Operator

Hello everyone. Thank you for joining us and welcome to the EverQuote Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Call. [Operator Instructions] I will now hand the conference over to [ Sara Buda ], Vice President of Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

Sara Buda

Thank you. Good afternoon, and welcome to EverQuote’s Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Call. We will be discussing the results announced in our press release issued today after market close. With me on the call this afternoon are Jayme Mendal, EverQuote’s CEO; and Joseph Sanborn, EverQuote’s CFO and Chief Administrative Officer.

During this call, we may make statements related to our business that may be considered forward-looking statements under federal securities laws, including statements considering our financial guidance for the third quarter of 2026. Forward-looking statements may be identified with words and phrases such as aim, expect, believe, intend, anticipate, plan, will, may, continue, upcoming, and similar words and phrases. These statements reflect our views only as of today and should not be considered our views as of any subsequent date. We specifically disclaim any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could

Kevin Durant has weighed in on one of the NBA’s most talked-about roster overhauls, saying he believes the newly reshaped Philadelphia 76ers, now led by LeBron James, are a stronger team than the historic Golden State Warriors squad he helped build nearly a decade ago.

Durant shared his assessment in a series of comments on Instagram, comparing the Sixers’ revamped roster — which now includes James, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown — to the 2017 Warriors team that featured Durant alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. That Golden State squad went on to dominate the league, winning back-to-back championships and beating James’ Cleveland Cavaliers in both the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals.

A superteam comparison a decade in the making

Durant’s comments arrive roughly 10 years after his own move sent shockwaves through the league. In 2016, Durant left the Oklahoma City Thunder to join a Warriors team that was already coming off a record-setting 73-win regular season, a decision that drew heavy criticism at the time for what many viewed as an unfair concentration of talent. With Durant added to the mix, Golden State became nearly unbeatable, reaching three straight NBA Finals and claiming back-to-back titles while cementing the group as one of the most dominant runs in modern NBA history.

Now, with James stunning the basketball world by signing with Philadelphia for his 24th NBA season, Durant has drawn a direct line between that historic Warriors run and the Sixers’ newly assembled roster, suggesting the current Philadelphia group may have even more talent on paper than the team he once helped construct.

Durant pushes back on critics

Durant’s comments were not limited to praising the 76ers. He also addressed how his own basketball opinions are often received by fans, particularly those who remain critical of his decision to join Golden State in 2016. Durant suggested that a segment of James’ fan base reacts emotionally to his commentary regardless of its substance, saying that “yall never pay attention to what I say, just respond emotionally.”

The remark reflects a familiar tension in Durant’s public relationship with James’ fan base, which has often accused him of undermining James’ legacy by teaming up with a rival superteam rather than building a championship roster independently. Durant has periodically addressed those criticisms throughout his career, and his latest comments suggest he continues to view much of the reaction to his basketball opinions through that lens.

A roster built around aging stars and new pieces

Philadelphia’s roster overhaul this offseason has been one of the most significant in the league, anchored by James’ decision to leave the Los Angeles Lakers and sign with the Sixers alongside Embiid, who has struggled with knee injuries in recent seasons. The team also added Brown via a trade with the Boston Celtics, giving Philadelphia a third proven scorer and playoff performer to pair with Maxey, the team’s rising All-Star guard, and VJ Edgecombe, a young player the organization has increasingly built around.

On paper, the combination of James’ scoring and playmaking, Embiid’s interior presence when healthy, Brown’s two-way ability and Maxey’s speed gives Philadelphia one of the most talented rosters in the Eastern Conference heading into the 2026-27 season. Whether that talent translates into the kind of dominance Durant’s Warriors teams displayed remains an open question, particularly given James’ age and Embiid’s injury history.

Not the first time Durant has drawn the comparison

This is not the first time Durant has compared the new-look Sixers to his old Warriors squad. In earlier remarks, Durant similarly likened Philadelphia’s roster to the Golden State superteam, suggesting the comparison has been on his mind since James’ decision to join the 76ers became official. The repeated comparison has added another layer to the ongoing discussion around James’ move, with fans and analysts continuing to debate whether the pairing of James, Embiid, Brown and Maxey can realistically contend for a championship this season.

A question mark hanging over the season

Despite Durant’s assessment, significant uncertainty remains around Philadelphia’s ability to live up to the lofty comparison. James, now 41 years old, enters the season having played more NBA games than any player in league history, while Embiid’s recent seasons have been repeatedly interrupted by knee problems that have limited his availability and effectiveness. Whether the Sixers can keep their new core healthy and cohesive through an 82-game season and a demanding playoff run will likely determine whether Durant’s prediction holds up.

The comparison also raises broader questions about roster construction in today’s NBA, where aging superstars increasingly join forces with existing contenders late in their careers in pursuit of one more championship run, echoing the dynamic that defined Durant’s own move to Golden State nearly a decade ago.

As the 2026-27 season approaches, Philadelphia’s roster will face intense scrutiny from analysts and fans alike, many of whom remain skeptical that a team built around James at this stage of his career, alongside an oft-injured Embiid, can match the sustained dominance of Durant’s Warriors dynasty. Others have pointed to the Sixers’ depth of talent as reason for optimism, arguing that the addition of Brown and the continued development of Maxey and Edgecombe give Philadelphia a more balanced roster than some of James’ previous title contenders.

For now, Durant’s comments have added another storyline to what was already shaping up to be one of the most closely watched seasons in recent NBA memory, with James’ arrival in Philadelphia continuing to generate debate across the league even before the Sixers have played a single regular-season game together.

Shares of The Great Eastern Shipping Company (GE Shipping) witnessed strong buying interest on Tuesday, climbing 9% to Rs 1,523.40 after the company reported robust financial performance for the first quarter of FY27. The shipping major posted a sharp jump in profitability, with consolidated net profit more than doubling year-on-year, supported by strong revenue growth.

GE Shipping’s consolidated net profit for Q1FY27 increased 160% to Rs 1,309 crore, compared with Rs 505 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. Revenue from operations also recorded a significant 67% year-on-year growth, rising to Rs 2,005 crore from Rs 1,201 crore in Q1FY26.

The company’s strong quarterly performance reflects improved operating momentum and a favourable environment for the shipping sector.

Dividend announcement adds to investor sentiment

Along with its quarterly results, GE Shipping announced an interim dividend of Rs 14.40 per share for FY27. The company has fixed August 7, 2026, as the record date to determine eligible shareholders for the dividend payout. The interim dividend will be distributed to shareholders on or after August 27, 2026.

Stock performance and key technical indicators

Following the earnings announcement, GE Shipping shares rallied 9% during Tuesday’s trading session. The stock has delivered an impressive return of around 51% over the past one year. The company currently commands a market capitalisation of approximately Rs 19,964 crore, while its 52-week high stands at Rs 1,798.

From a valuation standpoint, GE Shipping continues to trade at attractive levels, with the stock currently commanding a Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio of 6.55, a Price-to-Sales (P/S) ratio of 3.73, and a Price-to-Book (P/B) ratio of 1.14. These valuation metrics indicate that the stock is available at relatively reasonable multiples compared with its earnings, revenue, and book value.
On the technical front, the stock’s 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 48.3. An RSI below 30 generally indicates oversold conditions, while levels above 70 suggest overbought territory. The stock is currently trading above all eight key Simple Moving Averages (SMAs), indicating a positive technical trend.The company witnessed increased participation from foreign institutional investors (FIIs) during the June 2026 quarter. FII holding in GE Shipping rose to 31.03% from 28.44% in the previous quarter. Meanwhile, mutual fund ownership declined to 11.98% from 14.72% during the same period.

With strong earnings growth, improving investor sentiment, and positive technical signals, GE Shipping remains among the stocks attracting market attention after its Q1FY27 performance.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

Rihanna shared a new series of promotional images for her Savage X Fenty lingerie brand this week, posing in a plunging floral lace teddy against a mock construction-site backdrop complete with traffic signs.

In the photos posted to Instagram, the singer and entrepreneur appears in a sheer Mod Poppy Lace Teddy, high heels and loose waves of dark hair. She leans near a “No Parking” sign and a large yellow “Curves Ahead” marker that features the outline of a woman’s figure. The setting includes roadblocks and other traffic props.

She captioned the post: “Even outside has rules @savagexfenty.”

The images highlight the brand’s latest release and continue Rihanna’s practice of starring in her own campaigns. Savage X Fenty also shared close-up shots of the same teddy. Fans responded with comments featuring heart and fire emojis.

The 38-year-old has maintained a steady pace of brand promotions in recent weeks. Earlier posts showed her in a black-and-white lace set with a garter belt, holding a red stop sign, and in a bubblegum-pink slip that emphasized her figure. Those images followed her return to more public visibility after the birth of her third child.

Rihanna and partner A$AP Rocky welcomed daughter Rocki in September 2025. The couple are also parents to sons RZA, 4, and Riot, 2. She kept the third pregnancy largely private until the Met Gala in May 2025, when she appeared with a visible baby bump. Roughly 10 months after Rocki’s arrival, the new campaign images present her in the same confident, body-forward style that has defined Savage X Fenty since its launch.

Savage X Fenty, founded by Rihanna, has built its identity around inclusive sizing, bold designs and a message of personal confidence. The brand regularly features Rihanna herself rather than relying solely on other models, a strategy that keeps the founder’s image closely tied to the product. Previous collections have included everything from everyday basics to more elaborate lace and mesh pieces. The current Mod Poppy Lace Teddy fits the brand’s pattern of combining sheer fabrics with structured details and playful marketing.

The construction-site concept leans into visual wordplay. The “Curves Ahead” sign directly references the campaign’s focus on the wearer’s silhouette, while the “Even outside has rules” caption ties the outdoor props back to the brand’s messaging. Rihanna has long used humor and directness in her social-media promotion, whether for music, beauty products or lingerie.

Public reaction to the latest drop followed familiar patterns for her posts. Followers praised the styling, the confidence on display and the continued visibility of a major celebrity founder modeling her own product. The campaign arrives amid broader industry attention on Rihanna’s business interests, which span music, Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty. She has repeatedly positioned the lingerie line as an extension of her personal aesthetic and values around body positivity and accessibility.

Rihanna’s approach to postpartum visibility has drawn notice in fashion and entertainment coverage. After each of her three children she has returned to campaign work that emphasizes the same unapologetic presentation of her figure. The latest images maintain that consistency while introducing a new thematic set and product.

Savage X Fenty continues to release seasonal and limited collections throughout the year. The Mod Poppy Lace Teddy joins recent drops that have included soft stretch lace in multiple colors and cuts. Pricing and availability details are typically listed on the brand’s website and through its membership program, which offers early access and discounts.

As a performer, Rihanna has largely stepped back from full-scale album cycles in recent years while expanding her commercial enterprises. The lingerie campaigns keep her cultural presence active between major music releases. Her Instagram account, with tens of millions of followers, remains one of the primary platforms for introducing new Savage X Fenty pieces directly to consumers.

The construction-themed shoot is the latest example of the brand’s willingness to stage elaborate concepts rather than simple studio portraits. Previous campaigns have used pool floats, studio lighting and other playful environments. The outdoor traffic-sign setting continues that inventive approach while keeping the focus on the product and the person wearing it.

Rihanna’s posts generated the expected volume of engagement, with users circulating the images and commenting on the styling and concept. The campaign reinforces the central role she continues to play as both founder and face of Savage X Fenty more than six years after the brand’s debut.

In the broader landscape of celebrity-backed fashion and beauty lines, Rihanna’s direct involvement remains distinctive. Few founders of comparable scale appear so consistently in their own advertising. The latest images extend that pattern, pairing a new product with a light-hearted visual concept and a short, characteristically direct caption.

The photos show Rihanna in the same confident register that has defined her public image for years—whether on stage, at red-carpet events or in brand campaigns. For Savage X Fenty, that continuity remains a core part of the marketing strategy.

Shares of KEI Industries rallied 6.77% to Rs 5,363.20 during Tuesday’s trading session after the company reported a robust performance for the first quarter of FY27, driven by strong demand in its wires and cables business, improved operating efficiency, and margin expansion.

The company posted a 40% year-on-year (YoY) growth in consolidated net profit, which increased to Rs 274 crore in Q1 FY27 from Rs 196 crore in the same quarter last year. The profit growth was supported by an improvement in profitability, with the profit after tax (PAT) margin expanding to 8.61% in Q1 FY27 from 7.56% in Q1 FY26.

KEI Industries reported a 23% YoY rise in revenue from operations, reaching Rs 3,185 crore in Q1 FY27 compared with Rs 2,590 crore in Q1 FY26. The company attributed the growth to broad-based demand across its wires and cables portfolio and balanced performance across business segments.

The company’s EBITDA increased 39.57% YoY during the quarter, supported by better operational efficiency and an improved product mix. As a result, the EBITDA margin expanded by around 155 basis points to 13.04% in Q1 FY27, compared with 11.49% in Q1 FY26.

The core Wires & Cables business continued to be the key growth engine, recording strong performance during the quarter.

Domestic Wires & Cables sales grew 29.31% YoY, supported by sustained demand and operational improvements.
Total Wires & Cables sales, including exports, stood at Rs 3,092 crore, contributing 97.08% of total revenue in Q1 FY27 compared with 95.96% in Q1 FY26.Dealer and distributor-led sales increased 41.98% YoY, contributing 59.09% of overall sales compared with 51.18% in the year-ago quarter.

The company’s active dealer network stood at 2,128 dealers as of June 30, 2026.

The Extra High Voltage (EHV) cable segment witnessed strong momentum, with sales rising to Rs 186 crore in Q1 FY27 from Rs 126 crore in Q1 FY26, marking a 47.74% YoY growth.

While export wires and cables sales declined 7.29% YoY during the quarter, the company expects overseas business to witness significant growth ahead, supported by a strong order book and improving demand in key international markets.

Revenue Break-up

KEI Industries’ Q1 FY27 revenue performance was largely driven by its core Wires & Cables segment, which contributed Rs 3,092 crore to the company’s total revenue during the quarter. The Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) business contributed Rs 43 crore, while the Stainless Steel (SS) Wires segment recorded revenue of Rs 53 crore.

Strong Order Book Provides Growth Visibility

The company’s pending order book stood at approximately Rs 4,292 crore, providing strong revenue visibility for upcoming quarters.

Technical Outlook: Stock Trades Above Key Moving Averages

From a technical perspective, KEI Industries shares are showing a mixed but stable setup. The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) stood at 49.1, indicating the stock is neither in the overbought nor oversold zone. An RSI below 30 generally indicates oversold conditions, while a reading above 70 suggests overbought territory.

The stock is currently trading above all eight key Simple Moving Averages (SMAs), reflecting a bullish trend from a moving-average perspective.

Recent shareholding trends indicate continued institutional confidence in KEI Industries. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) increased their stake slightly to 27.32% in the June 2026 quarter from 27.27% previously, while Mutual Fund holdings rose to 22.52% from 22.43% during the same period.

With strong quarterly earnings, healthy demand in the wires and cables segment, expanding margins, and a sizeable order pipeline, KEI Industries continues to attract investor attention following its strong Q1 FY27 performance.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)

A prosecutor says alleged Bali Ha’i Cruises swindler Colin Beeck was trying to conceal his activities when he re-directed bank statements requested by his boss Dick Chandler.

Summing up the case against Mr Beeck in Perth Magistrates Court, prosecutor Kirsten Norton said Mr Beeck wanted to keep other people at Bali Ha’i Cruises in the dark for “as long as possible” when he had the statements emailed to himself.

She was referring to Mr Beeck’s actions in late July 2022 after Mr Chandler, the company’s managing director, had requested statements from National Australia Bank after discovering he was being paid less than his general manager.

Mr Beeck admitted that he requested the statements be sent to his email address in a move he described as an error of judgment. “I have never done it before and I have never done it again,” he said under cross examination last week.

The investigation into the salary discrepancies and the intrigue over the email diversions were not central to the allegations that Mr Beeck stole $676,279 as a servant of Bali Ha’i Cruises from March 2018 to July 2022.

But the investigation led to the breakdown to the 27-year working relationship between Mr Chandler and Mr Beeck.

They worked together in the two-person Subiaco headquarters of Bali Ha’i until the financial blow-up in July 2022.

They were close, and just how close could be central to the decision to be made by Magistrate Greg Penn about the guilt or innocence of Mr Beeck on 114 counts of stealing as a servant.

Mr Beeck claimed that the alleged payments were structured so that the other Bali Ha’i Cruises directors did not know about them.

Mr Beeck also claims Mr Chandler knew all about more than $670,000 of transfers to the general manager’s credit card and bank accounts between March 2018 and July 2022.

His defence is he had an honest belief he was entitled to the money and he lacked fraudulent inent.

The transfers were made from a Bali Ha’i Cruises everyday account that had received deposits from two other companies in the group, including the National Australia Bank account of the Indonesian operating company, Bali Hai Nusantara.

Mr Chandler has testified he knew little about modern banking technology and all payments from Bali Ha’i Cruises’ bank accounts were made by Mr Beeck,

Giving evidence last week, Mr Chandler said Mr Beeck was among the Bali Ha’i Cruises board members who agreed in March 2020 to cut their pay by 50 per cent so the company could survive the COVID downturn.

But Mr Chandler realised something was wrong when he saw a National Australia Bank account in July 2022 showing that Mr Beeck was being paid more than him.

Mr Chandler said he realised Mr Beeck had increased his pay to around 80 per cent of his regular salary. 

When he asked Mr Beeck why he had increased his salary, Mr Chandler claimed the general manager said: “Because I could.”

Mr Beeck testified he would never make such a comment.

He denied he was prevented by board rules from increasing his salary from the 50 per cent cut agreed in March 2020.

In her summing up, Ms Norton claimed that the 50 per cent wage cut was essential for the company’s survival .

She said Mr Beeck’s increasing his salary to 80 per cent of the original figure “behind the company’s back was petulant and arrogant”.

The prosecution tried to attack the credibility of Mr Beeck in its summing up, but the accused man’s lawyer Luca Margaretic said there were clear deficiencies in the police investigation.

Mr Margaretic said police had not independently analysed the two laptops used by Mr Beeck or attempted to reconstruct records from metadata. Instead they had relied on information provided by Bali Ha’i Cruises.

He said there was no effort to identify who had sent the money from the two accounts that were the sources of the money used for the allegedly fraudulent transfers. “Someone had to press send … it’s no small amount of money that was sent from Indonesia,” the defence barrister said.

Mr Chandler had testified he did know how to access the company’s electronic banking system, but Mr Margaretic said it was incongruous that the managing director would be so aloof from his own company’s finances.

Magistrate Penn adjourned his decision to November 20.

PHILADELPHIA — LeBron James stunned the basketball world last week when he announced he would leave the Los Angeles Lakers to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers for his 24th NBA season, a decision that immediately reignited one of the sport’s most persistent questions: can the 40-year-old superstar win one more championship before he calls it a career?

James confirmed the move on social media, describing it as his “last decision” after seriously weighing retirement following the end of his 23rd season. He will pair with Joel Embiid in Philadelphia’s frontcourt for the 2026-27 season, joining a roster that has been reshaped this offseason around All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey and newly acquired forward Jaylen Brown, who arrived via trade from the Boston Celtics.

A surprising landing spot

According to multiple reports, James narrowed his free-agency decision down to five teams before settling on Philadelphia, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors among the other finalists. His agent has also indicated James would have joined the New York Knicks had they not already won a title, adding another layer of intrigue to a decision that reshuffled contender status across the Eastern Conference.

In explaining his choice, James struck an optimistic tone about Philadelphia’s championship potential. “I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time,” James wrote in his announcement.

Why the Sixers made sense

Philadelphia enters the season with a core built around three All-Star-caliber pieces in Embiid, Maxey and Brown, giving James more established teammates than he had during his final seasons in Los Angeles. Brown, an NBA champion with Boston in 2024, brings both scoring and playoff experience to a roster that has struggled in recent years with health issues surrounding Embiid, who has missed extended stretches of the past two seasons due to knee problems.

Brown’s arrival itself carried mixed emotions. Reflecting on the trade that sent him from Boston to Philadelphia, Brown said he was “excited and disappointed at the same time,” adding that he remains “big on respect, and actions speak louder than words.”

James’ arrival is expected to elevate Philadelphia’s national profile significantly. According to Front Office Sports media reporter Michael McCarthy, the Sixers are projected to receive the maximum 34 national television broadcasts this season, more than double the 14 games they were slated for before James signed, with the team also expected to feature prominently in marquee events such as opening week and the league’s Christmas Day slate.

The championship question

Whether James can deliver a title to Philadelphia remains far from certain. At 40 years old entering his 24th NBA season, an NBA record for career longevity, James will be tasked with adapting to a new system, a new set of teammates and, potentially, a diminished role compared to the primary offensive engine he has been for most of his career.

Embiid’s health remains perhaps the single biggest variable for Philadelphia’s championship hopes. The former MVP has been limited by knee issues in recent seasons, and any deep playoff run would likely require both James and Embiid to stay healthy through an 82-game regular season and a grueling postseason, something neither player has consistently managed in recent years.

The Eastern Conference also remains loaded with contenders. The Knicks enter the season as defending champions, while the Celtics, even after trading Brown, retain significant talent. James joining Philadelphia intensifies an already competitive conference, with the Sixers now viewed as a legitimate threat but far from a guaranteed favorite.

A league-wide ripple effect

James’ decision has already reshaped storylines across the NBA heading into the 2026-27 season. Teams he passed over, including Miami and Minnesota, have seen players respond publicly, with stars such as Bam Adebayo and Anthony Edwards reportedly making light of the decision. The Cavaliers, James’ former team on two separate occasions earlier in his career, have not issued a public response, while the Lakers, whom James informed directly of his departure, are expected to face him with extra motivation when the two teams meet during the season.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who had voiced frustration in mid-July over how long James was taking to make his decision, ultimately got the resolution he was looking for, along with the fresh storylines that come with one of the league’s most accomplished players changing teams late in his career.

Historical context

James enters the season as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and a four-time champion, having won titles with the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers. A championship with Philadelphia would give him a title with four different franchises, an unprecedented achievement in modern NBA history and one that would further cement his case as the greatest player of all time in the eyes of many analysts and fans.

Still, history suggests that championships become harder to secure as players age into their late 30s and 40s, even for a talent as durable as James. His physical conditioning has long been regarded as one of the most disciplined in professional sports, but the accumulated toll of nearly a quarter-century of high-level competition remains a significant factor working against him.

The 2026-27 NBA season is set to open in October, with Philadelphia’s revamped roster facing early scrutiny as James, Embiid, Maxey and Brown work to build chemistry under a compressed timeline. Whether the pairing translates into legitimate championship contention, or simply adds star power to a talented but unproven roster, will likely become clearer as the season progresses and the team faces the league’s top contenders, including the defending champion Knicks and a retooled Celtics squad still adjusting to life without Brown.

For now, the question of whether James will add one final championship to his résumé remains unanswered, dependent on health, chemistry and a Philadelphia roster that, on paper, gives him more talent around him than he has had in years, even as the Eastern Conference presents no shortage of obstacles standing in the way.