Core Insights - Akamai Technologies and Visa have announced a strategic collaboration to enhance identity and security controls in agentic commerce through the integration of Visa's Trusted Agent Protocol with Akamai's behavioral intelligence [1][3][4] Group 1: Challenges in Agentic Commerce - As autonomous AI agents increasingly engage in online shopping, merchants face challenges in authenticating these agents and ensuring secure interactions [2] - The lack of a trust layer can lead to loss of control over personalization, security, and consumer relationships for merchants [2] Group 2: Trusted Agent Protocol Features - The Trusted Agent Protocol provides a framework for agent authentication, enabling merchants to gain real-time insights into AI agent activities before they access sensitive systems [3][5] - This protocol allows agents to transmit information to merchants, ensuring that they are approved for specific shopping missions and securely passing payment information [5][6] Group 3: Benefits for Merchants - Merchants can clearly identify legitimate AI agents and their intents, differentiating between browsing and payment activities with the help of Akamai's real-time behavioral intelligence [6] - The protocol enables secure payment interactions by assisting agents in conveying payment information as expected by merchants, while Akamai provides end-to-end protection against fraud [7] Group 4: Industry Context - Akamai's 2025 Digital Fraud and Abuse Report indicates a 300% surge in AI-powered bot traffic over the past year, with over 25 billion AI bot requests in the commerce sector during a two-month period [4] - Nine of the world's top 10 retailers utilize Akamai's services to enhance their digital commerce capabilities, ensuring fast and secure shopping experiences [8]

NEW YORK, Dec. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HUMAN Security, Inc., a leading cybersecurity company committed to enabling trusted interactions and transactions across humans, bots, and AI agents, today announced support for Bedrock AgentCore browser in AgenticTrust, the industry’s first adaptive trust layer for agentic commerce. Through this collaboration, HUMAN’s AgenticTrust technology verifies traffic from Amazon Bedrock AgentCore, ensuring that AI-powered agents built on AWS infrastructure are cryptograph ...

Core Insights - Shopify (SHOP) shares have returned 41.6% over the past 12 months, significantly outperforming the Zacks Computer and Technology sector's 20.4% rise, attributed to consistent results and strong execution [1] - Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) and revenues both grew by 32% in Q3 2025, with GMV growth accelerating from 31% in the previous quarter and revenue growth from 31% in the previous quarter [1][2] Performance Metrics - The acceleration in GMV and revenues is driven by an expanding merchant base, expected to continue into 2026, supported by Shopify's merchant-friendly platform and AI-powered tools [2] - Free cash flow margin has shown steady growth, reported at 15% in Q1 2025, 16% in Q2 2025, and 18% in Q3 2025, with Q4 2025 expected to slightly exceed Q3 figures [2] Competitive Positioning - Shopify has outperformed peers such as Amazon (AMZN), Wix.com (WIX), and Commerce.com (CMRC), which saw share declines of 2.9%, 53%, and 37.9% respectively over the same period [3] - The company is leveraging a vast amount of data from its expanding merchant base to enhance shopping experiences, utilizing AI tools for improved product discovery and checkout processes [7][9] International Expansion - International GMV grew by 41% year-over-year in Q3 2025, with Europe contributing 21% of revenues, and Shopify Capital now available in several European countries [10] - Shopify has expanded its payment solutions and partnerships to enhance fulfillment flexibility, including collaborations with major logistics providers [12] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Shopify's 2025 earnings is $1.45 per share, indicating an 11.54% year-over-year growth, with revenues projected at $11.45 billion, reflecting a 29% increase [13] - Merchant Solutions revenues are estimated at $8.70 billion for 2025, suggesting a 33.3% growth from 2024, while Subscription solutions revenues are expected to reach $2.75 billion, indicating a 17.1% growth [14] Valuation Concerns - Shopify's shares are currently considered overvalued, trading at a forward price/sales (P/S) ratio of 15.43X, significantly higher than the sector averages [15][16] - The company is facing potential gross margin pressures due to a higher mix of low-margin Merchant Solutions revenues and rapid Payments penetration [20]

Core Insights - Shopify Inc. is recognized as one of the 14 most promising fintech stocks to invest in, with a reaffirmed Market Outperform rating and a price target of $185 by Citizens following the release of its Winter '26 Editions update [1][3]. Group 1: Product Updates - The Winter '26 product update includes over 150 new features and enhancements aimed at improving efficiency, personalization, and innovation for merchants [2]. - Notable updates feature artificial intelligence integration, enhancing the merchant experience through smarter tools, automation, and easier platform use [3]. Group 2: Market Position and Growth Potential - Citizens expresses confidence in Shopify's growth due to its leading positions in online, offline, and B2B commerce, with expectations of continued market share gains in the e-commerce sector valued at over $6 trillion [4]. - International expansion is identified as an additional growth opportunity for Shopify [4]. Group 3: Company Overview - Shopify Inc. is a Canadian multinational commerce and financial technology company that provides an all-in-one e-commerce platform and a range of financial tools for merchants to start, run, and grow their businesses [5].

Core Insights - Shopify is experiencing a dynamic period with significant developments in its offerings, particularly in the realm of Agentic Commerce, which represents a new potential channel for the company [2] Group 1: Innovations and Technologies - Shopify is at the forefront of technological advancements aimed at supporting its merchants, showcasing its leadership in the marketplace [2] - The company is developing new frameworks to facilitate Agentic Commerce providers, enhancing their ability to execute within this emerging space [2]

Core Insights - Shopify Inc's Winter 2026 Edition emphasizes advancements in artificial intelligence, checkout, marketing, and merchant tools, showcasing the company's commitment to enhancing its platform [1][2] AI and Sidekick Integration - The integration of the AI assistant, Sidekick, into Shopify Admin allows merchants to automate tasks such as content creation and data analysis, providing significant value for small teams [3] - The launch of Sidekick Pulse transforms the tool into a proactive partner, offering personalized growth recommendations, which is seen as a key competitive advantage for Shopify in the SMB market [4] Expanding Commerce Reach - Shopify's partnerships with OpenAI, Perplexity, and Microsoft Copilot enable consumers to complete checkouts within AI chat interfaces, positioning the company favorably in the evolving landscape of online shopping [5] - The Shopify Product Network allows merchants to showcase complementary products from other sellers, creating a new passive revenue stream without the need for inventory management [6] Upgrades Across Checkout and Merchant Tools - Notable upgrades in checkout include the rollout of Shop Pay Installments in the U.K. and the addition of Apple Pay within Shop Pay, expanding funding options for merchants [7] - The introduction of the POS Hub, a USB-based hardware accessory, is expected to enhance Shopify's presence in physical retail by stabilizing connections among various devices [8] Additional Updates - Shopify Capital has expanded into the Netherlands, Spain, and Ireland, and new features such as USDC-based credits and a deals feed in the Shop App have been introduced to enhance customer engagement [9]

Core Insights - Wix.com Ltd. has announced its integration with Stripe's Agentic Commerce Suite, enabling Wix merchants to easily engage in agentic commerce and sell across multiple AI agents [1][2][3] Group 1: Integration and Features - The integration simplifies the process for Wix merchants to reach customers through various AI agents with a single, low-code setup [2] - This move is aimed at enhancing the shopping experience as AI-driven shopping accelerates, addressing the fragmented landscape of AI agent integrations [2][3] Group 2: Company Commitment and Future Outlook - Wix is committed to advancing its offerings to meet the evolving needs of merchants, particularly as AI reshapes customer discovery and purchasing behaviors [3] - The integration with Stripe's Agentic Storefront is designed to improve conversion rates and future-proof businesses for Wix users [3] Group 3: Company Background - Founded in 2006, Wix is a leading global platform that empowers users to create and manage their digital presence, combining advanced AI, flexible design, and robust business solutions [5] - The platform serves millions of users, including self-creators, agencies, and enterprises, and aims to make sophisticated digital creation accessible to all [5]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call on Agentic Commerce Industry Overview - The discussion centers around the evolution of commerce driven by AI agents, termed "Agentic Commerce," which is expected to transform payment and retail sectors significantly [2][24]. Core Insights and Arguments - **Historical Context**: The evolution of retail from department stores to eCommerce and now to AI-driven commerce is highlighted, indicating a significant shift in how consumers interact with products and services [2]. - **Current State of AI in Commerce**: While a growing number of consumers are using AI tools for product searches, the impact on actual commerce remains minimal, with AI chatbots contributing to only a small fraction of total web traffic [3][30]. - **Future of AI Agents**: The potential for AI agents to autonomously plan and execute tasks on behalf of consumers is discussed, which could lead to a more personalized shopping experience [4][5][44]. - **Impact on Payments**: The rise of AI agents is expected to change payment methods, with traditional card networks likely emerging as winners due to their established trust and governance frameworks [9][10][68]. - **Consumer Behavior**: The shift in consumer behavior towards AI-driven shopping experiences is anticipated to take time, with incremental changes being observed in the near term [7][16]. Important Data and Statistics - **Consumer Usage of AI**: Approximately 47% of consumers in the U.S. have used AI for shopping-related tasks, with the most common use cases being finding gift ideas (21%) and conducting product research (16%) [26][30]. - **Market Potential**: McKinsey estimates that orchestrated revenue from Agentic Commerce within B2C retail could reach $1 trillion by 2030 in the U.S., with a global potential of $3 to $5 trillion [28][29]. Risks and Challenges - **Trust and Governance**: The need for robust governance frameworks and trust in AI agents is emphasized, as these agents will handle sensitive transactions and consumer data [9][68]. - **Disintermediation Risks**: Concerns about disintermediation in eCommerce marketplaces are raised, particularly if consumers begin their shopping journeys on third-party AI platforms [16][60]. - **Fragmentation of Protocols**: The current landscape is characterized by fragmentation and experimentation with various protocols for agent communication and payments, which could complicate the adoption of Agentic Commerce [48][69]. Merchant Responses and Developments - **Cautious Adoption**: Merchants are approaching the integration of AI agents with caution, balancing the potential for increased traffic against risks related to brand recognition and data control [60]. - **Innovative Integrations**: Companies like Etsy and eBay are actively integrating AI capabilities to enhance consumer experiences, while Amazon is taking a more protective stance against external AI agents [61][66]. Conclusion - The transition to Agentic Commerce represents a significant paradigm shift in how consumers shop and how payments are processed, with implications for both traditional and new-age payment networks. The evolution of AI agents will require careful navigation of trust, governance, and consumer behavior dynamics as the industry adapts to these changes [46][70].

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Investment Rating - The report assigns a 12-month rating of Neutral to Fiserv Inc (FISV) with a price target of US$75.00, while the current price is US$62.69 [5]. Core Insights - Fiserv is consolidating its 16 core offerings into 5 platforms, allowing clients to migrate at their own pace, with significant progress already made [2]. - Management is adjusting pricing strategies in digital payments and SMB segments to be more competitive, particularly in the Clover product line [3]. - The company anticipates a decline in total company margins by approximately 200 basis points for the full year, with specific segments experiencing varying levels of margin compression [8]. Summary by Sections Core Banking Consolidation - Fiserv is reducing its core offerings from 16 to 5 platforms, with a focus on migrating clients at their own pace. The company serves around 3,500 US financial institutions within an addressable market of approximately 8,000 [2]. Pricing Decisions - Management plans to adopt more competitive pricing in digital payments, particularly for debit networks, while maintaining premium pricing for Clover products. Some previously implemented fees have been eliminated based on partner feedback [3]. Non-Clover SMB Insights - The non-Clover SMB segment has seen revenue declines primarily due to issues in Argentina, but growth is expected to stabilize moving forward. Management is cautious about converting non-Clover clients to Clover, ensuring a clear value proposition [7]. Margin Expectations - Fiserv expects total company margins to decrease by about 200 basis points, with Q4 margins projected to decline by 750-800 basis points. Merchant Solutions is facing significant margin compression due to lower expected high-margin revenue [8]. Capital Allocation and Free Cash Flow - The company anticipates maintaining a free cash flow conversion percentage similar to historical levels, with capital expenditures expected to be around US$1.8 billion in 2025, representing about 9% of revenue [9]. Financial Projections - Revenue is projected to grow from US$16.613 billion in 2022 to US$22.201 billion by 2029, with net earnings expected to fluctuate around US$4.205 billion in 2022 to US$4.396 billion by 2029 [4][15]. Valuation Metrics - The report highlights various valuation metrics, including a P/E ratio of 15.4 in 2022, expected to decrease to 6.0 by 2029, indicating a potential undervaluation of the stock [16]. Additional Insights - Fiserv is expanding into new verticals, such as healthcare, and enhancing its distribution channels through increased sales personnel and partnerships with banks and ISOs [10][12].