TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research Analyst, Obex Capital Research

Aaron Gabin

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research Analyst

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research

Obex Capital Research

“Obex” is Latin for Barriers to Entry. Obex Capital Management’s investment philosophy is driven by an intense focus on which business model’s Barriers to Entry are able to withstand the ever increasing competitive disruption in the TMT and Consumer Sectors.

Equity Bottom-Up

<p>As a reminder, we advocated buying Coupa around the bottom back in early April as it was a good entry point for a permanently expensive Adobe/ServiceNow like compounder (15x back then). We decided to step to the sidelines last quarter as the company didn’t offer much new disclosures around Pay and an oddly conservative guidance for this quarter….which not so shockingly they blew out. This quarters’ guidance for 4Q21 is equally conservative, and if you strip out its Llamasoft acquisition, you get the same sandbagged guidance as last quarter.</p><div class="content-highlight"><p>Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.</p></div>

As a reminder, we advocated buying Coupa around the bottom back in early April as it was a good entry point for a permanently expensive Adobe/ServiceNow like compounder (15x back then). We decided to step to the sidelines last quarter as the company didn’t offer much new disclosures around Pay and an oddly conservative guidance for this quarter….which not so shockingly they blew out. This quarters’ guidance for 4Q21 is equally conservative, and if you strip out its Llamasoft acquisition, you get the same sandbagged guidance as last quarter.Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.

Coupa 3Q21 Earnings: The Boy Who Cried Wolf

<div><p>When we first began writing about Crowdstrike last summer, we saw a company with a beautiful business model that could generate very high incremental margins over time because of its cloud based architecture...collect data once, monetize many times. This quarter was incredibly strong by any measure, but what really stood out in our work is Crowdstrike's best in class combination of revenue growth and profitability.</p></div><div><div><div class="content-highlight"><p>Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.</p></div></div></div>

When we first began writing about Crowdstrike last summer, we saw a company with a beautiful business model that could generate very high incremental margins over time because of its cloud based architecture...collect data once, monetize many times. This quarter was incredibly strong by any measure, but what really stood out in our work is Crowdstrike's best in class combination of revenue growth and profitability.Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.

Crowdstrike 3Q21: Like Shooting Fish in a Barrel

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<p>As we head into earnings next week, we note attractive setups for Snap and Microsoft from data that came out this week, along with a very bullish presentation at Crowdstrike's user conference.</p>
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<p>Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.</p>
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As we head into earnings next week, we note attractive setups for Snap and Microsoft from data that came out this week, along with a very bullish presentation at Crowdstrike's user conference.




Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.




TMT Weekly:  3 Things that Stood Out The Week of 10/16/​​​​2020

Equity Capital Markets

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<p>We've looked into many IPOs over the last 20 years, and think Snowflake is one of the better ones we've come across. Its architectural competitive advantages vs. legacy data warehouse providers are simply insurmountable, and while the cloud platforms loom as eventual rivals, we think this management team knows how to carve out a defensible place amongst the cloud titans.</p>
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<div class="content-highlight">
<p>Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.</p>
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We've looked into many IPOs over the last 20 years, and think Snowflake is one of the better ones we've come across. Its architectural competitive advantages vs. legacy data warehouse providers are simply insurmountable, and while the cloud platforms loom as eventual rivals, we think this management team knows how to carve out a defensible place amongst the cloud titans.




Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.




Slack Technologies Inc / Equity Bottom-Up

<p>If all other work from home beneficiaries used by SMBs continue to see explosive growth <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zoom-video-communications-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28029:1" rel="noopener">Zoom Video Communications Inc (ZM US)</a> , <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/docusign-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27060:1" rel="noopener">DocuSign Inc (DOCU US)</a> , <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/crowdstrike-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28117:1" rel="noopener">Crowdstrike Holdings Inc (CRWD US)</a> , but you see sharp deceleration, you may have a competition issue.</p><div class="content-highlight"><p>Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.</p></div>

If all other work from home beneficiaries used by SMBs continue to see explosive growth Zoom Video Communications Inc (ZM US) , DocuSign Inc (DOCU US) , Crowdstrike Holdings Inc (CRWD US) , but you see sharp deceleration, you may have a competition issue.Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.

Slack 2Q21 Earnings Recap: Too Much Slack in Billings

United States

VMware, Inc. provides virtualization solutions from the desktop to the data center. The Company's solution products addresses a range of IT problems, which includes cost and operational inefficiencies, business continuity, software lifecycle management and desktop management.

Electronic Arts Inc. develops, publishes, and distributes branded interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game consoles, personal computers, handheld game players, and cellular handsets. The Company also provides online game-related services.

Aspen Technology, Inc. provides software solutions. The Company offers asset optimization software that optimizes asset design, operations, and maintenance in complex, industrial environments to enable organizations to meet their business goals for sustainability and profitability. Aspen Technology serves customers worldwide.

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. develops, markets and supports a range of software and hardware products and services for information technology (IT) security and offers its customers a network and gateway security solutions, data and endpoint security solutions and management solutions.

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. develops and markets computer software for financial services providers.  The software enables trading and modeling, portfolio management and reporting, accounting, performance measurement, reconciliation, reporting, processing, and clearing.

Fair Isaac Corporation provides analytics, including predictive modeling, decision analysis, intelligence management, decision management systems, and consulting services.  The Company helps companies in countries around the world acquire customers more efficiently, increase customer value, reduce fraud, lower operating expenses, and enter new markets more profitably.

Synopsys, Inc. supplies electronic design automation solutions to the global electronics market.  The Company provides design technologies to creators of advanced integrated circuits, electronic systems, and systems on a chip. Synopsys also provides consulting services and support to its customers to streamline the overall design process and accelerate time to market.

Activision Blizzard, Inc. publishes, develops, and distributes interactive entertainment software and peripheral products. The Company's products cover diverse game categories, including action/adventure, action sports, racing, role playing, simulation, first-person action, music-based gaming and strategy.

Workday, Inc. provides enterprise cloud-based applications. The Company offers human capital, spend, and financial management, as well as payroll, initiatives and higher education solutions. Workday serves the finance, healthcare, manufacturing, education, and technology industries worldwide.

Manhattan Associates, Inc. provides information technology solutions for distribution centers.  The solutions are designed to enable the efficient movement of goods through the supply chain.  The Company's solutions optimize the receipt, storage, and distribution of inventory, as well as manage equipment and personnel within a distribution center.

Xero Limited offers an online accounting system.  The software features bank transaction importing, a cashbook, a general ledger, invoicing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, financial reporting, and management of expense claims.

Nintendo Co., Ltd. globally develops, manufactures and sells home-use video game hardware and software in home entertainment business.  The company also produces home-game products including cards.

Nexon Co., Ltd. mainly develops and services, online games for PC and mobile devices. The company also offers consulting services related to online-games. Nexon operates in Japan.

IFLYTEK Co., Ltd. specializes in speech intelligence and artificial intelligence technology.  The company also develops chip product, voice messaging software and e-government system integration software.

Dassault Systemes operates as a software company. The develops and offers 3Dexperience platform to create innovative new products and services using virtual experiences. Dassault Systemes serves aerospace, construction, business services, consumer packaged goods, high-tech, life science, health care, marine, energy, and industrial equipment industries worldwide.

The Sage Group plc is a software publishing company. The Group develops, publishes and distributes accounting and payroll software for personal computer systems. Via its subsidiaries, Sage also maintains a registered user database which provides a market for their related products and services, including computer forms, software support contracts, program upgrades and training.

WiseTech Global Pty Ltd provides various technology and information technology management solutions. The Company offers cloud based various technology platforms, market specific software and logistics technology solutions, such as edienterprise, a platform supply chain logistics management system, software-as-a-service, and clinical management software. 

Constellation Software Inc is a software holding company.  The Company acquires mission-critical, vertical market software companies, and helps them to grow.

Spotify Technology S.A. provides music streaming services. The Company offers commercial free music and ad-supported services to subscribers. Spotify Technology serves clients worldwide.

Dassault Systemes is a technology company. The company provides software applications services designed to support client company's innovation processes. The company's line of business includes provision of 3D design software, 3D digital mock up and product lifecycle Management. Dassault Systemes also provides several software brands.

CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. provides cybersecurity products and services to stop breaches. The Company offers cloud-delivered protection across endpoints, cloud workloads, identity and data, and leading threat intelligence, managed security services, IT operations management, threat hunting, Zero Trust identity protection, and log management. CrowdStrike serves customers worldwide.

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Crowdstrike Holdings (CRWD US)

Coupa 3Q21 Earnings: The Boy Who Cried Wolf

A great quarter vs. a overly conservative guide...and another overly conservative guide. We are long biased but at 40x forward sales for 11%...

Aaron Gabin

Crowdstrike 3Q21: Like Shooting Fish in a Barrel

Crowdstrike delivered the most impressive performance of any software company during this reporting season so far. Unlike its high valuation peers,...

Aaron Gabin

TMT Weekly: 3 Things that Stood Out The Week of 10/16/2020

Datapoints supportive of upside to earnings for Microsoft and Snapchat this past week, plus an ever expanding TAM justifies Crowdstrike's valuation.

Aaron Gabin

Snowflake: Making It Rain

We've looked into many IPOs over the last 20 years, and think Our investment philosophy attracts us to investing behind THE major secular trend in...

Aaron Gabin

Slack 2Q21 Earnings Recap: Too Much Slack in Billings

If all other work

Aaron Gabin

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Coupa 3Q21 Earnings: The Boy Who Cried Wolf

A great quarter vs. a overly conservative guide...and another overly conservative guide. We are long biased but at 40x forward sales for 11%...

Aaron Gabin

Crowdstrike 3Q21: Like Shooting Fish in a Barrel

Crowdstrike delivered the most impressive performance of any software company during this reporting season so far. Unlike its high valuation peers,...

Aaron Gabin

TMT Weekly: 3 Things that Stood Out The Week of 10/16/​​​​2020

Datapoints supportive of upside to earnings for Microsoft and Snapchat this past week, plus an ever expanding TAM justifies Crowdstrike's valuation.

Aaron Gabin

Snowflake: Making It Rain

We've looked into many IPOs over the last 20 years, and think Our investment philosophy attracts us to investing behind THE major secular trend in...

Aaron Gabin

Slack 2Q21 Earnings Recap: Too Much Slack in Billings

If all other work

Aaron Gabin

TMT Weekly: 3 Things that Stood Out The Week of 10/16/2020