Ovanti Ltd (ASX:OVT) has knocked a second deal out of the park in Week 50 of the year, signing up US-based Ticketek competitor The Ticketing Co (TTC) onto its BNPL app Flote, set to disrupt the US retail loan market and putting the Flote brand-name in front of the eyes of American consumers. Listen to the HotCopper podcast for in-depth discussions and insights on all the biggest headlines from throughout the week. On Spotify, Apple, and more.Disclaimer: This content has been prepared as part of a partnershi ...

Core Insights - Block's Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) performance indicates a growing trend towards local spending, with a 10% increase in transactions compared to the previous year [1][9] Group 1: BFCM Performance - Block processed over 124 million transactions during the BFCM weekend, marking a 10% rise year over year [1][9] - Approximately 49.8 million unique consumers engaged with Block's platforms, serving over 1.3 million businesses [2][9] - Midtown Atlanta was identified as a local loyalty hotspot, with 57.9k repeat customers and 469k local transactions [2] Group 2: Consumer Behavior - The average Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) basket size increased by 10%, indicating customers are purchasing more items per transaction [3] - Consumer spend per customer using BNPL rose by 6%, suggesting increased engagement with the Afterpay app [3] Group 3: Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, Block reported transaction-based revenues of $1.87 billion, a 9.4% increase year over year, with transaction revenues accounting for 30.6% of net revenues [4] - Square's Gross Payment Volume (GPV) reached $67.15 billion in Q3 2025, up 12.2% year over year, driven by new product launches and international expansion [5] Group 4: Market Comparison - Adyen's platform processed $43 billion during the BFCM weekend, a 27% increase year over year, with peak transactions reaching 199,000 per minute [6] - Shopify reported $14.6 billion in global sales over the BFCM weekend, up 27% from last year [7] Group 5: Valuation and Estimates - Block's shares have declined by 29.3% year to date, underperforming the broader industry and the S&P 500 Index [8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for full-year 2025 EPS has been revised downward, indicating a projected 28.2% decrease year over year [11]

Accessibility StatementSkip Navigation NEW YORK, Dec. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This year's Black Friday/Cyber Monday (BFCM) proved to be another record-breaking holiday shopping weekend, where consumer traffic and demand spiked, and the Adyen platform delivered, processing a total volume of $43 billion across the BFCM weekend (up 27% vs. last year), while maintaining an exceptional 99.9999% uptime. Transactions per minute on the Adyen platform reached a peak of 199,000 on Black Friday. Additional insights fr ...

Core Insights - PayPal has launched "PayPal Pay in 4," an interest-free, no-fee buy now, pay later (BNPL) solution for Canadian consumers, available in time for the festive shopping season [1][2] - The service allows Canadians to split eligible purchases from $30 to $1,500 into four equal, interest-free payments over six weeks, enhancing flexibility at checkout [2] - PayPal's 2025 Festive Spending survey indicates a strong consumer interest in BNPL, with 60% of respondents who haven't used it expressing willingness to try it if there are no fees [2][3] Consumer Behavior - 74% of Canadians set a budget for holiday shopping, and 72% plan their shopping in advance to control spending [3] - 51% of Canadians plan to spend the same as last year, while 14% intend to spend more [3] - Categories where Canadians would consider using BNPL include appliances (31%), home décor/furniture (30%), and electronics (26%) [3] Business Impact - Businesses offering PayPal's BNPL solutions experience increased conversion rates and higher sales, which are critical during peak holiday seasons [2] - The global approval rate for PayPal BNPL is 90%, and it boosts order value by 80% [2] - PayPal's partnership with Cadillac Fairview aims to enhance the holiday shopping experience, providing consumers with flexible payment options [2]

Core Insights - PayPal has launched "Pay in 4," a no-fee buy now, pay later (BNPL) solution for Canadian consumers, allowing them to split purchases between $30 and $1,500 into four equal, interest-free payments over six weeks [1][8] - The BNPL segment is experiencing significant growth, with PayPal's total payment volume (TPV) projected to approach $20 billion in 2025, reflecting over 20% year-over-year growth in Q3 2025 [2][8] - Strategic initiatives include a partnership with Blue Owl Capital to purchase approximately $7 billion of PayPal's "Pay in 4" loans and a 5% cashback offer for U.S. customers on BNPL purchases [3][8] Company Developments - PayPal's BNPL solution is expanding geographically, now available in Canada, with extended payment terms in Italy and Spain allowing up to 24 installments [4] - The company has seen a decline in share price, down 21.5% year to date, underperforming the broader industry and the S&P 500 Index [7] Financial Performance - PayPal's shares are currently trading at a forward 12-month P/E of 11.44X, significantly lower than the industry average of 20.65X, indicating a potentially undervalued stock [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PayPal's full-year 2025 EPS has been revised upward, suggesting a year-over-year growth of 14.6% [11]

Core Insights - PayPal has launched "PayPal Pay in 4," an interest-free, no-fee buy now, pay later (BNPL) solution for Canadian consumers, enhancing payment flexibility during the holiday shopping season [1][2][3] Consumer Benefits - Canadian shoppers can split eligible purchases ranging from $30 to $1,500 into four equal, interest-free payments over six weeks, with automatic payments available through various funding options [2][3] - The service aims to alleviate financial stress during the holidays, with no late fees, sign-up fees, or hidden costs, while also providing Purchase Protection for eligible transactions [3][4] Business Advantages - Businesses that offer PayPal's BNPL solutions can experience increased conversion rates and higher sales, with a 90% global approval rate and an 80% increase in order value [5] - The service is positioned as essential for businesses to meet consumer expectations, particularly during peak shopping seasons, helping to reduce cart abandonment [5][6] Consumer Spending Trends - According to PayPal's 2025 Festive Spending Survey, 74% of Canadians set a budget for holiday shopping, with 51% planning to spend the same as the previous year and 14% intending to spend more [6] - The survey indicates a growing interest in using BNPL for various categories, including appliances (31%), home décor/furniture (30%), and electronics (26%) [6] Holiday Promotions - PayPal is partnering with Cadillac Fairview to enhance the holiday shopping experience, offering festive activities and the chance to win prizes for customers using PayPal Pay in 4 [7]

Core Insights - Kaspi.kz reported a 20% year-over-year revenue increase and a 12% net income increase for 3Q 2025, with underlying revenue and net income growth of 23% and 21% respectively when excluding smartphone GMV and regulatory changes [2][3] - The company anticipates a net income growth of 10-12% YoY for 2025, with underlying growth expected to be around 18-20% YoY, excluding smartphone GMV and regulatory impacts [3] Financial Performance - For 3Q 2025, total revenue increased by 20% YoY, while net income rose by 12% YoY; for the first nine months of 2025, revenue and net income both increased by 20% and 14% YoY respectively [2] - Monthly Transactions per Active Consumer stood at 76, indicating strong customer engagement [2] - Payments segment saw a total payment volume (TPV) increase of 18% YoY in 3Q 2025, with transactions up 14% YoY; for 9M 2025, TPV and transactions increased by 21% and 15% YoY respectively [2] Marketplace and E-Commerce - Marketplace revenue growth significantly outpaced GMV growth, with purchases up 36% YoY in both 3Q and 9M 2025; revenue increased by 24% YoY in 3Q 2025, while GMV grew by 12% [2] - Excluding smartphone GMV, Marketplace GMV increased by 20% and 21% YoY in 3Q and 9M 2025, with revenue growth of 32% and 34% respectively [2] - e-Grocery GMV grew by 53% YoY in 3Q 2025, showcasing rapid growth in this segment [2] Advertising and Innovation - Advertising revenue surged by 56% and 76% YoY in 3Q and 9M 2025, respectively, driven by new advertising services for merchants [2] - The company is set to roll out Kaspi Alaqan, a pay-by-palm innovation, in 4Q 2025, aimed at enhancing customer value [2] Strategic Developments - Kaspi.kz has integrated with six banks in Kazakhstan and expanded its partnerships with O!Bank in Kyrgyzstan and AliPay+ [2] - The company is working on acquiring Rabobank A.Ş. and has announced a modest share capital increase expected to raise approximately $100 million [3] - A $100 million ADS repurchase program has been initiated, reflecting the company's strong cash generation capacity and long-term growth prospects [3]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Non-GAAP diluted EPS for the third quarter was $0.90, exceeding the outlook range of $0.70 to $0.75 per share, marking the third consecutive earnings beat this year [6][24] - Consolidated revenue for Q3 was $595.1 million, reflecting a slight decline compared to $606.1 million in the same period last year, primarily due to the impact of the Big Lots GMV loss [10][29] - Consolidated adjusted EBITDA was $67 million, representing an increase from $63.5 million year over year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 11.3% [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Progressive Leasing GMV for Q3 was $410.9 million, a year-over-year decline of 10%, but underlying performance showed mid-single-digit growth when adjusting for the Big Lots bankruptcy and tightening of lease approvals [25][26] - Revenue for Progressive Leasing was approximately $556.6 million, down about 4.5% from $582.6 million in the prior year, impacted by GMV headwinds [26] - Write-offs for Progressive Leasing were 7.4%, showing improvement both sequentially and year over year, reflecting effective risk management [9][27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - E-commerce GMV represented 23% of total Progressive Leasing GMV in Q3, up from 20.9% in Q2 and 16.6% in Q3 2024, indicating strong growth in online channels [13] - Ford Technologies continued to show strong performance with triple-digit GMV and revenue growth for the eighth consecutive quarter, contributing significantly to overall company performance [19][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company announced the sale of its VYVE Financial credit card receivables portfolio to Atlantica Holdings Corporation, aimed at improving capital efficiency and profitability [11][30] - Strategic priorities include investing in growth, exploring M&A opportunities, and returning excess cash to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends [22][31] - The company is focused on enhancing its omni-channel ecosystem and strengthening relationships with retail partners, with nearly 70% of Progressive Leasing GMV renewed to exclusive contracts [14][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged ongoing consumer challenges due to inflation and financial stress among lower-income households, impacting discretionary spending [6][21] - The company expects continued headwinds in Q4 due to the macroeconomic environment but remains committed to driving sustainable, profitable revenue [21][22] - The revised outlook for 2025 anticipates consolidated revenues between $2.41 billion and $2.43 billion, with adjusted EBITDA in the range of $258 million to $265 million [33] Other Important Information - The company ended Q3 with a strong cash position of $292.6 million and a net leverage ratio of 1.1 times, indicating financial stability [32] - The VYVE divestiture is expected to provide approximately $150 million in liquidity, enhancing the company's balance sheet [30][32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on consumer pulse and write-offs - Management noted improvements in write-offs due to earlier tightening actions, but acknowledged elevated delinquencies and ongoing consumer stress [35][37] Question: GMV outlook for the rest of the year - Management indicated that Q3 was a tough comp and expected similar headwinds in Q4, with a clearer outlook anticipated in Q1 2026 [40][41] Question: Capital allocation strategy post-Vibe sale - Management emphasized a disciplined approach to capital allocation, prioritizing growth investments and strategic M&A before considering share repurchases [67][70] Question: Current environment and trade down effects - Management observed no significant trade down effects from higher-tier providers but noted the need for ongoing monitoring of the consumer landscape [50][52] Question: Insights on FORWARD customer acquisition - Management highlighted strong organic growth driven by referrals and word-of-mouth, with plans to enhance cross-selling opportunities between products [94][95]

Core Insights - Affirm Holdings, Inc. (AFRM) has expanded its payment options to include in-store purchases via Apple Pay, enhancing flexibility and choice for users in the US [1][9] - The integration allows users to set up Affirm in the Apple Wallet app and split purchases into biweekly or monthly installments [2][4] Company Developments - Users can initiate Affirm's payment method by double-clicking the side button on their iPhone, selecting Affirm, and completing a quick eligibility check [3] - Affirm offers installment payments with rates starting as low as 0% APR, with no late fees or hidden charges [4] - The adoption of Affirm's payment solutions has led to a 47.2% year-over-year increase in transaction count in fiscal 2025 [5][9] Competitive Landscape - Key competitors in the buy now pay later (BNPL) space include PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL) and Visa Inc. (V), both of which have a strong market presence [6][7] - PayPal processed 6.2 billion transactions in Q2 2025, with net revenues rising 5% year-over-year to $8.3 billion [6] - Visa's processed transactions increased by 10% year-over-year in Q3 2025, with total revenues advancing 14% year-over-year [7] Financial Performance - Affirm's shares have surged 103.3% over the past year, outperforming the industry's growth of 40.3% [8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Affirm's fiscal 2026 earnings indicates a 473.3% improvement from the previous year, with revenues expected to grow by 23.4% year-over-year [11] - Affirm currently trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 6.99, above the industry average of 5.82 [10]

Company Overview - LexinFintech Holdings Ltd. (NASDAQ:LX) is a Chinese company founded in 2013 that provides online direct sales and online consumer finance services, with core offerings including Fenqile, Lehua Card, Maiya, and Juzi Licai [3] Investment Potential - LexinFintech Holdings Ltd. is identified as one of the best stocks with high upside potential, with Nomura Holdings Inc. increasing its position by 437.7% in the first quarter, acquiring an additional 414,749 shares, bringing its total to 509,512 shares valued at $5,141,000 [1] - The company has outperformed the market with a one-year return of 249.82%, driven by the rising popularity of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services, particularly among lower-income younger generations [2] Market Position - LexinFintech has established key relationships with merchants, lending partners, and registered clients, focusing on the underbanked user segment, which positions the company favorably in the market [3]