Group 1 - The article focuses on Sezzle, a pure-play Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) company, highlighting its rapid growth in the financial technology sector [1] - The author has experience analyzing diversified transaction and payment processing companies, indicating a strong background in the financial technology industry [1] - The author expresses a personal interest in investing, particularly in technology stocks, which may influence the analysis of Sezzle [1] Group 2 - There is no specific financial data or performance metrics provided in the documents to summarize [2]

A growing player in the buy now pay later (BNPL) space, Affirm Holdings, Inc. (AFRM) , recently teamed up with Cali Pass. This partnership aims to introduce flexible and customer-friendly payment options to the winter sports market, a high-spending, experience-driven consumer segment. Starting with the 2025-2026 ski season, Cali Pass customers can choose between interest-free biweekly payments or extended monthly terms while purchasing their passes or lift tickets.Cali Pass clients can avail this plan onlin ...

Mastercard Incorporated (MA) and Affirm Holdings, Inc. (AFRM) sit on two very different ends of the digital payments spectrum. Mastercard is a global legacy player with a stronghold in credit and debit card transactions. Affirm, on the other hand, is a rising disruptor in the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) space, aiming to reinvent consumer credit with transparent, flexible instalment plans.Despite their differences, both companies share a common mission: facilitating consumer spending in an increasingly cashles ...

With tariff negotiations showing signs of progress and volatility easing, it looks like the bull market may be back on track. While household names like the Magnificent 7 and leading AI giants are expected to benefit, investors willing to look off the beaten path may find even greater upside in lesser-known names.This article highlights three under-the-radar tech stocks that are already showing signs of powerful momentum and may just be getting started. Each of these companies is a high-growth innovator, ba ...

Core Insights - Affirm experienced significant growth in its fiscal third quarter, with gross merchandise value (GMV) and revenues both increasing 36% year over year to $8.6 billion and $783 million, respectively, although guidance indicates a slight deceleration in growth rates ahead [1][3][5] Financial Performance - The Affirm Card's GMV surged 115% year over year to $807 million, with 2 million active cardholders, contributing to a total of 21.9 million active consumers, up 23% from a year ago [6][1] - Revenues rose 36% to $783 million, with 0% APR monthly installments growing by 44%, accounting for 13% of the company's GMV [4][5] - Merchant counts increased by 20% to 358,000, while charge-offs are trending toward 3.5% and loss rates for Pay in 4 loans are below 1% [6] Guidance and Future Outlook - Guidance for the current quarter anticipates revenues between $815 million and $845 million, with a midpoint of $830 million, slightly below the Street's consensus of $840 million [7] - The company expects year-on-year growth of 34%, down from the 36% growth seen in the last quarter, with elevated growth rates observed in April [9] Macroeconomic Considerations - Affirm expressed confidence in managing various macroeconomic environments, anticipating increased demand for payment flexibility during stress scenarios [2][9] - The company estimates that in a recession scenario with a ~50% increase in credit stress, a reduction in approvals could cost about 10 percentage points of GMV growth [9] Consumer Behavior and Credit Reporting - Affirm noted healthy repayment rates and a slight uptick in prepayments, indicating positive credit signals [7] - The company highlighted the importance of credit reporting, stating that timely repayments help consumers build their credit history and improve their credit scores [10]

Affirm is partnering with Costco to offer online shoppers the option to pay over time for transactions.The financial services company announced the collaboration Thursday (May 8) in a shareholder letter. Customers, if approved, will be to able select monthly Affirm payment plans when shopping on Costco’s website.“[We] are proud to announce our online partnership with Costco — a brand and a retailer I have personally admired for a long time because of their unwavering commitment to customer experience and tr ...

Fresh off Tuesday’s announcement that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) would not treat buy now, pay later (BNPL) companies like credit card networks, Sezzle’s first quarter 2025 results highlight a company in the midst of rapid transformation, with nonfinancial developments signaling a strategic pivot toward deeper consumer engagement and platform innovation. The Minneapolis-based BNPL provider rolled out several new features this quarter, including a Pay-in-5 beta program, enhanced shopping ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q1 2025 was $684.1 million, a 6.6% increase year over year, driven by a larger lease portfolio and higher purchase activity [9][27] - Adjusted EBITDA was $70.3 million, slightly down from $72.6 million in the previous year [27] - Non-GAAP EPS was $0.90, exceeding the high end of the outlook [10][27] - The lease portfolio balance increased by 6.1% year over year, compared to a 5.2% decline at the same point in 2023 [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Progressive Leasing's GMV for Q1 was $402 million, down 4% from the previous year, primarily due to the bankruptcy of a large retail partner [22][24] - Excluding the impact of the Big Lots bankruptcy, GMV growth was low to mid-single digits [8][24] - Ford Technologies, the BNPL platform, achieved triple-digit revenue growth and positive adjusted EBITDA for the first time [11][80] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The macroeconomic environment has deteriorated, with inflation and tariff concerns impacting consumer confidence and spending [12][29] - Consumer behavior has shifted, with many delaying discretionary spending, particularly in big-ticket categories [8][12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on executing its ecosystem strategy, which includes enhancing both leasing and BNPL products to meet consumer needs [11][19] - Strategic investments in marketing and technology are prioritized to drive growth and optimize risk management [12][19] - The company aims to maintain a disciplined approach to spending while making selective capital investments [14][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenging macro environment but expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate through it [12][29] - The revised 2025 outlook reflects increased macro uncertainty and a decline in consumer confidence, particularly in key categories [29][30] - Management expects lease portfolio performance to remain within the targeted 6% to 8% annual write-off range [30] Other Important Information - The company returned capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, with a quarterly cash dividend of $0.13 per share [27] - The company has $335.2 million remaining under its $500 million share repurchase program [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the dynamics of the trade-down environment? - Management noted that trade-down behavior still exists but is more muted compared to the latter half of 2024, with no significant tightening observed [36] Question: How has retail softness progressed? - Management indicated that while the quarter started encouragingly, there was a noticeable downshift in consumer sentiment, with no significant rebound observed [40] Question: What is the impact of the Big Lots bankruptcy on GMV? - Management confirmed that the $30 million GMV headwind from the lost customer is expected to be consistent across the quarters [41][42] Question: How are inflation and tariffs impacting retail partners? - Management highlighted that modest price increases could be beneficial, but significant price shocks and demand destruction are concerning [46] Question: What is the status of the American Signature partnership? - Management reported positive progress with American Signature, indicating strong connectivity and training efforts [64] Question: What is the reduction in lease approval rates? - Management stated that lease approval rates are approximately 300 to 400 basis points lower year over year, influenced by tightening actions and a shift in application quality [70]

Marqeta, Inc. (NASDAQ:MQ) Q4 2024 Earnings Conference Call February 26, 2025 4:30 PM ET Company Participants Stacey Finerman - Vice President of Investor Relations Mike Milotich - Interim Chief Executive Officer & Chief Financial Officer Conference Call Participants Tien-Tsin Huang - JPMorgan Timothy Chiodo - UBS Darrin Peller - Wolfe Research Andrew Bauch - Wells Fargo Sanjay Sakhrani - KBW Chris Kennedy - William Blair Operator Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Marqeta, Inc.’s Fourth Quarter 2024 Earnings ...

Marqeta (MQ) Q4 2024 Earnings Call February 26, 2025 04:30 PM ET Company Participants Stacey Finerman - Vice President, Investor RelationsMike Milotich - Interim CEO & CFOTimothy Chiodo - Managing DirectorDarrin Peller - Managing DirectorAndrew Bauch - Director - Equity ResearchSanjay Sakhrani - Managing Director Conference Call Participants Tien-tsin Huang - Senior AnalystNone - AnalystCristopher Kennedy - Research Analyst - Financial Services & Technology Operator Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Marqeta ...