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ePlus Reports First Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results

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First Quarter Fiscal Year 2025

Net sales decreased 5.2% to $544.5 million from last year’s first quarter; technology business net sales decreased 5.3% to $535.5 million; services revenues increased 15.8% to $78.2 million.Technology business gross billings decreased 1.0% to $833.7 million.Consolidated gross profit decreased 5.5% to $134.5 million.Consolidated gross margin was 24.7% as compared to last year’s 24.8%.Net earnings decreased 19.2% to $27.3 million.Adjusted EBITDA decreased 19.9% to $43.1 million.Diluted net earnings per common share decreased 19.7% to $1.02 and non-GAAP diluted net earnings per common share decreased 19.9% to $1.13.

HERNDON, Va., Aug. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ePlus inc. (NASDAQ:  PLUS), a leading provider of technology and financing solutions, today announced financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2024, the first quarter of its 2025 fiscal year.

Management Comment

“We continued to see strong growth in security and services overall with our managed services up 28%.  For many years we have been building strong services and recurring revenue streams, in part to offset headwinds created by the increase in netted down revenues and ratable recognition of sales, both to build a more consistent financial model, but also to deliver the solutions that customers demand with today’s advanced technologies,” said Mark Marron, president and CEO of ePlus.  We are seeing strong customer interest in our AI Ignite program and discovery services.  While these create nominal current revenue, they also are key to locking in future business opportunities and securing customer mindshare in this fast moving technology solution.

“Given a hard compare, with last year’s first quarter growth of 25% due to supply chain easing, our first quarter net sales were down 5.2% and gross billings were down 1%.   Both the revenue and gross billings decline year over year is attributable to a more normalized supply chain, the absorption of prior purchases by our customers, product mix, and the ratable trend as noted above.  We do not see any long-term diminished demand for our products and services and our full year guidance remains unchanged.”

Mr. Marron continued, “We ended the quarter with a strong cash position of $350 million, providing ePlus the resources to invest in organic growth initiatives, continue our track record of strategic acquisitions, and increase shareholder returns through share repurchases.”

First Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Results

For the first quarter ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the first quarter ended June 30, 2023:

Consolidated net sales decreased 5.2% to $544.5 million, from $574.2 million.

Technology business net sales decreased 5.3% to $535.5 million, from $565.7 million driven by lower product sales. Technology business gross billings decreased 1.0% to $833.7 million from $842.0 million.   

Product sales decreased 8.2% to $457.3 million, from $498.2 million, due to decreases in net sales of cloud and networking products, offset by increases in net sales of collaboration and security products. Gross profit decreased 11.6% to $98.5 million, from $111.4 million last year, due to the reduction of product sales and a 90-bps decline in product margin to 21.5% from 22.4% last year, due to a shift in customer mix, offset by a larger proportion of third-party maintenance and services sold in the current quarter which are recorded on a net basis.

Professional service revenues increased 4.8% from last year to $37.3 million from $35.6 million.  Gross profit increased 5.0% and gross margins increased 10 bps to 41.5% from 41.4% last year.

Managed service revenues increased 28.0% to $40.9 million due to ongoing demand in these offerings, including Enhanced Maintenance Support, Cloud, and Service Desk services. Gross profit increased 31.0% from last year due to the scaled growth in these services resulting in a 70-bps gross margin improvement. 

Financing business segment net sales increased 6.4% to $9.0 million, from $8.5 million due to increases in portfolio earnings. Gross profit in the financing business segment increased 20.8% to $7.7 million from $6.4 million last year.

Consolidated gross profit decreased 5.5% to $134.5 million, from $142.3 million. Consolidated gross margin was 24.7%, down 10 bps from last year’s 24.8%, due to lower product margin in our technology business.

Consolidated operating expenses were $99.0 million, up 3.2% from $95.9 million last year, primarily due to increases in salaries and benefits from additional headcount.  Our headcount at the end of the quarter was 1,907, up 54 from a year ago, including 28 employees from PEAK Resources, Inc. (“PEAK”) which we acquired in January 2024.

Consolidated operating income decreased 23.4% to $35.5 million. During the quarter ended June 30, 2024, we had other income of $2.1 million from interest income of $2.6 million offset by foreign currency transaction loss of $0.5 million. Earnings before tax decreased 19.3% to $37.5 million.

Our effective tax rate remained at 27.2% year over year.

Net earnings decreased 19.2% to $27.3 million from $33.8 million.

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA decreased 19.9% to $43.1 million from $53.9 million.

Diluted net earnings per common share was $1.02 for the first quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared with $1.27 for the first quarter ended June 30, 2023. Non-GAAP diluted net earnings per common share was $1.13 for the first quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared with $1.41 for the first quarter ended June 30, 2023. 

Balance Sheet Highlights

As of June 30, 2024, cash and cash equivalents were $349.9 million, up from $253.0 million as of March 31, 2024, primarily due to improvements in working capital, offset by repurchases of our common stock.  Inventory decreased 36.2% to $89.1 million compared with $139.7 million as of March 31, 2024.  Total stockholders’ equity was $921.9 million, compared with $901.8 million as of March 31, 2024.  Total shares outstanding were 26.9 million and 27.0 million on June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively.

Fiscal Year Guidance

ePlus is maintaining fiscal year 2025 guidance for net sales growth over the prior fiscal year of between 3% and 6%, and an adjusted EBITDA range of $200.0 million to $215.0 million.  ePlus cannot predict with reasonable certainty and without unreasonable effort, the ultimate outcome of unusual gains and losses, the occurrence of matters creating GAAP tax impacts, fluctuations in interest expense or interest income and share-based compensation, and acquisition-related expenses. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could be material to the ePlus’ results computed in accordance with GAAP.  Accordingly, the ePlus is unable to provide a reconciliation of GAAP net earnings to adjusted EBITDA for the full year 2025 forecast.

Summary and Outlook

“Looking ahead, as we add new products and services and benefit from recent acquisitions, ePlus continues to be positioned to achieve top-line growth.  Our business is supported by deep customer and channel relationships.  We have invested across the organization to strengthen our product and services offerings and to customize our solutions to meet the evolving needs of our customers. Our teams continue to execute well and operate efficiently with an unwavering commitment to superior customer service. These factors support our confidence in the underlying fundamentals of our business and our ability to deliver on our 2025 financial outlook and objectives.

“Additionally, our strong financial position provides us with considerable capital allocation options to drive long-term shareholder value, including the ability to expand our product offerings, make larger accretive acquisitions, and continue to return capital to shareholders through share repurchases. This flexibility, together with ongoing investments in differentiated capabilities, should enable us to build on our competitive advantage and advance our market positioning,” concluded Mr. Marron.

Recent Corporate Developments/Recognitions

In the month of July:

Announced Storage-as-a-Service leveraging NetApp.IGXGlobal, a subsidiary of ePlus, began offering Storage-as-a-Service powered by Pure Storage.

In the month of June:

Awarded the Lenovo U.S. Infrastructure Solutions Partner of the Year Award.Announced the launch of Azure Recover.Recognized as Juniper Networks 2023 Partner of the Year for Cloud Ready Data Center in both Worldwide and Americas Categories.

In the month of May:

Named Growth Partner of the Year by Varonis.Earned a spot on CRN’s 2024 Solution Provider 500 List.

Conference Call Information

ePlus will hold a conference call and webcast at 4:30 p.m. ET on August 6, 2024:

Date:                                                     

August 6, 2024

Time:                                                      

4:30 p.m. ET

Audio Webcast (Live & Replay):          

https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/653117486

Live Call:                                                

(888) 596-4144 (toll-free/domestic)

(646) 968-2525 (international)

Archived Call:                                        

(800) 770-2030 (toll-free/domestic)

(609) 800-9909 (international)

Conference ID:                                      

6593768# (live call and replay)

A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the call through August 13, 2024. A transcript of the call will also be available on the ePlus Investor Relations website at https://www.eplus.com/investors.

About ePlus inc.

ePlus has an unwavering and relentless focus on leveraging technology to create inspired and transformative business outcomes for its customers. Offering a robust portfolio of solutions, as well as a broad range of consultative and managed services across the technology spectrum, ePlus has proudly achieved more than 30 years of success, carrying customers forward through adversity, rapidly changing environments, and other obstacles. ePlus is a trusted advisor, bringing expertise, credentials, talent and a thorough understanding of innovative technologies, spanning security, cloud, data center, networking, collaboration and emerging solutions, to organizations across all industry segments. With complete lifecycle management services and flexible payment solutions, ePlus’ more than 1,900 associates are focused on cultivating positive customer experiences and are dedicated to their craft, harnessing new knowledge while applying decades of proven experience. ePlus is headquartered in Virginia, with locations in the United States, UK, Europe, and Asia‐Pacific. For more information, visit www.eplus.com, call 888-482-1122, or email info@eplus.com.  Connect with ePlus on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram.  ePlus, Where Technology Means More.

ePlus® and ePlus products referenced herein are either registered trademarks or trademarks of ePlus inc. in the United States and/or other countries.  The names of other companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Forward-looking statements

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements,” including, among other things, statements regarding the future financial performance of ePlus. Actual and anticipated future results may vary materially due to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, exposure to fluctuation in foreign currency rates, interest rates, and inflation, including as a result of national and international political instability fostering uncertainty and volatility in the global economy, which may cause increases in our costs and our ability to increase prices to our customers, negative impacts to the arrangements that have pricing commitments over the term of the agreement, which may result in adverse changes in our gross profit; significant adverse changes in, reductions in, or loss of one or more of our larger volume customers or vendors; reliance on third-parties to perform some of our service obligations to our customers, and the reliance on a small number of key vendors in our supply chain with whom we do not have long-term supply agreements, guaranteed price agreements, or assurance of stock availability; our ability to remain secure during a cybersecurity attack or other IT outtage, including both disruptions in our or our vendors’ or other third party’s Information Technology (“IT”) systems and data and audio communication networks; our ability to secure our own and our customers’ electronic and other confidential information, while maintaining compliance with evolving data privacy and regulatory laws and regulations; ongoing remote work trends, and the increase in cybersecurity attacks that have occurred while employees work remotely and our ability to adequately train our personnel to prevent a cyber event; the possibility of a reduction of vendor incentives provided to us; our dependence on key personnel and our ability to hire, train and retain qualified personnel by recruiting and retaining highly skilled, competent personnel, and vendor certifications; our ability to manage a diverse product set of solutions, including artificial intelligence (“AI”) products, in highly competitive markets with a number of key vendors; changes in the IT industry and/or rapid changes in product offerings, including the proliferation of the cloud, infrastructure as a service, software as a service, platform as a service and AI; supply chain issues, including a shortage of IT products, may increase our costs or cause a delay in fulfilling customer orders, or increase our need for working capital, or delay completing professional services, or purchasing IT products or services needed to support our internal infrastructure or operations, resulting in an adverse impact on our financial results; our inability to identify acquisition candidates, or perform sufficient due diligence prior to completing an acquisition, or failure to integrate a completed acquisition may affect our earnings; our ability to raise capital, maintain or increase as needed our lines of credit with vendors or floor planning facility, obtain debt for our financing transactions, or the effect of those changes on our common stock price; our ability to implement comprehensive plans for the integration of sales forces, cost containment, asset rationalization, systems integration, and other key strategies; and other risks or uncertainties detailed in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information set forth in this press release is current as of the date of this release and ePlus undertakes no duty or obligation to update this information.

 

ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

June 30, 2024

March 31, 2024

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$349,909

$253,021

Accounts receivable—trade, net

577,019

644,616

Accounts receivable—other, net

54,987

46,884

Inventories

89,134

139,690

Financing receivables—net, current

109,119

102,600

Deferred costs

59,985

59,449

Other current assets

23,951

27,269

Total current assets

1,264,104

1,273,529

Financing receivables and operating leases—net

85,032

79,435

Deferred tax asset

5,620

5,620

Property, equipment and other assets

94,417

89,289

Goodwill

161,508

161,503

Other intangible assets—net

40,292

44,093

TOTAL ASSETS

$1,650,973

$1,653,469

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$270,614

$315,676

Accounts payable—floor plan

119,511

105,104

Salaries and commissions payable

40,491

43,696

Deferred revenue

138,619

134,596

Non-recourse notes payable—current

29,898

23,288

Other current liabilities

29,103

34,630

Total current liabilities

628,236

656,990

Non-recourse notes payable—long-term

10,854

12,901

Other liabilities

89,955

81,799

TOTAL LIABILITIES 

729,045

751,690

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Preferred stock, $0.01 per share par value; 2,000 shares
     authorized; none outstanding

Common stock, $0.01 per share par value; 50,000 shares
authorized; 26,940 outstanding at June 30, 2024 and
     26,952 outstanding at March 31, 2024

276

274

     Additional paid-in capital

184,733

180,058

Treasury stock, at cost, 609 shares at June 30, 2024 and 

        447 shares at March 31, 2024

(35,746)

(23,811)

Retained earnings

770,317

742,978

Accumulated other comprehensive income—foreign currency

        translation adjustment

2,348

2,280

Total Stockholders’ Equity

921,928

901,779

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$1,650,973

$1,653,469

 

ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

Net sales

     Product

$466,349

$506,656

     Services

78,189

67,519

          Total

544,538

574,175

Cost of sales

     Product

360,157

388,904

     Services

49,900

42,998

          Total

410,057

431,902

Gross profit

134,481

142,273

Selling, general, and administrative

93,608

90,298

Depreciation and amortization

4,819

4,792

Interest and financing costs

585

851

Operating expenses

99,012

95,941

Operating income

35,469

46,332

Other income (expense), net

2,073

190

Earnings before taxes

37,542

46,522

Provision for income taxes

10,203

12,675

Net earnings

$27,339

$33,847

Net earnings per common share—basic

$1.03

$1.27

Net earnings per common share—diluted

$1.02

$1.27

Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic

26,642

26,552

Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted

26,801

26,648

 

Technology Business

Three Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

Change

(in thousands)

Net sales

    Product

$457,312

$498,166

(8.2 %)

    Professional services

37,279

35,556

4.8 %

    Managed services

40,910

31,963

28.0 %

          Total

535,501

565,685

(5.3 %)

Gross profit

     Product

98,505

111,391

(11.6 %)

     Professional services

15,455

14,724

5.0 %

     Managed services

12,834

9,797

31.0 %

          Total

126,794

135,912

(6.7 %)

Selling, general, and administrative

90,084

87,100

3.4 %

Depreciation and amortization

4,819

4,764

1.2 %

Interest and financing costs

550

(100.0 %)

Operating expenses

94,903

92,414

2.7 %

Operating income

$31,891

$43,498

(26.7 %)

Gross billings

$833,708

$841,970

(1.0 %)

Adjusted EBITDA

$39,501

$50,949

(22.5 %)

 

Technology Business Gross Billings by Type

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

Change

(in thousands)

Networking

$281,528

$276,645

1.8 %

Cloud

241,274

258,924

(6.8 %)

Security

151,883

147,343

3.1 %

Collaboration

32,976

22,161

48.8 %

Other

44,592

69,761

(36.1 %)

Product gross billings

752,253

774,834

(2.9 %)

Service gross billings

81,455

67,136

21.3 %

Total gross billings

$833,708

$ 841,970

(1.0 %)


 

Technology Business Net Sales by Type

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

Change

(in thousands)

Networking

$234,740

$245,188

(4.3 %)

Cloud

137,231

172,044

(20.2 %)

Security

48,005

45,796

4.8 %

Collaboration

20,899

12,956

61.3 %

Other

16,437

22,182

(25.9 %)

Total product

457,312

498,166

(8.2 %)

Professional services

37,279

35,556

4.8 %

Managed services

40,910

31,963

28.0 %

Total net sales

$535,501

$ 565,685

(5.3 %)

 

Technology Business Net Sales by Customer End Market

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

Change

(in thousands)

Telecom, Media, & Entertainment

$117,553

$ 141,335

(16.8 %)

Technology

109,106

73,403

48.6 %

SLED

92,096

109,405

(15.8 %)

Healthcare

75,280

86,656

(13.1 %)

Financial Services 

49,725

65,690

(24.3 %)

All other

91,741

89,196

2.9 %

Total net sales

$535,501

$ 565,685

(5.3 %)

 

Financing Business Segment

Three Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

Change

(in thousands)

Portfolio earnings

$4,161

$3,073

35.4 %

Transactional gains

1,293

1,279

1.1 %

Post-contract earnings

3,315

3,634

(8.8 %)

Other

268

504

(46.8 %)

Net sales 

9,037

8,490

6.4 %

Gross profit

7,687

6,361

20.8 %

Selling, general, and administrative

3,524

3,198

10.2 %

Depreciation and amortization

28

(100.0 %)

Interest and financing costs

585

301

94.4 %

Operating expenses

4,109

3,527

16.5 %

Operating income

$3,578

$2,834

26.3 %

Adjusted EBITDA

$3,642

$2,930

24.3 %

ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP INFORMATION

We included reconciliations below for the following non-GAAP financial measures: (i) Adjusted EBITDA, (ii) Adjusted EBITDA for business segments, (iii) non-GAAP Net Earnings and (iv) non-GAAP Net Earnings per Common Share – Diluted.

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net earnings calculated in accordance with US GAAP, adjusted for the following: interest expense, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, acquisition and integration expenses, provision for income taxes, and other income (expense). Adjusted EBITDA presented for the technology business segments and the financing business segment is defined as operating income calculated in accordance with US GAAP, adjusted for interest expense, share-based compensation, acquisition and integration expenses, and depreciation and amortization. We consider the interest on notes payable from our financing business segment and depreciation expense presented within cost of sales, which includes depreciation on assets financed as operating leases, to be operating expenses. As such, they are not included in the amounts added back to net earnings in the Adjusted EBITDA calculation.

Non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP net earnings per common share – diluted are based on net earnings calculated in accordance with GAAP, adjusted to exclude other income (expense), share based compensation, and acquisition related amortization expense, and the related tax effects.

We use the above non-GAAP financial measures as supplemental measures of our performance to gain insight into our operating performance and performance trends. We believe that such non-GAAP financial measures provide management and investors a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our business and operating results by excluding items that management believes are not reflective of our underlying operating performance. Accordingly, we believe that such non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results.

Our use of non-GAAP information as analytical tools has limitations, and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our financial results as reported under GAAP. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, might calculate adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP net earnings per common share or similarly titled measures differently, which may reduce their usefulness as comparative measures.

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

(in thousands)

Consolidated

Net earnings

$27,339

$33,847

Provision for income taxes

10,203

12,675

Depreciation and amortization [1]

4,819

4,792

Share based compensation

2,855

2,205

Interest and financing costs

550

Other expense, net [2]

(2,073)

(190)

Adjusted EBITDA

$43,143

$53,879

Technology Business Segment

Operating income

$31,891

$43,498

Depreciation and amortization [1]

4,819

4,764

Share based compensation

2,791

2,137

Interest and financing costs

550

Adjusted EBITDA

$39,501

$50,949

Financing Business Segment

Operating income

$3,578

$2,834

Depreciation and amortization [1]

28

Share based compensation

64

68

Adjusted EBITDA

$3,642

$2,930

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

(in thousands)

GAAP: Earnings before taxes

$37,542

$46,522

Share based compensation

2,855

2,205

Acquisition related amortization expense [3]

3,750

3,469

Other (income) expense [2]

(2,073)

(190)

Non-GAAP: Earnings before provision for income taxes

42,074

52,006

GAAP: Provision for income taxes

10,203

12,675

Share based compensation

799

607

Acquisition related amortization expense [3]

1,047

952

Other (income) expense, net [2]

(580)

(52)

Tax benefit (expense) on restricted stock

308

137

Non-GAAP: Provision for income taxes

11,777

14,319

Non-GAAP: Net earnings

$30,297

$37,687

Three Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

GAAP: Net earnings per common share – diluted

$1.02

$1.27

Share based compensation

0.08

0.06

Acquisition related amortization expense [3]

0.10

0.09

Other (income) expense, net [2]

(0.06)

Tax benefit (expense) on restricted stock

(0.01)

(0.01)

Total non-GAAP adjustments – net of tax

0.11

0.14

Non-GAAP: Net earnings per common share – diluted

$1.13

$1.41

[1] Amount consists of depreciation and amortization for assets used internally.

[2] Legal settlement, interest income and foreign currency transaction gains and losses.

[3] Amount consists of amortization of intangible assets from acquired businesses.

 

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SOURCE EPLUS INC.

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Technology

PIXIE LEGENDS: The First Fairy-Themed Trading Card Game Brings Enchantment to Kids Everywhere

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PIXIE LEGENDS: A magical fairy trading card game offering screen-free fun, imaginative play, and enchanting adventures for kids.

TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — PIXIE LEGENDS, a brand-new fairy-themed trading card game, has launched, offering young girls and kids everywhere a captivating entry into the world of collectible card games. Designed specifically for children who love fairy tales, princesses, and magic, PIXIE LEGENDS provides a fresh alternative to the TCG (trading card game) landscape, historically dominated by themes more tailored to boys.

Bringing Screen-Free Fun and Magical Adventures for Young Girls

PIXIE LEGENDS was inspired by the creator’s vision to give young girls their adventure in the TCG world. Featuring a collection of fairy and fantasy characters from mystical worlds like Water, Nature, the Moon, and more, PIXIE LEGENDS encourages creativity, social interaction, and imagination—all while remaining screen-free.

✨ A Game of Collecting, Strategy, and Play ✨

PIXIE LEGENDS isn’t just a beautiful card game; it’s designed to be versatile and accessible for players of all ages. Kids can enjoy the game in various modes:

Fairy War Game – Battle with friends, using the cards’ powers to determine who holds the ultimate deck.Quartets Game – Gather and trade cards to create sets of themed fairy characters.Collection Mode – Trade, collect, and organize PIXIE LEGENDS cards in a special fairy-themed album, helping kids develop social skills and trading techniques.

✨ Pixie Worlds and Magical Characters ✨

PIXIE LEGENDS introduces children to five unique, colorful worlds filled with diverse fairies, each with its traits, strengths, and magical abilities:

Green World: Guardians of Nature who communicate with plants and animals.Blue World: Mystical Water Fairies who command the oceans and interact with marine life.Yellow World: Powerful Warrior Fairies symbolizing strength, courage, and love.Purple World: Fairies of Spiritual Energy, Fortune, and Cosmic Power.Silver World: Fairies who command the Weather and Moon, harnessing the forces of the skies.

Each card is crafted with beautiful artwork and classified by rarity, encouraging young players to explore the thrill of collecting common and rare characters.

✨ A Healthy, Screen-Free Activity ✨

PIXIE LEGENDS provides a refreshing, screen-free way for kids to socialize and play, especially when screen time is a concern for many parents. With its emphasis on collection, trading, and imaginative play, PIXIE LEGENDS helps children develop critical social and cognitive skills while fostering friendships and shared interests.

✨ Perfect for Birthdays and Playdates ✨

PIXIE LEGENDS isn’t just a game—it’s a magical experience perfect for girls’ birthdays and after-school playdates. Its enchanting fairy theme makes it an ideal centerpiece for birthday parties, where kids can bond over card battles, trades, and collections, creating lasting memories. For after-school activities, PIXIE LEGENDS offers an engaging, screen-free way for girls to socialize, fostering creativity and collaboration as they explore magical realms together. Parents love how it turns gatherings into moments of fun, learning, and imagination!

✨ Special Launch Offer ✨

To celebrate the release of PIXIE LEGENDS, customers can enjoy special launch prices on all PIXIE LEGENDS products, available exclusively on the official website at [insert website link]. This limited-time offer is the perfect opportunity for families and young collectors to begin their magical journey into the enchanting world of PIXIE LEGENDS.

🧚‍♂Enter the World of PIXIE LEGENDS🧚‍♂

✨ About PIXIE LEGENDS ✨

PIXIE LEGENDS was created by a team dedicated to enriching children’s play experiences. It provides a unique product that resonates with young girls who love fantasy, fairies, and adventure. With PIXIE LEGENDS, kids can collect, trade, and play in a world of imagination that celebrates creativity, connection, and magic.

For more information on PIXIE LEGENDS or to schedule an interview with the founder, please contact:

Neriad Hakak

CEO

FairiesAndBeyond.com

Media Contact

Neriad Hakak, eCommerce and So, 1 9496681585, info@fairiesandbeyond.com, FairiesAndBeyond.com

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WHAT NOT TO MISS AT CES 2025

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World’s Most Powerful Tech Event Returns to Las Vegas January 7-10

ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CES® 2025, the world’s most powerful tech event, returns to Las Vegas, January 7-10, bringing together global companies, from top brands to innovative startups, industry executives, media, and government leaders. 

What Not To Miss at CES® 2025. The world’s most powerful tech event returns to Las Vegas, January 7-10.

“We’re ready to DIVE IN to CES 2025. There is great momentum heading into the show with a record 3400+ Innovation Award submissions, over 4500 exhibitors including roughly 1400 startups, and 1100 speakers for over 300 conference sessions,” said Gary Shapiro, CEO and Vice Chair, Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, owner and producer of CES. “We are on track for an incredible show where attendees will see everything that is new in tech from the latest in AI and digital health to advanced mobility, smart communities, sustainability, and accessibility tech.”

DIVE IN to the CES 2025 Experience

CES App – Plan for and navigate CES 2025 with the official show app. Search “CES App” in your app store. New for CES 2025 is blue-dot navigation at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) and the Venetian.CES Tech Talk – Download and listen for the top trends expected at CES 2025.CES Creator Space, presented by Sony – A new space for storytellers – media and creators – to produce compelling content.

Top Trends

Artificial Intelligence: Generative AI is driving innovation. The entire AI ecosystem will be throughout CES, enhancing user experiences, increasing productivity, advancing health, and more.Exhibitor Examples: DeepX, EMD, LG, Lotte, Samsung, SiemensDigital Health: CES will showcase tech innovation across the entire spectrum of health, increasing longevity, lowering costs, and improving health equity and patient empowerment.Exhibitor Examples: AARP, EssilorLuxottica, Nuvilab, OnMed, Resmed, Variowell, WithingsEnergy Transition: Emerging technologies both drive and address the challenges of the energy transition. A new conference track on the energy transition will dive in to shaping a sustainable future while overcoming technical and scalability barriers.Exhibitor Examples: Eaton, Eneos, Hitachi, Qnovo, SK, WePower TechnologiesMobility: CES brings together the entire ecosystem of mobility—from passenger and autonomous cars to construction, agriculture, marine tech, and advanced air travel. The new stage in West Hall will showcase programming that envisions the future of mobility and explores how we can create a more sustainable and connected world.Exhibitor Examples: BMW, Brunswick, Caterpillar, Honda, John Deere, Oshkosh, Scout MotorsQuantum: Expect hardware, software, and AI using quantum mechanics to improve technologies and create new applications with enhanced security, sensing, and computing that will drive innovation forward. A new half-day of conference programming in partnership with Quantum World Congress will highlight these advancements.Exhibitor Examples: Cellid, Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), Integrated Quantum PhotonicSustainability: Exhibitors will show technologies aimed at reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency, as well as innovations in sustainable and carbon-neutral materials.Exhibitor Examples: D-Carbonize, Exeger, Jackery, Panasonic

Must-See Keynotes and Presentations

Monday, January 6NVIDIA Founder and CEO Jensen Huang – 6:30 PM, Mandalay BayTuesday, January 7Panasonic Holdings Corporation Group CEO Mr. Yuki Kusumi, 8:30 AM, The VenetianCTA CEO and Vice Chair Gary Shapiro and CTA President Kinsey Fabrizio, 8:30 AM, The VenetianSiriusXM CEO Jennifer Witz, 11 AM, ARIAX Corp CEO Linda Yaccarino, 1:30 PM, The VenetianDelta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, 5 PM, SphereThis will mark the first CES keynote ever hosted at the groundbreaking venue.This keynote will have a different ticketing process and venue policies than other keynotes. For more information, visit ces.tech. Get the full Delta keynote experience at Sphere beginning at 3 PM when the doors open for an immersive and interactive exhibit in the venue’s Atrium to celebrate Delta’s 100-year journey. Following the keynote, Delta is thrilled to welcome multiple GRAMMY Award winning music icon Lenny Kravitz to the stage.Professional photography and videography will be available on Delta News Hub shortly after the keynote. Wednesday, January 8Volvo Group President and CEO Martin Lundstedt, 9 AM, The VenetianAccenture Chair and CEO Julie Sweet, 2 PM, The VenetianWaymo Co-CEO Tekedra  Mawakana, Leaders in Technology Dinner *invite only

Top Conference Tracks

Accessibility – Discover innovation and technologies for people of all ages and abilities.

Accessibility and Mobility: Bridging the Gap, Tuesday, January 7, 11 AM, Venetian, LandoTech for Good: How Technology is Empowering Neurodivergent, Tuesday, January 7, 2 PM, Venetian, LandoEmpowering Independence: How AI is Improving Daily Lives, Tuesday, January 7, 3 PM, Venetian, Lando

CES Creator Space, presented by Sony – The stage at the CES Creator Space, sponsored by Pinterest and emceed by Shira Lazar, will feature three days of programming designed to help creators hone their craft. The area is open to credentialed media only.

State of the Creator Economy, Tuesday, January 7, 10:30 AM, CES Creator Stage, LVCC, Grand LobbyMeasuring Success in the Creator Economy, Thursday, January 9, 11:45 AM, CES Creator Stage, LVCC, Grand LobbyKeeping Sane: Mental Health in the Creator Economy, Thursday, January 9, 2:15 PM, CES Creator Stage, LVCC, Grand Lobby

Digital Health – Learn about the innovations that tackle major health challenges and empower consumers to take control of their health. 

Health AI in 2030, Wednesday, January 8, 2 PM, Venetian, Marcello 4404Next Gen Wearable Tech, Thursday, January 9, 9 AM, Venetian, Marcello 4404Advancing Women’s Health: Innovations, Challenges, and Solutions, Thursday, January 9, 10 AM, Venetian, Level 4, Marcello 4404

Energy Transition – Explore how companies plan to address sustainable power solutions.

The Energy Infrastructure of the Future, Thursday, January 9, 9 AM, LVCC, N261Navigating the Energy Transition, Thursday, January 9, 10 AM, LVCC, N261The Key to Powering a Sustainable AI Revolution, Thursday, January 9, 11 AM, LVCC, N261

Great Minds – Explore the intersection of technology and humanity. Speakers featured in the Great Minds series include C-Suite executives, philanthropists, influencers, government leaders, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and more. Sessions include:

The New Era of the Automotive Ecosystem, Wednesday, January 8, 11 AM, LVCC West Hall, W232Shaping a New Era of Ingenuity: The Power of Inclusive Innovation, Wednesday, January 8, 3 PM, LVCC, West Hall, W232Revolutionizing Customer Engagement, Thursday, January 9, 10 AM, LVCC, West Hall, W232Don’t miss experts from NASA, Netflix, Mastercard, Coach, and more on the stage.

Innovation Policy Summit – CES gathers policymakers from across the world to discuss domestic and global tech policy issues including privacy, trade, competition, and more.

Is Big Always Bad: Big Tech and the Innovation Economy, Tuesday, January 7, 1 PM, LVCC, N258Tech Without Borders: The Benefits of Tech for All Communities, Wednesday, January 8, 9 AM, LVCC, N258Trade in 2025: Will the World Fracture or Reglobalize, Wednesday, January 8, 3:40, PM, LVCC, N258

Mobility Stage – New stage features the future of mobility, from electrification to connected vehicles, new battery technology, and advancements in AI.

How to Build Physical AI for Mobility, Tuesday, January 7, 10:30 AM, LVCC West Hall 1, Mobility StageBreakthroughs in Battery Tech Redefine EV Driving, Tuesday, January 7, 2:20 PM, LVCC West Hall 1, Mobility StageRevolutionizing the Future of Driving – Unleashing the Power of AI, Wednesday, January 8, 2:20 PM, LVCC, West Hall 1, Mobility Stage

Quantum Means Business – New partnership with Quantum World Congress to address how hardware, software, and AI are using quantum mechanics to improve technologies and create new applications. 

Quantum is Here: Computing Advancements and Tangible Applications, Thursday, January 9, LVCC, 9 AM, West Hall, W218Global Industry Challenge: Celebrating International Year of Quantum, Thursday, January 9, 10 AM, LVCC, West Hall, W218Quantum is Now: Unprecedented Improvement in Precision and Sensitivity, Thursday, January 9, 11 AM, LVCC, West Hall, W218

Research Summit – Learn about consumer and enterprise trends across verticals. 

Breaking Through the EV Demand Plateau with AI and Data Analytics, presented by EY, Monday, January 6, 1 PM, LVCC, West Hall, W232Declaration of Autonomy: Is Trust the Limit of AI’s Possibilities, presented by Accenture, Tuesday, January 7, 2 PM, LVCC West Hall, W232Navigating the Consumer Tech Landscape: Insights to Drive Growth, presented by Circana, Tuesday, January 7, 3 PM, LVCC, West Level 2, W232

Familiar faces – from musicians to sports legends and film and television stars – will be on the CES stage and throughout the show discussing and experiencing the latest innovations.

Experience the CES Show Floor

Explore innovation from global companies, including first-time exhibitors such as Foxconn (FIH Mobile), Komatsu, Oshkosh, Suzuki, and Scout Motors.

LVCC Central Hall

Showcasing the latest technology around the home and immersive entertainment – the central hub for customized, in-home entertainment, and family gaming.Exhibitor Examples: Bosch, Hisense, LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, TCL

LVCC North Hall

Focused on smart communities, IoT, AI, sustainability, energy, and enterprise solutions. North Hall shows how these technologies work together to support our daily lives now and in the future.Exhibitor Examples: AIMA E-Bike, Hitachi, Indiegogo, Siemens, Xpeng AeroHT

LVCC South Hall

Back for 2025, the South Hall is where the accessories and memorable products come to life to improve how we live and work.Exhibitor Examples: EcoFlow, Green Merit Ltd, Maono, Pecron, Pkcell

LVCC West Hall

Experience the entire ecosystem of mobility at CES—from passenger and self-driving cars to construction, agriculture, boating, and advanced air travel.Exhibitor Examples: Amazon Automotive, Honda, Invo Station, MobileEye, Qualcomm, Waymo

C Space®/ARIA

Where the world’s leading brands, advertisers, media platforms, and content creators meet to forge deals, explore trends, and unveil the latest technologies reshaping the industry.Exhibitor Examples: Disney, Fox, iHeart, Kroger, Mars, Reddit, Roku, T-Mobile, Uber Ads, Walmart Ads

The Venetian

The home of smart living, including digital health, smart home, energy management, security, education, lifestyle, and food tech.Exhibitor Examples: AARP, Pawport, RenphoThe Venetian is also home to the CES Innovation Awards Showcase, with the next round of embargo award honorees scheduled to be announced on January 5.

Eureka Park at The Venetian

The startup hub of CES, home to nearly 1400 startups from around the globe.Exhibitor Examples: Global pavilions from Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Ukraine, the U.S., and others from around the world. 

To search for CES exhibiting companies – by product category, keyword, or country – visit the Exhibitor Directory.

Media Days
Hear from dozens of the world’s biggest brands breaking news at two days of media-only events, January 5-6 at Mandalay Bay, including CES Unveiled and CES Tech Trends to Watch.

Press Conferences – Major brands will make announcements, including LG, Hisense, John Deere, Samsung, and Sony – January 5 and 6, Mandalay BayCES 2025 Tech Trends to Watch – Hear the top trends at CES 2025 and beyond –Sunday, January 5, 4 PM, Mandalay Bay, Oceanside CCES Unveiled Las Vegas – The Official Media Event of CES 2025 with innovative product previews – Sunday, January 5, 5-8:30 PM, Mandalay Bay, Shoreline Exhibit Hall

Media Resources
 Visit the CES Media Resources for access to:

Media Room Hours and LocationsShuttle Bus InformationB-RollCES Photo Gallery

For the latest news and information, visit CES.tech. Register for CES 2025 here.

About CES®:  
CES is the most powerful tech event in the world – the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators. This is where the world’s biggest brands do business and meet new partners, and the sharpest innovators hit the stage. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, CES features every aspect of the tech sector. CES 2025 takes place Jan. 7-10, 2025, in Las Vegas. Learn more at CES.tech and follow CES on social.

About Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®:  
 As North America’s largest technology trade association, CTA is the tech sector. Our members are the world’s leading innovators – from startups to global brands – helping support more than 18 million American jobs. CTA owns and produces CES® – the most powerful tech event in the world. Find us at CTA.tech. Follow us @CTAtech.

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SOURCE Consumer Technology Association

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SHOWCASING TOMORROW’S INNOVATORS: LG NOVA RETURNS TO CES 2025

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LG NOVA Pushes Forward the Future of Collaboration and Innovation Across Healthtech, AI and Cleantech

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — LG NOVA, the North America Innovation Center for LG Electronics, returns to CES this year to showcase its commitment to a brighter future through building collaborations with entrepreneurs and startups working in healthtech, AI and cleantech. LG NOVA’s exhibit will feature startup companies building transformative solutions that address today’s real-world challenges impacting people and the planet.  

At CES 2025, in LG NOVA’s Eureka Park exhibit, visiting attendees will have the opportunity to explore emerging technologies in healthtech, cleantech and AI; connect with LG executives and leading startups in their respective market areas, attend in-booth sessions and tech talks, learn about LG NOVA’s vision for the innovation ecosystem and discuss the latest trends and views on the markets with the team. 

LG NOVA’s showcase will include Primefocus Health, the first new venture unveiled by LG Electronics, launched in collaboration with LG NOVA. At CES, Primefocus Health will demonstrate its new healthcare solution built for providers to support patients’ recovery at home with a remote-monitoring and healthcare delivery platform. The company is working on personalized, home-based healthcare solutions tackling rural access, obesity, healthy aging and substance abuse.

Additionally, with its continual efforts on creating innovative solutions for better health, LG NOVA is exhibiting a new mental health solution concept, Relief AI. This new concept is a platform for monitoring and tracking patients’ mental wellbeing through advanced AI assessment technologies, engaging with the patient directly. 

The LG NOVA startup showcase is located at Eureka Park (Venetian Expo, Hall G. Booth #60511) Featured startups in the LG NOVA program include: 

Healthtech:

Continuum: A patient-controlled hub for all home health data for streamlining personal health decisions. MetaOptima: A leader in dermatology AI and skin cancer diagnostics, driven by its innovative DermEngine platform.

Cleantech:

Climative: AI-assisted digital energy assessments for homes and neighborhoods to accelerate the decarbonization and optimizing energy efficiencies through home improvements.Baleena: Next-gen filtration technology to eliminate microplastics from textile wash—redefining laundering for a cleaner future.

Artificial Intelligence:

Roll AI: An AI-powered platform for marketing teams to create production-grade videos for testimonials, webinars, and events, featuring effects like multicam and AI-simulated camera moves – all with just an iPhone.VersaWare: Creates Versa, a hands-free multi-modal AI system for cooking and nutrition. Versa is available as white-labeled SDK for appliance manufacturers and through the VersaWare mobile app and VersaBoard.

Open Innovation:

CareCam: Helps providers track patients’ recovery from neurological injuries and screen for frailty in minutes using digital biomarkers powered by patented movement analysis technology.Canary Speech: An AI-powered voice biomarker health tech company that uses real-time patented vocal analysis to screen for mental health and neurological disorders.

These startups exemplify LG NOVA’s pursuit to collaborate with innovative companies, pushing the boundaries of technology to create transformative solutions and a positive impact on the future.

For more information on LG NOVA’s at CES visit www.lgnova.com/ces-2025.

About LG NOVA
LG NOVA, the North American Innovation Center for global innovation leader LG Electronics, is a team focused on bringing innovation from the outside to LG. LG NOVA is based in Santa Clara, Calif. The center’s mission is to fuel innovation for LG and its partners by establishing a community to create, nurture and grow businesses. Learn more about LG NOVA at www.lgnova.com.

About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $60-billion-plus global innovator in technology and manufacturing. In the United States, LG sells a wide range of innovative home appliances, home entertainment products, commercial displays, air conditioning systems, energy solutions and vehicle components. LG is an 11-time ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year. www.LG.com.

Media Contact:

LG Electronics USA
Linda Quach
+1 408 903 3045
linda.quach@lge.com

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SOURCE LG Electronics USA

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