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Showing posts with label Grail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grail. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Bought Dynatrace (DT) - Imagine a “control center” for all the apps, websites, and cloud systems a company uses!

 

What Dynatrace does (and why it matters)

Dynatrace is a software company that helps businesses keep their digital systems running smoothly by using AI to monitor, analyze, and fix problems in real time.

 Imagine a “control center” for all the apps, websites, and cloud systems a company uses—Dynatrace’s platform watches everything, spots issues before they cause trouble, and even helps automatically fix them. It also tracks how customers are experiencing a company’s services, so businesses can make them faster, safer, and more efficient.

Dynatrace sells an AI-powered observability platform used by large enterprises to monitor, secure, and optimize complex, cloud-native applications. The platform’s core pieces are:

  • Grail™ – a massively parallel data lakehouse that unifies logs, metrics, traces, events, and business data for fast analytics at scale. Techzine GlobalDynatrace

  • Davis® AI (hypermodal AI) – blends predictive, causal, and generative AI to pinpoint root causes, forecast issues, and automate remediation; now extending to AI/LLM observability and agentic-AI use cases. Dynatrace+2

  • Newest features (2025) – “3rd-generation” platform push; Live Debugger GA; expanded log analytics; cost & carbon optimization; NVIDIA collaboration for AI/LLM observability; new Google Cloud/AWS initiatives. Dynatrace, Inc

Customers (representative logos)

Dynatrace highlights blue-chip users across finance, telecom, government, and airlines, including TD Bank, Air Canada, BT, Virgin Money, and the Australian Government. (Logos shown on Dynatrace’s customer page.) Dynatrace

Competitors

Key rivals in observability and APM include Datadog, Splunk (Cisco), New Relic, and SolarWinds. Gartner peer pages and alternative lists place these as primary alternatives vs. Dynatrace. Gartner
Recent analyst/industry reads also position Dynatrace as a Leader (highest on “Execution”) in Gartner’s 2025 Observability MQ and #1 across four of six Critical Capabilities use cases. Dynatrace, Inc.

Financials (latest quarter & outlook)

Q1 FY26 (quarter ended Jun 30, 2025):

  • Revenue: $477M (+20% Y/Y)

  • Subscription revenue: $458M (+20% Y/Y)

  • ARR: $1.822B (+18% Y/Y)

  • Non-GAAP OP margin: 30% ; Non-GAAP EPS: $0.42

  • Closed 12 $1M+ ACV expansion deals; DPS licensing now over 45% of customers / 65%+ of ARR.

  • Repurchased 905k shares for $45M in the quarter (cumulative $218M since program start). Dynatrace, Inc.

FY26 guidance (updated Aug 6, 2025):

  • Revenue: $1.97B–$1.985B (as-reported +16–17%; constant-currency +14–15%)

  • ARR: $1.988B–$2.003B (+15–16% as-reported)

  • Non-GAAP OP margin: ~29% ; FCF: $505–$515M (~26% margin). Dynatrace, Inc.

Context: Prior FY25 finished with ARR $1.734B (+15%) and revenue $445M in Q4 (+17%). Dynatrace, Inc.

Growth drivers (next 2 years)


  • AI/LLM Observability & agentic AI: New modules and NVIDIA partnership make DT a “picks-and-shovels” play on enterprise AI, expanding wallet share with existing customers. Dynatrace, Inc.

  • Grail unification & data economics: Storing traces in Grail and unified analytics can consolidate point tools (log management, APM, DEM), improving competitive wins/expansions. Dynatrace

  • Platform subscription (DPS): Mix shift to platform-wide licensing (already >65% of ARR) supports durable ARR growth and visibility. Dynatrace, Inc.

  • Third-party validation: Leader positions from Gartner, Forrester, and GigaOm support enterprise adoption cycles. Dynatrace, Inc.Dynatrace+1

Risks / watch-items

  • Competitive intensity (especially Datadog in cloud-native accounts; Splunk/Cisco in SIEM/logs). Gartner

  • Large-deal timing (expansion-led growth can be lumpy; management noted seven-figure expansions as a driver). Dynatrace, Inc.

  • Valuation vs. growth (keep an eye on multiple vs. mid-teens growth and macro IT spend).

Institutional ownership (who owns DT)

Latest 13G/A filings and trackers show:

  • BlackRock ~11.9% (35.5M shares; 13G/A filed Feb 5, 2025)

  • Vanguard ~10.1% (30.2M; 13G/A Jan 8, 2025)

  • T. Rowe Price ~6.0% (17.8M; 13G/A Feb 14, 2025)
    (Additional large holders include State Street, Janus Henderson; Thoma Bravo remains a sizable shareholder.) Fintel+1MarketBeatCapEdge

Analyst Sentiment & Targets

  • Consensus Rating: Analysts continue to lean bullish, with a consensus of “Buy” or “Moderate Buy.” The 12-month average price target ranges between ~$62 to $63, implying upside of around 25–35% from current levels.
    TipRanks+15Investors+15

  • Recent Analyst Actions: Notable firms like Goldman Sachs, BMO, DA Davidson, and UBS have either raised price targets or maintained optimistic ratings. 21 of 25 Analysts covering say Buy!
    MarketBeat+1

Recent insider activity (last few months)

  • CFO (James M. Benson) – multiple sales reported in June 2025 (e.g., ~59,661 shares at ~$54.75).

  • CRO (Dan Zugelder) – option exercises and sales in May–July 2025 (e.g., ~15.8k shares around ~$54–55).

  • CTO (Bernd Greifeneder) – small sale in June 2025.
    Note: Many transactions are associated with scheduled plans/option events; Form 4s filed with the SEC. Insider ScreenerSec Form 4

Quick take on why we bought DT shares!

  • Business quality: High ARR, sticky enterprise base, expanding AI/LLM observability surface area.

  • Execution: Consistent beats; raising FY26 outlook; strong FCF and active buybacks. Dynatrace, Inc.

  • Moat signals: Unified data plane (Grail) + deterministic AI (Davis) + platform licensing help differentiate vs. point tools. GlobalDynatrace

  • Trading this week below it's 50 and 200 day moving average

    Fundamental Performance

    • Latest Earnings (Q1, quarter ending June 30):

      • EPS: $0.42 (+27% year-over-year, beat expectations of $0.38)

      • Revenue: $477M (+20%, beat ~$467M estimate)

      • Subscription ARR: $1.822B (+18%, exceeded $1.779B forecast)
        Zacks+15Investors+15MarketBeat+15

    • Q4 Results (quarter ending March 31): Strong beats on both EPS and sales; 2026 guidance was raised to above expectations.
      Investors

    Technical & Momentum Signals

    • Composite Rating: Dynatrace’s IBD SmartSelect rating climbed to 96—a strong score, outperforming 96% of all stocks. It’s also trading just beyond a possible cup‑with‑handle breakout point.
      Barron's+15Investors+15Yahoo Finance+15

    • Relative Strength (RS) Rating: Recently hit 81, surpassing the 80 threshold typically seen in early upward trends.
      Investors+1

    • Recent Upgrade: RS Rating was previously at 73, showing improving momentum.
      Investors

    Institutional Activity

    • Several institutions, including Goldman Sachs and Coronation Fund Managers, have increased their stakes recently.
      MarketBeat+2MarketBeat+2

    Cautionary Notes

    • Short-Term Technicals: Some sources note negative signals—such as sell signals from moving averages, and RSI suggesting possible short-term overbought conditions.
      Morningstar+8StockInvest+8Directors Talk Interviews+8

    • Stock Price Below Averages: Despite strong earnings, DT remains below its 50- and 200-day moving averages, possibly indicating less bullish momentum in the short term.
      MarketBeat+6Investors+6


    Bottom Line

    • Fundamentals are strong: Revenue growth, earnings beats, and recurring revenue expansion all support a healthy business trajectory.

    • Analyst confidence is solid: Price targets suggest 25–35% upside.

    • Momentum is building: High composite and RS ratings indicate growing technical strength.

    • Watch for short-term volatility: Technical and chart indicators suggest potential short-term consolidation or correction.

    So, while the stock may have some near-term technical headwinds, the overall picture—fundamentals, outlook, and institutional support—leans positive. Holding for the medium to long term appears reasonable; if you're cautious, a stop-loss or scaling strategy could help manage risk.


Thursday, June 20, 2024

Illumina's strong market position in the genomics and life sciences sectors, positive return on equity, recent insider buying and Ai applications signal confidence in its future​

 Illumina Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN), has several positive indicators for the company's prospects going forward.

  1. Analyst Ratings and Price Targets: The consensus rating among analysts is generally favorable. According to Stock Analysis, out of 19 analysts, the average rating is a "Buy" with a 12-month average price target of $158.89, representing a potential upside of approximately 45.68% from its current price of around $109.10​ (Stock Analysis)​​ (Stock Analysis)​. Specific price targets range from a low of $100 to a high of $253​ (Stock Analysis)​.

  2. Recent Developments: Illumina has been actively enhancing its product offerings, such as integrating new chemistry across its sequencers, which aims to improve quality and speed at a lower cost​ (Stock Analysis)​. Additionally, the company is in the process of spinning off Grail, its cancer test maker subsidiary, which is expected to focus Illumina more on its core sequencing and genomics technologies​ (Stock Analysis)​.

  3. Financial Performance and Forecasts: Despite a slight decline in revenue year-over-year, Illumina's revenue forecast for 2024 is positive, with expected growth of 2.15% to $4.60 billion and further growth projected for subsequent years​ (Stock Analysis)​. Analysts also forecast significant EPS growth from $0.74 in 2023 to $2.57 in 2024​ (Stock Analysis)​.

  4. Pros and Cons:

    • Pros: Illumina's strong market position in the genomics and life sciences sectors, positive return on equity, and recent insider buying signal confidence in its future​ (MarketBeat)​.
    • Cons: The company's negative net margin of 28.71%, mixed analyst ratings, and financial leverage could pose challenges. Additionally, fluctuations in stock price may concern short-term investors​ (MarketBeat)​.

In summary, while there are some financial and operational challenges, the general outlook for Illumina is positive with a consensus among analysts that the stock is likely to perform well over the next year. However, investors should be mindful of the mixed ratings and financial leverage when making investment decisions.

Ai applications

Illumina is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its genomic sequencing technology and broaden its application in various fields. Here are some key ways in which Illumina is applying AI:

  1. Data Analysis and Interpretation:

    • AI Algorithms: Illumina uses AI algorithms to analyze vast amounts of genomic data more quickly and accurately. This includes identifying genetic variants and interpreting their significance in the context of diseases.
    • Variant Calling and Annotation: AI helps in the accurate calling of genetic variants from sequencing data and annotating these variants to understand their potential impact on health.
  2. Machine Learning for Sequencing Efficiency:

    • Improving Sequencing Accuracy: Machine learning models are used to improve the accuracy and reliability of sequencing reads, reducing errors and enhancing the quality of the output data.
    • Optimization of Sequencing Protocols: AI optimizes sequencing protocols, reducing the time and cost associated with sequencing projects.
  3. Personalized Medicine:

    • Predictive Modeling: AI is used to create predictive models that can forecast an individual’s risk of developing certain diseases based on their genetic profile. This is a step towards personalized medicine, where treatment can be tailored to an individual’s genetic makeup.
    • Drug Development: By analyzing genomic data, AI helps in identifying potential drug targets and biomarkers, accelerating the drug development process.
  4. Clinical Applications:

    • Diagnostics: AI aids in the development of diagnostic tests by identifying genetic markers associated with diseases. This is particularly useful in oncology, where genomic data can help in the early detection of cancer.
    • Patient Stratification: AI is used to stratify patients based on their genetic data, which helps in designing more effective clinical trials and treatments.
  5. Automation and Workflow Improvement:

    • Automated Data Processing: AI automates the processing of sequencing data, reducing manual intervention and increasing throughput.
    • Workflow Optimization: AI-driven tools optimize laboratory workflows, ensuring efficient use of resources and reducing turnaround times.
  6. Population Genomics:

    • Large-Scale Genomic Studies: AI facilitates the analysis of data from large-scale genomic studies, such as population genomics projects, by identifying patterns and correlations within vast datasets.
  7. Integration with Other Technologies:

    • Multi-Omics Data Integration: AI integrates genomic data with other omics data (e.g., transcriptomics, proteomics) to provide a comprehensive understanding of biological systems.
    • Cross-Platform Analytics: AI enables cross-platform analytics, integrating data from different sequencing platforms and technologies to provide unified insights.

By incorporating AI into these various aspects of its technology and operations, Illumina is enhancing the capabilities of its genomic sequencing tools, making them more efficient, accurate, and applicable to a wide range of scientific and medical challenges.

Update July 1st, Analyst Notes:  RBC Capital reiterated it's "Outperform" rating on $ILMN with a price target of $242 - Today's price $105

Disclosure: the writer has a position in ILMN

In Bio Science, there is a race for better Gene sequencing and genomics technology!

Pfizer is actively using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enhance its drug development processes.