Core Insights - StoneCo Ltd. (STNE) shares have surged 108.7%, significantly outperforming the Internet–Software industry and the S&P 500, which rose around 16.2% and 5.2% respectively [1] - The stock's impressive performance positions StoneCo ahead of major fintech rivals like PagSeguro Digital (PAGS) and DLocal Limited (DLO) [1][2] Company Performance - StoneCo is strategically positioned to benefit from the booming global fintech industry, with the market projected to grow from $340.1 billion in 2024 to over $1.12 trillion by 2032, reflecting a CAGR of 16.2% [4] - The company has seen a 17% year-over-year increase in active clients in its payments business, reaching 4.3 million, and a 17% growth in total payment volume (TPV) [6] - Retail deposits reached R$8.3 billion, up 38% year over year, with R$6.3 billion in time deposits as part of a "cash sweep" strategy [7] Financial Metrics - StoneCo's total credit portfolio reached R$1.4 billion, with non-performing loans (NPLs) over 90 days at a controlled 4.57% [9] - The company's software segment revenues grew 11% year over year, with adjusted EBITDA rising 12% [10] - STNE trades at a forward P/E of 10.67X, significantly below its three-year high of 32.69X and the industry average of 40.58X [13] Strategic Initiatives - Management has executed R$843 million in share buybacks, lifting total repurchases over the past 12 months to R$2.4 billion, indicating a robust 12% distribution yield [12] - The company is witnessing stronger adoption of its financial services, with 38% of clients classified as heavy users by the end of Q1 [11] Market Position - StoneCo's integrated solutions and expanding ecosystem position it well for long-term growth as fintech adoption accelerates across Latin America [14] - The average brokerage recommendation for StoneCo is 1.67 on a scale of 1 to 5, with 77.78% of recommendations being Strong Buy [18][21]

Core Insights - The article compares two financial transaction services companies, PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (PAGS) and DLocal (DLO), to determine which is the better undervalued stock option for investors [1] Valuation Metrics - PAGS has a forward P/E ratio of 7.65, significantly lower than DLO's forward P/E of 17.66, indicating that PAGS may be undervalued [5] - The PEG ratio for PAGS is 0.68, while DLO's PEG ratio is 1.05, suggesting that PAGS has a better growth outlook relative to its price [5] - PAGS has a P/B ratio of 1.25 compared to DLO's P/B of 5.75, further indicating that PAGS is more attractively valued based on its book value [6] Investment Ratings - PAGS currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), while DLO has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), suggesting a stronger earnings outlook for PAGS [3] - Based on the valuation metrics and earnings outlook, PAGS is rated with a Value grade of A, whereas DLO has a Value grade of C, reinforcing PAGS as the superior value option [6]

Financial Performance - For 2025, StoneCo Ltd. has simplified its guidance to focus on adjusted gross profit and adjusted earnings per share (EPS), expecting growth of 14% and 18% year over year respectively [1] - In Q1 2025, gross profit increased by 19% year over year, exceeding yearly guidance, while EPS rose by 36%, nearly double the predicted annual increase [2] - The gross profit-to-TPV ratio improved by 5 basis points to 1.23% in Q1, indicating effective repricing and operational efficiency [4][9] Strategic Initiatives - StoneCo is prioritizing profitability over volume, anticipating a slight slowdown in MSMB TPV growth while aiming for a 14% TPV CAGR by 2027 [3] - The company implemented a cash sweep plan, converting R$6.3 billion of R$8.3 billion in retail deposits into on-platform time deposits to reduce financing costs and improve margins [3] - The credit portfolio expanded to R$1.4 billion with low default rates, aligning with long-term objectives [4] Competitor Outlook - PagSeguro Digital Ltd. expects gross profit growth between 7% and 11% year over year, with EPS growth of 11-15% [5][6] - DLocal Limited projects strong TPV growth of 35-45% year over year, with revenue growth of 25-35% and gross profit improvement of 20-25% [7] Stock Performance and Valuation - Year to date, StoneCo shares have gained 72.2%, significantly outperforming the industry growth of 10.7% and the S&P 500's growth of 1.2% [8] - StoneCo's valuation appears attractive, trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 9.04X, well below the industry average of 39.01X [10]

Core Insights - OppFi Inc. (OPFI) shares have surged 348.1% over the past year, significantly outperforming the industry growth of 29.2% and the Zacks S&P 500 Composite's 13.4% increase [1][4][6] - In the last six months, OPFI shares increased by 100.1%, while the industry only grew by 8.1%, with competitors Green Dot (GDOT) and DLocal Limited (DLO) declining by 10.5% and 6.3%, respectively [4][6] - The company has demonstrated improved credit quality and risk management, evidenced by a reduction in the net charge-off rate by approximately 700 basis points from the previous quarter and 1300 basis points year-over-year [5][6] Company Performance - OPFI's auto-approval rate improved to 79% in Q1 2025 from 73% in the same quarter last year, indicating a more effective initial screening process [8] - The current ratio for OPFI at the end of Q1 2025 was 1.73, up from 1.61 in the previous quarter and 1.56 a year ago, surpassing the industry average of 1.15, which reflects a strong liquidity position [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for OPFI's 2025 revenues is $578.4 million, representing a 10% year-over-year growth, while the earnings per share estimate stands at $1.23, suggesting a 29.5% increase year-over-year [14] Valuation Metrics - OPFI shares are trading at 10.85 times forward earnings per share, which is below the industry's average of 23.67 times [9] - The trailing 12-month EV-to-EBITDA ratio for OPFI is 7.09 times, compared to the industry's average of 14.06 times, indicating that OPFI is undervalued [11] Investment Recommendation - Given the improved credit quality, risk management strategies, strong liquidity position, and discounted valuation, the company is positioned as a compelling investment opportunity [15][16]

Key Takeaways StoneCo repriced nearly all clients in Q1 to align pricing with Brazil's 15% yield curve. STNE's gross profit rose 19% and EPS jumped 36%, both exceeding full-year guidance due to repricing. STNE's Financial Services revenues grew 20%, driven by repricing, with stable MSMB market share.In the first quarter of 2025, StoneCo Ltd. (STNE) strategically executed a broad repricing initiative aimed at preserving profitability in the face of higher interest rates and a widened yield curve from late ...

Core Insights - StoneCo Ltd. is positioned to benefit from the rapid growth of the global fintech market, projected to grow from $340.10 billion in 2024 to over $1.12 trillion by 2032 at a CAGR of 16.2% [1] - The company's business model aligns with trends in cloud computing, AI-driven fraud detection, and mobile-first financial services, particularly in emerging markets [2] - StoneCo's stock has increased by approximately 54.9% in the past three months, outperforming the broader Internet-Software industry and key fintech peers [3][8] Financial Performance - StoneCo's first-quarter 2025 results showed a 19% year-over-year increase in gross profit, exceeding the annual guidance of 14%, and a 36% increase in earnings per share, doubling the projected growth rate [6] - Client deposits rose by 38% year-over-year to R$8.3 billion, with significant growth in PIX transactions, which increased by 95% and are now monetized like debit payments [7][8] Valuation and Market Position - StoneCo is currently trading 11.6% below its average price target according to nine analysts, indicating potential upside [9] - The stock's price/earnings ratio is at 9.26X forward earnings, significantly lower than its five-year high of 87.87X and below the industry average of 37.60 [12] - StoneCo's discounted valuation relative to peers and historical averages positions it as an attractive investment opportunity [14]

Core Viewpoint - StoneCo Ltd. has experienced a significant share price increase of approximately 68.5% year to date, outperforming the broader Internet-Software industry and the S&P 500 benchmark, which saw gains of about 7.3% and 1.2%, respectively [1][4]. Financial Performance - The company has achieved three consecutive quarters of earnings beats, with the latest adjusted earnings per share reported at 34 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.3% [1][3]. - Financial Services revenues grew by 20% year over year in the first quarter of 2025, up from 11% in the previous quarter, indicating a positive trend in profitability [7]. - The Software segment contributed to profitability with an 11% revenue growth, driven by higher recurring subscriptions and an expanding client base, leading to a 12% increase in adjusted EBITDA [8]. Strategic Initiatives - StoneCo's strategic repricing initiatives and capital return programs, including over R$2.4 billion in share buybacks over the past year, have enhanced investor confidence [2][10]. - The company repurchased R$843 million in shares in the first quarter of 2025, contributing to a return on equity (ROE) increase for the Financial Services segment to 27%, up from 23% a year ago [10]. Market Position - StoneCo has outperformed other fintech companies such as PagSeguro Digital and DLocal Limited, which gained 44.4% and 4.7% year to date, respectively [4]. - The stock closed at $13.42, which is 11.9% below its 52-week high of $15.23, indicating potential for future growth [6]. Valuation Metrics - StoneCo's stock is currently trading at a price/earnings ratio of 8.84X forward earnings, significantly lower than its five-year high of 87.87X and below the industry average of 37.72 [13]. - The stock's Value Score of B suggests a discounted valuation, making it an attractive investment opportunity [13]. Industry Outlook - The global fintech market is projected to grow at a robust CAGR of 16.2% from 2025 to 2032, positioning StoneCo to capitalize on broader industry tailwinds [17]. - The company's focus on margin-rich transactions and disciplined share buyback strategy signals strong momentum ahead, enhancing long-term shareholder value [17].

Core Viewpoint - Limbach (LMB) reported quarterly earnings of $1.12 per share, significantly exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.30 per share, marking an earnings surprise of 273.33% [1][2] Financial Performance - The company achieved revenues of $133.11 million for the quarter ended March 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 10.45% and showing an increase from $118.98 million year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Limbach has consistently surpassed consensus EPS estimates, achieving this four times [2] Stock Performance - Limbach shares have increased approximately 20.7% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with the S&P 500's decline of -3.3% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.75, with projected revenues of $144.46 million, and for the current fiscal year, the estimate is $3.45 on revenues of $609.16 million [7] Industry Outlook - The Building Products - Maintenance Service industry, to which Limbach belongs, is currently ranked in the top 2% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable outlook for the sector [8] - Empirical research suggests a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can impact Limbach's stock performance [5][6]

Core Viewpoint - Shift4 Payments reported quarterly earnings of $1.07 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.71 per share, and showing an increase from $0.54 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of 50.70% [1][2] Financial Performance - The company posted revenues of $368.5 million for the quarter ended March 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.90%, compared to revenues of $263.7 million in the same quarter last year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Shift4 Payments has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times and topped consensus revenue estimates two times [2] Stock Performance and Outlook - Shift4 Payments shares have declined approximately 23.2% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has decreased by 6% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $1.10 on revenues of $406.49 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $4.70 on revenues of $1.71 billion [7] Industry Context - The Financial Transaction Services industry, to which Shift4 Payments belongs, is currently ranked in the top 28% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable outlook compared to lower-ranked industries [8]

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DLocal Limited (NASDAQ:DLO, "dLocal" or the "Company")), a technology-first payments platform enabling global enterprise merchants to connect with billions of consumers in emerging markets, intends to release financial results for its first fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2025 on May 14, 2025 after market close. The Company will host a conference call and video webcast on May 14, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Please click here to pre-register for the ...