journey with much clarity and in the right direction. 

    Fortune tellers also provide their clients with a better understanding of their future and correlate them with present circumstances so that the individual may make better decisions in their life, reflect on themselves, and grow personally, professionally, or spiritually.

    ⇒ Your answers are waiting – get a free fortune teller reading!

    The best fortune teller isn’t someone who claims to have psychic abilities. It’s someone who can translate the unseen energies into clear, empowering messages for their clients.

    The in-depth reviews by the psychic experts reveal the major qualities that set apart a truly accurate fortune teller in today’s world, and these are:

    • Clarity in readings – There is no room for vague perceptions
    • Emotional intelligence – alongside empathetic delivery
    • Accurate predictions that match the desires and circumstances of the client 
    • Methodical tools – Using tarot, astrology, or numerology for fortune-telling
    • Live interaction – Creating a real-time connection

    Many top-rated psychics offer free fortune teller online sessions or discounted first readings, which greatly help users test their authenticity before committing.

    ⇒ Free, fast, and accurate – talk to a fortune teller now!

    Top Features That Make a Fortune Teller Platform the Best

    Not all online fortune teller services provide the same high level of quality as the psychic experts. Here’s what sets the most validated and genuine platforms apart from others;

    Verified Reader Profiles
    All listed readers are verified and undergo proper background checks and psychic ability assessments to see if they are eligible to be featured.

    Satisfaction Guarantee
    Clients are 100% satisfied that they can receive refunds or session credits if it doesn’t go as planned, thus adding a factor of trust to the transaction.

    ⇒ Let the best fortune teller guide your next move!

    Real User Reviews
    Each psychic’s page has reviews from real users and transparent ratings, as well as client feedback and reading stats.

    Multiple Psychic Disciplines
    From astrology to numerology to clairvoyance, there are multiple disciplines on these platforms so that people can choose from their preferred method of Psychic reading.

    ⇒ Take control of your destiny – try accurate fortune telling!

    Most Popular Online Fortune Telling Methods in 2025

    If you want to reach out to a fortune teller in 2025, there are many easy ways to do so. Their availability in the digital world has also made it easy to reach out to spiritual readers via an electronic device, either with a phone call, an Android app, or a website like the-psychic-experts.com.

    Many online psychic platforms offer different ways to connect with fortune tellers. 

    Online fortune telling is an accessible spiritual art now, and through the following mediums, a person can easily contact a fortune teller anytime and anywhere in the world:

    • Live Chat Readings – Live chat readings are perfect for users who want quick answers and privacy.
    • Video Sessions – Video sessions help clients who want facial cues and a full, energetic presence during their session.
    • Phone Consultations – Phone consultations are both an old and modern method of reading, as they offer a direct, voice-to-voice connection.
    • Email Readings – Email readings are also perfect for those who prefer detailed, written records of spiritual insights.

    Each method of fortune telling has its own advantages, disadvantages, and energy levels, so the psychic experts recommend that users try more than one type of psychic reading medium to see which suits them best.

    ⇒ Get life-changing clarity from the best fortune teller!

    Most Popular Fortune Telling Services in 2025

    People wondering what the future holds for them or having trouble navigating their life’s twists seek help from reliable fortune tellers, who act like a compass in their complex lives and set them on a journey of self-discovery. The psychic experts review and reveal the most seasoned and genuine psychics, tarot readers, and astrologers, all of whom act as a beacon of insight in the day-to-day life of their spiritual seekers.

    While the-psychic-experts.com sheds light on the expert advisors that unveil the spiritual connections and energies associated with people that they didn’t even know existed, there are some pros and cons associated with online fortune-telling services.

    ⇒ Discover the truth now with the best fortune teller online!

    Pros

    One of the benefits of online fortune-telling services is that there are hundreds of psychic readers available online who are ready to help people who seek guidance from them. They have been present in this psychic industry for years, sometimes more than 2 or 3 decades. Many fortune-telling platforms have mobile applications, both for iOS and Android, that people use to access fortune-telling services from anywhere in the world. Psychic reading and fortune telling use a wide range of services and tools to make sure that the spiritual guidance they offer is accurate and genuine.

    Cons

    One of the drawbacks of online fortune-telling services is that a person may need to book psychic reading services in advance. However, the psychic experts also shed light on some psychic readers who offer a free initial consultation or demo for first-time users. Some people may also find fortune-telling services expensive.

    ⇒ Experience accurate fortune telling that actually helps!

    Different Types Of Fortune Telling Services In 2025

    Fortune telling is a very broad and intricate practice. It utilizes centuries of spiritual wisdom and intuitive insight and brings it right in front of those who seek this knowledge. Whether a person is out to seek clarity, direction, or a new way of life, fortune tellers can offer them multiple services that help them reconnect with their inner self and get spiritual guidance. Here are the most common types of services offered by fortune tellers in 2025;

    Fortune Telling

    This is the umbrella under which all other psychic and spiritual services fall. 

    Fortune telling is the navigation of signs, energies, and symbols to provide insight into the past, present, and future of a user. 

    It uses tools like crystal balls and runes and even utilizes more intuitive practices like clairvoyance to help seekers who want answers to their life’s uncertainties. 

    Fortune-telling sessions focus on personal concerns, such as love, family, money, health, and purpose, and another labyrinth of possibilities of life, and help individuals see the path more clearly, even when their whole life is chaotic.

    ⇒ Get real answers fast from a free fortune teller!

    Psychic Readings

    Psychic readings go beyond what the eyes can see. 

    Psychic readings use heightened intuition and extrasensory perception, such as cosmic airwaves, to pick up on energy fields, emotional vibrations, and spiritual signals around the person who came to the psychic. 

    The goal is not about prediction. Rather, it is about perspective. 

    A psychic can unveil hidden insights and help someone make much sense of their inner conflicts. Such psychics also help people understand emotional imbalances or navigate an important decision. 

    These psychic readings are very personal and can affect both grounding and illuminating the path of a person.

    Love Readings

    Relationships are one of the most common reasons people seek spiritual guidance. Sometimes, they are new, long-standing, but most of the time, complicated. 

    Love psychics or relationship-focused fortune tellers provide a way to understand emotional dynamics, compatibility, soulmate connections, and romantic obstacles between two people. 

    These readings peel away the emotional layers beneath a relationship and decode the feelings, intentions, and future potential of both partners involved.

    ⇒ Reveal your future with accurate fortune telling!

    Tarot Readings

    Tarot is a timeless art of psychic reading.

    It is an intuitive form of divination that reveals the past, present, and future. It uses a deck of 78 symbolic cards, with each card representing a theme, energy, or message. 

    A person will be told to pick a card, and then the reader will interpret the card based on their position and the question at hand.

    This method of psychic reading reveals complex narratives about the querent’s past, present, and future. These readings can clarify complex situations, offer insights into unseen influences, and help a person better understand their own emotions.

    Dream Analysis

    Dreams are productions of the subconscious mind, but they always try to tell us something.

    It is the subconscious mind’s way of speaking. Dream interpreters act as translators of dreams and nightmares. They can analyze symbols, emotions, and patterns in dreams and decode what the dream is trying to communicate. 

    Whether it’s a recurring dream or an unsettling nightmare, dream analysis reveals buried emotions, unresolved issues, or hidden desires. This psychic reading service even suggests the spiritual or prophetic meaning behind dreams and emotions that we experience in sleep.

    ⇒ Find real clarity fast – talk to the best fortune teller today!

    Astrology Readings

    Astrology is the study of planetary movements and their celestial alignments and how they influence life on Earth. 

    An astrologer can map out cosmic constellations and create a natal chart that uses the exact time, date, and location of a person’s birth to uncover hidden traits, tendencies, and life patterns. 

    So, whether a psychic reader is looking at your solar return for the year ahead, investigating your relationship compatibility with your partner, or understanding a difficult life phase, astrology readings provide a cosmic map for solving life’s rhythms.

    Career Forecasts

    Accurate fortune tellers can also help people align with their professional purpose. 

    These readers will utilize the power of intuition, energetic sensing, and sometimes tools like numerology or astrology to identify where someone’s talents truly lie. 

    Career readings are mostly booked by professionals who are dealing with work-related challenges, entrepreneurial possibilities, timing for job changes, or when a new opportunity arises, and they want to know whether it will bring success for them or not.

    ⇒ Ready for answers? Connect with a free fortune teller today!

    Numerology Readings

    Numerology is the study of the energetic vibrations of numbers.

    They govern how these numbers relate to human life. 

    Every letter in a person’s name and every digit in their birth date holds a numeric value that has immense power, and that reveals information about their character, strengths, life cycles, and karmic lessons. 

    Numerology readings uncover these hidden messages to provide clarity on their purpose and the timing of events in their life.

    Occult Readings

    For those drawn to esoteric mysteries and the deeper mystical truths, some fortune tellers offer readings that are rooted in the occult sciences. 

    These sessions are different from others and explore symbolism, ritual magic, elemental energies, spiritual entities, or ancient esoteric systems. 

    They’re mostly suited for individuals who have the power and the mental abilities to confront the hidden forces influencing their lives, as these types of readings often involve exploring the subconscious or spirit world through unique and sacred methods.

    ⇒ Trusted and accurate fortune telling – start now!

    Palmistry

    Also known as palm reading, Palmistry is the ancient art that involves analyzing the shape, lines, and texture of a person’s hand. These patterns help a reader gain insight into the personality, experiences, and future of their client. 

    Every person’s palm is said to carry their narrative. 

    The lifeline, heartline, and headline are just a few, among others, that are read in combination to reveal one’s emotional tendencies, mental strengths, career prospects, and life trajectory.

    Graphology

    Graphology, or handwriting analysis, involves reading the way a person writes. In this way, the psychic reader can gain insight into their personality, emotional state, and thought patterns. 

    Everything from the pressure of the pen to the slant of a signature has a meaning and could carry psychological significance. Graphologists interpret these details to reveal hidden truths that may not be expressed verbally.

    Paranormal Readings

    Paranormal psychics explore realms that lie beyond the normal range of perception. 

    These readings focus on spiritual encounters, supernatural events, or unexplained phenomena. 

    For individuals who believe that they’ve experienced things, like hauntings, spirit contact, or energetic disturbances, paranormal readings are a great way for readers to offer them validation and clarity around those otherworldly experiences.

    ⇒ Get your personalized reading from a certified fortune teller!

    Past Life Exploration

    Some readers claim that the soul undergoes multiple incarnations, and those incarnations echo from past lives and influence the present day. 

    Past life readers use intuitive impressions, visualizations, or regressions to explore a person’s soul history. 

    These readings can help a reader understand irrational fears, recurring dreams, deep attractions, or unexplained patterns that seem to bother their clients and follow them throughout their current lives.

    Picture Readings

    In picture readings, the fortune teller uses a photograph to measure the energy around a person.

    That photograph could be of a person, place, or object, and it acts as an energetic anchor. 

    The reader will go deep into the vibration within the image to reveal hidden truths, emotional energy, or unresolved spiritual connections. 

    This type of reading is very useful when someone wants insight into a person who cannot be physically present for the session.

    Faith-Based and Spiritual Readings

    For those people who come from religious or spiritual backgrounds, some readers offer insights into scriptural wisdom, prayer, or divine guidance. 

    These readings center around faith, life purpose, and spiritual alignment. 

    They may also involve messages that the readers say are received from higher beings or spiritual guardians, thus depending on the tradition and belief system that is being practiced by the spiritual seeker.

    ⇒ Ask anything – the best fortune teller is online now!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What exactly does a fortune teller do?

    Fortune tellers interpret symbols, energies, or spiritual signs and guide where your life is headed. 

    They use tools like tarot cards, astrology charts, Palmistry, or intuitive abilities to gain insights into past experiences, current events, or future possibilities for their clients.

    Are fortune-telling services accurate?

    Fortune telling is less about prediction and more about perception. A fortune teller, even the most genuine one, cannot accurately predict every detail of your future with scientific precision. 

    However, what they can offer is intuitive guidance, emotional clarity, and fresh perspectives. This type of guidance can help you make better decisions. 

    The accuracy of a fortune-telling service often depends on the reader’s skill, your openness, and the type of questions you ask.

    What types of questions can I ask a fortune teller?

    You can ask about anything. You can ask a fortune teller about relationships, careers, finances, health, life purpose, spiritual growth, or emotional challenges. Anything that you want answers to.

    The more specific your question is, the better, insightful, and more resourceful your reading will be.

    Do I need to believe in the supernatural for a reading to work?

    Not at all. 

    You don’t need to believe in the supernatural if you want to avail of fortune-telling services.

    While some people do approach fortune telling from a spiritual or mystical perspective, others are just using it as a tool for self-reflection or decision-making. 

    All you need to do is come with an open mind and a willingness to explore new insights.

    How do I choose the right type of reading?

    Fortune telling or psychic reading is the safest and common method of reading.

    If you’re unsure, start with a general fortune-telling or psychic reading. 

    However, if you have a specific question in mind, like love, career, or past lives, then there are other types of services available. You can choose a reader who specializes in that field. 

    Many services also offer short and free trial readings, so you can test the reader before paying in full.  

    Is my information kept confidential?

    Yes. 

    Professional fortune tellers will keep all your information private as they respect your space and treat all readings as confidential. 

    So, feel free to share personal details or ask sensitive questions because your session is conducted with discretion and trust.

    How long does a typical reading last?

    Psychic reading times can vary from person to person. 

    While a basic session might last 10–20 minutes, if you need a more in-depth reading, your session can also extend up to 30–60 minutes or longer than that.

    Many platforms offer flexible time slots depending on your needs and budget.

    What’s the difference between a psychic and a fortune teller?

    The term “fortune teller” is a broad term. It includes many types of intuitive readers. 

    Psychics, on the other hand, use extrasensory perception (ESP) and other insights to tap into the unseen energies surrounding and associated with a person. 

    While all psychics can be fortunetelling tellers, not all fortune tellers are psychics.

    Can I get a reading online or over the phone?

    Absolutely. You can read online by availing yourself of the service of online fortune tellers.

    Many fortune tellers offer remote services through online chat, phone calls, or email. 

    These formats offer flexibility to people from all over the world, and you can be guaranteed that online fortune-telling services are just as effective as in-person readings. Platforms like the psychic experts allow you to connect with readers from anywhere in the world.

    How often should I get a reading?

    There’s no right or wrong answer.

    You can have readings as many times as you like or as your situation and personal needs demand. 

    Some people get readings regularly, some do it a few times a year, while others only seek fortune-telling services during major life events.

    Final Words

    Fortune’s telling’s beauty doesn’t just lie in the spiritual answers that you receive but in the questions that you come to ask. Fortune telling offers self-reflection, examines the patterns in your life, and gently nudges you toward personal empowerment.

    There is a wide array of services available in today’s world, from tarot and astrology to dream interpretation and past life exploration. However, fortune telling and psychic reading aren’t just limited to live demonstrations and face-to-face conversations. It is also available online via verified platforms like the-psychic-experts.com.

    These services aren’t just for the mystically inclined. 

    Every type of person, whether they are entrepreneurs, artists, parents, students, or skeptics, can turn to fortune tellers when their life isn’t going as planned or when they need guidance and clarity. 

    Ultimately, fortune-telling isn’t about meeting the unknown. It is about meeting yourself, acknowledging your intuition, accepting your energies, and getting the confidence to make the choices that are good for you. Fortune tellers may use a card draw, a birth chart, or a dream symbol to lead the person toward ultimate clarity and guidance.

    So, if you’ve ever felt the need to reach out to an authentic fortune teller, ask questions that are beyond the surface. They will help you seek guidance in life.

    The answers are not always black and white. Sometimes, they are murky and require input from your side as well. You might not walk away with clear answers, but fortune-telling is a much more powerful perspective and brings peace and a renewed sense of purpose to every person.

    So, if you’re ready to tap into clarity, check out the best online fortune tellers of 2025.

    Media Contact
    Company: The Psychic Experts
    Contact Person: Anthony C. Bedoya
    Email: support@the-psychic-experts.com
    Address: 1 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101, USA
    URL: https://the-psychic-experts.com/
    Phone: +1 414-203-2598
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    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Sunrun Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Aggregate Subscriber Value of $1.2 billion in Q1, 23% growth year-over-year

    Contracted Net Value Creation of $164 million, or $0.72 per share, 104% growth year-over-year

    Cash Generation of $56 million in Q1, the fourth consecutive quarter of positive Cash Generation

    Paid down $27 million of recourse debt in Q1 with excess cash

    Reiterating Cash Generation guidance of $200 million to $500 million in 2025

    Customer Additions with Storage grew 46% in Q1 compared to the prior year, as Storage Attachment Rate reached a record 69%

    Contracted Net Earning Assets of $2.6 billion, $11.36 per share, including $605 million of unrestricted cash

    SAN FRANCISCO, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sunrun (Nasdaq: RUN), the nation’s leading provider of clean energy as a subscription service, today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    “The first quarter was another strong quarter for Sunrun as we exceeded our volume and Cash Generation targets by significant margins in what is seasonally the slowest quarter of the year. We are focused on delivering the best product for customers, underwriting volumes with strong unit margins, optimizing our routes to market, and driving cost discipline, including leveraging AI for innovation, creating significant operating efficiencies and quality enhancement. This has allowed us to gain market share in recent periods and produce strong operating and financial results,” said Mary Powell, Sunrun’s Chief Executive Officer. “It is a dynamic environment for tax policy and tariffs. Like many companies across the country, we are controlling what we can and are ready to adapt to changes that may occur. Sunrun has faced periods of major change over the last few years, and we used it as an opportunity to become even stronger. We believe the tariff outlook is manageable, and we will still generate meaningful cash this year.”

    “We delivered our fourth consecutive quarter of positive Cash Generation and are reiterating our Cash Generation outlook for 2025,” said Danny Abajian, Sunrun’s Chief Financial Officer. “We have a strong balance sheet with no near-term corporate debt maturities and have paid down recourse parent debt by $214 million over the last four quarters, including a $27 million paydown using excess cash in Q1. As we increase our Cash Generation, we will continue to further pay down parent recourse debt and are committed to a capital allocation strategy beyond this initial de-leveraging period that drives significant shareholder value.”

    First Quarter Updates

    • Storage Attachment Rate Reaches 69%: Customer Additions with storage grew 46% during the quarter compared to the prior-year period. Storage Attachment Rate reached 69% in Q1, up from 50% in the prior-year period. Sunrun has installed more than 173,000 solar and storage systems, representing over 2.8 Gigawatt hours of Networked Storage Capacity.
    • Continued Strong Capital Markets Execution:
      • In March 2025 Sunrun placed a $369 million securitization of residential solar and battery systems. The securitization was placed privately given strong interest from large alternative asset managers in the private credit markets. The securitization was priced at a yield of 6.36%, in-line with the yield of our January securitization. The weighted average spread of the notes was 225 basis points, which is approximately 28 basis points higher than our securitization in January 2025. The higher spread followed overall market movements in credit spreads for similarly rated credit. Similar to prior transactions, Sunrun raised additional capital in a subordinated non-recourse financing, which increased the cumulative advance rate to well above 80% net of all fees, as measured against the initial Contracted Subscriber Value of the portfolio.
      • In January 2025, Sunrun priced a $629 million securitization of residential solar and battery systems. The oversubscribed transaction was structured with three separate classes of A rated notes, only two of which were publicly offered. The weighted average spread of the notes was 197 basis points. Similar to prior transactions, Sunrun raised additional capital in a subordinated non-recourse financing, which increased the cumulative advance rate to well above 80% net of all fees, as measured against the initial Contracted Subscriber Value of the portfolio.
    • Paying Down Recourse Debt: We continue to pay down parent recourse debt. During the first quarter, we repaid $27 million of recourse debt, reducing our borrowings under our Working Capital Facility and repurchasing a small amount of our 2026 Convertible Notes (as of March 31 we have $5.5 million of these notes still outstanding). Since March 31, 2024 we have paid down recourse debt by $214 million, by repurchasing our 2026 Convertible Notes and reducing borrowings under our recourse Working Capital Facility. We have also increased our unrestricted cash balance by $118 million and grown Net Earning Assets by $1.6 billion over this time period. We expect to pay down our recourse debt by $100 million or more in 2025. Aside from the $5.5 million outstanding of our 2026 Convertible Notes, we have no recourse debt maturities until March 2027.
    • Expanding differentiation & innovating with Sunrun Flex: We recently introduced Sunrun Flex, the first solar-plus-storage subscription designed to adapt to households’ changing energy needs. This new offering marks the most significant innovation across the solar industry since Sunrun introduced the residential Power Purchase Agreement in 2007. Flex helps families plan for their growing energy needs, whether it’s a growing household size or adopting a new electric vehicle, by installing a solar system sized above their current energy usage. Customers enjoy a low, predictable monthly minimum payment and only pay for extra energy if and when they use it. Flex households also benefit from battery backup during outages, and the new feature of earning Sunrun Rollover Credits—a first in the solar industry.
    • Improving Grid Stability with Virtual Power Plants: Our CalReady distributed power plant has more than quadrupled in size as the summer heat begins to stress California’s energy grid. More than 56,000 Sunrun customers’ solar-plus-battery systems — totaling approximately 75,000 batteries — will provide critical energy to California’s grid during times of high energy prices, heat waves, and other grid emergency events while simultaneously lowering energy costs for all ratepayers. CalReady’s power output has more than quadrupled and is expected to deliver an average of 250 megawatts per two-hour event, with the ability to reach an instantaneous peak of up to 375 megawatts — enough to power approximately 280,000 homes, equivalent to all of Ventura County, California. Sunrun customers enrolled in CalReady are compensated for sharing their stored solar energy, and Sunrun is paid for dispatching the batteries.

    Key Operating Metrics

    Commencing with the first quarter 2025 reporting, Sunrun has modified how certain key operating metrics are calculated. Please refer to the appendix for the updated definitions and refer to the accompanying presentation posted to Sunrun Investor Relations website for additional information. Prior periods have been recast to reflect the current methodology for comparison purposes.

    In the first quarter of 2025, Subscriber Additions were 23,692, a 7% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024. As of March 31, 2025, Sunrun had 912,878 Subscribers. Subscribers as of March 31, 2025 grew 14% compared to March 31, 2024.

    Storage Capacity Installed was 334 megawatt hours in the first quarter of 2025, a 61% increase from the first quarter of 2024. Solar Capacity Installed was 191 megawatts, an 8% increase from the first quarter of 2024.

    Subscriber Value was $52,206 in the first quarter of 2025, a 15% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024. Contracted Subscriber Value was $48,727 in the first quarter of 2025, a 14% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024. Subscriber Value figures for the first quarter of 2025 reflect a 7.5% discount rate based on observed project-level capital costs, compared to 7.6% in the prior year period. Subscriber Value reflects an average Investment Tax Credit of 43.6% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 35.2% in the prior year period. Storage Attachment Rate was 69% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 50% in the prior year period.

    Creation Costs per Subscriber Addition were $41,817 in the first quarter of 2025, a 7% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024.

    Net Subscriber Value was $10,390 in the first quarter of 2025, a 66% increase compared to $6,247 in the first quarter of 2024. Contracted Net Subscriber Value was $6,910 in the first quarter of 2025, a 90% increase compared to $3,641 in the first quarter of 2024.

    Aggregate Subscriber Value was $1.2 billion in the first quarter of 2025, a 23% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024. Aggregate Creation Costs were $991 million in the first quarter of 2025, a 14% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024. Contracted Net Value Creation was $164 million in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 104% compared to the first quarter of 2024, and representing $0.72 per weighted average basic share outstanding in the period.

    Cash Generation was $56 million in the first quarter of 2025. This result represents the fourth consecutive quarter of positive Cash Generation.

    Contracted Net Earning Assets were $2.6 billion, or $11.36 per share, which included $979 million in Total Cash, as of March 31, 2025.

    Outlook

    Aggregate Subscriber Value is expected to be in a range of $1.3 billion to $1.375 billion in the second quarter of 2025, representing 21% growth compared to the second quarter of 2024 at the midpoint.

    Contracted Net Value Creation is expected to be in a range of $125 million to $200 million in the second quarter of 2025, representing 80% growth compared to the second quarter of 2024 at the midpoint.

    Cash Generation is expected to be in a range of $50 million to $60 million in the second quarter of 2025.

    For the full-year 2025, Aggregate Subscriber Value is expected to be in a range of $5.7 billion to $6.0 billion, representing 14% growth compared to full-year 2024 at the midpoint.

    Contracted Net Value Creation is expected to be in a range of $650 million to $850 million for the full-year 2025, representing 9% growth compared to full-year 2024 at the midpoint.

    Cash Generation is expected to be in a range of $200 million to $500 million for the full-year 2025, unchanged from the company’s prior guidance.

    First Quarter 2025 GAAP Results

    Total revenue was $504.3 million in the first quarter of 2025, up $46.1 million, or 10%, from the first quarter of 2024. Customer agreements and incentives revenue was $402.9 million, an increase of $80.0 million, or 25%, compared to the first quarter of 2024. Solar energy systems and product sales revenue was $101.4 million, a decrease of $33.9 million, or 25%, compared to the first quarter of 2024. The increasing mix of Subscribers results in less upfront revenue recognition, as revenue is recognized over the life of the Customer Agreement, which is typically 20 or 25 years.

    Total cost of revenue was $405.4 million, a decrease of 5% year-over-year. Total operating expenses were $619.2 million, a decrease of 3% year-over-year.

    Net income attributable to common stockholders was $50.0 million, or $0.22 per basic share and $0.20 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2025.

    Financing Activities

    As of May 7, 2025, closed transactions and executed term sheets provide us with expected tax equity to fund over 375 Megawatts of Solar Energy Capacity Installed for Subscribers beyond what was deployed through March 31, 2025. Sunrun also has $819 million in unused commitments available in its non-recourse senior revolving warehouse loan at the end of Q1 to fund approximately 286 megawatts of projects for Subscribers.

    Conference Call Information

    Sunrun is hosting a conference call for analysts and investors to discuss its first quarter 2025 results and business outlook at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time today, May 7, 2025. A live audio webcast of the conference call along with supplemental financial information will be accessible via the “Investor Relations” section of Sunrun’s website at https://investors.sunrun.com. The conference call can also be accessed live over the phone by dialing (877) 407-5989 (toll free) or (201) 689-8434 (toll). An audio replay will be available following the call on the Sunrun Investor Relations website for approximately one month.

    About Sunrun

    Sunrun Inc. (Nasdaq: RUN) revolutionized the solar industry in 2007 by removing financial barriers and democratizing access to locally-generated, renewable energy. Today, Sunrun is the nation’s leading provider of clean energy as a subscription service, offering residential solar and storage with no upfront costs. Sunrun’s innovative products and solutions can connect homes to the cleanest energy on earth, providing them with energy security, predictability, and peace of mind. Sunrun also manages energy services that benefit communities, utilities, and the electric grid while enhancing customer value. Discover more at www.sunrun.com

    Forward Looking Statements

    This communication contains forward-looking statements related to Sunrun (the “Company”) within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to: the Company’s financial and operating guidance and expectations; the Company’s business plan, trajectory, expectations, market leadership, competitive advantages, operational and financial results and metrics (and the assumptions related to the calculation of such metrics); the Company’s momentum in its business strategies including expectations regarding market share, total addressable market, growth in certain geographies, customer value proposition, market penetration, growth of certain divisions, financing activities, financing capacity, product mix, and ability to manage cash flow and liquidity; the Company’s introduction of new products, including Sunrun Flex; the growth of the solar industry; the Company’s financing activities and expectations to refinance, amend, and/or extend any financing facilities; trends or potential trends within the solar industry, our business, customer base, and market; the Company’s ability to derive value from the anticipated benefits of partnerships, new technologies, and pilot programs, including contract renewal and repowering programs; anticipated demand, market acceptance, and market adoption of the Company’s offerings, including new products, services, and technologies; the Company’s strategy to be a margin-focused, multi-product, customer-oriented company; the ability to increase margins based on a shift in product focus; expectations regarding the growth of home electrification, electric vehicles, virtual power plants, and distributed energy resources; the Company’s ability to manage suppliers, inventory, and workforce; supply chains and regulatory impacts affecting supply chains including reliance on specific countries for critical components; the Company’s leadership team and talent development; the legislative and regulatory environment of the solar industry and the potential impacts of proposed, amended, and newly adopted legislation and regulation on the solar industry and our business, including federal and state-level solar incentive programs (such as the Investment Tax Credit), net metering policies, and utility rate structures; the ongoing expectations regarding the Company’s storage and energy services businesses and anticipated emissions reductions due to utilization of the Company’s solar energy systems; and factors outside of the Company’s control such as macroeconomic trends, bank failures, public health emergencies, natural disasters, acts of war, terrorism, geopolitical conflict, or armed conflict / invasion, and the impacts of climate change. These statements are not guarantees of future performance; they reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from expectations or results projected or implied by forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include: the Company’s continued ability to manage costs and compete effectively; the availability of additional financing on acceptable terms; worldwide economic conditions, including slow or negative growth rates and inflation; volatile or rising interest rates; changes in policies and regulations, including net metering, interconnection limits, and fixed fees, or caps and licensing restrictions and the impact of these changes on the solar industry and our business; the Company’s ability to attract and retain the Company’s business partners; supply chain risks and associated costs, including reliance on specific countries for critical components, tariff and trade policy impacts, and raw material availability for solar panels and batteries; realizing the anticipated benefits of past or future investments, partnerships, strategic transactions, or acquisitions, and integrating those acquisitions; the Company’s leadership team and ability to attract and retain key employees; changes in the retail prices of traditional utility generated electricity; the availability of rebates, tax credits and other incentives; the availability of solar panels, batteries, and other components and raw materials; the Company’s business plan and the Company’s ability to effectively manage the Company’s growth and labor constraints; the Company’s ability to meet the covenants in the Company’s investment funds and debt facilities; factors impacting the home electrification and solar industry generally, and such other risks and uncertainties identified in the reports that we file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. All forward-looking statements used herein are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update publicly these forward-looking statements for any reason, except as required by law.

    Citations to industry and market statistics used herein may be found in our Investor Presentation, available via the “Investor Relations” section of Sunrun’s website at https://investors.sunrun.com.

    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (In Thousands)

        March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024
             
    Assets        
    Current assets:        
    Cash   $ 604,874   $ 574,956
    Restricted cash     373,881     372,312
    Accounts receivable, net     172,121     170,706
    Inventories     414,401     402,083
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     101,936     202,579
    Total current assets     1,667,213     1,722,636
    Restricted cash     148     148
    Solar energy systems, net     15,497,538     15,032,115
    Property and equipment, net     109,132     121,239
    Other assets     3,103,824     3,021,746
    Total assets   $ 20,377,855   $ 19,897,884
    Liabilities and total equity        
    Current liabilities:        
    Accounts payable   $ 268,908   $ 354,214
    Distributions payable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests     37,816     41,464
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities     537,042     543,752
    Deferred revenue, current portion     133,878     129,442
    Deferred grants, current portion     8,389     7,900
    Finance lease obligations, current portion     25,526     26,045
    Non-recourse debt, current portion     250,422     231,665
    Total current liabilities     1,261,981     1,334,482
    Deferred revenue, net of current portion     1,238,468     1,208,905
    Deferred grants, net of current portion     193,009     196,535
    Finance lease obligations, net of current portion     58,025     66,139
    Convertible senior notes     472,226     479,420
    Line of credit     358,493     384,226
    Non-recourse debt, net of current portion     12,479,475     11,806,181
    Other liabilities     120,973     119,846
    Deferred tax liabilities     97,684     137,940
    Total liabilities     16,280,334     15,733,674
    Redeemable noncontrolling interests     657,772     624,159
    Total stockholders’ equity     2,615,402     2,554,207
    Noncontrolling interests     824,347     985,844
    Total equity     3,439,749     3,540,051
    Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and total equity   $ 20,377,855   $ 19,897,884
    Consolidated Statements of Operations
    (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
        Three Months Ended March 31,
         2025     2024 
    Revenue:        
    Customer agreements and incentives   $ 402,920     $ 322,967  
    Solar energy systems and product sales     101,351       135,221  
    Total revenue     504,271       458,188  
    Operating expenses:        
    Cost of customer agreements and incentives     308,629       269,534  
    Cost of solar energy systems and product sales     96,798       156,159  
    Sales and marketing     145,990       152,264  
    Research and development     9,979       12,087  
    General and administrative     57,763       51,266  
    Total operating expenses     619,159       641,310  
    Loss from operations     (114,888 )     (183,122 )
    Interest expense, net     (227,434 )     (192,159 )
    Other (expense) income, net     (45,399 )     89,930  
    Loss before income taxes     (387,721 )     (285,351 )
    Income tax benefit     (110,550 )     (2,201 )
    Net loss     (277,171 )     (283,150 )
    Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests     (327,182 )     (195,332 )
    Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders   $ 50,011     $ (87,818 )
    Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders        
    Basic   $ 0.22     $ (0.40 )
    Diluted   $ 0.20     $ (0.40 )
    Weighted average shares used to compute net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders        
    Basic     226,406       219,882  
    Diluted     257,911       219,882  
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    (In Thousands)
        Three Months Ended March 31,
         2025     2024 
    Operating activities:        
    Net loss   $ (277,171 )   $ (283,150 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:        
    Depreciation and amortization, net of amortization of deferred grants     169,890       150,520  
    Deferred income taxes     (110,550 )     (2,202 )
    Stock-based compensation expense     25,005       28,869  
    Interest on pass-through financing obligations           4,756  
    Reduction in pass-through financing obligations           (9,335 )
    Unrealized loss (gain) on derivatives     45,070       (55,103 )
    Other noncash items     61,499       14,639  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
    Accounts receivable     (6,906 )     (1,371 )
    Inventories     (12,318 )     47,753  
    Prepaid expenses and other assets     (45,761 )     (135,678 )
    Accounts payable     (15,618 )     59,641  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities     27,910       3,395  
    Deferred revenue     34,744       34,173  
    Net cash used in operating activities     (104,206 )     (143,093 )
    Investing activities:        
    Payments for the costs of solar energy systems     (654,802 )     (538,975 )
    Purchases of property and equipment, net     (219 )     3,531  
    Net cash used in investing activities     (655,021 )     (535,444 )
    Financing activities:        
    Repayment of trade receivable financing     (24,742 )      
    Proceeds from line of credit     148,824       139,805  
    Repayment of line of credit     (174,557 )     (292,305 )
    Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior notes, net of capped call transaction           444,822  
    Repurchase of convertible senior notes     (2,124 )     (173,715 )
    Proceeds from issuance of non-recourse debt     1,520,629       770,106  
    Repayment of non-recourse debt     (838,483 )     (431,532 )
    Payment of debt fees     (28,018 )     (47,779 )
    Proceeds from pass-through financing and other obligations, net           1,808  
    Early repayment of pass-through financing obligation           (20,000 )
    Payment of finance lease obligations     (6,483 )     (6,732 )
    Contributions received from noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests     255,900       164,337  
    Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests     (60,253 )     (74,834 )
    Acquisition of noncontrolling interests           (1,159 )
    Proceeds from transfer of investment tax credits     624,776       106,529  
    Payments to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests of investment tax credits     (624,776 )     (106,529 )
    Net proceeds related to stock-based award activities     21       1,056  
    Net cash provided by financing activities     790,714       473,878  
    Net change in cash and restricted cash     31,487       (204,659 )
    Cash and restricted cash, beginning of period     947,416       987,838  
    Cash and restricted cash, end of period   $ 978,903     $ 783,179  


    Key Operating and Financial Metrics

    The following operating metrics are used by management to evaluate the performance of the business. Management believes these metrics, when taken together with other information contained in our filings with the SEC and within this press release, provide investors with helpful information to determine the economic performance of the business activities in a period that would otherwise not be observable from historic GAAP measures. Management believes that it is helpful to investors to evaluate the present value of cash flows expected from subscribers over the full expected relationship with such subscribers (“Subscriber Value”, more fully defined in the definitions appendix below) in comparison to the costs associated with adding these customers, regardless of whether or not the costs are expensed or capitalized in the period (“Creation Cost”, more fully defined in the definitions appendix below). The Company also believes that Subscriber Value, Aggregate Subscriber Value, Creation Costs, Aggregate Creation Costs, Net Subscriber Value, Contracted Net Subscriber Value, Upfront Net Subscriber Value, Net Value Creation, Contracted Net Value Creation, and Upfront Value Creation are useful metrics for investors because they present an unlevered and levered view of all of the costs associated with new customers in a period compared to the expected future cash flows from these customers over a 30-year period, based on contracted pricing terms with its customers, which is not observable in any current or historic GAAP-derived metric. Management believes it is useful for investors to also evaluate the future expected cash flows from all customers that have been deployed through the respective measurement date, less estimated costs to maintain such systems and estimated distributions to tax equity partners in consolidated joint venture partnership flip structures, and distributions to project equity investors (“Gross Earning Assets”, more fully defined in the definitions appendix below). The Company also believes Gross Earning Assets is useful for management and investors because it represents the remaining future expected cash flows from existing customers, which is not a current or historic GAAP-derived measure.

    Various assumptions are made when calculating these metrics. Subscriber Value metrics are calculated using a discount rate based on the observed project-level capital costs in the period. Gross Earning Assets utilize a 6% rate to discount future cash flows to the present period. Furthermore, these metrics assume that Subscribers renew after the initial contract period at a rate equal to 90% of the rate in effect at the end of the initial contract term. For Customer Agreements with 25-year initial contract terms, a 5-year renewal period is assumed. For a 20-year initial contract term, a 10-year renewal period is assumed. In all instances, we assume a 30-year customer relationship, although the customer may renew for additional years, or purchase the system. Estimated cost of servicing assets has been deducted and is estimated based on the service agreements underlying each fund.

    KEY OPERATING METRICS
    Unit Economics in Period 1Q24 2Q24 3Q24 4Q24 1Q25
    $ per Subscriber Addition, unless otherwise noted          
      Subscriber Additions in period   22,058     24,984     30,348     30,709     23,692  
      Subscriber Value $45,477   $44,291   $47,335   $50,998   $52,206  
      Discount rate (observed project-level capital costs)   7.6%     7.5%     7.1%     7.3%     7.5%  
      Contracted Subscriber Value $42,871   $41,872   $44,551   $48,273   $48,727  
      x Advance Rate on Contracted Subscriber Value (estimated)   86.3%     86.3%     87.2%     85.9%     86.9%  
      = Upfront Proceeds (estimated) $37,001   $36,117   $38,869   $41,486   $42,339  
      – Creation Costs $(39,230)   $(38,258)   $(37,756)   $(38,071)   $(41,817)  
      = Upfront Net Subscriber Value $(2,229)   $(2,140)   $1,113   $3,415   $523  
      Upfront Net Subscriber Value margin %   (5.2)%     (5.1)%     2.5%     7.1%     1.1%  
    Aggregate Gross, Net & Upfront Value Creation in Period 1Q24 2Q24 3Q24 4Q24 1Q25
    $ millions, unless otherwise noted          
      Aggregate Subscriber Value $1,003   $1,107   $1,437   $1,566   $1,237  
      Aggregate Contracted Subscriber Value $946   $1,046   $1,352   $1,482   $1,154  
      Aggregate Upfront Proceeds (estimated) $816   $902   $1,180   $1,274   $1,003  
      Less Aggregate Creation Costs $(865)   $(956)   $(1,146)   $(1,169)   $(991)  
      Net Value Creation $138   $151   $291   $397   $246  
      Contracted Net Value Creation $80   $90   $206   $313   $164  
      Upfront Net Value Creation $(49)   $(53)   $34   $105   $12  
      Cash Generation $(311)   $217   $2   $34   $56  
      Net Value Creation per share $0.63   $0.68   $1.30   $1.77   $1.09  
      Contracted Net Value Creation per share $0.37   $0.41   $0.92   $1.39   $0.72  
      Upfront Net Value Creation per share $(0.22)   $(0.24)   $0.15   $0.47   $0.05  
    Volume Additions in Period 1Q24 2Q24 3Q24 4Q24 1Q25
      Storage Capacity Installed (MWhrs)   207.2     264.5     336.3     392.0     333.7  
      Solar Capacity Installed (MWs)   177.0     192.3     229.7     242.4     190.9  
      Solar Capacity Installed with Storage (MWs)   81.3     94.9     127.0     142.5     126.7  
      Solar Capacity Installed without Storage (MWs)   95.7     97.4     102.7     100.0     64.2  
      Customer Additions   24,038     26,687     31,910     32,932     25,428  
      Customer Additions with Storage   11,970     14,398     18,988     20,405     17,501  
      Customer Additions without Storage   12,068     12,289     12,922     12,527     7,927  
      Storage Attachment Rate   50%     54%     60%     62%     69%  
      Subscriber Additions (included within Customer Additions)   22,058     24,984     30,348     30,709     23,692  
      Subscriber Additions as % of Customer Additions   92%     94%     95%     93%     93%  
    Customer Base Value & Energy Capacity at End of Period 3/31/2024 6/30/2024 9/30/2024 12/31/2024 3/31/2025
      Net Earning Assets ($ millions) $5,247   $5,675   $6,231   $6,766   $6,825  
      Net Earning Assets per share $23.78   $25.42   $27.81   $29.99   $30.02  
      Contracted Net Earning Assets ($ millions) $1,754   $2,035   $2,416   $2,723   $2,583  
      Contracted Net Earning Assets per share $7.95   $9.11   $10.78   $12.07   $11.36  
      Customers   957,313     984,000     1,015,910     1,048,842     1,074,270  
      Subscribers (included within Customers)   803,145     828,129     858,477     889,186     912,878  
      Networked Storage Capacity (MWhrs)   1,532     1,796     2,133     2,525     2,858  
      Networked Solar Capacity (MWs)   6,866     7,058     7,288     7,531     7,721  
    Basic Shares Outstanding 1Q24 2Q24 3Q24 4Q24 1Q25
      Basic shares outstanding at end of period (in millions)   220.7     223.3     224.1     225.7     227.3  
      Weighted average basic shares outstanding in period (in millions)   219.9     222.5     223.7     224.9     226.4  
                                     

    Figures presented above may not sum due to rounding. In-period per share figures are calculated using the weighted average basic shares outstanding while end of period per share figures are calculated using the corresponding basic shares outstanding as of the measurement date. For adjustments related to Subscriber Value and Creation Costs, please see the supplemental materials available on the Sunrun Investor Relations website at investors.sunrun.com.

    Glossary of Terms

    Definitions for Volume-related Terms

    Deployments represent solar or storage systems, whether sold directly to customers or subject to executed Customer Agreements (i) for which we have confirmation that the systems are installed, subject to final inspection, or (ii) in the case of certain system installations by our partners, for which we have accrued at least 80% of the expected project cost (inclusive of acquisitions of installed systems). A portion of customers have subsequently entered into Customer Agreements to obtain, or have directly purchased, additional solar or storage systems at the same host customer site, and since these represent separate assets, they are considered separate Deployments.

    Customer Agreements refer to, collectively, solar or storage power purchase agreements and leases.

    Subscribers represent customers subject to Customer Agreements for solar or storage systems that have been recognized as Deployments, whether or not they continue to be active.

    Purchase Customers represent customers who purchased, whether outright or with proceeds from third-party loans, solar or storage systems that have been recognized as Deployments.

    Customers represent aggregate Subscribers and Purchase Customers.

    Subscriber Additions represent the number of Subscribers added in a period.

    Purchase Customer Additions represent the number of Purchase Customers added in a period.

    Customer Additions represent Subscriber Additions plus Purchase Customer Additions.

    Solar Capacity Installed represents the aggregate megawatt production capacity of solar energy systems that were recognized as Deployments in a period.

    Storage Capacity Installed represents the aggregate megawatt hour capacity of storage systems that were recognized as Deployments in a period.

    Networked Solar Capacity represents the cumulative Solar Capacity Installed from the company’s inception through the measurement date.

    Networked Storage Capacity represents the cumulative Storage Capacity Installed from the company’s inception through the measurement date.

    Storage Attachment Rate represents Customer Additions with storage divided by total Customer Additions.

    Definitions for Unit-based and Aggregate Value, Costs and Margin Terms

    Subscriber Value represents Contracted Subscriber Value plus Non-contracted or Upside Subscriber Value.

    Contracted Subscriber Value represents the per Subscriber present value of estimated upfront and future Contracted Cash Flows from Subscriber Additions in a period, discounted at the observed cost of capital in the period.

    Non-contracted or Upside Subscriber Value represents the per Subscriber present value of estimated future Non-contracted or Upside Cash Flows from Subscribers Additions in a period, discounted at the observed cost of capital in the period.

    Contracted Cash Flows represent (x) (1) scheduled payments from Subscribers during the initial terms of the Customer Agreements, (2) net proceeds from tax equity partners, (3) payments from government and utility incentive and rebate programs, (4) contracted net cash flows from grid services programs with utilities or grid operators, and (5) contracted or defined (i.e., with fixed pricing) cash flows from the sale of renewable energy credits, less (y) (1) estimated operating and maintenance costs to service the systems and replace equipment over the initial terms of the Customer Agreements, consistent with estimates by independent engineers, (2) distributions to tax equity partners in consolidated joint venture partnership flip structures, and (3) distributions to any project equity investors. For Flex Customer Agreements that allow variable billings based on the amount of electricity consumed by the Subscriber, only the minimum contracted payment is included in Contracted Cash Flows.

    Non-contracted or Upside Cash Flows represent (1) net cash flows realized from either the purchase of systems by Subscribers at the end of the Customer Agreement initial terms or renewals of Customer Agreements beyond the initial terms, estimated in both cases to have equivalent value, assuming only a 30-year relationship and a contract renewal rate equal to 90% of each Subscriber’s contractual rate in effect at the end of the initial contract term, (2) non-contracted net cash flows from grid service programs with utilities and grid operators, and (3) non-contracted net cash flows from the sale of renewable energy credits. After the initial contract term, our Customer Agreements typically automatically renew on an annual basis and the rate is initially set at up to a 10% discount to then-prevailing utility power prices. For Flex Customer Agreements that allow variable billings based on the amount of electricity consumed by the Subscriber, an assumption is made that each Subscriber’s electricity consumption increases by approximately 2% per year through the end of the initial term of the Customer Agreement and into the renewal period, resulting in billings in excess of the minimum contracted amount (which minimums are included in Contracted Cash Flows).

    Aggregate Creation Costs represent the sum of certain operating expenses and capital expenditures incurred in a period. The following items are included from the cash flow statement: (i) payments for the costs of solar energy systems, plus (ii) purchases of property and equipment, less (iii) net depreciation and amortization, less (iv) stock based compensation expense. The following items are included from the income statement: (i) cost of customer agreements and incentives revenue, adjusted to exclude fleet servicing costs and non-cash net impairment of solar energy systems, plus (ii) sales and marketing expenses, adjusted to exclude amortization of cost to obtain customer contracts (which is the amortization of previously capitalized sales commissions), plus (iii) general and administrative expenses, plus (iv) research and development expenses. In addition, gross additions to capitalized costs to obtain contracts (i.e., sales commissions), which are presented on the balance sheet within Other Assets, are included. Because the sales, marketing, general and administrative costs are for activities related to the entire business, including solar energy system and product sales, the gross margin on solar energy system and product sales is reflected as a contra cost. Costs associated with certain restructuring activities and one-time items are identified and excluded.

    Creation Costs represent Aggregate Creation Costs divided by Subscriber Additions.

    Net Subscriber Value represents Subscriber Value less Creation Costs.

    Contracted Net Subscriber Value represents Contracted Subscriber Value less Creation Costs.

    Upfront Net Subscriber Value represents Contracted Subscriber Value multiplied by Advance Rate less Creation Costs.

    Advance Rate or Advance Rate on Contracted Subscriber Value represents the company’s estimated upfront proceeds, expressed as a percentage of Contracted Subscriber Value or Aggregate Contracted Subscriber Value, from project-level capital and other upfront cash flows, based on market terms and observed cost of capital in a period.

    Aggregate Subscriber Value represents Subscriber Value multiplied by Subscriber Additions.

    Aggregate Contracted Subscriber Value represents Contracted Subscriber Value multiplied by Subscriber Additions.

    Aggregate Upfront Proceeds represent Aggregate Contracted Subscriber Value multiplied by Advance Rate. Actual project financing transaction timing for portfolios of Subscribers may occur in a period different from the period in which Subscribers are recognized, and may be executed at different terms. As such, Aggregate Upfront Proceeds are an estimate based on capital markets conditions present during each period and may differ from ultimate Proceeds Realized in respect of such Subscribers.

    Proceeds Realized represents cash flows received from non-recourse financing partners in addition to upfront customer prepayments, incentives and rebates. It is calculated as the proceeds from non-controlling interests on the cash flow statement, plus the net proceeds from non-recourse debt (excluding normal non-recourse debt amortization for existing debt, as such debt is serviced by cash flows from existing solar and storage assets), plus the gross additions to deferred revenue which represents customer payments for prepaid Customer Agreements along with local rebates and incentive programs.

    Net Value Creation represents Aggregate Subscriber Value less Aggregate Creation Costs.

    Contracted Net Value Creation represents Aggregate Contracted Subscriber Value less Aggregate Creation Costs.

    Upfront Net Value Creation represents Aggregate Upfront Proceeds less Aggregate Creation Costs.

    Cash Generation is calculated using the change in our unrestricted cash balance from our consolidated balance sheet, less net proceeds (or plus net repayments) from all recourse debt (inclusive of convertible debt), and less any primary equity issuances or net proceeds derived from employee stock award activity (or plus any stock buybacks or dividends paid to common stockholders) as presented on the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows. The Company expects to continue to raise tax equity and asset-level non-recourse debt to fund growth, and as such, these sources of cash are included in the definition of Cash Generation. Cash Generation also excludes long-term asset or business divestitures and equity investments in external non-consolidated businesses (or less dividends or distributions received in connection with such equity investments). Restricted cash in a reserve account with a balance equal to the amount outstanding of 2026 convertible notes is considered unrestricted cash for the purposes of calculating Cash Generation.

    Definitions for Gross and Net Value from Existing Customer Base Terms

    Gross Earning Assets is calculated as Contracted Gross Earning Assets plus Non-contracted or Upside Gross Earning Assets.

    Contracted Gross Earning Assets represents, as of any measurement date, the present value of estimated remaining Contracted Cash Flows that we expect to receive in future periods in relation to Subscribers as of the measurement date, discounted at 6%.

    Non-contracted or Upside Gross Earning Assets represents, as of any measurement date, the present value of estimated Non-contracted or Upside Cash Flows that we expect to receive in future periods in relation to Subscribers as of the measurement date, discounted at 6%.

    Net Earning Assets represents Gross Earning Assets, plus Total Cash, less adjusted debt and lease pass-through financing obligations, as of the measurement date. Debt is adjusted to exclude a pro-rata share of non-recourse debt associated with funds with project equity structures along with debt associated with the company’s ITC safe harboring equipment inventory facility. Because estimated cash distributions to our project equity partners are deducted from Gross Earning Assets, a proportional share of the corresponding project level non-recourse debt is deducted from Net Earning Assets, as such debt would be serviced from cash flows already excluded from Gross Earning Assets.

    Contracted Net Earning Assets represents Net Earning Assets less Non-contracted or Upside Gross Earning Assets.

    Non-contracted or Upside Net Earning Assets represents Net Earning Assets less Contracted Net Earning Assets.

    Total Cash represents the total of the restricted cash balance and unrestricted cash balance from our consolidated balance sheet.

    Other Terms

    Annual Recurring Revenue represents revenue arising from Customer Agreements over the following twelve months for Subscribers that have met initial revenue recognition criteria as of the measurement date.

    Average Contract Life Remaining represents the average number of years remaining in the initial term of Customer Agreements for Subscribers that have met revenue recognition criteria as of the measurement date.

    Households Served in Low-Income Multifamily Properties represent the number of individual rental units served in low-income multi-family properties from shared solar energy systems deployed by Sunrun. Households are counted when the solar energy system has interconnected with the grid, which may differ from Deployment recognition criteria.

    Positive Environmental Impact from Customers represents the estimated reduction in carbon emissions as a result of energy produced from our Networked Solar Capacity over the trailing twelve months. The figure is presented in millions of metric tons of avoided carbon emissions and is calculated using the Environmental Protection Agency’s AVERT tool. The figure is calculated using the most recent published tool from the EPA, using the current-year avoided emission factor for distributed resources on a state by state basis. The environmental impact is estimated based on the system, regardless of whether or not Sunrun continues to own the system or any associated renewable energy credits.

    Positive Expected Lifetime Environmental Impact from Customer Additions represents the estimated reduction in carbon emissions over thirty years as a result of energy produced from solar energy systems that were recognized as Deployments in a period. The figure is presented in millions of metric tons of avoided carbon emissions and is calculated using the Environmental Protection Agency’s AVERT tool. The figure is calculated using the most recent published tool from the EPA, using the current-year avoided emission factor for distributed resources on a state by state basis, leveraging our estimated production figures for such systems, which degrade over time, and is extrapolated for 30 years. The environmental impact is estimated based on the system, regardless of whether or not Sunrun continues to own the system or any associated renewable energy credits.

    Per Share Operational Metrics

    The Company presents certain operating metrics on a per share basis to aid investors in understanding the scale of such operational metrics in relation to the outstanding basic share count in each period. These metrics are operational in nature and not a financial metric. These metrics are not a substitute for GAAP financials, liquidity related measures, or any financial performance metrics.

    Net Value Creation, Contracted Net Value Creation, and Upfront Net Value Creation are also presented on a per share basis, calculated by dividing each metric by the weighted average basic shares outstanding for each period, as presented on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

    Net Earning Assets and Contracted Net Earning Assets are also presented on a per share basis, calculated by dividing each metric by the basic shares outstanding as of the end of each period, as presented on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

    Investor & Analyst Contacts:

    Patrick Jobin
    SVP, Deputy CFO & Investor Relations Officer
    investors@sunrun.com

    Bronson Fleig
    Director, Finance & Investor Relations
    investors@sunrun.com

    Media Contact:

    Wyatt Semanek
    Director, Corporate Communications
    press@sunrun.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Magnite Reports First Quarter 2025 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Contribution ex-TAC(1)Grows 12% Year-Over-Year

    Contribution ex-TAC(1)from CTV Grows 15% Year-Over-Year

    Adjusted EBITDA(1)Grows 47% Year-Over-Year

    NEW YORK, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Magnite (NASDAQ: MGNI), the largest independent sell-side advertising company, today reported its results of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    Q1 2025 Highlights:

    • Revenue of $155.8 million, up 4% year-over-year
    • Contribution ex-TAC(1) of $145.8 million, up 12% year-over-year
    • Contribution ex-TAC(1) attributable to CTV of $63.2 million, up 15% year-over-year, exceeded guidance of $61.0 to $63.0 million
    • Contribution ex-TAC(1) attributable to DV+ of $82.6 million, up 9% year-over year, exceeded guidance of $79.0 to $81.0 million
    • Net loss of $9.6 million, or $0.07 per share, compared to a net loss of $17.8 million, or $0.13 per share for Q1 2024
    • Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $36.8 million, up 47% year-over-year, representing a 25% Adjusted EBITDA margin(2), compared to Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $25.0 million or a 19% margin in Q1 2024
    • Non-GAAP earnings per share(1) of $0.12, compared to non-GAAP earnings per share(1) of $0.05 for Q1 2024
    • Operating cash flow(3) of $18.2 million

    Expectations:

    • Total Contribution ex-TAC(1) for Q2 2025 to be between $154 million and $160 million
    • Contribution ex-TAC(1) attributable to CTV for Q2 2025 to be between $70 million and $72 million
    • Contribution ex-TAC(1) attributable to DV+ for Q2 2025 to be between $84 million and $88 million
    • Adjusted EBITDA operating expenses(4) for Q2 2025 to be between $110 million and $112 million
    • Performance in Q2 to date has been in line with prior expectations; however, due to tariff-driven economic uncertainty, not reaffirming full-year 2025 expectations

    “We beat the high end of our CTV and DV+ top line guidance in the first quarter, with significant outperformance in Adjusted EBITDA. Our performance has remained strong to start Q2. However, we have taken a more cautious approach to our outlook and guidance due to tariff-driven economic uncertainty. In CTV, we continue to see strong programmatic adoption and are very pleased with the growth of Netflix and their continued rollout of programmatic globally. On the DV+ side of the business, we applaud the monumental antitrust ruling against Google. This ruling and its ensuing remedies have the potential to radically transform the open internet and create a more level playing field, which could significantly increase our monetization opportunities and market share, possibly as soon as next year,” said Michael G. Barrett, CEO of Magnite.

    First quarter 2025 Results Summary        
    (in millions, except per share amounts and percentages)        
      Three Months Ended
      March 31, 2025   March 31, 2024   Change
    Favorable/ (Unfavorable)
    Revenue $155.8   $149.3   4%
    Gross profit $93.0   $83.4   11%
    Contribution ex-TAC(1) $145.8   $130.6   12%
    Net loss ($9.6)   ($17.8)   46%
    Adjusted EBITDA(1) $36.8   $25.0   47%
    Adjusted EBITDA margin(2)   25%   19%   6 ppt
    Basic and diluted net loss per share ($0.07)   ($0.13)   46%
    Non-GAAP earnings per share(1) $0.12   $0.05   140%
    Footnotes:
    (1 ) Contribution ex-TAC, Adjusted EBITDA, and non-GAAP earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see the discussion in the section called “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and the reconciliations included at the end of this press release.
    (2 ) Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA divided by Contribution ex-TAC.
    (3 ) Operating cash flow is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures.
    (4 ) Adjusted EBITDA operating expenses is calculated as Contribution ex-TAC less Adjusted EBITDA.

    First quarter 2025 Results Conference Call and Webcast:

    The Company will host a conference call on May 7, 2025 at 1:30 PM (PT) / 4:30 PM (ET) to discuss the results for its first quarter of 2025.

    Live conference call  
    Toll free number: (844) 875-6911 (for domestic callers)
    Direct dial number: (412) 902-6511 (for international callers)
    Passcode: Ask to join the Magnite conference call
    Simultaneous audio webcast: http://investor.magnite.com under “Events and Presentations”
       
    Conference call replay  
    Toll free number: (877) 344-7529 (for domestic callers)
    Direct dial number: (412) 317-0088 (for international callers)
    Passcode: 4251284
    Webcast link: http://investor.magnite.com under “Events and Presentations”

    About Magnite
    We’re Magnite (NASDAQ: MGNI), the world’s largest independent sell-side advertising company. Publishers use our technology to monetize their content across all screens and formats including CTV, online video, display, and audio. The world’s leading agencies and brands trust our platform to access brand-safe, high-quality ad inventory and execute billions of advertising transactions each month. Anchored in bustling New York City, sunny Los Angeles, mile high Denver, historic London, colorful Singapore, and down under in Sydney, Magnite has offices across North America, EMEA, LATAM, and APAC.

    Forward-Looking Statements:

    This press release and management’s prepared remarks during the conference call referred to above include, and management’s answers to questions during the conference call may include, forward-looking statements, including statements based upon or relating to our expectations, assumptions, estimates, and projections. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “objective,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “can,” “would,” “expect,” “believe,” “design,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “plan” or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the Company’s guidance or expectations with respect to future financial performance; acquisitions by the Company, or the anticipated benefits thereof; macroeconomic conditions or concerns related thereto; the growth of ad-supported programmatic connected television (“CTV”); our ability to use and collect data to provide our offerings; the scope and duration of client relationships; the fees we may charge in the future; key strategic objectives; anticipated benefits of new offerings; business mix; sales growth; benefits from supply path optimization; our ability to adapt to advancements in artificial intelligence; the development of identity solutions; client utilization of our offerings; the impact of requests for discounts, rebates, or other fee concessions; our competitive differentiation; our market share and leadership position in the industry; market conditions, trends, and opportunities; certain statements regarding future operational performance measures; and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are not guarantees of future performance; they reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and estimates and subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from expectations or results projected or implied by forward-looking statements.

    We discuss many of these risks and additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by our forward-looking statements under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and elsewhere in this press release and in other filings we have made and will make from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and subsequent filings. These forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of the report in which they are included. Unless required by federal securities laws, we assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated, to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the statements are made. Without limiting the foregoing, any guidance we may provide will generally be given only in connection with quarterly and annual earnings announcements, without interim updates, and we may appear at industry conferences or make other public statements without disclosing material nonpublic information in our possession. Given these uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Investors should read this press release and the documents that we reference in this press release and have filed or will file with the SEC completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Operational Measures:

    In addition to our GAAP results, we review certain non-GAAP financial measures to help us evaluate our business on a consistent basis, measure our performance, identify trends affecting our business, establish budgets, measure the effectiveness of investments in our technology and development and sales and marketing, and assess our operational efficiencies. These non-GAAP financial measures include Contribution ex-TAC, Adjusted EBITDA, Non-GAAP Income (Loss), and Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) per share, each of which is discussed below.

    These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be considered in isolation from, as substitutes for, or as superior to, the corresponding financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. You are encouraged to evaluate these adjustments, and review the reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most comparable GAAP measures, and the reasons we consider them appropriate. It is important to note that the particular items we exclude from, or include in, our non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the items excluded from, or included in, similar non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. See “Reconciliation of Revenue to Gross Profit to Contribution ex-TAC,” “Reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA,” “Reconciliation of net loss to non-GAAP income,” and “Reconciliation of GAAP loss per share to non-GAAP earnings per share” included as part of this press release.

    We do not provide a reconciliation of our non-GAAP financial expectations for Contribution ex-TAC and Adjusted EBITDA, or a forecast of the most comparable GAAP measures, because the amount and timing of many future charges that impact these measures (such as amortization of future acquired intangible assets, acquisition-related charges, foreign exchange (gain) loss, net, stock-based compensation, impairment charges, provision or benefit for income taxes, and our future revenue mix), which could be material, are variable, uncertain, or out of our control and therefore cannot be reasonably predicted without unreasonable effort, if at all. In addition, we believe such reconciliations or forecasts could imply a degree of precision that might be confusing or misleading to investors.

    Contribution ex-TAC:

    Contribution ex-TAC is calculated as gross profit plus cost of revenue, excluding traffic acquisition cost (“TAC”). Traffic acquisition cost, a component of cost of revenue, represents what we must pay sellers for the sale of advertising inventory through our platform for revenue reported on a gross basis. Contribution ex-TAC is a non-GAAP financial measure that is most comparable to gross profit. We believe Contribution ex-TAC is a useful measure in facilitating a consistent comparison against our core business without considering the impact of traffic acquisition costs related to revenue reported on a gross basis.

    Adjusted EBITDA:

    We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) adjusted to exclude stock-based compensation expense, depreciation and amortization, amortization of acquired intangible assets, impairment charges, interest income or expense, and other cash and non-cash based income or expenses that we do not consider indicative of our core operating performance, including, but not limited to foreign exchange gains and losses, acquisition and related items, gains or losses on extinguishment of debt, other debt refinancing expenses, non-operational real estate and other expenses (income), net, and provision (benefit) for income taxes. We also track future expenses on an Adjusted EBITDA basis, and describe them as Adjusted EBITDA operating expenses, which includes total operating expenses. Total operating expenses include cost of revenue. Adjusted EBITDA operating expenses is calculated as Contribution ex-TAC less Adjusted EBITDA. We adjust Adjusted EBITDA operating expenses for the same expense items excluded in Adjusted EBITDA. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors in evaluating our performance for the following reasons:

    • Adjusted EBITDA is widely used by investors and securities analysts to measure a company’s performance without regard to items such as those we exclude in calculating this measure, which can vary substantially from company to company depending upon their financing, capital structures, and the method by which assets were acquired.
    • Our management uses Adjusted EBITDA in conjunction with GAAP financial measures for planning purposes, including the preparation of our annual operating budget, as a measure of performance and the effectiveness of our business strategies, and in communications with our board of directors concerning our performance. Adjusted EBITDA is also used as a metric for determining payment of cash incentive compensation.
    • Adjusted EBITDA provides a measure of consistency and comparability with our past performance that many investors find useful, facilitates period-to-period comparisons of operations, and also facilitates comparisons with other peer companies, many of which use similar non-GAAP financial measures to supplement their GAAP results.

    Although Adjusted EBITDA is frequently used by investors and securities analysts in their evaluations of companies, Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results of operations as reported under GAAP. These limitations include:

    • Stock-based compensation is a non-cash charge and will remain an element of our long-term incentive compensation package, although we exclude it as an expense when evaluating our ongoing operating performance for a particular period.
    • Depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, and the assets being depreciated or amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, but Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for these replacements.
    • Impairment charges are non-cash charges related to goodwill, intangible assets and/or long-lived assets.
    • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect certain cash and non-cash charges related to acquisition and related items, such as amortization of acquired intangible assets, merger, acquisition, or restructuring related severance costs, and changes in the fair value of contingent consideration.
    • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash and non-cash charges and changes in, or cash requirements for, acquisition and related items, such as certain transaction expenses.
    • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash and non-cash charges related to certain financing transactions such as gains or losses on extinguishment of debt or other debt refinancing expenses.
    • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect certain non-operational real estate and other (income) and expense, net, which consists of transactions or expenses that are typically by nature non-operating, one-time items, or unrelated to our core operations.
    • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in our working capital needs, capital expenditures, or contractual commitments.
    • Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash requirements for income taxes and the cash impact of other income or expense.
    • Other companies may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

    Our Adjusted EBITDA is influenced by fluctuations in our revenue, cost of revenue, and the timing and amounts of the cost of our operations. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss), income (loss) from operations, or any other measure of financial performance calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

    Non-GAAP Income (Loss) and Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) per Share:

    We define non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share as non-GAAP income (loss) divided by non-GAAP weighted-average shares outstanding. Non-GAAP income (loss) is equal to net income (loss) excluding stock-based compensation, cash and non-cash based merger, acquisition, and restructuring costs, which consist primarily of professional service fees associated with merger and acquisition activities, cash-based employee termination costs, and other restructuring activities, including facility closures, relocation costs, contract termination costs, and impairment costs of abandoned technology associated with restructuring activities, amortization of acquired intangible assets, gains or losses on extinguishment of debt, non-operational real estate and other expenses or income, foreign currency gains and losses, interest expense associated with Convertible Senior Notes, other debt refinance expenses, and the tax impact of these items. In periods in which we have non-GAAP income, non-GAAP weighted-average shares outstanding used to calculate non-GAAP earnings per share includes the impact of potentially dilutive shares. Potentially dilutive shares consist of stock options, restricted stock units, performance stock units, and potential shares issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, each computed using the treasury stock method, and the impact of shares that would be issuable assuming conversion of all of the Convertible Senior Notes, calculated under the if-converted method. We believe non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share is useful to investors in evaluating our ongoing operational performance and our trends on a per share basis, and also facilitates comparison of our financial results on a per share basis with other companies, many of which present a similar non-GAAP measure. However, a potential limitation of our use of non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share is that other companies may define non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share differently, which may make comparison difficult. This measure may also exclude expenses that may have a material impact on our reported financial results. Non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share is a performance measure and should not be used as a measure of liquidity. Because of these limitations, we also consider the comparable GAAP measure of net income (loss).

    Investor Relations Contact
    Nick Kormeluk
    (949) 500-0003
    nkormeluk@magnite.com

    Media Contact
    Charlstie Veith
    (516) 300-3569
    press@magnite.com

    MAGNITE, INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (In thousands)
    (unaudited)
           
      March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024
    ASSETS      
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 429,708     $ 483,220  
    Accounts receivable, net   1,053,153       1,200,046  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   32,207       19,914  
    TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS   1,515,068       1,703,180  
    Property and equipment, net   79,134       68,730  
    Right-of-use lease assets   55,752       50,329  
    Internal use software development costs, net   26,689       26,625  
    Intangible assets, net   13,926       21,309  
    Goodwill   978,217       978,217  
    Other assets, non-current   5,864       6,378  
    TOTAL ASSETS $ 2,674,650     $ 2,854,768  
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
    Current liabilities:      
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 1,306,517     $ 1,466,377  
    Lease liabilities, current   16,229       16,086  
    Debt, current, net of debt issuance costs   207,568       3,641  
    Other current liabilities   8,173       9,880  
    TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES   1,538,487       1,495,984  
    Debt, non-current, net of debt discount and debt issuance costs   349,001       550,104  
    Lease liabilities, non-current   43,759       38,983  
    Other liabilities, non-current   1,650       1,479  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES   1,932,897       2,086,550  
    STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
    Common stock   2       2  
    Additional paid-in capital   1,416,149       1,433,809  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (3,592 )     (4,421 )
    Accumulated deficit   (670,806 )     (661,172 )
    TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   741,753       768,218  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 2,674,650     $ 2,854,768  
    MAGNITE, INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)
    (unaudited)
       
      Three Months Ended
      March 31, 2025   March 31, 2024
    Revenue $ 155,771     $ 149,319  
    Expenses (1)(2):      
    Cost of revenue   62,799       65,902  
    Sales and marketing   48,106       43,689  
    Technology and development   22,292       26,891  
    General and administrative   23,938       26,665  
    Total expenses   157,135       163,147  
    Loss from operations   (1,364 )     (13,828 )
    Other (income) expense:      
    Interest expense, net   5,177       7,958  
    Foreign exchange (gain) loss, net   2,217       (2,315 )
    Loss on extinguishment of debt   2,152       7,387  
    Other income   (423 )     (1,292 )
    Total other expense, net   9,123       11,738  
    Loss before income taxes   (10,487 )     (25,566 )
    Benefit for income taxes   (853 )     (7,809 )
    Net Loss $ (9,634 )   $ (17,757 )
    Net loss per share:      
    Basic and diluted $ (0.07 )   $ (0.13 )
    Weighted average shares used to compute net loss per share:      
    Basic and diluted   141,852       139,297  
    (1) Stock-based compensation expense included in our expenses was as follows:
      Three Months Ended
    March 31, 2025   March 31, 2024
    Cost of revenue $ 572   $ 500
    Sales and marketing   9,144     8,236
    Technology and development   4,635     5,416
    General and administrative   6,858     6,679
    Total stock-based compensation expense $ 21,209   $ 20,831
    (2) Depreciation and amortization expense included in our expenses was as follows:
      Three Months Ended
      March 31, 2025   March 31, 2024
    Cost of revenue $ 13,025   $ 10,716
    Sales and marketing   2,448     2,610
    Technology and development   69     147
    General and administrative   59     94
    Total depreciation and amortization expense $ 15,601   $ 13,567
    MAGNITE, INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (In thousands)
    (unaudited)
       
      Three Months Ended
      March 31, 2025   March 31, 2024
    OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
    Net loss $ (9,634 )   $ (17,757 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:      
    Depreciation and amortization   15,601       13,567  
    Stock-based compensation   21,209       20,831  
    Loss on extinguishment of debt   2,152       7,387  
    Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs   967       1,152  
    Non-cash lease expense   (516 )     (546 )
    Deferred income taxes   154       (7,770 )
    Unrealized foreign currency (gain) loss, net   4,496       (3,910 )
    Other items, net   (101 )     124  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
    Accounts receivable   147,859       175,313  
    Prepaid expenses and other assets   (11,469 )     (812 )
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses   (166,353 )     (249,742 )
    Other liabilities   (1,804 )     1,752  
    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   2,561       (60,411 )
    INVESTING ACTIVITIES:      
    Purchases of property and equipment   (14,377 )     (5,873 )
    Capitalized internal use software development costs   (2,821 )     (3,379 )
    Net cash used in investing activities   (17,198 )     (9,252 )
    FINANCING ACTIVITIES:      
    Proceeds from the Term Loan B Facility refinancing and repricing activities, net of debt discount   92,622       361,350  
    Repayment of the Term Loan B Facility from refinancing and repricing activities   (92,622 )     (351,000 )
    Payment for debt issuance costs   (159 )     (4,510 )
    Proceeds from exercise of stock options   252        
    Purchase of treasury stock   (19,229 )      
    Taxes paid related to net share settlement   (20,314 )     (8,941 )
    Net cash used in financing activities   (39,450 )     (3,101 )
    EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH   575       (621 )
    CHANGE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH   (53,512 )     (73,385 )
    CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH — Beginning of period   483,220       326,219  
    CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH — End of period $ 429,708     $ 252,834  
    MAGNITE, INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS-(Continued)
    (In thousands)
    (unaudited)
       
      Three Months Ended
    SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF OTHER CASH FLOW INFORMATION: March 31, 2025   March 31, 2024
    Cash paid for income taxes $ 571   $ 729
    Cash paid for interest $ 6,679   $ 7,182
    Capitalized assets financed by accounts payable and accrued expenses and other liabilities $ 8,133   $ 7,272
    Capitalized stock-based compensation $ 422   $ 576
    Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities $ 11,692   $ 8,255
    Operating lease right-of-use assets reduction and corresponding non-cash adjustment to operating lease liabilities $ 2,047   $
    Non-cash financing activity related to Amendment No. 2 to the 2024 Credit Agreement $ 270,555   $
    MAGNITE, INC.
    RECONCILIATION OF REVENUE TO GROSS PROFIT TO CONTRIBUTION EX-TAC
    (In thousands)
    (unaudited)
       
      Three Months Ended
      March 31, 2025   March 31, 2024
    Revenue $ 155,771   $ 149,319
    Less: Cost of revenue   62,799     65,902
    Gross Profit   92,972     83,417
    Add back: Cost of revenue, excluding TAC   52,876     47,136
    Contribution ex-TAC $ 145,848   $ 130,553
    MAGNITE, INC.
    RECONCILIATION OF NET LOSS TO ADJUSTED EBITDA
    (In thousands)
    (unaudited)
       
      Three Months Ended
      March 31, 2025   March 31, 2024
    Net loss $ (9,634 )   $ (17,757 )
    Add back (deduct):      
    Depreciation and amortization expense, excluding amortization of acquired intangible assets   8,218       5,978  
    Amortization of acquired intangibles   7,383       7,589  
    Stock-based compensation expense   21,209       20,831  
    Non-operational real estate and other (income) expense, net   (36 )     24  
    Interest expense, net   5,177       7,958  
    Foreign exchange (gain) loss, net   2,217       (2,315 )
    Loss on extinguishment of debt   2,152       7,387  
    Other debt refinancing expense   967       3,140  
    Benefit for income taxes   (853 )     (7,809 )
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 36,800     $ 25,026  
    MAGNITE, INC.
    RECONCILIATION OF NET LOSS TO NON-GAAP INCOME
    (In thousands)
    (unaudited)
       
      Three Months Ended
      March 31, 2025   March 31, 2024
    Net loss $ (9,634 )   $ (17,757 )
    Add back (deduct):      
    Merger, acquisition, and restructuring costs, including amortization of acquired intangibles and excluding stock-based compensation expense   7,383       7,589  
    Stock-based compensation expense   21,209       20,831  
    Non-operational real estate and other (income) expense, net   (36 )     24  
    Foreign exchange (gain) loss, net   2,217       (2,315 )
    Interest expense, Convertible Senior Notes   421       421  
    Loss on extinguishment of debt   2,152       7,387  
    Other debt refinancing expense   967       3,140  
    Tax effect of Non-GAAP adjustments (1)   (6,822 )     (11,336 )
    Non-GAAP income $ 17,857     $ 7,984  
            (1 ) Non-GAAP income includes the estimated tax impact from the reconciling items between net loss and non-GAAP income. 
    MAGNITE, INC.
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP LOSS PER SHARE TO NON-GAAP EARNINGS PER SHARE
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)
    (unaudited)
       
      Three Months Ended
      March 31, 2025   March 31, 2024
    GAAP net loss per share (1):      
    Basic and diluted $ (0.07 )   $ (0.13 )
           
    Non-GAAP income (2) $ 17,857     $ 7,984  
    Non-GAAP earnings per share $ 0.12     $ 0.05  
           
    Reconciliation of weighted-average shares used to compute net loss per share to non-GAAP weighted average shares outstanding:      
    Weighted-average shares used to compute basic net loss per share   141,852       139,297  
    Dilutive effect of weighted-average common stock options, RSUs, and PSUs   8,191       4,371  
    Dilutive effect of weighted-average ESPP shares   65       65  
    Dilutive effect of weighted-average Convertible Senior Notes   3,210       3,210  
    Non-GAAP weighted-average shares outstanding   153,318       146,943  
           
    (1) Calculated as net loss divided by basic and diluted weighted-average shares used to compute net loss per share as included in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
    (2) Refer to reconciliation of net loss to non-GAAP income.
    MAGNITE, INC.
    CONTRIBUTION EX-TAC BY CHANNEL
    (In thousands)
    (unaudited)
       
      Contribution ex-TAC
      Three Months Ended
      March 31, 2025   March 31, 2024
    Channel:              
    CTV $ 63,225   43 %   $ 54,894   42 %
    Mobile   58,008   40 %     53,299   41 %
    Desktop   24,615   17 %     22,360   17 %
    Total $ 145,848   100 %   $ 130,553   100 %

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Silvaco Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Achieved gross bookings of $13.7 million and revenue of $14.1 million in the first quarter 2025

    Signed 9 new customers in the first quarter 2025 and expanded relationship with existing customers across key markets including AI, Photonics, and IoT

    Expanded Product Portfolio with the Acquisition of Tech-X Corporation

    SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Silvaco Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SVCO) (“Silvaco” or the “Company”), a provider of TCAD, EDA software, and SIP solutions that enable innovative semiconductor design and digital twin modeling through AI software and automation, today announced its first quarter 2025 results.

    “We are pleased to have completed our first acquisition since our IPO in the first quarter of 2025, and have since announced our second acquisition of 2025, advancing our inorganic growth strategy and expanding our product portfolio,” said Dr. Babak Taheri, Silvaco’s Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Taheri continued, “We believe our solid fundamentals and focus on innovation position us to sustain strong customer momentum and drive continued growth in our EDA and TCAD product lines through 2025. We are committed to defending shareholder value through performance, transparency, and responsible capital management. We believe the fundamentals of Silvaco are strong—and we’re taking clear, measurable steps to align our market presence with the long-term strength of our business.”

    Commenting on the financial results and outlook, Keith Tainsky, Silvaco’s Interim Chief Financial Officer, added, “Given the current economic uncertainty, we have provided a broad guidance range for the second quarter of 2025. The company remains well positioned to deliver solid growth, supported by strong customer demand. We also updated our full-year guidance and remain confident in our ability to achieve our strategic and financial objectives.”

    First Quarter 2025 and Recent Business Highlights

    • Acquired 9 new customers across key markets including AI infrastructure (Power, Memory, Foundry) Photonics, and IoT markets, which represented approximately 23% of gross bookings for the quarter. We also expanded opportunities with existing customers, which accounted for 38% of gross bookings.
    • Gained momentum with Power, Photonics, and Advanced CMOS customers as they expand adoption of the FTCO platform for their next-generation product development. We announced that Excelliance MOS adopted Silvaco DTCO Flow for next generation silicon carbide devices and our partnership with Korean Kyung Hee University’s Professor Jin Jang on FTCO for next generation display technologies.
    • Expanded SAM by an estimated $600 million with the acquisitions of Cadence’s PPC product line and Tech-X Corporation.
    • Faraday Technology selected Silvaco FlexCAN IP for advanced automotive ASIC design.
    • ProMOS adopted our Victory TCAD solution for the development of next generation silicon photonics devices.
    • On April 29, 2025, Silvaco closed the acquisition of Tech-X Corporation, expanding our product offerings into wafer-level and photonics digital twin modeling.
    • Beginning with this quarter, we will be providing a new performance metric called Annual Contract Value, or ACV. We use ACV internally as a supplemental measure to evaluate the performance of our customer agreements and the underlying momentum of the business. While not a measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, we believe ACV provides additional insight into the scale and timing of customer commitments, which may not be fully reflected in recognized revenue due to the timing of revenue recognition under ASC 606.

    First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

    GAAP Financial Results

    • Revenue of $14.1 million, down 11% year-over-year and down 21% quarter-over-quarter.
      • TCAD revenue of $7.9 million, down 26% year-over-year, primarily due to earlier renewals last year.
      • EDA revenue of $5.1 million, up 8% year-over-year, including the addition of PPC product revenue of $1.9 million.
      • SIP revenue of $1.1 million, up 89% year-over-year, primarily driven by new bookings in automotive and IoT customers.
    • GAAP gross profit and GAAP gross margin were $11.1 million and 79%, respectively, which includes the impact of $0.2 million in stock-based compensation expense, and $0.2 million in amortization of acquired intangible assets, down from $13.9 million and 88% in Q1 2024.
    • GAAP net loss of $19.3 million, compared to a GAAP net income of $1.4 million in Q1 2024.
    • GAAP basic net loss per share of $(0.67), compared to GAAP basic and diluted net income per share of $0.07 in Q1 2024.
    • As of March 31, 2025, cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $74.5 million.

    Key Operating Indicators and Non-GAAP Financial Results:

    • Gross bookings were $13.7 million, down 15% year-over-year.
    • As of March 31, 2025, the remaining performance obligation balance of $33.7 million, 45% of which is expected to be recognized as revenue in the next 12 months.
    • Non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin were $11.5 million and 82%, respectively, down from $13.9 million and 88% in Q1 2024.
    • Non-GAAP net loss of $1.9 million, compared to non-GAAP net income of $2.4 million in Q1 2024.
    • Non-GAAP diluted net loss per share of $(0.07), compared to non-GAAP diluted net income per share of $0.12 in Q1 2024.
    • On a trailing-twelve-month (TTM) basis ACV was $52.3 million for the first quarter, up 21% year-over-year. This increase was driven by the amount of growth in organic growth of term-based licenses and renewals, as well as the acquisition of PPC. While quarterly revenue may fluctuate, core annual recurring revenue from new bookings has shown consistent annual growth.

    For a discussion of the non-GAAP metrics presented in this press release, as well as a reconciliation of non-GAAP metrics to the nearest comparable GAAP metric, see “Discussion of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Other Key Business Metrics” and “GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation” in the accompanying tables below.

    Supplementary materials to this press release, including first quarter 2025 financial results, can be found at https://investors.silvaco.com/financial-information/quarterly-results.

    Second Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Outlook

    As of May 7, 2025, Silvaco is providing updated guidance for its second quarter of 2025 and its full-year 2025, which represents Silvaco’s current estimates on its operations and financial results. The financial information below represents forward-looking financial information and in some instances forward-looking, non-GAAP financial information, including estimates of non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating income (loss) and non-GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share. GAAP gross margin is the most comparable GAAP measure to non-GAAP gross margin and GAAP operating income (loss) is the most comparable GAAP measure to non-GAAP operating income (loss). GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share is the most comparable GAAP measure to non-GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share. Non-GAAP gross margin differs from GAAP gross margin in that it excludes items such as stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquired intangible assets, and acquisition-related professional fees and retention bonuses. Non-GAAP operating income (loss) differs from GAAP operating income (loss) in that it excludes items such as acquisition-related estimated litigation claim and legal costs, stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquired intangible assets, acquisition-related professional fees and retention bonuses and IPO preparation costs. Non-GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share differs from GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share in that it excludes certain costs, including IPO preparation costs, acquisition-related estimated litigation claim and legal costs, stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquired intangible assets, acquisition-related professional fees and retention bonuses, change in fair value of contingent consideration, foreign exchange (gain) loss, and the income tax effect on non-GAAP items. Silvaco is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of these exclusions without unreasonable effort. Therefore, Silvaco has not provided guidance for GAAP gross margin, GAAP operating income or GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share or a reconciliation of the forward-looking non-GAAP gross margin or non-GAAP operating income or non-GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share guidance to GAAP gross margin or GAAP operating income or GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share, respectively. However, it is important to note that these excluded items could be material to our results computed in accordance with GAAP in future periods.

    Based on current business trends and conditions, the Company expects for second quarter 2025 the following:

    • Gross bookings in the range of $14.0 million to $18.0 million, which would compare to $19.5 million in the second quarter of 2024.
    • Revenue in the range of $12.0 million to $16.0 million, which would compare to $15.0 million in the second quarter of 2024.
    • Non-GAAP gross margin in the range of 80% to 83%, which would compare to 86% in the second quarter of 2024.
    • Non-GAAP operating loss in the range of ($4.0) million to ($2.0) million, compared to non-GAAP operating income of $1.7 million in the second quarter of 2024.
    • Non-GAAP diluted net loss per share in the range of ($0.10) to ($0.03), compared to net income per share of $0.07 in the second quarter of 2024.

    Based on current business trends and conditions, the Company expects for full year 2025, the following:

    • Gross bookings in the range of $67.0 million to $74.0 million, which would represent a 2% to 13% increase from $65.8 million in 2024.
    • Revenue in the range of $64.0 million to $70.0 million, which would represent a 7% to 17% increase from $59.7 million in 2024.
    • Non-GAAP gross margin in the range of 83% to 86%, which would compare to 86% in 2024.
    • Non-GAAP operating (loss) income in the range of ($2.0) million loss to $1.0 million income, which would compare to $5.5 million income in 2024.
    • Non-GAAP diluted net (loss) income per share in the range of ($0.07) net loss per share to $0.03 net income per share, compared to $0.25 net income per share in 2024.

    Q1 2025 Conference Call Details

    A press release highlighting the Company’s results along with supplemental financial results will be available at https://investors.silvaco.com/ along with an earnings presentation to accompany management’s prepared remarks. An archived replay of the conference call will be available on this website for a limited time after the call. Participants who want to join the call and ask a question may register for the call here to receive the dial-in numbers and unique PIN.

    Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2025
    Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time
    Webcast: Here (live and replay)

    About Silvaco

    Silvaco is a provider of TCAD, EDA software, and SIP solutions that enable semiconductor design and digital twin modeling through AI software and innovation. Silvaco’s solutions are used for semiconductor and photonics processes, devices, and systems development across display, power devices, automotive, memory, high performance compute, foundries, photonics, internet of things, and 5G/6G mobile markets for complex SoC design. Silvaco is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and has a global presence with offices located in North America, Europe, Brazil, China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This press release contains forward-looking statements based on Silvaco’s current expectations. The words “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “project”, “will”, and similar phrases as they relate to Silvaco are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current views and assumptions of Silvaco and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations.

    These forward-looking statements include but are not limited to, statements regarding our future operating results, financial position, and guidance, our business strategy and plans, our objectives for future operations, our development or delivery of new or enhanced products, and anticipated results of those products for our customers, our competitive positioning, projected costs, technological capabilities, and plans, and macroeconomic trends.

    A variety of risks and factors that are beyond our control could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements including, without limitation, the following: (a) market conditions; (b) anticipated trends, challenges and growth in our business and the markets in which we operate; (c) our ability to appropriately respond to changing technologies on a timely and cost-effective basis; (d) the size and growth potential of the markets for our software solutions, and our ability to serve those markets; (e) our expectations regarding competition in our existing and new markets; (f) the level of demand in our customers’ end markets; (g) regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; (h) changes in trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs; (i) proposed new software solutions, services or developments; (j) our ability to attract and retain key management personnel; (k) our customer relationships and our ability to retain and expand our customer relationships; (l) our ability to diversify our customer base and develop relationships in new markets; (m) the strategies, prospects, plans, expectations, and objectives of management for future operations; (n) public health crises, pandemics, and epidemics and their effects on our business and our customers’ businesses; (o) the impact of the current conflicts between Ukraine and Russia and Israel and Hamas and the ongoing trade disputes among the United States and China on our business, financial condition or prospects, including extreme volatility in the global capital markets making debt or equity financing more difficult to obtain, more costly or more dilutive, delays and disruptions of the global supply chains and the business activities of our suppliers, distributors, customers and other business partners; (p) changes in general economic or business conditions or economic or demographic trends in the United States and foreign countries including changes in tariffs, interest rates and inflation; (q) our ability to raise additional capital; (r) our ability to accurately forecast demand for our software solutions; (s) our expectations regarding the outcome of any ongoing litigation; (t) our ability to successfully integrate recent acquisitions; (u) our expectations regarding the period during which we qualify as an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act and as a smaller reporting company under the Exchange Act; (v) our expectations regarding our ability to obtain, maintain, protect and enforce intellectual property protection for our technology; (w) our status as a controlled company; and (x) our use of the net proceeds from our initial public offering.

    It is not possible for us to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. Accordingly, you should not rely on any of the forward-looking statements. Additional information relating to the uncertainty affecting Silvaco’s business is contained in Silvaco’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These documents are available on the SEC Filings section of the Investor Relations section of Silvaco’s website at http://investors.silvaco.com/. These forward-looking statements represent Silvaco’s expectations as of the date of this press release. Subsequent events may cause these expectations to change, and Silvaco disclaims any obligation to update or alter these forward-looking statements in the future, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Discussion of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Other Key Business Metrics

    We use certain non-GAAP financial measures to supplement the performance measures in our consolidated financial statements, which are presented in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures include non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating income (loss), non-GAAP net income (loss), and non-GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share. We use these non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational decision-making and as a means to assist us in evaluating period-to-period comparisons.

    We define non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin as our GAAP gross profit and GAAP gross margin adjusted to exclude certain costs, including stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquired intangible assets and acquisition-related professional fees and retention bonuses. We define non-GAAP operating income (loss), as our GAAP operating income (loss) adjusted to exclude certain costs, including IPO preparation costs, acquisition-related estimated litigation claim and legal costs, stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquired intangible assets, and acquisition-related professional fees and retention bonuses. We define non-GAAP net income (loss) as our GAAP net income (loss) adjusted to exclude certain costs, including IPO preparation costs, acquisition-related estimated litigation claim and legal costs, stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquired intangible assets, acquisition-related professional fees and retention bonuses, change in fair value of contingent consideration, foreign exchange (gain) loss, and the income tax effect on non-GAAP items. Our non-GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share is calculated in the same way as our non-GAAP net income (loss), but on a per share basis. We monitor non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating income (loss), non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share as non-GAAP financial measures to supplement the financial information we present in accordance with GAAP to provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results.

    Certain items are excluded from our non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating income (loss), non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share because these items are non-cash in nature or are not indicative of our core operating performance and render comparisons with prior periods and competitors less meaningful. We adjust GAAP gross profit, GAAP gross margin, GAAP operating income (loss), GAAP net income (loss), and GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share for these items to arrive at non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating income (loss), non-GAAP net income (loss), and non-GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share because these amounts can vary substantially from company to company within our industry depending upon accounting methods and book values of assets, capital structure and the method by which the assets were acquired. By excluding certain items that may not be indicative of our recurring core operating results, we believe that non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating income (loss), non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance.

    We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors and others because they allow for additional information with respect to financial measures used by management in its financial and operational decision-making and they may be used by our institutional investors and the analyst community to help them analyze our financial performance and the health of our business. However, there are a number of limitations related to the use of non-GAAP financial measures, and these non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or in isolation from, our financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate these non-GAAP financial measures differently or not at all, which reduces their usefulness as comparative measures.

    Annual Contract Value (“ACV”) is a key performance metric for Silvaco and is useful to investors in assessing the strength and trajectory of the business. ACV is a supplemental metric to help evaluate the annual performance of the business. Over the life of the contract, ACV equals the total value realized from a customer. ACV is not impacted by the timing of license revenue recognition. ACV is used by management in financial and operational decision-making. ACV is not a replacement for, and should be viewed independently of, GAAP revenue and deferred revenue, as ACV is a performance metric and is not intended to be combined with any of these items. There is no GAAP measure comparable to ACV.

    ACV is composed of the following: (i) the annualized value of term based software licenses with start dates or anniversary dates during the period, plus; (ii) the value of perpetual license contracts with start dates during the period, plus; (iii) the annualized value of maintenance & support as well as any fixed-term services contracts with start dates or anniversary dates during the period, plus; (iv) the value of fixed-deliverable services contracts. Silvaco and the Silvaco logo are registered trademarks of Silvaco Group, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

    SILVACO GROUP, INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (Unaudited, in thousands except share and par value amounts)
           
      March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024
    ASSETS      
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 29,489     $ 19,606  
    Current marketable securities   45,048       63,071  
    Accounts receivable, net   5,783       9,211  
    Contract assets, net   15,102       11,932  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   4,500       3,460  
    Total current assets   99,922       107,280  
    Non-current assets:      
    Non-current marketable securities         4,785  
    Property and equipment, net   890       865  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets, net   1,534       1,711  
    Intangible assets, net   9,997       4,369  
    Goodwill   14,337       9,026  
    Non-current portion of contract assets   9,860       12,611  
    Other assets   1,595       1,698  
    Total non-current assets   38,213       35,065  
    Total assets $ 138,135     $ 142,345  
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
    Current liabilities:      
    Accounts payable $ 2,137     $ 3,316  
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   32,426       19,801  
    Accrued income taxes   1,728       1,668  
    Deferred revenue, current   8,618       7,497  
    Operating lease liabilities, current   644       744  
    Vendor financing obligation, current   1,191       1,462  
    Total current liabilities   46,744       34,488  
    Non-current liabilities:      
    Deferred revenue, non-current   3,604       3,593  
    Operating lease liabilities, non-current   866       946  
    Vendor financing obligation, non-current   2,995       2,928  
    Other non-current liabilities   333       307  
    Total liabilities   54,542       42,262  
    Stockholders’ equity:      
    Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 , respectively          
    Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 28,805,280 and 28,526,615 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively   3       3  
    Additional paid-in capital   132,937       130,360  
    Accumulated deficit   (47,285 )     (28,012 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (2,062 )     (2,268 )
    Total stockholders’ equity   83,593       100,083  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 138,135     $ 142,345  
           
           
    SILVACO GROUP, INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF (LOSS) INCOME
    (Unaudited, in thousands except share and par value amounts)
           
      Three Months Ended March 31,
        2025       2024  
    Revenue:      
    Software license revenue $ 10,009     $ 12,258  
    Maintenance and service   4,083       3,631  
    Total revenue   14,092       15,889  
    Cost of revenue   3,016       1,973  
    Gross profit   11,076       13,916  
    Operating expenses:      
    Research and development   4,800       3,616  
    Selling and marketing   4,719       3,312  
    General and administrative   8,120       4,600  
    Estimated litigation claim   13,069        
    Total operating expenses   30,708       11,528  
    Operating (loss) income   (19,632 )     2,388  
    Interest income   863        
    Interest and other expense, net   (291 )     (205 )
    (Loss) income before income tax provision   (19,060 )     2,183  
    Income tax provision   213       805  
    Net (loss) income $ (19,273 )   $ 1,378  
    Net (loss) income per share:      
    Basic and diluted $ (0.67 )   $ 0.07  
    Weighted average shares used in computing per share amounts:      
    Basic and diluted   28,694,295       20,000,000  
           
           
    SILVACO GROUP, INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (Unaudited, in thousands)
           
      Three Months Ended March 31,
        2025       2024  
    Cash flows from operating activities:      
    Net (loss) income $ (19,273 )   $ 1,378  
    Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:      
    Depreciation and amortization   438       120  
    Stock-based compensation expense   2,277        
    Provision for credit losses   10       222  
    Estimated litigation claim   13,069        
    Accretion of discount on marketable securities, net   (261 )      
    Change in fair value of contingent consideration   35       (8 )
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
    Accounts receivable   3,520       (1,844 )
    Contract assets   440       (3,679 )
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (1,026 )     788  
    Other assets   119       (274 )
    Accounts payable   (1,183 )     877  
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   55       (729 )
    Accrued income taxes   58       574  
    Deferred revenue   567       (21 )
    Other non-current liabilities   20       24  
    Net cash used in operating activities   (1,135 )     (2,572 )
    Cash flows from investing activities:      
    Maturities of marketable securities   23,000        
    Acquisition of Process Proximity Compensation   (11,500 )      
    Purchases of property and equipment   (96 )     (10 )
    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   11,404       (10 )
    Cash flows from financing activities:      
    Proceeds from loan facility         4,250  
    Deferred transaction costs         (364 )
    Payroll taxes related to shares withheld from employees   (252 )      
    Contingent consideration   (46 )     (13 )
    Payments of vendor financing obligation   (205 )      
    Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities   (503 )     3,873  
    Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents   117       27  
    Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   9,883       1,318  
    Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   19,606       4,421  
    Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 29,489     $ 5,739  
           
    SILVACO GROUP, INC.
    REVENUE
    (Unaudited)
        2024   2025
        Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Year   Q1
    Revenue by Region:                
    Americas   27 % 51 % 31 % 40 % 38 %   20 %
    APAC   62 % 41 % 58 % 52 % 53 %   66 %
    EMEA   11 % 8 % 11 % 8 % 9 %   14 %
    Total revenue   100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 %   100 %
                     
    Revenue by Product Line:                
    TCAD   66 % 69 % 59 % 71 % 68 %   56 %
    EDA   30 % 20 % 24 % 24 % 24 %   36 %
    SIP   4 % 11 % 17 % 5 % 8 %   8 %
    Total revenue   100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 %   100 %
                     
    Revenue Item Category:                
    Software license revenue   77 % 74 % 62 % 78 % 74 %   71 %
    Maintenance and service   23 % 26 % 38 % 22 % 26 %   29 %
    Total revenue   100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 %   100 %
                     
    Revenue by Country:                
    United States   26 % 50 % 30 % 39 % 37 %   20 %
    China   11 % 17 % 25 % 23 % 18 %   14 %
    Other   63 % 33 % 45 % 38 % 45 %   66 %
    Total revenue   100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 %   100 %
                     
    SILVACO GROUP, INC.
    GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation
    (Unaudited, in thousands except per share amounts)
     
      Three Months Ended
      3/31/2025   3/31/2024
           
    GAAP Cost of revenue $ 3,016     $ 1,973  
    Less: Stock-based compensation expense   (199 )      
    Less: Amortization of acquired intangible assets   (249 )      
    Less: Acquisition-related professional fees and retention bonus   (8 )      
    Non-GAAP Cost of revenue $ 2,560     $ 1,973  
    GAAP Gross profit $ 11,076     $ 13,916  
    Add: Stock-based compensation expense   199        
    Add: Amortization of acquired intangible assets   249        
    Add: Acquisition-related professional fees and retention bonus   8        
    Non-GAAP Gross profit $ 11,532     $ 13,916  
    GAAP Research and development $ 4,800     $ 3,616  
    Less: Stock-based compensation expense   (244 )      
    Less: Acquisition-related professional fees and retention bonus   (18 )      
    Less: Amortization of acquired intangible assets   (51 )     (70
    Non-GAAP Research and development $ 4,487     $ 3,546  
    GAAP Selling and marketing $ 4,719     $ 3,312  
    Less: Stock-based compensation expense   (323      
    Less: IPO preparation costs         -127  
    Non-GAAP Selling and marketing $ 4,396     $ 3,185  
    GAAP General and administrative $ 8,120     $ 4,600  
    Less: Stock-based compensation expense   (1,511 )      
    Less: Acquisition-related estimated litigation claim and legal costs   (726 )     (594 )
    Less: Acquisition-related professional fees and retention bonus   (677 )      
    Less: Amortization of acquired intangible assets   (62 )      
    Less: IPO preparation costs         (139 )
    Non-GAAP General and administrative $ 5,144     $ 3,867  
    GAAP Estimated litigation claim $ 13,069     $  
    Less: Acquisition-related estimated litigation claim and legal costs   (13,069 )      
    Non-GAAP Estimated litigation claim $     $  
    GAAP Operating expenses $ 30,708     $ 11,528  
    Less: Stock-based compensation expense   (2,078 )      
    Less: Acquisition-related estimated litigation claim and legal costs   (13,795 )     (594 )
    Less: Acquisition-related professional fees and retention bonus   (695 )      
    Less: IPO preparation costs         (266 )
    Less: Amortization of acquired intangible assets   (113 )     (70 )
    Non-GAAP Operating expenses $ 14,027     $ 10,598  
    GAAP Operating (loss) income $ (19,632 )   $ 2,388  
    Add: Stock-based compensation expense   2,277        
    Add: Acquisition-related estimated litigation claim and legal costs   13,795       594  
    Add: Acquisition-related professional fees and retention bonus   703        
    Add: IPO preparation costs         266  
    Add: Amortization of acquired intangible assets   362       70  
    Non-GAAP Operating (loss) income $ (2,495 )   $ 3,318  
    GAAP Net (loss) income $ (19,273 )   $ 1,378  
    Add: Stock-based compensation expense   2,277        
    Add: Acquisition-related estimated litigation claim and legal costs   13,795       594  
    Add: Acquisition-related professional fees and retention bonus   703        
    Add: IPO preparation costs         266  
    Add: Amortization of acquired intangible assets   362       70  
    Add (Less): Change in fair value of contingent consideration   35       (8 )
    Add (Less): Foreign exchange (gain) loss   205       130  
    Add (Less): Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustment   (5 )     (33 )
    Non-GAAP Net (loss) income $ (1,901 )   $ 2,397  
    GAAP Net income (loss) per share:      
    Basic and diluted: $ (0.67 )   $ 0.07  
    Non-GAAP Net income (loss) per share:      
    Basic and diluted $ (0.07 )   $ 0.12  
    Weighted average shares used in GAAP and non-GAAP net income (loss) per share:      
    Basic and diluted   28,694,295       20,000,000  
           

    Investor Contact:
    Greg McNiff
    investors@silvaco.com 

    Media Contact:
    Farhad Hayat
    press@silvaco.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Alto Ingredients, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2025 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    – Beverage-grade Liquid CO2 Processor Acquisition and Corporate Reorganization Deliver Improved Year-over-Year Gross Margin and Adjusted EBITDA –

    PEKIN, Ill., May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Alto Ingredients, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTO), a leading producer and distributor of specialty alcohols, renewable fuels and essential ingredients, reported its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    Bryon McGregor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alto Ingredients said, “During the first quarter of 2025, gross margin and Adjusted EBITDA improved year-over-year, reflecting our operational uptime and carbon optimization initiative driven by our recent acquisition. Owning Alto Carbonic, the carbon dioxide processing plant adjacent to our Columbia facility, lowered combined costs, improved operations coordination and increased productivity across the facilities. The rightsizing of our company to align with our current footprint is on track to save approximately $8 million annually beginning in the second quarter of 2025, and the reorganization is yielding additional efficiencies.

    “Shifting production to ISCC renewable fuel for delivery into European markets, which is experiencing solid demand at a premium to fuel-grade ethanol, demonstrates Pekin’s flexibility to capitalize on trends. As a result, we grew ISCC sales as a percentage of our total renewable fuel volume sold at our Pekin Campus during the first quarter and partially offset the domestic industry softening of premiums on high quality alcohol and essential ingredients. We are monitoring a few positive movements, such as the growing state, and potentially national, year round adoption of E15 as well as opportunities under the Illinois Clean Transportation Standard Act (SB41). Our team is proactively evaluating alternatives for new revenue streams to leverage our flexible and unique facilities, and to drive long-term sustainable shareholder value.”

    Financial Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 Compared to 2024

    • Net sales were $226.5 million, compared to $240.6 million.
    • Cost of goods sold was $228.3 million, compared to $243.0 million.
    • Gross loss was $1.8 million, compared to a gross loss of $2.4 million. Net realized gains on derivatives were negligible for both quarters.
    • Selling, general and administrative expenses were $7.2 million, compared to $7.9 million.
    • Interest expense was $2.7 million, compared to $1.6 million.
    • Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $12.0 million, or $0.16 per share, compared to $12.0 million, or $0.17 per share.
    • Adjusted EBITDA was negative $4.4 million, including $1.6 million in unrealized gains on derivatives, compared to negative $7.1 million, including $3.2 million in unrealized gains on derivatives.

    Cash and cash equivalents were $26.8 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $35.5 million at December 31, 2024. At March 31, 2025, the company’s borrowing availability was $76.7 million including $11.7 million under the company’s operating line of credit and $65.0 million under its term loan facility, subject to certain conditions.

    First Quarter 2025 Results Conference Call
    Management will host a conference call at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time / 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, and will deliver prepared remarks via webcast followed by a question-and-answer session.

    The webcast for the conference call can be accessed from Alto Ingredients’ website at www.altoingredients.com. Alternatively, to receive a number and unique PIN by email, register here. To dial directly up to twenty minutes prior to the scheduled call time, please dial (833) 630-0017 domestically and (412) 317-1806 internationally. The webcast will be archived for replay on the Alto Ingredients website for one year. In addition, a telephonic replay will be available at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, through 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. To access the replay, please dial (877) 344-7529. International callers should dial 00-1 412-317-0088. The pass code will be 8723820.

    Use of Non-GAAP Measures
    Management believes that certain financial measures not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) are useful measures of operations. The company defines Adjusted EBITDA as unaudited consolidated net income (loss) before interest expense, interest income, provision for income taxes, asset impairments, unrealized derivative gains and losses, acquisition-related expense and depreciation and amortization expense. A table is provided at the end of this release that provides a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to its most directly comparable GAAP measure, net income (loss). Management provides this non-GAAP measure so that investors will have the same financial information that management uses, which may assist investors in properly assessing the company’s performance on a period-over-period basis. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) or any other measure of performance under GAAP, or to cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities as an indicator of cash flows or as a measure of liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider this measure in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the company’s results as reported under GAAP.

    About Alto Ingredients, Inc.
    Alto Ingredients, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTO) is a leading producer and distributor of specialty alcohols, renewable fuels and essential ingredients. Leveraging the unique qualities of its facilities, the company serves customers in a wide range of consumer and commercial products in the Health, Home & Beauty; Food & Beverage; Industry & Agriculture; Essential Ingredients; and Renewable Fuels markets. For more information, please visit www.altoingredients.com.

    Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
    Statements and information contained in this communication that refer to or include Alto Ingredients’ estimated or anticipated future results or other non-historical expressions of fact are forward-looking statements that reflect Alto Ingredients’ current perspective of existing trends and information as of the date of the communication. Forward-looking statements generally will be accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “could,” “should,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” or other similar words, phrases or expressions. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning Alto Ingredients’ projected outlook and future performance, including the timing and effects of its business rationalization, right-sizing and other cost savings initiatives; expectations around the growing state, and potentially national, adoption of E15 and opportunities under new legislation, including the Illinois Clean Transportation Standard Act; and Alto Ingredients’ other plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. It is important to note that Alto Ingredients’ plans, objectives, expectations and intentions are not predictions of actual performance. Actual results may differ materially from Alto Ingredients’ current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Alto Ingredients’ business and plans. These factors include, among others adverse economic and market conditions, including for renewable fuels, specialty alcohols and essential ingredients; export conditions and international demand for the company’s products; fluctuations in the price of and demand for oil and gasoline; raw material costs, including production input costs, such as corn and natural gas; adverse impacts of inflation and supply chain constraints, including from tariffs; Alto Ingredients’ ability to timely and fully realize the results of its cost saving initiatives; regulatory developments and Alto Ingredients’ ability to successfully pursue and secure opportunities under existing and new legislation. These factors also include, among others, the inherent uncertainty associated with financial and other projections; the anticipated size of the markets and continued demand for Alto Ingredients’ products; the impact of competitive products and pricing; the risks and uncertainties normally incident to the alcohol production, marketing and distribution industries; changes in generally accepted accounting principles; successful compliance with governmental regulations applicable to Alto Ingredients’ facilities, products and/or businesses; changes in laws, regulations and governmental policies; the loss of key senior management or staff; and other events, factors and risks previously and from time to time disclosed in Alto Ingredients’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, specifically, those factors set forth in the “Risk Factors” section contained in Alto Ingredients’ Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 13, 2025.

    Company IR and Media Contact:
    Michael Kramer, Alto Ingredients, Inc., 916-403-2755
    Investorrelations@altoingredients.com

    IR Agency Contact:
    Kirsten Chapman, Alliance Advisors Investor Relations, 415-433-3777
    altoinvestor@allianceadvisors.com

       
    ALTO INGREDIENTS, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
       
      Three Months Ended
    March 31,
        2025       2024  
    Net sales $ 226,540     $ 240,629  
    Cost of goods sold   228,347       243,029  
    Gross loss   (1,807 )     (2,400 )
    Selling, general and administrative expenses   (7,190 )     (7,932 )
    Loss from operations   (8,997 )     (10,332 )
    Interest expense, net   (2,729 )     (1,634 )
    Other income, net   47       241  
    Loss before provision for income taxes   (11,679 )     (11,725 )
    Provision for income taxes          
    Net loss $ (11,679 )   $ (11,725 )
    Preferred stock dividends $ (312 )   $ (315 )
    Net loss attributable to common stockholders $ (11,991 )   $ (12,040 )
    Net loss per share, basic and diluted $ (0.16 )   $ (0.17 )
    Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic and diluted   73,836       72,766  
                   
     
    ALTO INGREDIENTS, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (unaudited, in thousands, except par value)
     
    ASSETS   March 31, 2025       December 31, 2024  
    Current Assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 26,778     $ 35,469  
    Restricted cash   393       742  
    Accounts receivable, net   65,461       58,217  
    Inventories   50,609       49,914  
    Derivative instruments   4,071       3,313  
    Other current assets   6,149       5,463  
    Total current assets   153,461       153,118  
    Property and equipment, net   212,624       214,742  
    Other Assets:        
    Right of use operating lease assets, net   19,416       20,553  
    Intangible assets, net   8,142       4,509  
    Other assets   8,566       8,516  
    Total other assets   36,124       33,578  
    Total Assets $ 402,209     $ 401,438  
                   
     
    ALTO INGREDIENTS, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)
    (unaudited, in thousands, except par value)
     
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   March 31, 2025       December 31, 2024  
    Current Liabilities:      
    Accounts payable $ 17,029     $ 20,369  
    Accrued liabilities   23,819       24,214  
    Current portion – operating leases   4,968       4,851  
    Derivative instruments   301       1,177  
    Other current liabilities   6,999       7,193  
    Total current liabilities   53,116       57,804  
           
    Long-term debt   110,664       92,904  
    Operating leases, net of current portion   15,641       16,913  
    Other liabilities   8,868       8,754  
    Total Liabilities   188,289       176,375  
     
    Stockholders’ Equity:  
    Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000 shares authorized; Series A: no shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 Series B: 927 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024   1       1  
    Common stock, $0.001 par value; 300,000 shares authorized; 76,497 and 76,565 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively   77       77  
    Non-voting common stock, $0.001 par value; 3,553 shares authorized; 1 share issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024          
    Additional paid-in capital   1,045,024       1,044,176  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income   4,975       4,975  
    Accumulated deficit   (836,157 )     (824,166 )
    Total Stockholders’ Equity   213,920       225,063  
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $ 402,209     $ 401,438  
                   
     Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Loss Three Months Ended
    March 31,
    (in thousands) (unaudited)             2025       2024  
    Net loss $ (11,679 )   $ (11,725 )
    Adjustments:    
    Interest expense   2,729       1,634  
    Interest income   (84 )     (175 )
    Unrealized derivatives gains   (1,634 )     (3,190 )
    Acquisition-related expense         675  
    Depreciation and amortization expense   6,266       5,728  
    Total adjustments   7,277       4,672  
    Adjusted EBITDA $ (4,402 )   $ (7,053 )
     
    Segment Financials
    (in thousands) (unaudited)
      Three Months Ended
    March 31,
        2025       2024  
    Net sales              
    Pekin Campus production, recorded as gross:              
    Alcohol sales $ 107,234     $ 108,350  
    Essential ingredient sales   44,618       46,709  
    Intersegment sales   297       321  
    Total Pekin Campus sales   152,149       155,380  
    Marketing and distribution:              
    Alcohol sales, gross $ 48,997     $ 54,431  
    Alcohol sales, net   61       34  
    Intersegment sales   2,506       2,752  
    Total marketing and distribution sales   51,564       57,217  
         
    Western production, recorded as gross:    
    Alcohol sales $ 16,194     $ 20,231  
    Essential ingredient sales   7,808       7,826  
    Intersegment sales   264        
    Total Western production sales   24,266       28,057  
         
    Corporate and other   1,628       3,048  
    Intersegment eliminations   (3,067 )     (3,073 )
    Net sales as reported $ 226,540     $ 240,629  
     
    Cost of goods sold:
    Pekin Campus production $ 155,222     $ 151,112  
    Marketing and distribution   47,650       53,685  
    Western production   25,524       36,517  
    Corporate and other   1,681       2,794  
    Intersegment eliminations   (1,730 )     (1,079 )
    Cost of goods sold as reported $ 228,347     $ 243,029  
           
    Gross profit (loss):      
    Pekin Campus production $ (3,073 )   $ 4,268  
    Marketing and distribution   3,914       3,532  
    Western production   (1,258 )     (8,460 )
    Corporate and other   (53 )     254  
    Intersegment eliminations   (1,337 )     (1,994
    Gross loss as reported $ (1,807 )   $ (2,400
                 
    Sales and Operating Metrics (unaudited)
    (in thousands) (unaudited)
    Three Months Ended
    March 31,
        2025       2024  
    Alcohol Sales (gallons in millions)      
    Pekin Campus renewable fuel gallons sold   32.6       31.8  
    Western production renewable fuel gallons sold   8.3       11.2  
    Third party renewable fuel gallons sold   24.4       29.7  
    Total renewable fuel gallons sold   65.3       72.7  
    Specialty alcohol gallons sold   24.3       26.3  
    Total gallons sold   89.6       99.0  
           
    Sales Price per Gallon      
    Pekin Campus $ 1.90     $ 1.90  
    Western production $ 1.95     $ 1.80  
    Marketing and distribution $ 2.01     $ 1.83  
    Average sales price per gallon $ 1.93     $ 1.86  
           
    Alcohol Production (gallons in millions)      
    Pekin Campus   54.3       53.6  
    Western production   8.3       9.7  
    Total   62.6       63.3  
           
    Corn Cost per Bushel      
    Pekin Campus $ 4.65     $ 4.73  
    Western production $ 5.95     $ 5.89  
    Total $ 4.81     $ 4.92  
           
    Average Market Metrics    
    PLATTS Ethanol price per gallon $ 1.71     $ 1.56  
    CME Corn cost per bushel $ 4.72     $ 4.35  
    Board corn crush per gallons (1) $ 0.02     $ 0.01  
         
    Essential Ingredients Sold (thousand tons)    
    Pekin Campus:    
    Distillers grains   90.7       87.7  
    CO2   45.3       39.1  
    Corn wet feed   34.5       25.6  
    Corn dry feed   23.8       18.9  
    Corn oil and germ   19.6       17.8  
    Corn meal   9.4       8.3  
    Syrup and other   8.2       9.5  
    Yeast   6.4       5.7  
    Total Pekin Campus essential ingredients sold   237.9       212.6  
         
    Western production:    
    Distillers grains   58.1       71.8  
    CO2   12.6       13.3  
    Syrup and other   0.8       14.2  
    Corn oil   1.4       1.5  
    Total Western production essential ingredients sold   72.9       100.8  
         
    Total Essential Ingredients Sold   310.8       313.4  
         
         
    Essential ingredients return % (2)    
    Pekin Campus return   48.0 %     52.1 %
    Western production return   49.0 %     39.3 %
    Consolidated total return   48.2 %     49.8 %
         

    ________________

    (1)  Assumes corn conversion of 2.80 gallons of alcohol per bushel of corn.
    (2)  Essential ingredients revenues as a percentage of total corn costs consumed.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: As Big Tech Fights Antitrust Enforcement in the Courts, Warner, Colleagues Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Encourage Competition in Social Media

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, reintroduced the Augmenting Compatibility and Competition by Enabling Service Switching (ACCESS) Act, legislation that would encourage market-based competition between major social media platforms by requiring the largest companies make user data portable – and their services interoperable – with other platforms, and to allow users to designate a trusted third-party service to manage their privacy and account settings.
    “As social media and online platforms continue to become a larger part of our society, we’ve seen a handful of companies completely dominate the marketplace, giving consumers no real option to shift platforms without losing years’ worth of data and interactions,” Sen. Warner said. “By making it easier for social media users to easily move their data or to continue to communicate with their friends after switching platforms, startups will be able to compete on equal terms with the biggest social media companies. Interoperability and portability are powerful tools to promote innovative new companies and limit anti-competitive behaviors. This legislation will create long-overdue requirements that will boost competition and give consumers more power.”
    Joining Warner in introducing the legislation are Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).
    Online platforms have become vital to our economic and social fabric, but network effects and consumer lock-in have solidified a select number of companies’ dominance in the digital market and enhanced their control over consumer data, even as the social media landscape continues to change by the day and platforms’ user experiences become more and more unpredictable. The ACCESS Act would increase market competition, encourage innovation, and increase consumer choice by requiring large communications platforms (products or services with over 100 million monthly active users in the U.S.) to:
    Make their services interoperable with competing communications platforms.
    Permit users to easily port their personal data in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format.
    Allow users to delegate trusted custodial services, which are required to act in a user’s best interests through a strong duty of care, with the task of managing their account settings, content, and online interactions. 
    Sen. Warner first introduced the ACCESS Act in 2019 and, as a former tech entrepreneur, has been one of Congress’s leading voices calling for accountability in Big Tech. He has introduced several pieces of legislation aimed at addressing these issues, including the SAFE TECH Act, which would reform Section 230 and allow social media companies to be held accountable for enabling cyber-stalking, online harassment, and discrimination on social media platforms; the Honest Ads Act, which would require online political advertisements to adhere to the same disclaimer requirements as TV, radio, and print ads; and legislation requiring that the prominent social media platform TikTok divest from China-owned parent company ByteDance. Sen. Warner continues to advocate for the sale of the app to a company not beholden to a U.S. adversary.
    Full text of the ACCESS Act is available here. 
     

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Read More (Steube, Titus Introduce Bill to Counter Drone Threats at Stadiums and Public Events)

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

    May 07, 2025 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON — U.S. Representatives Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Dina Titus (D-Nev.) this week led a bipartisan coalition to introduce the Disabling Enemy Flight Entry and Neutralizing Suspect Equipment (DEFENSE) Act, legislation that permits trained state and local law enforcement officers to intercept and disable hostile drones at stadiums and other large-scale events protected by temporary flight restrictions.“Whether it’s a packed stadium or a large outdoor gathering, our communities deserve to enjoy these moments without fear of surveillance or disruption from above,” said Rep. Steube. “The DEFENSE Act gives law enforcement the tools they need to protect Americans attending high-profile events from dangerous and unauthorized drones.”“People travel to Las Vegas from all over the world to experience our world class entertainment and live sporting events,” said Rep. Dina Titus. “I am proud to co-lead this bill to give our state and local law enforcement the tools they need to keep fans, athletes, performers, and stadium workers safe from aerial threats.”Current law authorizes only federal authorities to counter rogue drone incursions. While state and local authorities often have a larger presence at sporting events, the gap created in real-time event security denies state and local officials the ability to address unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) that threaten the safety of the stadium attendees. The DEFENSE Act would change that by authorizing the Department of Homeland (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to extend temporary authority to state and local officers—provided they receive proper training and oversight—to use approved counter-UAS technology to detect, monitor, and respond to airborne threats. Authorized equipment would be limited to systems approved by DHS in coordination with DOJ, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The bill also requires full federal oversight and compliance with airspace and privacy laws.Representatives Steube and Titus partnered with four of their House colleagues, Representatives Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.), Cory Mills (R-Fla.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), and Lou Correa (D-Calif.) as well as Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) who have proposed companion legislation in the Senate.“Stadiums and spectators at large events are vulnerable to unauthorized drone activity, which puts both public safety and national security at risk,” said Senator Cotton. “Our bill empowers local authorities to safeguard large public gatherings from aerial threats.”
    “Major events — including sports and live entertainment — play a significant role in supporting our economy in Las Vegas and across the country, and we need to ensure they are safe,” said Senator Rosen. “Our bipartisan bill would enable state and local law enforcement to better mitigate threats posed by drones to the security of these high attendance events.” 
    “The DEFENSE Act allows local law enforcement to step in when drones threaten large public events,” said Rep. Yakym. “Whether it’s a sold-out game or a concert, this act ensures people can enjoy these moments without worrying about what’s flying overhead.”“With the growing number of drones in use it is paramount that our state and local law enforcement agencies are able to be granted the proper authority to protect citizens at large events and gatherings,” said Rep. Mills. “Events like NASCAR races, rallies, or other large public events should be safe and this bill provides the ability for local law enforcement agencies to protect their citizens.”“As we continue to see the rise of drones and unmanned aircraft systems as a potential threat to public safety, it’s critical that state and local law enforcement have the tools and resources they need to protect our communities, especially at large-scale events that are at increased risk,” said Rep. Tokuda. “I’m proud to join this bipartisan effort to ensure that our local partners in law enforcement can respond quickly and effectively to unauthorized drone activity and keep our people safe from harm.”“The economic engine of Orange County is tourism. From sports to live concerts, Orange County is proud to host hundreds of outdoor events each year. We must ensure that these major events which draw thousands of attendees are safe,” said Rep. Correa. “I’m proud to join my colleagues—Democrat and Republican—in introducing this commonsense, bipartisan legislation to give state and local law enforcement the tools they need to counter threats posed by drones and other unauthorized aircraft.”This legislation has the backing of numerous national sports organizations, including the NFL, MLB, NCAA, and NASCAR, which have all expressed support for expanding drone countermeasure authority to protect fans, players, and event staff. For additional background, see this report from ESPN.“The NFL applauds the bipartisan group of sponsors for their leadership in introducing the DEFENSE Act in the House of Representatives. As the threat of illicit drone activity continues to rise, it is critical that our state and local law enforcement partners have the tools and resources they need to keep fans safe at major sporting events across the country.   This legislation will help to do just that, and we urge Congress to adopt it as soon as possible.  Doing so is vital to the security of our homeland.”  —Cathy Lanier, Chief Security Officer, National Football League“Major League Baseball (MLB) applauds the leadership of Representatives Greg Steube, Dina Titus, Lou Correa, Cory Mills, and Rudy Yakym in introducing H.B. 3207, the DEFENSE Act. This bill is crucial for enabling trained state and local law enforcement to use counter-drone technology to safeguard sporting venues from unauthorized unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or drones). MLB has long recognized the threat that unauthorized drones pose to its 30 stadiums nationwide, and has urged Congress to take the requisite steps to provide law enforcement with the tools and authority necessary to protect our fans, players, and employees. If enacted, this bipartisan bill will enhance the safety of America’s pastime for the 70 million fans attending our games each year. We look forward to collaborating with the bill’s sponsors and others to advance this important piece of legislation.” —David Thomas, Major League Baseball Senior Vice President of Security and Ballpark Operations“Drone related threats continue to pose real risks for events and communities across the country. The DEFENSE Act, introduced by Representatives Steube, Titus, Correa, Mills, and Yakym, provides important authority to trusted law enforcement agencies around the country who are integral partners at each of our races.” —Allen Taylor, Managing Director, Security, NASCAR“The NCAA remains concerned about the threat of unauthorized drones at NCAA championships and college sporting events. The safety of the competitors, fans, and staff that work at NCAA events is our top priority and we applaud Rep. Steube and Rep. Titus for their leadership on this issue.” —Tim Buckley, Senior Vice President of External Affairs, NCAA“The safety of our teams and fans is a key priority at athletics events.   The SEC commends Representatives Greg Steube and Dina Titus for introducing this important legislation that is intended to provide public safety officials on campuses and in the communities they serve with enhanced measures to address unauthorized drone usage, and for joining the bipartisan leadership of Senator Tom Cotton and Senator Jacky Rosen on this issue.” —SEC Commissioner Greg SankeyRead the full bill here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: BRAVO’S “the Real Housewives of Rhode Island” Is Reality!

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    Providence, RI — “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island” Set against the shores of the Ocean State, “The Real Housewives” franchise expands into the world of a tight-knit circle of Rhode Islanders who have deep community roots and families that go back generations. With aspirational lives, thriving businesses and tangled family dynamics, these decade-long friendships prove that in a state this small, there’s no escaping your past � or each other.

    “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island” is produced by Evolution Media. Lucilla D’Agostino, Joseph Ferraro and Jen McClure-Metz executive produce. Andy Cohen is also an executive producer.

    Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Film & TV Office, stated, “One of the most popular reality-shows ever to grace television, “The Real Housewives” franchise sparked an avalanche of enthusiasm when word spread that this entertaining series just might land in the Ocean State. Well, good news, folks. “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island” is ready to roll and take the world by storm! Action!”

    “We’re excited to welcome ‘The Real Housewives’ and their millions of viewers to Rhode Island,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Our state is home to vibrant communities, amazing food, rich history, and stunning coastal beauty�perfect for the spotlight. This is a great opportunity to support our local economy and bring national attention to all Rhode Island has to offer.”

    “From the recent filming of ‘Ella McCay’ to HBO’s ‘The Gilded Age,’ Rhode Island is an incredible backdrop for a wide range of productions. The filming of ‘The Real Housewives of Rhode Island’ is a great way to showcase some of the Ocean State’s world-class dining and hospitality,” said House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi. “I am very proud to be a strong supporter of the Rhode Island Film & Television Office, because the arts are a vital part of Rhode Island’s culture and economy. From catering and site usage for filming to increasing tourism, the film and TV industry generates revenue for our local businesses and brings in millions of dollars to our state.”

    President of the Senate Valarie J. Lawson said “I am pleased to welcome Bravo’s ‘Real Housewives’ franchise to Rhode Island, and I am excited for the show’s millions of fans to get a glimpse into our state’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty. Thank you to Steve Feinberg and the Rhode Island Film & Television Office for your outstanding work to secure so many productions that generate excitement in our communities while showcasing the Ocean State to audiences around the globe.”

    The Rhode Island Film & TV Office is a government agency under the umbrella of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA).

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission Seek Information on Unfair and Anticompetitive Practices in Live Ticketing

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Today, the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) jointly launched a public inquiry to identify unfair and anticompetitive practices and conduct in the live concert and entertainment industry. The agencies invite members of the public to submit comments and information on harmful practices and on potential regulation or legislation to protect consumers in the industry. The Agencies will use the information in their preparation of the report and recommendations directed by President Trump’s Executive Order 14254, Combating Unfair Practices in the Live Entertainment Market.   

    “Competitive live entertainment markets should deliver value to artists and fans alike,” said Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “We will continue to closely examine this market and look for opportunities where vigorous enforcement of the antitrust laws can lead to increased competition that makes tickets more affordable for fans while offering fairer compensation for artists.”

    “Many Americans feel like they are being priced out of live entertainment by scalpers, bots, and other unfair and deceptive practices,” said FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson. “Now their voices are being heard. President Trump has sent a clear message that bad actors who exploit fans and distort the marketplace will not be tolerated. The FTC is proud to help deliver on that promise and restore fair and competitive markets that benefit ordinary Americans.”

    On March 31, President Trump issued Executive Order 14254, Combating Unfair Practices in the Live Entertainment Market. The Executive Order directs the Attorney General and the FTC to “ensure that competition laws are appropriately enforced in the concert and entertainment industry.” The Executive Order also directs the FTC to “rigorously enforce the Better Online Tickets Sales Act, 15 U.S.C. 45c.”

    The Executive Order also directs the Attorney General, with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Chairman of the FTC, to submit a report that identifies “recommendations for regulations or legislation necessary to protect consumers” in the industry. In furtherance of this direction, the agencies will work together, along with the Secretary of the Treasury, on a joint report, with the FTC taking the lead on issues relating to the Better Online Ticket Sales Act.

    The agencies therefore seek information from the public about unfair and anticompetitive conduct and practices in the live concert and entertainment industry. The agencies also encourage comments providing information on the competitive effects of current state and federal regulations and laws in the live concert and entertainment industry, including the secondary ticketing market.

    The public will have 60 days to submit comments at Regulations.gov, no later than July 6, 2025. Once submitted, comments will be posted to Regulations.gov (Docket No. ATR-2025-0002). All market participants are invited to provide comments, including consumers, artists, small businesses, trade groups, industry analysts, and other entities that are impacted by anticompetitive practices in the live concert and entertainment industry.

    The Justice Department, along with 40 state and district attorneys general, is also currently litigating a civil antitrust lawsuit brought last year against Live Nation Entertainment Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ticketmaster LLC for monopolization and other unlawful conduct that thwarts competition in markets across the live entertainment industry. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission Seek Information on Unfair and Anticompetitive Practices in Live Ticketing

    Source: United States Attorneys General 11

    Today, the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) jointly launched a public inquiry to identify unfair and anticompetitive practices and conduct in the live concert and entertainment industry. The agencies invite members of the public to submit comments and information on harmful practices and on potential regulation or legislation to protect consumers in the industry. The Agencies will use the information in their preparation of the report and recommendations directed by President Trump’s Executive Order 14254, Combating Unfair Practices in the Live Entertainment Market.   

    “Competitive live entertainment markets should deliver value to artists and fans alike,” said Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “We will continue to closely examine this market and look for opportunities where vigorous enforcement of the antitrust laws can lead to increased competition that makes tickets more affordable for fans while offering fairer compensation for artists.”

    “Many Americans feel like they are being priced out of live entertainment by scalpers, bots, and other unfair and deceptive practices,” said FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson. “Now their voices are being heard. President Trump has sent a clear message that bad actors who exploit fans and distort the marketplace will not be tolerated. The FTC is proud to help deliver on that promise and restore fair and competitive markets that benefit ordinary Americans.”

    On March 31, President Trump issued Executive Order 14254, Combating Unfair Practices in the Live Entertainment Market. The Executive Order directs the Attorney General and the FTC to “ensure that competition laws are appropriately enforced in the concert and entertainment industry.” The Executive Order also directs the FTC to “rigorously enforce the Better Online Tickets Sales Act, 15 U.S.C. 45c.”

    The Executive Order also directs the Attorney General, with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Chairman of the FTC, to submit a report that identifies “recommendations for regulations or legislation necessary to protect consumers” in the industry. In furtherance of this direction, the agencies will work together, along with the Secretary of the Treasury, on a joint report, with the FTC taking the lead on issues relating to the Better Online Ticket Sales Act.

    The agencies therefore seek information from the public about unfair and anticompetitive conduct and practices in the live concert and entertainment industry. The agencies also encourage comments providing information on the competitive effects of current state and federal regulations and laws in the live concert and entertainment industry, including the secondary ticketing market.

    The public will have 60 days to submit comments at Regulations.gov, no later than July 6, 2025. Once submitted, comments will be posted to Regulations.gov (Docket No. ATR-2025-0002). All market participants are invited to provide comments, including consumers, artists, small businesses, trade groups, industry analysts, and other entities that are impacted by anticompetitive practices in the live concert and entertainment industry.

    The Justice Department, along with 40 state and district attorneys general, is also currently litigating a civil antitrust lawsuit brought last year against Live Nation Entertainment Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ticketmaster LLC for monopolization and other unlawful conduct that thwarts competition in markets across the live entertainment industry. 

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Best Same Day Loans Online No Credit Check Instant & Guaranteed Approval 2025 – Payday Ventures

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Payday Ventures, a leading provider of online loans, owns platforms offering same day loans online with no credit check, helping Americans manage urgent financial needs without delays or credit-related obstacles. Borrowers can access same day emergency loans, $255 payday loans online same day, and payday loans online through trusted platforms offering instant approval and quick payouts all without lengthy applications or hard credit pulls.

    Top 5 Best Same Day Payday Loans Guaranteed Approval 2025: Quick Overview

    • Viva Payday Loans – Best for $255 Payday Loans Online Same Day No Credit Check
    • Green Dollar Loans – Top Choice for Same Day Loans for Bad Credit with Fast Deposit
    • Heart Paydays – Quick Same Day Emergency Loans with Instant Approval Online
    • Low Credit Finance – Same Day No Credit Check Loans Guaranteed Approval
    • Big Buck Loans – Fast Borrow Money From Cash App Online Same Day Deposit Up to $5,000

    How We Selected the Online Same Day Loans Providers For Bad Credit Borrowers

    We reviewed dozens of online lenders offering same day loans for bad credit and ranked them based on approval speed, loan flexibility, no credit check options, same day deposit availability, and customer support.

    Click Here to Apply for Same Day Loans >>

    Here’s why Choose Same Day Loans

    Same day loans online are ideal for urgent cash needs no long forms, no credit score stress. Whether it’s emergency same day loans, same day loans for bad credit, or quick payday loans, the platforms above make borrowing simple in 2025.

    Click Here to Apply for Same Day Loans >>

    Types of Same Day Loans Available

    $255 Payday Loans Online Same Day: Perfect for small cash needs. Fast approval and no credit check required.

    Same Day Personal Loans for Bad Credit: Ideal for borrowers with poor credit. Quick approval and flexible repayment.

    Emergency Same Day Loans: For urgent bills or medical costs. Get funds in hours with minimal paperwork.

    Borrow Money From Cash App Loans : Fast funding for small business needs—inventory, payroll, or repairs.

    Fast Cash Loans Online Same Day Deposit: Need instant cash? Get approved and funded the same day.

    Same Day Loans No Credit Check: No hard credit pull. Lenders assess based on income, not your score.

    Tips to get same day loans with bad credit

    Yes. Many provider now offer same day loans for bad credit, focusing on your income and ability to repay rather than your credit score. Platforms like Viva Payday Loans and Heart Paydays are great for same day personal loans for bad credit with quick approvals.

    These mentioned brands are part of Payday Ventures, with all platforms mentioned in this release being fully owned and managed in-house.

    Name: Mukesh Bhardwaj
    Email: mukesh@paydayventures.com

    Disclaimer: This announcement contains general information about Payday Ventures loan services and should not be considered financial advice. Loans are available to US residents only.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Launches the 2025 TV Line-up and Exciting New Partnership With BAFTA

    Source: Samsung

     
    LONDON, UK – May 7, 2025 – Samsung Electronics UK has unveiled an exciting new partnership with BAFTA (The British Academy of Film and Television Arts), as it continues to expand its commitment to supporting the UK’s vibrant creative industries.
     
    The partnership announcement coincides with the launch of Samsung’s much-anticipated 2025 TV, projector and soundbar line-up, bringing the latest in AI-powered screen and audio innovations to British homes. Available to pre-order from today, the range will ship nationwide from Samsung.com and retail partners[1] including John Lewis, Currys, Argos, AO and Richer Sounds.
     
    Samsung partners with BAFTA to support UK creative industries
    Samsung has become the Official Screen Partner of BAFTA – underlining Samsung’s notoriety for superior picture quality and being at the heart of immersive, home entertainment. BAFTA champions and celebrates the best creative content across the screen arts’ industries – there are clear synergies between the two organisations. This collaboration marks the beginning of a joint initiative that celebrates storytelling, champions British talent, and spotlights innovation across film, games and television.
     
    Samsung is committed to enhancing how audiences experience content, both at home and beyond. This partnership aligns perfectly ahead of the upcoming BAFTA TV Awards this Sunday, as a significant portion of the UK continues to enjoy their favourite shows on Samsung TVs – now in its nineteenth year as the global market leader for TV[2].
     
    “The UK’s creative industries are thriving, driven by advances in technology, and the rise of digital-first content,” said Zeena Hill, Director of Marketing TV/AV at Samsung UK. “As more people enjoy award-winning entertainment at home, our unrivalled TV technology and innovations continue to lead the industry forwards and ensure that every creative detail is experienced at its best.
     
    “This partnership with BAFTA champions artistic expression and elevated storytelling for a richer, more immersive viewing experience for all to enjoy.”
     
    Jane Millichip, CEO at BAFTA, said: “Samsung’s commitment to innovation and excellence in home entertainment aligns perfectly with BAFTA’s mission to champion creativity and inspire audiences. Together, we look forward to celebrating the very best in screen storytelling and delivering even more engaging experiences to viewers globally.”
     
    Revolutionising TV with Samsung Vision AI
    The new Samsung 2025 line-up integrates advanced AI technologies to deliver an unparalleled and more personalised entertainment experience than ever before. Plus customers can claim up to £1000 cashback when you pre-order selected 2025 Samsung TVs and up to £400 on selected soundbars[3].
     
    Samsung’s 2025 TV line-up introduces groundbreaking innovations in picture quality and smart features. Powered by Samsung Vision AI, the latest Samsung TVs takes the viewing experience to the next level. Advanced AI technologies analyse content and surroundings to automatically optimise the picture and sound.
     
    Samsung is also introducing enhanced Glare-Free technology[4] on select models, minimising reflections while maintaining deeper blacks and clear images, even in brightly lit rooms. By using a new material, the anti-reflective properties have been greatly improved so that you can enjoy a beautiful image, regardless of the light on the screen. The Glare-Free technology has been expanded to selected Neo QLED and OLED models.
     
    The TV line-up for 2025 includes a wide range of technologies and design, including:
     
    Neo QLED 8K: With advanced Quantum Matrix Technology and Ultra Viewing Angle Technology for an unprecedented level of detail and contrast.
    Neo QLED 4K: An excellent balance between picture quality and value, with powerful processors and bright, vibrant colours. The new QN90F now also feature Glare-Free technology, and have an improved processor and faster refresh rate.
    The NEW Frame Pro enhances consumer experience by incorporating advanced Neo QLED technology, for enhanced, immersive picture quality alongside its Glare-Free Matte[5] finish to minimise distractions and compliment your interior with displaying stunning art⁳ when in standby mode.
    In addition, the newly announced and renewed Wireless One Connect box allows the TV to be connected wirelessly from up to 10 metres away, meaning that unsightly cables are a thing of the past.
    The Frame and The Frame Pro also have access to the Art Store[6], giving consumers access to over 2500+ pieces of art from some of the most well-known museums and art galleries globally.
    OLED 4K: Available in different models (S95F, S90F, S85F) with screen sizes up to 83”. Samsung is continuing to innovate with its 2025 OLED line-up, delivering powerful full-screen brightness, deep blacks, vibrant, Pantone®-validated colours and our most advanced OLED Glare-Free technology – for distraction-free viewing across any environment
    QLED 4K: Bright colours and an excellent viewing angle.
    Crystal UHD: Sharp 4K resolution and vibrant colours at an attractive price.
    NEW – The Premiere 5 is a new full HD touch interactive triple laser, ultra-short throw projector. Providing cinematic visuals and vivid colours that can project a screen up to 100 inches alongside interactive features[7].

    New Soundbar line-up: design with superior sound experience
    Samsung’s new Soundbar line-up is designed to work in sync with the new televisions and create an immersive audio experience. The top models, such as the HW-Q990F and HW-Q930F, offer a three-dimensional surround sound with support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, giving the audio a next generation experience. The compact subwoofer with dual active drivers of the HW-Q990F ensures a deep and powerful bass without vibrations.
     
    With its sleek, modern design the all new  QS700F Soundbar fits seamlessly into any room, with its new convertible design that can automatically detect the direction of installation through its gyro sensor and will optimise the sound accordingly – providing a perfected Dolby Atmos sound experience no matter how you install it in your home.
     
    AI-driven sound optimisation, such as Q-Symphony together with SpaceFit Sound Pro, analyse the acoustics of the room and the content played to automatically optimize the sound for a clear, balanced and spacious reproduction and intelligible dialogue.
     
    With this new line-up, Samsung is once again setting the standard for home entertainment – ​​smarter, more beautiful and more immersive than ever before.
     
    [1] Currys, John Lewis, Richer Sounds, Argos, AO, Very, Littlewoods, Amazon, Costco, Hughes Electrical and Harvey Norman.
    [2] Samsung Electronics Marks 19 Consecutive Years as the Global TV Market Leader.
    [3] Disclaimer: Samsung Electronics (UK) Limited. Purchase between 07.05.25 – 27.05.25 from a participating retailer. Claim must be submitted between 30 and 60 days of purchase. Maximum four claims per household, 10 per registered business. To claim, and for full T&Cs, see https://samsungoffers.claims/preorder2025VisionAI.
    [4] Measured against Unified Glare Rating (UGR) testing standard, validated as ‘Glare Free’ by UL.
    [5] Measured against Unified Glare Rating (UGR) testing standard, certified as glare-free (reflection, discomfort and disability glare) by UL.
    [6] Art Store subscription and Samsung Account connection required to access full selection of artwork.
    [7] Touch interaction is only available with the Touch Stand connected. Touch interaction support may vary by app, some apps may not support the feature. Some functions may be limited when using the feature.
     

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why Trump’s plans for tariffs on foreign films probably won’t have a happy ending

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jean Chalaby, Professor of Sociology, City St George’s, University of London

    Bill Chizek/Shutterstock

    With its tariffs policies, the administration of US president Donald Trump aims to correct the country’s persistent goods trade deficit. The president has argued that the US has been “looted, pillaged, raped and plundered” by other countries. Trump feels it is now America’s “turn to prosper” – and he has the film and TV industries in his sights with threats of 100% tariffs on foreign films.

    Economists cite multiple reasons why tariffs are bad for economies, from stunting growth to adding inflationary pressure. But there is a more fundamental problem, which is notable in the case of the film and TV industries. While trade data reflects a country’s overall performance, it says nothing about the nature and ownership of the traded goods.

    Indeed, the cross-border activities and foreign investments of US-based multinationals widen the US trade deficit. Global trade flows in film and TV are a good example.

    In terms of the origin of a movie, it is determined by factors including the nationality of those in key creative roles, financing, filming location and the culture reflected in the theme and story. The US has long been the world’s largest exporter of films and TV, dominating global media flows for much of the 20th century.


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    In the 1970s, the country exported seven times as much film and TV programming as that of its nearest competitor (the UK). Three decades later, the US was still exporting 4.5 times the amount of content it imported – US$12.6 billion (£9.4 billion) versus US$2.8 billion.

    US exports have increased, reaching US$24.7 billion in 2023, and Hollywood remains the world’s largest movie exporter. However, the US balance of trade in the sector has shifted dramatically. While US exports grew by 95.4% between 2006 and 2023, US imports increased by 898%.

    The trade in film and TV programming achieved balance in 2019, and my research shows that since then, the US has imported more films and TV shows than it exported. The deficit was narrowing in 2023 but imports remained 12.1% higher than exports (US$27.7 billion versus US$24.3 billion).

    This deficit deserves an explanation. Are Asian and European producers suddenly flooding the US with films and TV shows? Has the American public developed an insatiable appetite for Nordic noir or K-drama? The reality is that US-based media conglomerates like Disney, Netflix and Warner Bros Discovery have changed strategy. They have moved away from their previous focus on exports to direct-to-consumer international distribution.

    What does this mean? Well, instead of licensing content to foreign broadcasters and cinemas (which they still do, but to a lesser extent), they retail their content internationally, using their own global streaming services.

    The US entertainment paradox

    Maintaining these large content libraries explains the shift of the US trade balance. US-based streamers export less because they now retain more of their content for exclusive distribution on their own streaming platforms. And they import more because they acquire foreign content in greater quantities than ever before.

    For example, Stranger Things is produced by Netflix in the US. As such, it does not show up in export figures. Squid Game, on the other hand, is a Korean export and shows up in US import data.

    Moreover, Walt Disney has decided to retain the exclusive rights to its franchises, forgoing licensing sales. In 2020, the company licensed 59% of its scripted series to third parties, 18% in 2021, and only 2% in 2022.

    All the US streaming giants license and commission foreign content. Netflix in particular has spent more on international content than US programming since 2024 (US$7.9 billion versus US$7.5 billion). Hence the creation of a paradox: US trade data in audiovisual services reveals a trade deficit, yet the US-based entertainment industry has never been so dominant globally.

    There are similar patterns in industries in which US-based multinationals are located at the apex of transnational supply chains. The jeans that Levi Strauss imports from Bangladesh, the trainers that Nike imports from Vietnam, and the car components Ford imports from Brazil all show up in US trade statistics. But these goods are, essentially, American-owned assets.

    About 70% of trade involves global value chains (GVC), as raw materials and components cross borders multiple times before being assembled into a final product.

    In today’s global economy, the complexity of most products requires companies to cooperate along transnational production networks. As businesses and countries specialise in specific tasks, GVCs are the most efficient way of producing goods and services. The streaming industry simply mirrors these wider patterns.

    Mindful of the US trade deficit in films and TV programmes, Trump announced the plans for 100% tariffs on all films produced outside the US. However, his attempt to “make Hollywood great again” is misguided.

    While Hollywood has new rivals to contend with, notably South Korea, it remains the world’s largest film and TV exporter. Following a short period of decline in the late 2010s, US exports have continued to grow to reach a record US$24.3 billion.

    For Trump, the vexing issue is that the US imports more films and TV programmes than its exports. But that is due to US-based platforms’ foreign content hoarding. Adolescence and Squid Game have indeed contributed to extending the gap between US imports and exports, but they are US-owned assets that have earned Netflix hundreds of millions of dollars in subscription fees. (Squid Game’s impact value for Netflix was estimated at US$891 million in 2021.)

    Squid Game is an import, but it’s a giant money-spinner for US streamer Netflix.

    And American content on US-based streaming giants does not show up in trade data. The whole world is watching Black Mirror and Ransom Canyon, but these series have never been exported. Rather, they are on a global platform (Netflix). US-based media conglomerates have never been so dominant in the global media market.

    In short, trade data does not tell the whole story. If implemented, these tariffs will certainly have far-reaching consequences for the film and TV industry. But they are unlikely to make anyone more prosperous.

    Jean Chalaby does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. Why Trump’s plans for tariffs on foreign films probably won’t have a happy ending – https://theconversation.com/why-trumps-plans-for-tariffs-on-foreign-films-probably-wont-have-a-happy-ending-256004

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Afreximbank launches US$ 1 Billion Africa Film Fund to transform the continent’s creative industry

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    Afreximbank launches US$ 1 Billion Africa Film Fund to transform the continent’s creative industry The Fund will play a pivotal role in promoting the production and global distribution of high-quality films and TV series, further amplifying Global Africa’s cultural influence across the world KIGALI, Rwanda, May 7, 2025/APO Group/ — African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), through its development impact investment arm, the Fund for Export-Development in Africa (FEDA), has committed to spearhead the launch of the Africa Film Fund (‘the Fund’) as part of its Creative Africa Nexus Programme (CANEX). This transformative undertaking of up to US$1 billion is designed to revolutionize Global Africa’s film and creative industry. This move follows Afreximbank Group’s commitment at the CANEX Weekend (CANEX WKND 2024) in Algiers, Algeria, in October 2024, where the Bank announced plans to launch a private equity film fund through FEDA to support film production and distribution across Africa and empower African filmmakers to create globally appealing content. The Fund will play a pivotal role in promoting the production and global distribution of high-quality films and TV series, further amplifying Global Africa’s cultural influence across the world. In doing so, the Fund will be a catalyst to attract and direct crucial patient capital into Global Africa’s film and TV production industry, mobilising resources that would enable filmmakers and storytellers to produce world-class content that resonates globally. According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the African film and audiovisual industry generates an estimated US$5 billion in annual revenues and employs over 5 million people across the continent. However, the film industry on the continent has long faced challenges, including limited access to production facilities and equipment, a shortage of advanced post-production resources, and a lack of sufficient exhibition infrastructure—highlighted by fewer than 2,000 cinema screens and limited access to digital platforms. Afreximbank’s interventions through FEDA seek to address some of these issues and more. Professor Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank and Chairman of both the Boards of Directors of Afreximbank and FEDA commented: “Film is a cornerstone of the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme and the establishment of the Africa Film Fund is timely as it will help accelerate the growth of Africa’s creative sector, which has witnessed rapid growth but continues to face significant challenges including funding, scaling and accessing global markets.” Prof. Oramah added, “Through investments in the film sector, alongside initiatives such as the CANEX Shorts Awards, Afreximbank is committed to celebrating and amplifying a diverse range of African voices and experiences, thereby catalysing the creative industry and unleashing the creative industry’s potential to drive economic growth across Africa.” Marlene Ngoyi, CEO of FEDA, emphasized the Fund’s role in driving inclusive growth, stating that: “The Africa Film Fund is not merely about financing films – it is about building a thriving ecosystem that empowers Global Africa’s creative talent, fosters cultural exchange, and catalyses economic transformation. At FEDA, we are committed to ensuring this initiative delivers tangible impact with long-term and sustainable benefits.” Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice-President of Intra-African Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, added: This Fund will help unlock the full potential of Africa’s creative economy by giving African storytellers the platform, resources, and visibility they deserve. It reflects our belief that culture is not just a soft power, but a strategic asset for economic growth, youth empowerment, and regional integration.” Viola Davis, co-founder of JVL Media LLC and an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) winning actress welcomed the initiative: African stories are deeply human and universally powerful. This Fund is an invitation to the world to see Africa through the lens of its own creators — bold, unfiltered, and rich in truth. I am proud to be a part of this momentous step toward a more inclusive global film industry. Boris Kodjoe, award winning actor and Managing Partner of FC Media Group, stated:  “It has been a long-term dream of mine to be able to tell stories on a global scale. I am grateful and excited to partner with our friends at Afreximbank and FEDA in order to support quality content development and creation in Africa and beyond.” Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank. Media Contact: Vincent Musumba Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations) Email: press@afreximbank.com About FEDA: The Fund for Export Development in Africa (“FEDA”) is the impact investment subsidiary of Afreximbank (www.Afreximbank.com), set up to provide equity, quasi-equity, and debt capital to finance the multi-billion-dollar funding gap (particularly in equity) needed to transform the Trade sector in Africa. FEDA pursues a multi-sector investment strategy along the intra-African trade, value-added export development, and manufacturing value chain which includes financial services, technology, consumer and retail goods, manufacturing, transport & logistics, agribusiness, as well as ancillary trade enabling infrastructure such as industrial parks.  To date, FEDA has invested more than US$590 million in companies and projects across its various fund initiatives, in sectors such as manufacturing, agro-processing, financial services, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, amongst others. About Afreximbank: African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa1), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

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    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Global: Aaliyah’s turn as a vampire in the nu-metal film Queen of the Damned is an often-overlooked part of her legacy

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Francesca Sobande, Reader in Digital Media Studies, Cardiff University

    Black women’s influence on metal and connected sub-genres is still often overlooked. As part of my research into Black women in pop culture, I’ve looked at the relationship between race, gender, onscreen portrayals of immortality and nu-metal.

    Nu-metal, popularised in the early 2000s, is known for combining the mood of metal with riffs and hues of rap and hip-hop. The genre drew on the creativity of Black artists, singers and musicians across different genres and generations.

    My research on this has involved reflecting on the nu-metal-themed film Queen of the Damned (2002), based on Anne Rice’s enduring Vampire Chronicles books. It starred the singer Aaliyah as the powerful vampire Akasha. It was to be her final acting role before her death aged just 22. Shortly before, she had also signed to appear in the sequel to The Matrix, another nu-metal franchise.


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    Aaliyah doesn’t sing in Queen of the Damned, but her hip-hop stardom is still central to the film, as is suggested by the emphasis on her image in its marketing. Aaliyah being foregrounded in a nu-metal film, paired with the limited dialogue and plot development of her character, reflects how Black women in alt and rock music and accompanying media are sometimes treated as simply there to be seen, not heard.

    With a 17% “tomatometer” score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 2.8 star ranking on Letterboxed, Queen of the Damned is generally seen as a flop. But despite this, the film remains influential, particularly due to Aaliyah’s poised presence as a hip-hop star in a fictional and vampiric nu-metal world.

    The character of Akasha can be criticised for representing stereotypical ideas of Black women as being dangerously seductive. Still, Aaliyah’s portrayal made an impression.

    Aaliyah in a scene from Queen of the Damned.

    In recent years the film has received renewed attention, sparked by the resurgence of nu-metal and the creation of the AMC TV show Interview with the Vampire (2022-present). Its much anticipated third season is due to include Akasha. This has led to some fans calling for her to be played by hip-hop artist Megan Thee Stallion. The rapper made a Paris Fashion Week appearance in 2025 in an outfit that harked back to Aaliyah’s performance as Akasha.

    This demonstrates that part of Aaliyah’s ongoing impact is the way she established the character of Akasha as canonically connected to hip-hop.

    More than ‘seen, not heard’

    Understandably eclipsed by her wider work, Queen of the Damned is not focused on in many ways Aaliyah is memorialised. But, for me, her involvement in the film symbolises how Black women’s creativity and coolness is leveraged by music genres and their media marketing.

    Aaliyah in 2000.
    Wiki Commons, CC BY-SA

    When remembering Aaliyah’s cultural influence, her multifaceted role in the new millennium and nu-metal landscape must be meaningfully acknowledged. More than that, how all Black women in music are publicly memorialised must involve more care and recognition of their important work across, between and beyond genres.

    When news spread of the death of Roberta Flack in February, her fans took to social media to mourn her loss. Legend, musician, singer, teacher – those were just some of the many words used in online posts rightly celebrating her life.

    But as layla-roxanne hill and I discuss in our new book, Look, Don’t Touch: Reflections on the Freedom to Feel, memorialising people as “icons” sometimes reduces or reframes who they were to little more than symbols and soundbites. There should be space to name Black women’s impact on music and society, but in ways that affirm the multitudes of their lives.

    This is touched on in the documentary TLC Forever (2023), as is society’s disregard for the grief experienced by Black women such as TLC members Rozonda Thomas and Tionne Watkins. Following the death of their friend and band member Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes in a bus crash aged 30, they faced pressures to push forward with releasing music while grieving.

    Another documentary, 20 Feet from Stardom (2013), also illuminated the inequalities faced by Black women singers. Their signature sounds propel the success of many genres, but they seldom benefit from this in substantial and sustained ways.

    The trailer for TLC Forever.

    The way the tragic death of Aaliyah was treated is a case in point. The R&B and hip-hop singer died in a plane crash in August 2001. Media headlines mounted, including coverage that referred to “her movie debut last year”, but which did not discuss that role or her broader acting work.

    It may be impossible for any memorial message to fully express and appreciate someone’s essence. However, the ways that Black women are remembered (and forgotten) in society are shaped by the specifics of misogynoir – the interconnected effects of racism, sexism and misogyny.

    Black women are so much more than the binary narratives projected onto them – strong versus soft, young versus old, singer versus actor, survivor versus victim and living versus dead. As the title of one of Aaliyah’s own songs conveys, she was More Than a Woman.

    Francesca Sobande received Impact Acceleration funding from UKRI in 2024, towards a project on “The Cultural Memory and Archived Experiences of Black People in ‘Alternative’ Music Subcultures”, in collaboration with the Museum of Youth Culture.

    ref. Aaliyah’s turn as a vampire in the nu-metal film Queen of the Damned is an often-overlooked part of her legacy – https://theconversation.com/aaliyahs-turn-as-a-vampire-in-the-nu-metal-film-queen-of-the-damned-is-an-often-overlooked-part-of-her-legacy-251860

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI: L’École de Gestion d’Actifs et de Capital Launches Lumicoin IA, Shaped by Marc Leclerc’s Educational Vision

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Paris, France, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a move to transform financial learning through innovation and empathy, L’École de Gestion d’Actifs et de Capital has officially expanded access to its flagship intelligent platform, Lumicoin IA, under the direction of its founder, Marc Leclerc. This launch marks a new chapter in the institution’s mission to make financial understanding more intuitive, inclusive, and human-centered.

    Developed through years of applied research and supported by Interactive Brokers, Lumicoin IA offers a seamless and interactive educational experience. It combines artificial intelligence with pedagogical clarity, allowing users to visualize, evaluate, and build strategies without needing prior financial or technical knowledge.

    At the heart of Lumicoin IA is a simple but powerful concept: every financial strategy becomes a smart, visual asset. These “intelligent learning tokens” can be viewed in real time, scored based on performance metrics, combined into custom portfolios, and automatically rebalanced by the system. The platform’s intuitive dashboard requires no coding and is designed to foster deep learning through interaction and observation.

    Marc Leclerc, a veteran of the financial industry with nearly three decades of experience, created Lumicoin IA to reflect not only his professional insights but also his personal philosophy. After facing the highs and lows of financial life, his vision today centers on restoring meaning and accessibility to finance.
     “We are not just building a platform—we are building a learning environment that respects people’s pace, emotions, and aspirations,” he says. “With Lumicoin IA, we’re turning complexity into clarity and giving people the chance to grow with confidence.”

    Lumicoin IA includes a range of features:

    Strategy simulation and backtesting via visual tokens

    Real-time IQ scoring and adaptability monitoring

    Portfolio creation with automated balancing

    Sentiment analysis from social and economic news

    User-friendly, code-free graphical interface

    Beyond its technological strengths, the platform promotes educational equity by inviting individuals, communities, and institutions to learn side by side. It encourages users to engage with financial learning not as a challenge, but as a progressive journey—one built on simplicity, feedback, and empowerment.

    As part of its open launch, L’École de Gestion d’Actifs et de Capital will continue collecting insights from users to refine Lumicoin IA’s capabilities and foster a global learning community.

    For those seeking a smarter, more humane approach to financial education, Lumicoin IA offers a clear starting point.

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Global: Culture wars, political polarization and deepening inequality: the roots of Trumpism

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Jérôme Viala-Gaudefroy, Spécialiste de la politique américaine, Sciences Po

    More than 100 days into his return to the White House, the conclusion is stark: Donald Trump is no longer the same president he was during his first term. His familiar nationalist and populist rhetoric is now openly paired with an authoritarian turn – one without precedent in US history. He has adopted a neo-imperial view of the economy, treating the global order as a zero-sum contest of winners and losers. In this worldview, cooperation gives way to domination: what matters is power and the accumulation of wealth.

    Having withstood two impeachment procedures, numerous lawsuits and at least one assassination attempt, Trump now governs with what can appear to be unchecked authority. To his followers, he has become a hero, a martyr – almost a messianic figure. He no longer sees democracy as a framework to be honoured, but as a tool to legitimize his hold on power. His decisive electoral victory now serves as a mandate to cast aside institutional limits.


    A weekly e-mail in English featuring expertise from scholars and researchers. It provides an introduction to the diversity of research coming out of the continent and considers some of the key issues facing European countries. Get the newsletter!

    Three key features define his style of governance: a radical centralization of executive power grounded in the theory of the “unitary executive”; the politicization of the Department of Justice, used as a weapon against rivals; and the manipulation of federal authority to target cultural, media and educational institutions. His playbook is chaos: unsettle opponents, dominate the media narrative and blur the boundaries of democratic norms. Impulsive and reactionary, Trump often governs in response to Fox News segments or trending posts on Truth Social. Instability has become a strategic tool.

    But Trump is not a historical anomaly. While his 2016 victory may have seemed unlikely, his re-election reflects a deeper, long-term transformation rooted in the post-Cold War era.

    From an external to an internal enemy

    The collapse of the USSR – a structuring external enemy – redirected political confrontation toward the designation of an internal enemy. The culture war has become the dominant ideological battleground, driven by two closely linked forces. On one side, a religious radicalization led by nationalist Christian movements – such as the New Apostolic Reformation – seeks to roll back social progress and promote the vision of an outright theocracy. On the other, growing racial anxiety is fueled by fears of white demographic decline and resistance to civil rights gains.

    The commentator Pat Buchanan saw it coming as early as the 1990s. Speaking at the 1992 Republican National Convention, he warned: “There is a cultural war going on for the soul of America… as critical as the Cold War itself.” Too radical for his time, Buchanan championed a white, Christian, conservative US hostile to cosmopolitan elites. Though marginalized then, his ideas laid the groundwork for what would become Trumpism.

    Newt Gingrich, who served as Speaker of the House from 1995 to 1999, played a pivotal role in reshaping both the Republican party and US politics. A Republican group he chaired famously distributed a pamphlet to Republican candidates titled “Language: A Key Mechanism of Control”, advising them to use uplifting language to describe themselves, and inflammatory terms like “corrupt”, “immoral” and “traitor” to describe their opponents. This aggressive rhetoric redefined political rivals as enemies to be defeated – helping pave the way for a right-wing politics in which winning trumps democratic norms.

    At the same time, the rise of a new conservative media ecosystem intensified polarization. The launch of Fox News in 1996, the growth of right-wing talk radio shows like Rush Limbaugh’s and the later explosion of social media gave the US right powerful tools to shape and radicalize public opinion. Today, algorithm-driven information bubbles trap citizens in alternate realities, where misinformation and outrage drown out reasoned debate. This has deepened polarization and fractured society as a whole.

    Channeling anger

    This ideological and media realignment has unfolded alongside a broader crisis: the unraveling of the post-Cold War neoliberal consensus. Promises of shared prosperity have been replaced by deindustrialization, deepening inequality and widespread resentment. Successive traumas – from 9/11 and the 2008 financial crash to the Covid-19 pandemic – and foreign wars without real victories have eroded public trust in the establishment.

    Trump channels this anger. He offers a vision of a restored and idealized America, a rollback of recent social gains, and a reassertion of national identity grounded in religion and race. His populism is not a coherent ideology but an emotional response – born of perceived injustice, humiliation and loss.

    Trump is more than a symptom of America’s democratic crisis: he is its most vivid manifestation. He embodies the legacy of the 1990s – a foundational decade of identity grievance, culture wars and media deregulation. Viewed as a political outsider, he has never been judged as a traditional politician, but rather embraced, by some, as the archetypal “self-made man” – a successful businessman and reality TV celebrity.

    His rhetoric – transgressive, provocative and often cruel – gives voice to what had been repressed. The humiliation of opponents becomes part of the performance. For his supporters, it’s exhilarating. It breaks taboos, flouts political correctness and feeds the fantasy of reclaiming a lost America.

    And he’s no longer alone. With the vocal support of economic and tech elites like Elon Musk – now a central figure in the radicalized right on X – Trumpism has entered a new phase. Together, they’ve outlined a new kind of authoritarian, cultural and digital power, where influence matters more than institutions.

    The US re-elected not just a man, but a style, an era and a worldview built on dominance, disruption and disdain for rules. Still, history is unwritten: intoxicated by hubris and undermined by incompetence, Trumpism may yet crash into the wall of reality – with consequences far beyond America’s borders.

    Jérôme Viala-Gaudefroy ne travaille pas, ne conseille pas, ne possède pas de parts, ne reçoit pas de fonds d’une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n’a déclaré aucune autre affiliation que son organisme de recherche.

    ref. Culture wars, political polarization and deepening inequality: the roots of Trumpism – https://theconversation.com/culture-wars-political-polarization-and-deepening-inequality-the-roots-of-trumpism-255778

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Parliament marks 80th anniversary of the end of World War II

    Source: European Union 2

    On Wednesday, the European Parliament marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe in a ceremony in plenary with three veterans.

    “Eighty years after the guns fell silent across Europe, we honour the courage of those who fought, and the sacrifice of those who fell. We remember not just the end of a war, but the birth of our Union. The most powerful tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in this war lies not only in remembrance, but in resolve. In our determination to stand together and say, clearly and firmly: never again,” EP President Metsola said.

    European Council President António Costa thanked the veterans for their “sacrifice and commitment to peace”, regretting that, today, “we cannot celebrate peace in peace”, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Mr Costa encouraged the EU member states and their partners to stay united in the face of the Russian aggressor, as the best way to pay homage to those who gave their lives 80 years ago defending freedom. Finally, he reminded European citizens that “peace is a heritage, but also a responsibility”.

    Speeches by veterans of war

    Three veterans of the war – Mr Robert Chot, a 102-year-old Belgian veteran of the Battle of the Ardennes; Mr Janusz Komorowski a Polish veteran of the liberation of Poland and now 96 years old; and Mr Janusz Maksymowicz, also Polish and now 95 years old, who participated in the Warsaw Uprising – addressed MEPs.

    Belgian war veteran Robert Chot said: “80 years ago, the guns fell silent, bringing an end to a terrible battle that caused millions of deaths in Europe and elsewhere. If today we are still living in peace, it is thanks to you and the countries you represent”. Peace is always uncertain, he added. “There are always clouds hanging over us. Let us do what is necessary to ensure that peace endures in Europe”, he declared.

    Mr Janusz Komorowski talked about the difficult destiny of Poles who were fighting for freedom and independence and for the right of the Polish nation to exist, in Poland, abroad and during the Warsaw uprising in 1944. “They gave their lives for the freedom of other nations too, in the hope that the brutal force of the peace wreckers would be broken forever. Today, I want to thank that wartime generation, but also the European Parliament for becoming a beacon of peace, freedom and democracy, and for steadfastly defending these values”, he concluded.

    Mr Janusz Maksymowicz stressed that the fight for freedom and values had clearly not ended but had taken on new forms. “We know how ruthless ideologies that divide people and nations can be. That is why today we say with full conviction: community is strength. A community of nations that respects the European traditions and cultures of all people who want to live in peace.”

    The ceremony was brought to a close with a musical performance of the European anthem by a soprano accompanied by a string ensemble.

    Ahead of the plenary event, Presidents Metsola and Costa attended a flag raising and wreath laying ceremony outside of the Parliament building in Strasbourg.

    Find audiovisual material of all commemorative events in Parliament’s Multimedia Centre.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Swing into the 1940s with a spectacular VE Day celebration

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Wednesday, 7th May 2025

    Step back in time and experience the magic of a 20-piece wartime era Big Band as the golden age of swing is brought back to life.

    This Fenton VE Day 80th Anniversary Ball at Fenton Town Hall is a tribute to VE Day, celebrating the joy of freedom at the end of the Second World War in Europe. 

    In 1945, millions of people celebrated the news that Germany had surrendered – marking the victory with parties, dancing and singing. 

    The event will mark 80 years since victory in Europe with Stoke-on-Trent-based Trent River Big Band – made up of 20 musicians from the city – getting the party started.  

    They will perform classic hits from legends like Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, Vera Lynn, Ted Heath, and many more on a night of music, nostalgia, and community spirit. 

    The evening will include a charity raffle, raising funds for the Lord Mayor’s Charity. The event will take place from 7.30-11.30pm with optional 1940s dress or dress to impress.  

    Councillor Lyn Sharpe, Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, said: “I can’t thank the Trent River Big Band enough for organising this special event. It will bring the community together over music to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. 

    “We mustn’t forget though, that the war didn’t end on 8 May 1945 for everyone. While celebrations took place across Europe, the war against Japan was ongoing – and we’ll be marking Victory in Japan (VJ) Day on 15 August.”  

    Tickets are £15 and are available from https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/TRBB 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI USA: Judge Giles Rejects Trump Administration Forum Shopping In Badar Khan Suri Case

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

    Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) today issued the following statement welcoming a ruling by Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles rejecting the Trump Administration’s attempts to remove jurisdiction over the case of Beyer’s constituent, Dr. Badar Khan Suri, to Texas, where it whisked him after he was detained by masked ICE agents outside his home in Arlington, Virginia:

    “Dr. Badar Khan Suri is in Texas right now because the Trump Administration whisked him there as quickly as it could to get a more favorable judicial environment to further trample his rights and the Constitution. This was blatant forum shopping, and Judge Giles wisely saw through it and rejected the administration’s feeble lies and post hoc excuses for its actions, which as she noted mirror similar behavior in other recent, high-profile cases including those of Mahmoud Khalil and Rümeysa Öztürk.

    “The Trump Administration’s tactic of rushing students and scholars to distant detention centers to seek more favorable jurisdictions for consideration of their cases has now been rejected by multiple federal judges. This practice has likely been organized, coordinated, and directed by a central authority in the administration. If what the administration was doing here was above board, they would be transparent and honest about it; instead they have been secretive and defended the practice with outright lies. They are sending multiple signals that they have something to hide in their conduct of these cases, and Congress should investigate to find out why. I will have more to come on that subject soon.”

    Beyer met with Dr. Khan Suri’s counsel last week and attended his hearing before Judge Giles on Thursday, which resulted in this ruling. Beyer subsequently wrote to the Acting Director of ICE on Monday seeking reevaluation of Dr. Khan Suri’s status, including consideration of his eligibility for release and alteration of his custody status, which is currently classified as “high-risk.” He is the co-lead of Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman’s recently introduced ICE Visibility Act.

    Dr. Badar Khan Suri is a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University who lives in Arlington, Virginia. He was in the country legally on a visa when he was detained without charges on orders from the Trump Administration in March by masked agents outside his home in Rosslyn, and moved to a series of prisons and detention centers, ultimately ending in Texas. He is still being held there today, over 1,300 miles away from his wife, who is a U.S. citizen, and three young children. According to Khan Suri’s counsel, “His son spent days crying uncontrollably following his father’s disappearance, and has now stopped speaking.” Dr. Khan Suri has never been charged with a crime and the government has never produced evidence that he did anything wrong.

    In Thursday’s hearing, Dr. Khan Suri’s attorneys sought his return to Virginia, while the government sought to remove the case’s jurisdiction to Texas. Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles sought further information from the government on their justification for moving him to Texas, and the government claimed Dr. Khan Suri was removed to Texas to prevent overcrowding at a Virginia detention center. Yet, as Judge Giles pointed out, Khan Suri had a room with a bed to himself in Virginia whereas, for the first 10 days of his detention in Texas he “was forced to sleep on the floor of the television room with the TV blaring nonstop and the lights on 24/7.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft filling stations across Russia will host the St. George Ribbon campaign on May 8-9

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Volunteers will hand out about 2 million St. George ribbons to visitors of Rosneft filling stations across Russia on May 8 and 9 as part of a large-scale campaign dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. In 20 regions, customers of flagship stations will receive not only ribbons, but also commemorative badges.

    Rosneft actively participates in patriotic events that promote civic responsibility and preserve cultural heritage. The company holds hundreds of events throughout Russia that are designed to pass on to the younger generation the historical memory of the immortal feat of our people who liberated the world from fascism.

    The Company’s employees traditionally take part in the “St. George’s Ribbon” campaign. This year, the symbol of memory and gratitude to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War has already been received by employees of all Rosneft enterprises and their family members, as well as veterans and schoolchildren. Ribbons were distributed, among other things, as part of various campaigns and events, such as “Victory Vernissage”, “Memory Garden”, “Victory Awards”, “Victory Dictation”, “Victory Marathon”, during excursions to military glory museums and motor rallies.

    Also in the coming days, visitors to Rosneft filling stations will be able to listen to songs from the war years – in a unique performance by the Sretensky Monastery Choir: congratulatory video cards with a QR code for listening to pieces from the new music program “Dedicated to the Great Victory” are shown on the screens near the cash registers. This joint project of the Choir and Rosneft is designed to preserve the memory of the heroic events of the Great Patriotic War.

    The program includes the best songs from the war years, including: “Katyusha”, “Svyatnaya Voina”, “Ot Heroy Bygone Times”, “Dorogi”, “Proshanie Slavyanki”, “Smuglyanka”, “Nam Nadla Odno Pobedy” and many others. The production is based on real stories about the fates of heroes who walked the miles of war from Moscow to Berlin. These stories are harmoniously intertwined with great music and poetry of wartime and connect historical memory with the life of a modern person. The tour program includes concerts in 24 cities in the regions where Rosneft operates, and will end on July 3 with a concert in Sochi.

    During the Victory Day celebrations, a field kitchen will also be set up on the territory of a number of Rosneft gas stations, themed photo zones will be organized, an exhibition of civilian vehicles from the 1940s will be held, and artists will perform songs from the war years.

    Reference:

    The retail network of NK Rosneft is the largest in the Russian Federation in terms of geographic coverage and number of stations. It covers 62 regions of Russia and includes about 3,000 stations.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft May 7, 2025

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Global: Digital clones of real models are revolutionizing fashion advertising

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Luana Carcano, Lecturer, Beedie School of Business, Simon Fraser University

    Driven by advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and metaverse technologies, digital clones are transforming fast-fashion marketing. Always available, ageless and adaptable to any setting, these virtual figures enable brands to create immersive, cost-effective campaigns that resonate with today’s digital-first consumers.




    Read more:
    Fake models for fast fashion? What AI clones mean for our jobs — and our identities


    Virtual influencers — digitally created personas used to provide entertainment, generate content and endorse brands — are becoming increasingly influential, especially among Gen Z and digital-first audiences.

    These virtual figures vary in form: some, like Lil Miquela and Shudu, are entirely computer-generated, while others, such as Hatsune Miku, incorporate human elements like voice or motion.

    Hybrid influencers blend real and virtual components, allowing for brand-specific customization. These virtual influencers boost brand visibility, drive engagement and influence market performance.

    Real persons, virtual personas

    The estimate for global influencer market size for 2024 was valued at over US$24 billion and is projected to grow to over US$32 billion in 2025. The rise of virtual influencers is particularly prominent in Asia.

    This trend is also reshaping the US$2.5 trillion modelling industry, according to The Business of Fashion. AI-generated avatars and digital clones enable brands to cut production costs and accelerate campaign development. As a result, companies such as Levi Strauss & Co. are partnering with AI modelling firms to integrate these virtual personas into their marketing strategies.

    Digital twins

    Digital twins — virtual replicas of real people — are gaining traction in marketing to enhance personalization, streamline content creation and deepen customer engagement.

    In the fashion world, they provide a means to maintain a sense of human connection while using AI for precision and volume purposes. Fast-fashion retailer H&M recently introduced AI-generated digital twins of real-life models for advertising and social media content. Positioned as a creative and operational aid rather than a replacement for human talent, the initiative has ignited industry-wide debate.




    Read more:
    AI clones made from user data pose uncanny risks


    While the brand highlights the advantages — lower production costs and faster catalogue development — some critics have raised ethical concerns regarding representation and transparency.

    These digital twins fall into the category of “front-of-camera” tools: static avatars used in visual content without independent personas or social media presence. Unlike virtual influencers, they do not interact with audiences or build followings. Instead, they function strictly as visual stand-ins for traditional models, who are compensated for the use of their likenesses, similar to conventional campaigns.

    As these avatars do not speak, endorse or engage directly with consumers, they remain subject to traditional advertising regulations — not influencer marketing laws.

    Digital models are used for operational efficiency: testing and refining creative strategies before rollout, reducing costs and potentially offering immersive digital experiences to enhance customer connection and brand loyalty.

    Authenticity and other challenges

    In July 2024, fast-fashion retailer Mango launched its first advertising campaign featuring AI-generated avatars to promote a limited-edition collection for teenaged girls.

    These AI-generated influencers and digital twins introduce numerous ethical and legal challenges. These innovations raise difficult questions about the displacement of human talent — including models, make-up artists, hairstylists and photographers — and broader implications for creative industries.

    Key concerns centre on consent and compensation. The unauthorized use of an individual’s likeness, even in digital form, poses a risk of exploitation and underscores the importance of clear standards and protections. The legal landscape regarding image rights and intellectual property is still evolving, which makes compliance both essential and complex.

    As the lines between reality and digital fabrication blur, brands risk eroding consumer trust. The authenticity that audiences value can be undermined if AI-generated content seems deceptive or inauthentic.

    Companies must tread carefully, balancing innovation with transparency.

    Diversity is another critical issue. While AI offers customization, it can also perpetuate biases or create an illusion of inclusivity without genuine representation.

    An Associated Press report on AI models and diversity.

    As the use of AI proliferates, ensuring that digital models support, rather than hinder, meaningful advancement in representation will be essential.

    Ultimately, brands must implement ethical frameworks to ensure that AI enhances creativity while maintaining integrity, inclusivity and legal accountability.

    Strategic considerations

    Digital clones provide fast-fashion brands with a powerful tool to create personalized shopping experiences and enable greater representation of diverse body types and style preferences. This degree of customization can significantly enhance customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.

    To ensure ethical integration, transparency is crucial. Brands must clearly disclose when digital models appear in campaigns. These digital representations should encompass a wide variety of demographics to genuinely promote inclusivity and engage with a broader audience.

    Establishing ethical and legal safeguards is equally important. Creating digital clones requires explicit consent and careful attention to intellectual property rights. Without clear guidelines and permissions, brands risk violating privacy, misusing likenesses and facing legal repercussions.

    Luana Carcano does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. Digital clones of real models are revolutionizing fashion advertising – https://theconversation.com/digital-clones-of-real-models-are-revolutionizing-fashion-advertising-254244

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI: Nutanix and Pure Storage Partner to Deliver Greater Customer Choice with New Integrated Solution for Mission-Critical Workloads

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON and SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nutanix (NASDAQ: NTNX), a leader in hybrid multicloud computing, and Pure Storage® (NYSE: PSTG), the IT pioneer that delivers the world’s most advanced data storage platform and services, today announced a partnership aimed at providing a deeply integrated solution that will allow customers to seamlessly deploy and manage virtual workloads on a scalable modern infrastructure.

    This integrated solution comes at a pivotal time for customers as the virtualization market evolution is top of mind. IT leaders are focused on helping their organizations maintain pace with the rapidly changing technology landscape while simultaneously implementing greater operational effectiveness. Gartner predicts that “by 2028, cost concerns will drive 70% of enterprise-scale VMware customers to migrate 50% of their virtual workloads1.”

    With this collaboration, the Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure solution, powered by the Nutanix AHV hypervisor along with Nutanix Flow virtual networking and security, will integrate with Pure Storage FlashArray over NVMe/TCP to deliver a customer experience uniquely designed for high-demand data workloads, including AI.

    Key Benefits:

    •     Scalable, Modern Infrastructure – This partnership will provide customers with access to high-performance, flexible, and efficient full-stack infrastructure to power their most business-critical workloads through the simplicity and agility of Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure for virtual compute, and the consistency, scalability, and performance density of Pure Storage all-flash systems.
    •     Built-in Cyber Resilience – Customers will be able to strengthen their end-to-end cyber-resilience posture by leveraging native Nutanix capabilities, such as Flow micro-segmentation and disaster recovery orchestration, alongside Pure Storage FlashArray capabilities, such as data-at-rest encryption and SafeMode.
    •     Freedom of Choice – Customers want agility and control of their mission-critical environments. The combination of Nutanix and Pure Storage will offer a resilient and easy-to-use alternative to existing market options.

    “We’re thrilled to see Nutanix and Pure Storage joining forces. Their collective expertise, innovative technologies, and shared commitment to reliability and performance will deliver a compelling solution that directly addresses critical needs in the market,” said Anthony Jackman, Chief Innovation Officer at Expedient. “Expedient is proud to be an early design partner, collaborating closely with both companies to ensure this solution elevates the quality of service we deliver, ultimately enhancing the value and experience for our clients nationwide.”

    “This new solution will help Nutanix and Pure Storage reach more customers together and help them better manage and modernize their mission-critical applications,” said Tarkan Maner, Chief Commercial Officer at Nutanix. “Our integrated solution will be ideally suited for companies with storage-rich environments looking for choices in modernization.”

    “With more than 13,500 global customers, I’m hearing more than ever that organizations of all shapes and sizes have a growing need for efficient, flexible, and high-performance solutions that can also scale to support their most critical, data-intensive applications,” said Maciej Kranz, General Manager, Enterprise at Pure Storage. “Nutanix and Pure Storage are both known for pushing the boundaries of traditional infrastructure, driving innovation, and enabling unmatched agility. With this easy-to-manage solution, our joint customers will have the power of a virtual infrastructure that’s truly built for change.”

    This solution will be supported on major server hardware partners that currently support Pure Storage FlashArray, including Cisco, Dell, HPE, Lenovo and Supermicro, for both existing and new deployments.

    Additionally, Cisco and Pure Storage are expanding their partnership of more than 60 FlashStack validated designs to include Nutanix in the portfolio – further simplifying full-stack delivery.

    “The future of infrastructure is defined by flexibility,” said Jeremy Foster, SVP and General Manager, Cisco Compute. “That’s exactly what this next evolution of FlashStack delivers. With nearly a decade of joint innovation with Pure Storage, and an expanded partnership and co-development roadmap with Nutanix, we’re offering a proven platform backed by Cisco validated designs, a world-class joint support model, and deep integration with Cisco Intersight – providing unified visibility across both Pure Storage and Nutanix clusters for a more complete view of the operating environment. This level of integration, insight, and support is what will set FlashStack with Nutanix apart in the market.”

    The solution is currently under development and is expected to be in early access by the summer of 2025 and generally available at the end of this calendar year through both Nutanix and Pure Storage channel partners.

    For more information and to sign up for early access visit Nutanix and Pure Storage.

    About Nutanix

    Nutanix is a global leader in cloud software, offering organizations a single platform for running applications and managing data, anywhere. With Nutanix, companies can reduce complexity and simplify operations, freeing them to focus on their business outcomes. Building on its legacy as the pioneer of hyperconverged infrastructure, Nutanix is trusted by companies worldwide to power hybrid multicloud environments consistently, simply, and cost-effectively. Learn more at www.nutanix.com or follow us on social media @nutanix.

    © 2025 Nutanix, Inc. All rights reserved. Nutanix, the Nutanix logo, and all Nutanix product and service names mentioned herein are registered trademarks or unregistered trademarks of Nutanix, Inc. (“Nutanix”) in the United States and other countries. All other brand names or marks mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective holder(s). This press release is for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes a warranty or other binding commitment by Nutanix. This release contains express and implied forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements regarding our plans and expectations about the partnership and its expected benefits, the new integrated solution and its expected benefits, capabilities, features and technology, and the timing of the availability of the new integrated solution. Such statements are not historical facts and are instead based on Nutanix’s current expectations, estimates and beliefs. The accuracy of such statements involves risks and uncertainties and depends upon future events, including those that may be beyond Nutanix’s control, and actual results may differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to any inability to develop, or any unexpected difficulties, delays or disruptions in developing, releasing or distributing, the new integrated solution in a timely or cost-effective basis. Any forward-looking statements included herein speak only as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, Nutanix assumes no obligation to update or otherwise revise any of such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Certain products and features or functionalities described herein, including the new integrated solution and its features and functionalities, remain in varying stages of development and will be offered on a when-and-if-available basis. The development, release, and timing of any such products, features or functionalities are subject to change. Nutanix will not have any liability for any failure to deliver or delay in the delivery of any such products, features or functionalities. Any future product or product feature information is intended to outline general product directions, and is not a commitment, promise or legal obligation for Nutanix to deliver any functionality. This information should not be used when making a purchasing decision.

    About Pure Storage

    Pure Storage (NYSE: PSTG) delivers the industry’s most advanced data storage platform to store, manage, and protect the world’s data at any scale. With Pure Storage, organizations have ultimate simplicity and flexibility, saving time, money, and energy. From AI to archive, Pure Storage delivers a cloud experience with one unified Storage as-a-Service platform across on-premises, cloud, and hosted environments. Our platform is built on our Evergreen architecture that evolves with your business — always getting newer and better with zero planned downtime, guaranteed. Our customers are actively increasing their capacity and processing power while significantly reducing their carbon and energy footprint. It’s easy to fall in love with Pure Storage, as evidenced by the highest Net Promoter Score in the industry. For more information, visit www.purestorage.com.

    Pure Storage, the Pure Storage P Logo, and the marks in the Pure Storage Trademark List are trademarks or registered trademarks of Pure Storage, Inc., in the U.S. and/or other countries. The Trademark List can be found at purestorage.com/trademarks. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.


    1Gartner, Market Guide for Server Virtualization, Michael Warrilow, Philip Dawson, Tony Harvey, Elaine Zhang, 28 August, 2024. GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Nutanix Enables Agentic AI Anywhere with Latest Release of Nutanix Enterprise AI

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — .NEXT Conference — Nutanix (NASDAQ: NTNX), a leader in hybrid multicloud computing, today announced the general availability of the latest version of the Nutanix Enterprise AI (NAI) solution, adding deeper integration with NVIDIA AI Enterprise, including NVIDIA NIM microservices and the NVIDIA NeMo framework, to speed the deployment of Agentic AI applications in the enterprise.

    NAI is designed to accelerate the adoption of generative AI in the enterprise by simplifying how customers build, run, and securely manage models and inferencing services at the edge, in the data center, and in public clouds on any Cloud Native Computing Foundation® (CNCF)-certified Kubernetes® environment.

    The latest NAI release extends a shared model service methodology that simplifies agentic workflows, helping to make deployment and day two operations simpler. It streamlines the resources and models required to deploy multiple applications across lines of business with a secure, common set of embedding, reranking, and guardrail functional models for agents. This builds on the NAI core, which includes a centralized LLM model repository that creates secure endpoints that make connecting generative AI applications and agents simple and private.

    “Nutanix is helping customers keep up with the fast pace of innovation in the Gen AI market,” said Thomas Cornely, SVP of Product Management at Nutanix. “We’ve expanded Nutanix Enterprise AI to integrate new NVIDIA NIM and NeMo microservices so that enterprise customers can securely and efficiently build, run, and manage AI Agents anywhere.”

    “Enterprises require sophisticated tools to simplify agentic AI development and deployment across their operations,” said Justin Boitano, Vice President of Enterprise AI Software Products at NVIDIA. “Integrating NVIDIA AI Enterprise software including NVIDIA NIM microservices and NVIDIA NeMo into Nutanix Enterprise AI provides a streamlined foundation for building and running powerful and secure AI agents.”

    NAI for agentic applications can help customers:

    • Deploy Agentic AI Applications with Shared LLM Endpoints – Customers can reuse existing deployed model endpoints as shared services for multiple applications. This re-use of model endpoints helps reduce usage of critical infrastructure components, including GPUs, CPUs, memory, file and object storage, and Kubernetes® clusters.
    • Leverage a Wide Array of LLM Endpoints – NAI enables a range of agentic model services, including NVIDIA Llama Nemotron open reasoning models, NVIDIA NeMo Retriever and NeMo Guardrails. NAI users can leverage NVIDIA AI Blueprints, which are pre-defined, customizable workflows, to jumpstart the development of their own AI applications that leverage NVIDIA models and AI microservices. In addition, NAI enables function calling for the configuration and consumption of external data sources to help AI agentic applications deliver more accurate and detailed results.
    • Support Generative AI Safety – This new NAI release will help customers implement agentic applications in ways consistent with their organization’s policies using guardrail models. These models can filter initial user queries and LLM responses to prevent biased or harmful outputs and can also maintain topic control and jailbreak attempt detection. For example, NVIDIA NeMo Guardrails are LLMs that provide content filtering to filter out unwanted content and other sensitive topics. These can also be applied to code generation, providing improved reliability and consistency across models.
    • Unlock Insights From Data with NVIDIA AI Data Platform – The Nutanix Cloud Platform solution builds on the NVIDIA AI Data Platform reference design and integrates the Nutanix Unified Storage and the Nutanix Database Service solutions for unstructured and structured data for AI. The Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure platform provides a private foundation for NVIDIA’s accelerated computing, networking, and AI software to turn data into actionable intelligence. As an NVIDIA-Certified Enterprise Storage solution, Nutanix Unified Storage meets rigorous performance and scalability standards, providing software-defined enterprise storage for enterprise AI workloads, through capabilities such as NVIDIA GPUDirect Storage.

    NAI is designed to use additional Nutanix platform services while allowing flexible deployments on HCI, bare metal, and cloud IaaS. NAI customers can also leverage the Nutanix Kubernetes Platform solution for multicloud fleet management of containerized cloud native applications, and Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) and Nutanix Database Service (NDB) as discrete data services, offering a complete platform for agentic AI applications.

    “Customers can realize the full potential of generative AI without sacrificing control, which is especially important as businesses expand into agentic capabilities,” said Scott Sinclair, Practice Director, ESG. “This expanded partnership with NVIDIA provides organizations an optimized solution for agentic AI minimizing the risk of managing complex workflows while also safeguarding deployment through secure endpoint creation for APIs. AI initiatives are employed to deliver strategic advantages, but those advantages can’t happen without optimized infrastructure control and security.”

    To learn more about how to get started with the latest NAI version and new NVIDIA capabilities, visit our latest blog post.

    NAI with agentic model support is now generally available.

    About Nutanix

    Nutanix is a global leader in cloud software, offering organizations a single platform for running applications and managing data, anywhere. With Nutanix, companies can reduce complexity and simplify operations, freeing them to focus on their business outcomes. Building on its legacy as the pioneer of hyperconverged infrastructure, Nutanix is trusted by companies worldwide to power hybrid multicloud environments consistently, simply, and cost-effectively. Learn more at www.nutanix.com or follow us on social media @nutanix.

    © 2025 Nutanix, Inc. All rights reserved. Nutanix, the Nutanix logo, and all Nutanix product and service names mentioned herein are registered trademarks or unregistered trademarks of Nutanix, Inc. (“Nutanix”) in the United States and other countries. Kubernetes is a registered trademark of The Linux Foundation in the United States and other countries. All other brand names or marks mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective holder(s). This press release is for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes a warranty or other binding commitment by Nutanix. This release contains express and implied forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements regarding the latest NAI release and its expected benefits, capabilities, features and technology. Such statements are not historical facts and are instead based on Nutanix’s current expectations, estimates and beliefs. The accuracy of such statements involves risks and uncertainties and depends upon future events, including those that may be beyond Nutanix’s control, and actual results may differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied by such statements. Any forward-looking statements included herein speak only as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, Nutanix assumes no obligation to update or otherwise revise any of such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

    The MIL Network