Sign in

    James FaucetteMorgan Stanley

    James Faucette's questions to Jack Henry & Associates Inc (JKHY) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to Jack Henry & Associates Inc (JKHY) leadership • Q4 2025

    Question

    James Faucette from Morgan Stanley asked about the key levers for non-GAAP margin expansion in fiscal 2026. He also inquired about early transaction trends for Banno Business and the go-to-market strategy, especially in light of the competitive landscape.

    Answer

    CFO & Treasurer Mimi Carsley cited process improvement, disciplined headcount management, and efficiencies from cloud migrations as key margin drivers. President & CEO Greg Adelson added that internal AI initiatives and the tech modernization platform, which reduces duplicate development efforts, also contribute. Regarding Banno, Adelson noted they are winning more competitive deals and that new solutions like Tap to Local and Rapid Transfers will be key differentiators.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Jack Henry & Associates Inc (JKHY) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    James Faucette asked how competitive intensity has manifested in terms of engagements, win rates, or pricing, and also inquired about the traction of the Banno Business solution.

    Answer

    CEO Greg Adelson stated that while pricing sensitivity is not new, Jack Henry's win rates remain the best in the industry, and he has not seen strategic changes from competitors yet. On Banno, he reported over 270 clients are now live on Banno Business, with feature parity expected in the summer, which he sees as a turning point for selling the solution outside the Jack Henry core client base.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Jack Henry & Associates Inc (JKHY) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    James Faucette of Morgan Stanley inquired if regulatory timelines for public cloud adoption might accelerate and asked about the evolving mix between Banno Retail and Banno Business clients.

    Answer

    President and CEO Greg Adelson suggested that a change in administration could make regulators more comfortable with public cloud adoption sooner, noting Jack Henry's long history of educating regulators via its Banno platform. He stated that Banno Business penetration is at 20% of the Banno Retail base and is expected to reach 65-70%. He added that the upcoming SMB solution with Moov and achieving feature parity with competitors this summer will be significant growth drivers.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Jack Henry & Associates Inc (JKHY) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    James Faucette inquired about the trends in implementation backlogs and how the company balances investing in more resources to speed up implementations against its margin expansion goals. He also asked for a progress update on the Moov partnership.

    Answer

    CEO Greg Adelson stated that the company evaluates the balance between expediting revenue and managing margins monthly, noting they have added staff where needed, such as for Financial Crimes Defender. He mentioned that some delays are tied to data migration or core conversion schedules, not just staffing. On the Moov partnership, he confirmed significant progress has been made and the solution remains on track for an early adopter launch with Banno clients in May 2025.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Global-E Online Ltd (GLBE) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to Global-E Online Ltd (GLBE) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    James Faucette from Morgan Stanley questioned the drivers of the implied growth acceleration in the second half of the year, focusing on pipeline composition and net new merchant GMV. He also asked for the forward-looking drivers of both service fee and fulfillment take rates.

    Answer

    CFO Ofer Koren responded that solid trading patterns and same-store sales support the back-half outlook. He noted that while new merchant adds are less concentrated than last year, the total GMV contribution from new merchants is expected to be similar. Koren projected the service fee take rate to remain stable near H1 levels, while the fulfillment take rate should stay close to Q2 levels as multi-local adoption impact is offset by AOV seasonality.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Global-E Online Ltd (GLBE) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    James Faucette inquired about Net Dollar Retention (NDR) expectations given moderating same-store sales versus the aggressive ramp of large merchants signed in late 2024. He also asked to parse the Q1 GMV impact from factors like FX, the Marks & Spencer cyberattack, and the Forever 21 bankruptcy.

    Answer

    CEO Amir Schlachet confirmed that same-store sales are slightly below historical averages, as anticipated, but this is balanced by a strong ramp-up from new large merchants. He stated FX had no material impact. While the M&S cyberattack had a partial effect in Q1, it was not material, and some impact is factored into Q2 guidance. He noted that general macro headwinds were already considered in the full-year guidance.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Global-E Online Ltd (GLBE) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    James Faucette asked for insight into why some Borderfree merchants chose not to replatform onto Global-e and whether they might become customers in the future.

    Answer

    Executive Nir Debbi explained that the merchants who did not migrate were primarily traditional retailers who decided not to prioritize the investment in a new integration at this time. He noted that the financial impact going forward is minimal as most GMV has either migrated or churned. However, he mentioned that discussions are ongoing with some of these brands, leaving the door open for them to become Global-e clients in the future.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Global-E Online Ltd (GLBE) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    James Faucette requested insight into the reasons why some merchants from the acquired Borderfree platform chose not to replatform onto Global-e.

    Answer

    President Nir Debbi explained that the merchants who did not migrate were mostly traditional retailers with other pressing priorities that superseded investing in a new platform integration. He emphasized that the financial impact from this is now minimal as most of the Borderfree GMV has either been migrated or has churned, and noted that merchants who did migrate are seeing strong results.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Global-E Online Ltd (GLBE) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    James Faucette sought clarification on take rate trends, asking if the service fee take rate was stable excluding the Ted Baker impact and questioning the drivers of the fulfillment take rate this quarter.

    Answer

    CFO Ofer Koren confirmed that the service fee take rate was stable after accounting for the loss of the Ted Baker account and is expected to remain so. He explained that the fulfillment take rate benefited from a positive mix and a slight decrease in AOV, and that the lower take rate embedded in Q4 guidance is a good proxy for the future.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Marqeta Inc (MQ) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to Marqeta Inc (MQ) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    James Faucette sought clarification on delayed investments, asking to distinguish between temporary timing issues and a sustained lower operating expense run rate, and also asked about progress in embedded finance.

    Answer

    Interim CEO & CFO Mike Milotich explained that about half of the Q2 expense outperformance was due to timing (hiring, marketing), while the other half reflected sustainable efficiencies that support the accelerated 2026 GAAP breakeven goal. On embedded finance, he noted the sales cycle is longer than expected but Marqeta is building a full-stack solution to meet the demand from large, non-payment-native companies.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Marqeta Inc (MQ) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    James Faucette asked for more detail on the drivers of non-Block growth, including specific customer types and the contribution from use cases like earned wage access. He also sought clarity on how Marqeta improves its economics, distinguishing between platform partner and customer renegotiations.

    Answer

    Mike Milotich, Interim CEO and CFO, explained that non-Block growth is broad-based across financial services, BNPL, and expense management, with TPV from customers outside the top 5 growing at more than twice the company rate. He clarified that the recent economic improvement came from a renegotiation with a platform partner, with savings passed to Cash App, impacting revenue but not gross profit. Customer renewals are managed by offsetting price reductions with new value-added services.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Upstart Holdings Inc (UPST) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to Upstart Holdings Inc (UPST) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    James Faucette asked about the evolution of customer acquisition channels and the current automation levels for newer products like HELOC and auto loans.

    Answer

    CEO Dave Girouard highlighted a long-term shift toward more repeat borrowers and cross-selling, reducing reliance on paid acquisition channels. CTO Paul Gu noted that while automation for new products is less mature than for personal loans, significant progress is being made, including the first instant property verification for a HELOC, putting them on a strong trajectory.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Upstart Holdings Inc (UPST) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    James Faucette of Morgan Stanley inquired about the evolution of customer acquisition channels, particularly the mix of organic versus paid, and asked about the current automation levels for newer products like HELOC and auto loans.

    Answer

    CEO Dave Girouard highlighted a long-term trend towards more repeat borrowers and cross-selling, reducing reliance on paid channels. CTO Paul Gu added that while automation for new products is less mature than for personal loans, it is on a strong trajectory, citing recent progress in automating new steps in the HELOC process.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Upstart Holdings Inc (UPST) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    An analyst on for James Faucette asked for a segmentation of the total addressable market (TAM) by FICO score to better understand market penetration and inquired about the evolving mix of customer acquisition channels.

    Answer

    CEO David Girouard estimated that the personal loan market is split roughly evenly between prime/super-prime and the near-prime segments, suggesting Upstart has effectively doubled its TAM by expanding its focus. CFO Sanjay Datta noted that there have been no significant changes in the mix of customer acquisition channels recently.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Upstart Holdings Inc (UPST) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    James Faucette from Morgan Stanley asked about the key factors influencing the contribution margin and its realistic range going forward. He also inquired about the strategy for customer acquisition channels and any anticipated changes in the mix.

    Answer

    CFO Sanjay Datta identified three levers for contribution margin: take rates, acquisition costs, and operating/servicing costs, noting the margin has been stable between 58-62%. CEO David Girouard explained that the growing base of repeat users lowers average acquisition costs and that the strategic goal of offering the 'best rate' will enable more broad-based marketing, like OTT television, in the future.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Fidelity National Information Services Inc (FIS) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to Fidelity National Information Services Inc (FIS) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    James Faucette from Morgan Stanley inquired about the evolution of bank technology roadmaps, particularly regarding the move to public cloud and componentized core banking solutions.

    Answer

    CEO Stephanie Ferris explained that larger financial institutions are shifting from 'big bang' core conversions to a more modular, component-based approach. She emphasized that FIS's product strategy is aligned with this trend, allowing clients to modernize piece by piece, which presents a significant opportunity for the company.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc (BR) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc (BR) leadership • Q4 2025

    Question

    James Faucette of Morgan Stanley inquired about the drivers behind the forecasted acceleration in closed sales, asking if Broadridge is seeing sales cycle elongation similar to peers, and questioned the materiality of the Distributed Ledger Repo (DLR) platform as a sales driver and the hurdles to broader adoption of tokenization.

    Answer

    CEO Tim Gokey acknowledged that sales cycles have been longer over the past year but expressed confidence due to a strong pipeline and demand for new products in areas like voting choice, wealth, and AI-enabled solutions. Regarding DLR, he noted significant volume growth to over $200 billion in daily averages, driven by sponsored repo needs ahead of treasury clearing changes. While not moving the overall company sales needle, it is a material driver for the product itself, with eight new clients signed in FY25.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc (BR) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    James Faucette asked about the potential timeline for monetizing AI-related product enhancements and requested an update on the company's progress toward its target for incremental module sales within the wealth management segment.

    Answer

    CEO Tim Gokey explained that AI is being integrated across the business to enhance products, launch new solutions like BondGPT, and drive productivity, but a measurable revenue impact is not expected in the near term (fiscal '26). For the wealth segment, he confirmed that Broadridge is on track to achieve its goal of an incremental $20 million to $30 million in wealth sales this year, supported by a record-high sales pipeline.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc (BR) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    James Faucette questioned the drivers behind the flat growth in customer communications revenue and asked for the outlook, and also inquired about how Broadridge is mitigating the increased costs for brokers resulting from the T+1 settlement cycle.

    Answer

    CEO Tim Gokey affirmed that customer communications (BRCC) revenue is on track to accelerate to mid-to-high single-digit growth for the full year, driven by the onboarding of recent large sales wins that occurred late in Q1. On T+1, Gokey acknowledged the challenges the U.S. transition is creating for global firms, noting that Broadridge helps clients mitigate this through its managed services and BPO, and would consider developing new technology if a significant timing gap persists before a European rollout.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp (CTSH) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp (CTSH) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    James Faucette from Morgan Stanley asked how Cognizant is pricing and incorporating its proprietary AI intellectual property, such as its agentic AI platforms, into client deals under its "Vector" strategy. He also inquired about the M&A pipeline and valuation environment.

    Answer

    CEO Ravi Kumar S explained that Cognizant's "IP on the Edge," including platforms and reusable agents, is a key differentiator that allows for stickier relationships and premium, outcome-based pricing. He noted this creates new addressable spend by enabling Cognizant to run entire processes for clients. CFO Jatin Dalal reiterated the long-term capital allocation policy, stating that for 2025, about $500 million remains available for M&A with a decent pipeline.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp (CTSH) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    James Faucette sought clarification on the 250 basis point revenue contribution from Belcan in 2025 and asked if the guidance includes other unannounced M&A. He also inquired about any year-end budget flush and the early outlook for client budgets.

    Answer

    CFO Jatin Dalal confirmed the 250 bps contribution is solely from the approximately eight additional months of Belcan revenue in 2025 and does not include any other potential M&A. CEO Ravi Kumar S noted a pro-business mood and reduced uncertainty are helping discretionary spend, particularly in financial services. He highlighted the Global Capability Centers (GCCs) trend as a key opportunity and expressed overall optimism about the demand environment compared to a year ago.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Evertec Inc (EVTC) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to Evertec Inc (EVTC) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    On behalf of James Faucette from Morgan Stanley, a question was asked about consumer spending trends within the merchant acquiring segment. The query sought to identify any notable changes in spending categories and what trends have been observed through July, especially amid macro uncertainty.

    Answer

    EVP & CFO Joaquin Castrillo-Salgado responded that overall consumer spending has remained resilient. He noted that lower gas prices created a drag on sales volume in that specific category, while government-related payments from tax season provided a seasonal boost. However, he stated that no other significant changes in spending patterns or trends directly attributable to tariffs or macro weakness have been identified in the portfolio.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Automatic Data Processing Inc (ADP) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to Automatic Data Processing Inc (ADP) leadership • Q4 2025

    Question

    James Faucette inquired how ADP's expanding use of partnerships affects sales channel management and forecast reliability, and also asked for an update on the Wisely and Earned Wage Access (EWA) products.

    Answer

    President & CEO Maria Black and CFO Peter Hadley asserted that partnerships are managed to enhance, not impede, visibility and have no adverse effect on forecasting. Regarding EWA, Ms. Black noted it's a small but pleasing part of the business, with adoption concentrated in specific industries and employee demographics, and pointed to ADP Research Institute reports for broader trends.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Automatic Data Processing Inc (ADP) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    James Faucette inquired about client behavior in the PEO segment regarding benefits enrollment and asked what differentiates ADP's PEO performance from its peers.

    Answer

    CEO Maria Black noted that PEO retention was strong and benefits attachment remains stable, indicating the value proposition is resonating. She attributed ADP's outperformance to a differentiated model that includes targeting different industries, a predictable fully insured benefits model, and a unique distribution advantage where 50% of PEO business comes from existing ADP payroll clients.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Automatic Data Processing Inc (ADP) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    James Faucette asked about client retention trends, specifically the underlying drivers and the assumption for small business bankruptcies in the second half. He also requested a status update on AI initiatives and their impact on service efficiency and sales productivity.

    Answer

    CEO Maria Black confirmed the outlook assumes a pickup in SMB bankruptcies but noted retention modestly beat expectations again. On AI, she detailed a three-pronged strategy impacting products (ADP Assist), service (agent assist, call summarization), and sales (opportunity prioritization), citing specific efficiency gains like reduced call times. CFO Don McGuire added that while results are positive, the full bottom-line impact is longer-term as the tools are still being deployed.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Automatic Data Processing Inc (ADP) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    James Faucette asked for clarification on whether PEO pays per control is still expected to grow, for quantification of Q1 Employer Services bookings, and about the swing factors in the full-year bookings guidance.

    Answer

    CFO Don McGuire confirmed that PEO pays per control is still expected to grow for the year, albeit at a softer rate than Employer Services. He did not quantify Q1 bookings but reiterated it was a record first quarter and that the company is maintaining its 4% to 7% full-year guidance. He stated that execution is the key swing factor, as the macroeconomic demand backdrop appears solid and stable.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to PayPal Holdings Inc (PYPL) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to PayPal Holdings Inc (PYPL) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    James Faucette from Morgan Stanley asked about the strategy to expand PayPal's brands into offline channels, seeking details on the roadmap for geographic and product expansion and key milestones for investors to track.

    Answer

    President, CEO & Director Alex Chriss detailed the omnichannel strategy, highlighting the addition of 5 million new PayPal debit card users and 75% TPV growth for the card in Q2. He pointed to the successful launch of an end-to-end wallet in Germany, which includes NFC tap-to-pay and offline BNPL, as a key milestone. The U.K. is the next market for this expansion.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to PayPal Holdings Inc (PYPL) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    James Faucette followed up on the topic of 'changing the conversation' with merchants, asking about the long-term potential for pricing and value creation from new services like the ad platform.

    Answer

    CEO Alex Chriss reiterated that the goal is to build deeper, strategic relationships monetized across a full suite of value-added services, including processing, an ads platform, and Fastlane. He highlighted the appeal of PayPal's demographics through initiatives like PayPal Everywhere and Pay with Venmo. CFO Jamie Miller added that while some large renegotiations are complete, more will occur over the next few years, with margin accretion expected to emerge over time as new value-added services are adopted.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Paychex Inc (PAYX) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to Paychex Inc (PAYX) leadership • Q4 2025

    Question

    James Faucette of Morgan Stanley asked about post-acquisition capital allocation priorities, specifically the balance between debt reduction and shareholder returns, and whether the Q4 trend of micro-business bankruptcies was persisting.

    Answer

    CFO Bob Schrader stated that the capital allocation strategy is unchanged, prioritizing business investment and dividends, with a near-term focus on deleveraging through EBITDA growth and paying down maturing debt. President & CEO John Gibson clarified that the Q4 bankruptcy trend was a short-term reaction to macro uncertainty and has not persisted into the new fiscal year, with the outlook assuming a more stable environment.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Paychex Inc (PAYX) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    James Faucette inquired about early adoption metrics for the Flex Engage product and the metrics used to measure the effectiveness of the new recruiting Copilot tool.

    Answer

    Executive Robert Schrader noted that Flex Engage adoption is progressing well, primarily in the upmarket segment, and expressed excitement about combining it with Paycor's talent capabilities. CEO John Gibson explained that the recruiting Copilot is measured by adoption, reuse, and placements. He observed strong uptake from HR professionals but noted that smaller business owners may prefer a service-technology solution, indicating more product development work is needed for that segment.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Paychex Inc (PAYX) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Speaking for James Faucette, an analyst asked about the current competitive environment regarding pricing and discounting, and for color on the composition of bookings between HCM and Insurance/Retirement.

    Answer

    CEO John Gibson stated that the competitive pricing environment is stable compared to previous quarters. He noted that while it remains highly competitive, he is not seeing dramatic changes. Regarding bookings, Gibson observed that proposal volumes are up year-over-year across almost all segments, indicating a stable demand environment as the company enters its key selling season.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Accenture PLC (ACN) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to Accenture PLC (ACN) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    James Faucette of Morgan Stanley followed up on acquisitions, asking if Accenture is changing its criteria regarding the types of companies or skill sets it targets. He also asked about the outlook for maintaining the organic growth rate as the company exits the fiscal year.

    Answer

    CEO Julie Sweet responded that acquisition criteria remain consistent, driven by a disciplined 'build vs. buy' analysis tied to the company's business strategy. CFO Angie Park addressed growth, noting that the full-year guidance of 6-7% implies 3-4% organic growth, and the Q4 guidance of 1-5% implies organic growth of up to 4% at the high end.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Accenture PLC (ACN) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    James Faucette followed up on acquisitions, asking if the company's strategy regarding the types of target companies is changing, and also questioned if the organic growth rate can be maintained exiting the fiscal year.

    Answer

    CEO Julie Sweet explained that the acquisition strategy remains tied to business needs like scaling and new capabilities, and that the primary focus is on organic growth, with a disciplined approach to building versus buying. CFO Angie Park specified that the full-year guidance of 6-7% growth implies 3-4% organic growth, and the Q4 guidance of 1-5% implies up to 4% organic growth at the high end.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Accenture PLC (ACN) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    James Faucette asked for a characterization of recent market uncertainty by geography or industry and inquired about how Accenture is working with software partners on GenAI go-to-market strategies.

    Answer

    CEO Julie T. Sweet clarified they have not seen a slowdown but an 'elevated level of uncertainty' due to global tariff talks and consumer sentiment. She emphasized that GenAI go-to-market is a 'critical' three-way collaboration between Accenture, its ecosystem partners, and clients. She also highlighted that GenAI revenue reached $1.1B in the first half of FY25, surpassing the full FY24 total.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Accenture PLC (ACN) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    James Faucette inquired about Accenture's capital structure and allocation strategy, asking if the company plans to continue raising debt to fund acquisitions and shareholder returns. He also asked for color on the nature of consulting bookings, specifically whether they are driven more by cost control, revenue generation, or new technology evaluation like AI.

    Answer

    CFO Angie Park stated the recent $5 billion bond offering was a routine optimization of the capital structure and does not change their capital allocation strategy. CEO Julie T. Sweet added that this year's M&A spending is expected to be around a more typical $3 billion, but they retain the flexibility to use their balance sheet for strategic opportunities. On consulting bookings, Sweet explained that most deals are multi-service solutions addressing the twin themes of cost efficiency and growth, which are in demand across all industries.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Accenture PLC (ACN) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Speaking on behalf of James Faucette, an analyst asked about recent spending trends in cloud migration projects, the outlook for cloud growth in fiscal 2025, and the company's organic headcount growth and hiring strategy.

    Answer

    CEO Julie T. Sweet explained that cloud growth continues to be driven by migrations of high-performance compute applications, modernization of existing cloud infrastructure, and adoption by industries still early in their journey, like retirement services. Incoming CFO Angie Park noted the addition of 24,000 people in Q4 reflects business momentum, with Sweet adding that hiring is focused on technology roles, primarily in India.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to 8x8 Inc (EGHT) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to 8x8 Inc (EGHT) leadership • Q4 2025

    Question

    Speaking on behalf of Meta Marshall, James Faucette asked for reasons behind the apparent slowdown in new product growth compared to the prior quarter. He also asked whether the sequential decline in Remaining Performance Obligation (RPO) was due to macro factors or the accelerated Fuze transition.

    Answer

    CEO Samuel Wilson attributed the slight slowdown in new product growth to a combination of the macroeconomic environment, tougher comparisons as the business scales, and the law of large numbers. He confirmed that the sequential step-down in RPO was mainly a result of accelerating the Fuze platform transition and the associated revenue runoff.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to DXC Technology Co (DXC) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to DXC Technology Co (DXC) leadership • Q4 2025

    Question

    James Faucette questioned how GenAI spending is being reflected in DXC's P&L, the growth rate and size of these projects, and how the duration of new contracts is impacting revenue visibility.

    Answer

    CEO Raul Fernandez explained that current GenAI projects are typically smaller pilots under $5 million, serving as foundational building blocks for future growth. He emphasized DXC's unique position due to its insight into client data and infrastructure readiness. CFO Rob Del Bene added that stronger bookings in the CES business are for longer-duration strategic projects, which extends the revenue conversion timeline but improves long-term visibility and is factored into the guidance.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to DXC Technology Co (DXC) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    James Faucette asked for color on which industry verticals were delivering better-than-expected growth and inquired about the potential impact of public policy on DXC's public sector business.

    Answer

    CFO Rob Del Bene highlighted strength in insurance, public sector, communications, media, and healthcare for the GBS segment, and in travel, transportation, healthcare, and energy for the GIS segment. CEO Raul Fernandez clarified that DXC's public sector business is primarily outside the United States, mainly in the U.K. and Australia, and is therefore not impacted by U.S. domestic policy changes.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Endava PLC (DAVA) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to Endava PLC (DAVA) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    James Faucette inquired about the traction Endava is seeing with GenAI projects, specifically their scaling from proof-of-concept. He also asked whether this AI work is displacing traditional work or is primarily incremental.

    Answer

    CEO John Cotterell confirmed a pickup in AI work, highlighting a shift towards more reliable and enterprise-ready 'agentic AI' solutions, which is driving larger engagements in partnership with firms like OpenAI and Google. He characterized this trend not as displacement but as a 'digital shift,' where traditional product engineering work is evolving to become AI-enabled. He stated the entire organization is well into this transition.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Endava PLC (DAVA) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    James Faucette inquired about the traction Endava is seeing with Generative AI projects, specifically their scaling from proof-of-concept, and how this AI work fits into the broader portfolio—whether it's incremental or displacing other work.

    Answer

    CEO John Cotterell reported a pickup in AI work, highlighting a shift towards more complex 'agentic AI' solutions that are driving larger-scale enterprise engagements, often in partnership with OpenAI and Google. He characterized this trend not as incremental work but as a fundamental 'digital shift,' where traditional product engineering is evolving to become AI-enabled across the entire organization, a transformation he stated is already well underway.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Endava PLC (DAVA) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    James Faucette asked about the competitive landscape for larger projects and how longer conversion times impact forward visibility and hiring plans.

    Answer

    CEO John Cotterell described the competitive landscape as mixed, with some large deals facing formal RFPs while others are won through established relationships and proof-of-concept work. CFO Mark Thurston clarified that elongated decision-making makes pipeline conversion more challenging, leading to a cautious approach. Consequently, the company does not anticipate a significant ramp-up in headcount until after Q3, focusing only on targeted hiring for high-demand skills.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Endava PLC (DAVA) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    James Faucette from Morgan Stanley asked for clarification on whether elongated client decision cycles are specific to AI-related projects or a more generalized trend. He also inquired about the growth of GalaxE-related work and its impact on key metrics like revenue per employee.

    Answer

    CEO John Cotterell clarified that while there's elongation across most discretionary spend due to higher CFO scrutiny, the longest delays are specifically in AI and core modernization projects. On GalaxE, he mentioned they have landed a few initial cross-sell deals but most opportunities are still in the pipeline. CFO Mark Thurston added that it's too early to determine the effect on operational metrics like revenue per head, with more clarity expected after full integration in early FY25.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Affirm Holdings Inc (AFRM) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to Affirm Holdings Inc (AFRM) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    James Faucette of Morgan Stanley asked about the long-term vision for the Affirm app, specifically how it balances its role as a loan repayment tool with its potential as a platform for promotional offers.

    Answer

    CEO Max Levchin described the repayment function as a non-negotiable "key guardrail." He positioned the app as a "search engine" for the best financial offers on the Affirm network, where consumers can find deals like 0% APRs. He also hinted at future enhancements leveraging generative AI to improve this experience.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Affirm Holdings Inc (AFRM) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    James Faucette asked about Affirm's target high watermark for delinquency rates and how much incremental GMV could be unlocked by increasing its risk exposure.

    Answer

    CEO Max Levchin strongly refuted the premise of linking growth to increased credit risk. He emphasized that credit decisions are driven entirely by commitments to capital partners regarding yield and safety, and are kept separate from growth initiatives. He stated that growth comes from product and merchant initiatives, like 0% APR programs, and that loosening credit standards to drive volume is a 'preverbal hell' the company will never entertain.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Affirm Holdings Inc (AFRM) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    James Faucette inquired about the outlook for 0% APR promotions heading into the holiday season and how these promotions might influence Revenue Less Transaction Costs (RLTC).

    Answer

    CEO Max Levchin highlighted strong merchant demand for 0% promotions, which are a key tool for new consumer acquisition. COO Michael Linford added that the company's strong unit economics allow it to be more aggressive with competitive pricing and promotions compared to previous years.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Affirm Holdings Inc (AFRM) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    James Faucette asked about Affirm's current customer profile and the tools being used to expand engagement towards ambitious goals, such as the $7,500 annual spend target for the Affirm Card.

    Answer

    CEO Max Levchin explained that they serve different consumer segments with tailored products, from those needing longer payment terms to sophisticated users seeking 0% APR deals. He positioned the Affirm Card as a universal platform to deliver these varied offers. CFO Michael Linford added that the cohort engagement charts in the shareholder letter already show strong progress from existing products.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Affirm Holdings Inc (AFRM) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    James Faucette asked about the long-term objective of the Affirm app, seeking to understand the balance between its function as a repayment tool and its growing role as a platform for discovering deals and promotions.

    Answer

    CEO Max Levchin described the app's repayment function as a non-negotiable 'guardrail.' He framed the app's primary long-term objective as being a 'search engine' for consumers to find the best financial offer for a potential purchase. He also hinted that generative AI would play a role in enhancing this discovery experience in the future.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Visa Inc (V) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to Visa Inc (V) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    James Faucette from Morgan Stanley inquired about trends in international travel bookings and the forward-looking outlook, considering recent foreign exchange volatility.

    Answer

    CFO Chris Suh highlighted the diversity of Visa's cross-border business across multiple dimensions, including geography. He noted that while the situation is fluid, this diversification provides resilience. Specifically, he pointed out that inbound travel to the U.S. represents one of the smaller regions by cross-border volume, mitigating the impact of weakness in any single corridor.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Visa Inc (V) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    James Faucette inquired about the impact of cryptocurrency activity on cross-border e-commerce volumes and asked for an update on visibility into travel trends and booking data.

    Answer

    Chris Suh, Chief Financial Officer, acknowledged that cryptocurrency activity can impact cross-border e-commerce volumes. He characterized the recent impact as a 'modest benefit' but noted it was one of the smaller drivers of the segment's strength. The question regarding travel booking visibility was not directly addressed.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Fiserv Inc (FI) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to Fiserv Inc (FI) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    James Faucette asked about the evolution of operating margins, particularly how the profitability of new international markets will mature and impact the overall margin profile as they grow.

    Answer

    CFO Robert Hau described a 'virtuous cycle' where investment drives growth with high fall-through, enabling margin expansion while funding further investment. He noted that while new international markets are initially dilutive, the scale of the overall business allows Fiserv to invest in them while still expanding margins. President and incoming CEO Michael Lyons added that core operational efficiency opportunities, like the new Kansas City hub, provide additional runway for margin growth.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Fiserv Inc (FI) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    James Faucette inquired about the go-to-market strategy for new small business offerings through financial institution partners, including the impact on operating expenses and key proof points to monitor.

    Answer

    Chairman and CEO Frank Bisignano explained that the strategy involves leveraging Fiserv's world-class distribution channels while also adding to the sales force. He highlighted that deep technical integration and revenue-sharing models incentivize partners to sell. The company is also increasing its digital distribution capabilities and adding more 'feet on the street' to support the rollout.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Fiserv Inc (FI) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    James Faucette asked how the expansion of capabilities within the SMB bundle and new go-to-market strategies for Clover might change the mix of customers or the path to achieving the $4.5 billion revenue target.

    Answer

    Chairman, President and CEO Frank Bisignano clarified that these initiatives have been in development for some time. He explained that the integrated SMB bundle creates a more compelling reason for merchants to switch from older devices to Clover, potentially accelerating back-book conversions. This broader capability set enhances the overall opportunity to grow Clover by making Fiserv a partner of choice.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to nCino Inc (NCNO) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to nCino Inc (NCNO) leadership • Q4 2025

    Question

    James Faucette asked about nCino's exposure to smaller banks that could benefit from potential deregulation and sought clarification on the expected magnitude of the new pricing model's benefit in fiscal 2026.

    Answer

    CEO Sean Desmond clarified that approximately two-thirds of nCino's U.S. business is within the community and regional bank market. CFO Greg Orenstein stated that the new platform pricing is expected to provide a 1% uplift to subscription revenue in FY26 from deals signed during the year, with a larger benefit expected in subsequent years as more of the customer base is migrated.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Avidxchange Holdings Inc (AVDX) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to Avidxchange Holdings Inc (AVDX) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    James Faucette asked a broader question about the evolution of AI in the B2B payments space and how AvidXchange is strategically positioning itself to leverage this technology over the next few years.

    Answer

    CEO Michael Praeger outlined a two-pronged AI strategy: incorporating AI into products to enhance customer value (e.g., Payment Accelerator, invoice data extraction) and using AI internally to drive efficiency (e.g., automating payment delivery, improving engineering productivity). He stated these initiatives provide confidence in achieving future gross margin expansion and overall profitability.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Avidxchange Holdings Inc (AVDX) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    James Faucette asked about the potential growth contribution from major partnerships like AppFolio, M3, and Buildium, and the expected timing of their impact.

    Answer

    CEO Michael Praeger reported strong lead generation from these channels, with AppFolio at 2x and M3 at 3x the activity of a year ago. He explained the timing lag for revenue recognition, which includes a 30-60 day setup and a multi-month adoption ramp for invoices and payments. Consequently, customers signed in the second half of 2024 will primarily contribute to 2025 revenue.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Avidxchange Holdings Inc (AVDX) leadership • Q2 2024

    Question

    James Faucette of Morgan Stanley asked about the appropriate level of OpEx growth given muted revenue and inquired about the potential for M&A to expand reach in the current economic environment.

    Answer

    CFO Joel Wilhite noted the company remains focused on disciplined spending while balancing investments for growth, with some incremental OpEx baked into the guidance for product launches. CEO Michael Praeger added that while M&A has been quiet, the company is seeing more opportunities for strategic tuck-in acquisitions as private company valuations become more reasonable, and he expects to return to a routine cadence of M&A in the future.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Avidxchange Holdings Inc (AVDX) leadership • Q1 2024

    Question

    James Faucette followed up on the theme of prudence, asking if the conservative guidance also applies to the $9 million political revenue forecast, especially since this is the first presidential cycle with the FastPay business.

    Answer

    CFO Joel Wilhite confirmed that the company is being conservative with its $9 million political revenue forecast. He noted that since it is the first presidential cycle for the business under AvidXchange, and the revenue is back-end weighted, there is a range of potential outcomes they are accounting for.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Global Payments Inc (GPN) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to Global Payments Inc (GPN) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    James Faucette of Morgan Stanley asked for an update on the Issuer segment's 2025 outlook, particularly concerning commercial card trends and the conversion of its account backlog. He also inquired about churn and pricing trends in the ISV channel.

    Answer

    CFO Joshua Whipple and CEO Cameron Bready projected modest acceleration in the Issuer segment in the second half of 2025 as contract renewals are lapped and conversions ramp. They expect commercial card trends to remain similar to late 2024. Regarding the ISV channel, President & COO Bob Cortopassi noted that partners value the ability to differentiate the customer experience and integrate value-added services beyond core payments, which helps defend partnerships and pricing.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Global Payments Inc (GPN) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    James Faucette asked about the potential for disruption from the POS replatforming initiative and how sales lumpiness might normalize. He also inquired about the 5% SMB volume growth, comparing it to the prior quarter and broader commercial trends.

    Answer

    CEO Cameron Bready clarified that while bookings can be lumpy, overall business performance should be more consistent, with disruption from the POS replatforming already factored into the 2025 outlook. He confirmed SMB volume growth slowed by one point from 6% in Q2, attributing it to broad economic trends and weather, and distinguished it from the commercial card trends seen in the Issuer business, which is skewed toward larger enterprises.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Flywire Corp (FLYW) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to Flywire Corp (FLYW) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    James Faucette inquired about the composition and durability of Flywire's Net Revenue Retention (NRR) and asked how schools' increasing direct engagement with agents impacts Flywire's strategy.

    Answer

    President and COO Rob Orgel stated that excluding the impact from Canada, NRR remains robust and within the historical range of just over 120%. He affirmed the durability of its drivers: client adoption, product expansion, and wallet share growth. CEO Michael Massaro added that assets like StudyLink create a synergistic opportunity, helping university clients better connect with the agent community, which he views as a growing market need.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Verra Mobility Corp (VRRM) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to Verra Mobility Corp (VRRM) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    On behalf of James Faucette, an associate asked about the company's M&A strategy, including the types of assets being targeted in the pipeline and general valuation trends in the space.

    Answer

    Executive David Roberts outlined the M&A framework, which prioritizes strengthening the core business and then expanding into adjacencies. He identified government software, public safety, urban mobility, and connected fleet technologies like vehicle payments and telematics as key areas of interest.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Mastercard Inc (MA) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to Mastercard Inc (MA) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    James Faucette of Morgan Stanley asked for an assessment of the B2B and commercial payments space, questioning why growth hasn't accelerated more rapidly and what tools Mastercard is deploying.

    Answer

    Chief Executive Officer Michael Miebach described commercial as a massive opportunity with solid momentum, citing 11% currency-neutral growth in Q3. He noted that historical barriers are easing, and growth is being driven by back-office integrations with partners like Oracle and SAP, the rise of digitally-savvy treasurers, and strong issuer interest in virtual card solutions.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    James Faucette's questions to Taskus Inc (TASK) leadership

    James Faucette's questions to Taskus Inc (TASK) leadership • Q2 2024

    Question

    James Faucette of Morgan Stanley asked about the changing composition of work for TaskUs's largest customer and how the company's outlook accounts for the competitive pricing environment.

    Answer

    CEO Bryce Maddock explained that work for the largest client has evolved to include more sophisticated tasks, particularly supporting GenAI initiatives, and is expanding into new geographies. He emphasized a broader trend of moving up the value chain into more complex, AI-resilient work. On pricing, Maddock stated that TaskUs's industry-leading margins provide flexibility to be competitive, and the current guidance fully contemplates the ongoing pricing pressure by leveraging their offshore footprint and outcome-based contracts.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI