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    Chris Sakai • Singular Research

    Chris Sakai's questions to QuinStreet Inc (QNST) leadership

    Chris Sakai's questions to QuinStreet Inc (QNST) leadership • Q4 2025

    Question

    Chris Sakai from Singular Research questioned the reason for the guided sequential decline in adjusted EBITDA margin from 8.4% in Q4 to approximately 7% in Q1. He also asked for a performance breakdown of financial services verticals beyond auto insurance, such as personal loans and credit cards.

    Answer

    CEO Douglas Valenti attributed the Q1 margin compression to two factors: the ongoing effort for media capacity to catch up with surging auto insurance demand, and aggressive investments to build new media capacity. He positioned the 7% margin as a new baseline for the year. For other financial services, Valenti confirmed all verticals grew year-over-year, noting that personal loans had slower revenue growth due to a strategic focus on margin optimization.

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    Chris Sakai's questions to Flotek Industries Inc (FTK) leadership

    Chris Sakai's questions to Flotek Industries Inc (FTK) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Chris Sakai of Singular Research asked about the portion of chemistry revenue that is directly tied to data-driven services and how that ratio is expected to evolve.

    Answer

    CEO Ryan Ezell estimated that data-driven processes from their Prescriptive Chemistry Management (PCM) service touch almost 80% of their chemistry business. He explained that the company is at the forefront of converging real-time data with optimized chemistry, using data to adjust chemistry for water quality and to prescribe specific technologies. He expects this integration to continue evolving and driving differentiation.

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    Chris Sakai's questions to Olympic Steel Inc (ZEUS) leadership

    Chris Sakai's questions to Olympic Steel Inc (ZEUS) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Chris Sakai questioned the year-over-year increase in operating expenses for the carbon flat segment and asked how recent tariff discussions are impacting the company's M&A strategy and the competitive landscape for acquisitions.

    Answer

    CFO Richard Manson explained that the rise in operating expenses was primarily due to the Metal works acquisition and costs associated with shipping 6% more volume year-over-year, while same-store expense inflation remains in the low single digits. CEO Rick Marabito stated that tariffs do not directly impact their domestic-focused M&A strategy but do create opportunities for their core fabricating business by encouraging onshoring. He also suggested that tariffs could ultimately increase competition for M&A as other companies may seek to grow more quickly through acquisitions.

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    Chris Sakai's questions to L B Foster Co (FSTR) leadership

    Chris Sakai's questions to L B Foster Co (FSTR) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Chris Sakai from Singular Research asked about the potential impact of new steel tariffs on the company's backlog, the revenue potential for the recovering Protective Coatings business, the rationale for the new $40 million share buyback program, and whether a new multi-year strategic plan would be released.

    Answer

    President and CEO John Kasel stated that the backlog is secure and the company is well-prepared for steel tariffs, drawing on experience from 2017 and strong relationships with domestic mills. He expressed strong optimism for the Protective Coatings business, noting significant hiring to meet demand and reach near-full capacity by April 2025. Kasel explained the $40 million buyback was a balanced figure, reflecting confidence and the cash freed up from the completed Union Pacific settlement. He also confirmed that a new 3-year plan with aspirational goals will be forthcoming.

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    Chris Sakai's questions to L B Foster Co (FSTR) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Chris Sakai of Singular Research inquired about the key drivers for L.B. Foster's 2025 revenue targets and questioned if the high Q3 gross margin of 23.8% was an anomaly or sustainable.

    Answer

    President and CEO John Kasel explained that future revenue growth to meet the $580 million to $620 million target will be driven by organic expansion in its growth platforms, particularly Rail Technologies and Precast Concrete, including a new facility in Florida. Regarding margins, Kasel stated that while Q3 was exceptionally high, it reflects the company's successful strategic transformation. He affirmed that strong margins are expected to continue, aligning with the 2025 goal of 22% to 23%.

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