Techtarget Stock Price, News & Analysis

Wards Intelligence's Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) ranking shows Tesla maintaining overall leadership while Chinese automakers NIO and Xiaomi have surpassed it in technological innovation, securing second and third positions respectively. Xpeng and Rivian complete the Leaders category, which primarily consists of battery-electric-vehicle disruptors with digital-native, software-first approaches.

In the Strong Contenders category, including Zeekr, Lucid, Leapmotor, and BMW, 67% of automakers are now actively commercializing SDVs, showing significant progress from 2023. The Contenders category, featuring Hyundai, Volkswagen Group, and General Motors, shows increased semi-SDV deployment but requires substantial progress for full SDV production.

Notably, 62% of automakers in the Leaders and Strong Contenders categories are Chinese or Chinese-owned, with only three Western incumbents among the top 14 companies, indicating China's growing dominance in the SDV segment.

The global MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) market is projected to grow at a 3.6% CAGR from 2023 to 2029, outpacing the general personal mobile market's expected 1.6% CAGR, according to Omdia's latest forecast.

Regional growth variations show the Americas expecting 10.6% CAGR, led by Brazil, Mexico, and the US, while the Middle East & Africa projects 17.6% CAGR, driven by South Africa and Nigeria. Asia & Oceania will maintain the largest MVNO market by subscriptions, albeit with modest growth. Europe's MVNO subscriptions are expected to decline due to operator sub-brand competition and MVNOs deploying their own networks.

Banks, supermarkets, and broadband/TV service providers remain key MVNO market players, leveraging their existing customer bases for efficient mobile service promotion and enhanced customer engagement.

Global smartphone shipments showed strong recovery in 2024, reaching 1,223.6 million units, a 7.2% increase from 2023. The market recorded five consecutive quarters of year-on-year growth, with Q4 2024 reaching 328.4 million units (+2.9%).

Apple maintained its position as the world's largest smartphone manufacturer despite a 1.4% decline to 225.9 million units in 2024. Samsung experienced a 1.1% decline to 222.9 million units. Xiaomi showed remarkable growth with 168.6 million units (+15.4%), while Transsion Holdings reached 106.3 million units (+14.8%). Vivo achieved 100.8 million shipments (+13.9%), and Oppo Group grew 2.6% to 103.3 million units.

Honor, Lenovo, Realme, and Huawei all achieved double-digit growth, driven by overseas market expansion and recovery in Chinese and Indian markets.

Global smartphone shipments showed strong recovery in 2024, reaching 1,223.1 million units, marking a 7.1% increase from 2023's 1,141.9 million units. The industry experienced five consecutive quarters of year-on-year growth, with Q4 2024 reaching 328.0 million units.

Apple maintained its position as the world's largest smartphone manufacturer, shipping 225.9 million units despite a 1.4% decline from 2023. Samsung followed with 222.9 million units, showing a 1.1% decrease. Xiaomi demonstrated impressive growth with 168.6 million units, a 15.4% increase.

Notable performances included Transsion Holdings (106.7 million units, up 15.3%), Oppo Group (103.6 million units, up 2.8%), and Vivo (100.9 million units, up 14.0%). Chinese manufacturers Honor, Lenovo, and Huawei achieved double-digit growth, driven by overseas market expansion and recovery in Chinese and Indian markets.

TechTarget (TTGT) has announced the final results of its offers to purchase its outstanding convertible senior notes. The company received tenders for $3,040,000 of 0.125% 2025 Notes (100% of outstanding) and $413,993,000 of 0.000% 2026 Notes (99.9% of outstanding).

The repurchase offers were mandated following transactions completed on December 2, 2024, under the merger agreement dated January 10, 2024. TechTarget will pay approximately $3,040,412 for the 2025 Notes (including interest) and $413,993,000 for the 2026 Notes. After settlement, only $7,000 of 2026 Notes will remain outstanding, while no 2025 Notes will remain.

No noteholders chose to convert their notes during the offer period. The purchase price was set at 100% of principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest for the 2025 Notes.

TikTok and YouTube have emerged as the dominant video platforms for 18-35-year-olds in the USA, according to Omdia's latest consumer survey. TikTok reached 1.9 billion monthly active users globally in 2024, with 145 million in the USA. The platform generated $63.3 billion in global video revenues, nearly double YouTube's $33.3 billion, with $8 billion coming from US advertising.

The survey revealed significant platform overlap, with 92% of TikTok users also using YouTube monthly, and 61% using it daily. Instagram Reels and Facebook Video attract 76% of TikTok users monthly. YouTube viewing is increasingly shifting to TV screens, with 52% of US viewing occurring on TVs.

In Latin America, Netflix leads the SVOD market with 51 million subscriptions in 2024, projected to reach 57 million by 2025. Total SVOD subscriptions in the region are expected to grow from 154 million to 174 million in 2025. Disney+ is forecasted to reach 20 million subscriptions by 2025.

Omdia's latest survey reveals phishing attacks as the primary security threat for smartphone users, with 24% of respondents falling victim to such scams. The study, conducted in October 2024 across 1,572 consumers globally, identifies malware, viruses, and physical theft as other major concerns.

In device security testing, Google Pixel 9 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 outperformed competitors, including Apple's iPhone 16 Pro. While Android devices successfully flagged spam calls, the iPhone 16 Pro lacked voice call protection. No device fully detected phishing emails, though Google Safe Browsing offered some protection against malicious links.

Consumer trust has been significantly impacted, with 73% reporting decreased confidence in smartphone brands and operating systems following security incidents. Security experts emphasize the need for improved baseline phishing protection and increased consumer awareness efforts from manufacturers.

Industrial display panel shipments are projected to reach 167.9 million units in 2024, showing a 10.9% YoY growth, according to Omdia's analysis. Smart home and office applications lead with 46% shipment share, with multi-function printers accounting for significant volumes. E-cigarettes, gaming consoles, and two-wheeled vehicles are driving growth in the sector.

While 2024 revenue is expected to decline by 3.5% YoY to USD 2.1 billion, a strong rebound to USD 2.4 billion (13.6% YoY growth) is forecasted for 2025. Major players like AUO Display Plus, BOE, and Truly are diversifying their portfolios, with set and open frame business expected to account for 4.8% of total panel revenue in 2024.

The industry is adapting to geopolitical risks by shifting production to Southeast Asia and India. New opportunities are emerging in two-wheeled vehicles requiring weather-resistant displays, while mini LED backlight products for slot machines, marine, professional medical displays, and drones are set for mass production.

Display panel manufacturers have shown consistent increases in fab utilization plans during Q4 2024, reaching 77% by November and rising to 79% by December's end. Plans for Q1 2025 have been further revised upward to 80% utilization, with January 2025 seeing a notable six percentage point increase.

The surge is primarily driven by increased demand for special TV panels, stimulated by China's 'Swap Old for New' subsidy program. Additionally, anticipated tariff risks under the new US administration have temporarily boosted LCD TV panel demand, with Chinese TV makers increasing inventories in Mexico for US market shipments.

Major Chinese panel makers like BOE, China Star, and HKC Display are leading this trend. Some facilities have even cancelled planned Lunar New Year holidays to maintain high utilization rates, though manufacturers remain cautious about long-term demand trends.