Core Insights - Sands Capital's "Sands Capital Select Growth Strategy" Q3 2025 investor letter indicates a recovery in U.S. large-cap growth equities driven by strong corporate earnings, AI enthusiasm, and expectations for Federal Reserve policy easing [1] - The portfolio achieved a return of 6.3% (net) in the quarter, underperforming the benchmark's 10.5% gain [1] Company Analysis: DoorDash, Inc. (NASDAQ:DASH) - DoorDash is identified as the leading food-delivery platform in the U.S. based on market share [3] - The stock experienced a one-month return of -26.34% and a 52-week gain of 9.83%, closing at $195.98 per share with a market capitalization of $84.467 billion on November 26, 2025 [2] - Despite its potential, DoorDash is not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, with 100 hedge fund portfolios holding the stock at the end of Q2 2025, up from 87 in the previous quarter [4]

Core Insights - DoorDash (DASH) is experiencing significant growth, with total orders increasing by 21% year over year to 776 million in Q3 2025, driven by a large customer base and enhanced consumer engagement [1][11] Customer Acquisition and Engagement - The company's success in attracting new customers across various categories, including restaurants, grocery, and retail, has been crucial for total order growth [2] - The growth in total orders is also attributed to an increase in monthly active users (MAUs) and the expansion of membership programs like DashPass and Wolt+, which reached record levels in Q3 2025 [3] Strategic Partnerships and Innovations - DoorDash is investing in expanding its partner base to enhance express grocery delivery services, further solidifying its position in the on-demand delivery market [4] - In October, DoorDash announced a partnership with Waymo to test an autonomous delivery service in Metro Phoenix, along with a promotional offer for DashPass members [5] Competitive Landscape - DoorDash faces increasing competition from local food delivery platforms such as Uber Technologies and Amazon, which are also seeking to expand their market presence [6] - Amazon's Prime membership program continues to provide significant advantages in delivery speed and convenience, while Uber's Delivery segment has seen a 29% year-over-year increase in Q3 2025 [7][8] Financial Performance and Valuation - DoorDash's shares have increased by 12.2% year-to-date, underperforming compared to the Zacks Internet - Services industry's growth of 54.1% and the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector's growth of 21.1% [9] - The company's current Price/Book ratio stands at 8.54, which is higher than the industry's 7.31X, indicating that the shares may be overvalued [12] - For 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is $2.25 per share, reflecting a 9.27% decrease over the past 30 days but a year-over-year increase of 675.86% [14]

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Group 1 - DoorDash Inc. has been upgraded to a "Buy" rating by Jefferies analyst John Colantuoni, with a new price target of $260, up from $220 [1][3] - The company is expected to generate approximately $17.87 billion in revenue for the full year 2026, with an EPS of around $6.32 [2] - In Q3 2025, DoorDash reported net sales of $3.45 billion, reflecting a 27.35% increase and exceeding estimates by $89.10 million, with an EPS of $1.28, which was $0.03 above guidance [2] Group 2 - DoorDash's strategy includes a multi-million-dollar investment in a new global tech platform aimed at unifying its technology stack across markets, making it AI-native to improve operations and product development [3] - The decision to create a single architecture is driven by the need for efficiency and faster global feature rollouts, particularly in light of advancements in AI [3] - The company operates a commerce platform that connects merchants, consumers, and independent contractors both in the US and internationally [4]

Oracle - Oracle shares have decreased by 23% this month but are still up 21% year-to-date [1] - The company is seen as a key player in the AI sector, with expectations that AI will drive growth [2] - Concerns about rising leverage are noted, but the company has experience managing debt and maintains a strong interest coverage ratio [3][4] - The weighted average cost of capital is 4.9%, and Oracle holds an investment-grade rating, indicating financial stability [4] Palantir - Palantir shares are up over 5% today but have dropped nearly 19% in November [5] - The company is recognized as a leader in AI software, with a year-over-year revenue growth of approximately 53% [6] - Palantir is securing government and commercial contracts, and its AI training programs are gaining traction [6] Robinhood - Robinhood shares are up more than 5% today but have fallen nearly 23% this month [7] - The platform is described as an "everything platform," with diverse revenue streams beyond cryptocurrency, including options and equities [8][9] - The company is modernizing its app and exploring prediction markets, which could enhance its trading capabilities [10] DoorDash - DoorDash shares are down 26% this month, despite strong third-quarter results [12] - Concerns are raised about the sustainability of growth in the face of increasing competition and the potential impact of AI on customer interactions [13][14] - The company faces challenges from competitors like Uber Eats and the risk of restaurants developing their own delivery systems [14]

Core Insights - The gig economy has gained significant momentum post-pandemic, reshaping traditional employment structures and allowing individuals greater flexibility in their work arrangements [2][3] - The global gig market is projected to grow from $582.2 billion in 2025 to $2.18 trillion by 2034, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 15.8% [5] Industry Overview - The gig economy emphasizes flexibility and choice, making life more convenient through services like ride-hailing and food delivery, which rely heavily on gig workers [4] - Companies like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Upwork, and Fiverr exemplify the shift towards gig work, connecting independent professionals with businesses seeking short-term talent [4] Company Analysis - **Amazon**: Plays a significant role in the gig economy through programs like Flex, DSP, MTurk, and AWS, providing flexible work opportunities and supporting the technological infrastructure of gig platforms [8][9][10] - **DoorDash**: Holds over 65% market share in the U.S. food delivery market, utilizing independent contractors for delivery services, which allows for a flexible workforce and low operational costs [11][12] - **Lyft**: Competes in the ride-hailing market by offering flexible earning opportunities for drivers and focusing on sustainability and community-oriented services, while expanding through strategic partnerships [14][15][16]

Core Viewpoint - Concerns about overvaluation of AI stocks and uncertainty regarding interest rate cuts have affected investor sentiment, but Nvidia's strong earnings report has somewhat alleviated fears of a bubble in AI-related investments. Top Wall Street analysts have recommended attractive stocks for long-term investment amidst recent market sell-offs [1]. Microsoft - Microsoft is viewed as a major beneficiary of the AI wave, with its Q1 FY2026 earnings exceeding expectations and Azure cloud revenue growing by 40% [2]. - Analyst William Power from Baird initiated coverage on Microsoft with a "Buy" rating and a target price of $600, highlighting its partnership with OpenAI as a key differentiator [2]. - Microsoft’s cloud business now accounts for 60% of total revenue, with strong performance in its core applications like Microsoft 365, LinkedIn, and Dynamics, maintaining a robust operating margin of 49% and a free cash flow margin of 33% [3]. Booking Holdings - Booking Holdings, which owns Priceline and Kayak, reported impressive Q3 results with double-digit growth in total bookings and revenue, prompting Wedbush analyst Scott Devitt to upgrade the stock from "Neutral" to "Buy" with a target price of $6,000 [5]. - Devitt noted Booking's advantages in scale, diversification, and strong liquidity, emphasizing its effective cost optimization and market share expansion in non-traditional accommodations [5][6]. - In the context of exceeding global travel demand, Booking's Q3 total bookings grew by 14%, leading Devitt to raise his 2025 total bookings growth forecast by 100 basis points to 11.5% [6]. DoorDash - DoorDash's rating was upgraded from "Neutral" to "Buy" by Devitt, with a target price of $260, despite mixed Q3 results and a forecast of significant investment in new plans and developments [7]. - The stock price decline post-earnings was seen as a buying opportunity, trading at approximately 17.7 times its 2027 adjusted EBITDA estimate, with concerns over capital expenditures and profit margins [8]. - Devitt highlighted that higher spending levels could impact short-term margins, but investments aimed at expanding market reach and enhancing product offerings are justified [8].

Summary of Q3'25 Earnings Call for US Internet & Interactive Entertainment Companies Industry Overview - The earnings season for US Internet & Interactive Entertainment companies was marked by volatility in stock price reactions, driven by emerging themes in the market [3][4][5]. Key Themes and Insights 1. **AI Investment Trends** - There is a significant increase in AI investments from major players like Amazon (AMZN), Google (GOOGL), and Meta (META), with capital expenditures (capex) rising [3][18]. - The demand for AI workloads is increasing, leading to accelerated revenue growth for public hyperscalers [3][37]. - Investor discussions are focused on the rate of change in investments and the return on spend, particularly for Alphabet and Amazon, while Meta's visibility into returns remains debated [3][18]. 2. **Digital Consumer Behavior** - There is a mixed picture regarding consumer spending, with lower-income households facing downward pressure on discretionary purchases [3][4]. - Brand advertising has shown volatility, particularly among large advertisers in sectors like auto and retail, which could impact the broader digital economy [3][4]. 3. **Growth-Oriented Investments** - Companies are prioritizing long-term growth opportunities related to AI over short-term margins, which requires more proof points to boost investor confidence [4][18]. Company-Specific Insights 1. **Amazon (AMZN)** - AWS revenue growth was approximately 20%, alleviating some bearish concerns regarding its competitive positioning in AI and non-AI workloads [5][37]. - The upcoming AWS re:Invent conference is anticipated to provide further insights into AI positioning and capacity easing [5]. 2. **Meta Platforms (META)** - The deployment of AI has led to better-than-expected revenue growth, but elevated investment levels and questions about long-term monetization opportunities are weighing on investor sentiment [8][18]. 3. **Uber (UBER)** - Demand across mobility and delivery sectors remained strong, with solid bookings trends and positive forward commentary [8][62]. - Investors are focused on the impact of medium to long-term investments on margins and the evolution of the autonomous vehicle landscape [8][62]. 4. **Google (GOOGL)** - GOOGL reported healthy topline growth across all major segments, with positive trends in monetizing AI offerings [8][37]. - The company raised its FY25 capex guidance to $91-93 billion, indicating a commitment to long-term AI opportunities [18]. 5. **eCommerce Trends** - eCommerce results were generally positive, with companies like Amazon and eBay highlighting AI initiatives to enhance customer experience [29]. - Despite a sluggish consumer spending environment, companies demonstrated resilient performance and market share gains [29]. Risks and Considerations - The competitive intensity around AI foundational models is a key risk factor, with ongoing monitoring of spending rates and monetization potential [3][18]. - Investors are concerned about the sustainability of growth in consumer spending, particularly as the holiday season approaches [7][51]. - The online travel sector is facing challenges with more difficult comparisons in Q4, despite a solid travel environment in Q3 [50][51]. Conclusion - The Q3'25 earnings call highlighted a complex landscape for US Internet & Interactive Entertainment companies, with significant focus on AI investments, consumer behavior, and company-specific growth strategies. Investors are advised to remain vigilant regarding macroeconomic conditions and competitive dynamics as they assess future opportunities and risks in the sector [3][4][5][18].

Core Viewpoint - DoorDash Inc. shares have experienced a significant decline of over 30% from October highs, currently trading just under $200, primarily due to missed earnings expectations and announced heavy spending plans for FY26 [2][7] Financial Performance - The company missed earnings per share (EPS) expectations but reported revenue figures that exceeded consensus, indicating that the core business remains strong [4] - DoorDash continues to see growth in orders and revenue, maintaining a dominant position in the U.S. delivery market while expanding into grocery and retail categories [4] Market Reaction - The recent selloff has led analysts to view the situation as a potential buying opportunity, with some suggesting that the 30% decline is excessive given DoorDash's consistent execution [6] - Analysts from Needham have reiterated a Buy rating, indicating a potential upside of up to 60% for the stock moving forward [6][7] Strategic Investments - Management's focus on automation, logistics, and international expansion through Deliveroo is seen as a proactive strategy to sustain growth and reinforce profitability, rather than a sign of weakness [5]