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Alex Hughes

Vice President and Equity Research Analyst at Raymond James Financial Inc.

Alex Hughes is a Vice President and Equity Research Analyst at Raymond James, specializing in the coverage of consumer retail and restaurant companies including names such as Starbucks, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and Wingstop. With a strong performance record evidenced by a TipRanks ranking in the top 10% of U.S. analysts and success rates exceeding 65%, Hughes has delivered notable alpha above sector benchmarks and consistent double-digit returns from top stock picks. Beginning their career in equity research in the mid-2010s, Hughes previously held analyst roles at firms such as Wells Fargo Securities before joining Raymond James in 2019. Professionally credentialed with FINRA Series 7, 63, 86, and 87 licenses, Hughes is recognized for insightful investment analysis and frequently cited in industry media.

Alex Hughes's questions to Guidewire Software (GWRE) leadership

Question · Q4 2025

Alex Hughes asked about the building blocks for the FY2026 ARR outlook, specifically if the 50-50 mix of ramp versus net new ARR is still a good rule of thumb, how it looked in FY2025, and any changes in assumptions for Guidewire pricing or churn.

Answer

CFO Jeff Cooper noted that ARR growth is now slightly more weighted towards backlog, providing better visibility. He modeled more conservatism for true-up activity and assumed attrition rates more aligned with historical averages, following a record low year. He also mentioned consistent efforts to improve discounting and the platform's maturity aiding commercial conversations.

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