Core Insights - Synchrony Financial (SYF) has launched a new physical credit card in collaboration with PayPal, allowing users to access PayPal Credit both online and in-store wherever Mastercard is accepted [1][8] - The card features a promotional offer of six months of financing on travel purchases with no minimum spend, as well as six months of financing on purchases over $149 [2][8] - The introduction of this card aligns with the growing consumer interest in alternative financing options and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solutions, enhancing payment flexibility for users [3][8] Company Strategy - The launch of the new credit card strengthens the long-term relationship between SYF and PayPal, supporting SYF's strategy to diversify its portfolio and integrate credit products into digital ecosystems [4][8] - PayPal's extensive user base, with 436 million active accounts reported in Q1 2025, is expected to boost payment volumes and customer retention for SYF [4] Market Performance - SYF is actively expanding its presence through partnerships, which is likely to improve its active accounts, despite a 4% year-over-year decline in purchase volume to $40.7 billion in Q1 2025 [5] - Over the past year, Synchrony shares have increased by 37.9%, outperforming the industry average rise of 8% [6]

Core Insights - Sezzle (NASDAQ: SEZL) demonstrated strong performance in Q1 2025, indicating potential for long-term success in the Buy Now, Pay Later sector [1] Financial Performance - The company is experiencing significant revenue growth, although specific figures are not provided in the text [1]

Core Viewpoint - Despite recent growth in the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) industry, concerns about future performance are rising among investors, particularly due to increasing default rates and a weakening economy [2][10][14]. Company Performance - Affirm Holdings' stock has decreased by 17% in 2025 following a prediction of lower-than-expected growth for the current quarter [2]. - In the last three years, Affirm's stock has increased by 126%, reaching $52 per share, while the industry has expanded at an annual rate exceeding 50% [3]. - The company's fiscal third quarter results showed revenue of $783 million, a 36% increase year-over-year, and earnings per share of $0.01, surpassing expectations [5]. - The fourth quarter revenue guidance is set at $830 million, which is $11 million below consensus estimates, while the gross merchandise value (GMV) guidance is $9.55 billion, exceeding expectations by $350 million [5]. Industry Trends - The BNPL market has grown significantly, with an average annual growth rate of 55% since 2021, expanding from $97 billion to an estimated $560 billion in 2025 [10]. - The rise in BNPL loans has led to increased investment in the industry, but also to rising default rates among major players [10][12]. - Nearly two-thirds of BNPL loans are issued to borrowers with risky credit scores, indicating potential credit quality issues [12]. Consumer Behavior - Affirm's business is closely linked to consumer spending in sectors like electronics, apparel, and travel, with a 10% growth in active customers reaching 22 million in the third quarter [6]. - The company has introduced 0% interest loans, which have increased by 44%, as a strategy to drive sales and enhance customer lifetime value [8][9]. Market Sentiment - Wall Street analysts view Affirm's stock as undervalued, trading 29% below the average price target of $67.18 set by 21 analysts [4]. - Despite concerns, some analysts remain bullish on Affirm, citing its leadership in the BNPL space and recent partnerships, such as with Costco [17].

Core Insights - Giftify, Inc. has launched a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) payment option for CardCash.com through a partnership with Zip Co, enhancing customer flexibility in gift card purchases [1][2][3] Group 1: Company Overview - Giftify, Inc. operates CardCash.com and Restaurant.com, focusing on the incentives and rewards industry [9][10] - CardCash.com is a leading secondary gift card exchange platform, allowing consumers to buy and sell gift cards [10] Group 2: BNPL Integration - The BNPL option allows customers to split gift card purchases into installments at checkout, making it more accessible for shoppers [2][4] - This payment model is particularly appealing to Millennials and Gen Z consumers, who prefer alternatives to traditional credit [2][3] Group 3: Strategic Goals - The integration of BNPL aligns with Giftify's strategic vision to expand payment options and enhance customer experience [3] - The company aims to help customers maximize savings during financial constraints by combining gift card discounts with flexible payment options [5]

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 ...

Recent earnings show that the buy now, pay later (BNPL) business model is growing rapidly. One of the most established players in the payments space with BNPL offerings is PayPal NASDAQ: PYPL. The company mentioned in its latest earnings call that payment volume through its BNPL product grew by 20% in Q1. PayPal is putting a significant amount of effort into this area of growth because BNPL customers are particularly active. The company notes that these users spend 33% more on average and conduct 17% more t ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the potential resurgence of the bull market, highlighting opportunities in lesser-known tech stocks alongside established names like the Magnificent 7 and leading AI companies [1] Group 1: Under-the-Radar Tech Stocks - Three tech stocks, Sezzle Inc. (SEZL), Pagaya Technologies Ltd. (PGY), and AppLovin (APP), are identified as having significant growth potential and are showing strong momentum [2][3] - These companies are characterized as high-growth innovators with robust growth forecasts and favorable stock price movements, supported by a top Zacks Rank [2] Group 2: Pagaya Technologies Ltd. - Pagaya Technologies operates at the intersection of AI and financial technology, utilizing machine learning to improve credit decision-making and underwriting in consumer lending [4] - Despite a setback following a disappointing Q1 earnings report, Pagaya has shown a strong recovery, with analysts raising earnings forecasts and achieving a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [5] - The stock trades at a forward earnings multiple of 8.3x, with projected sales growth of 20% this year and 16% next year, alongside expected earnings growth of 112% in 2025 and 39% in 2026 [6] Group 3: Sezzle Inc. - Sezzle operates in the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) sector, providing flexible financing options while focusing on profitability and disciplined growth [8] - The stock, despite a significant rally, remains attractively valued at 26.9x forward earnings, with projected sales growth of 62% this year and 20.8% next year, and earnings expected to rise 76% in 2025 and 30% in 2026 [9][10] - Sezzle also holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), reflecting a positive earnings revision trend with significant increases in earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 [10] Group 4: AppLovin - AppLovin provides a mobile app marketing and monetization platform powered by machine learning, aiding app developers in revenue optimization [11] - The company has experienced substantial growth, with recent upward earnings revisions of 19.2% for the current quarter and 12.5% for the full year [12] - Although trading at a premium valuation of 42.5x forward earnings, the growth outlook is strong, with projected sales increases of 24.3% in 2025 and 16.3% in 2026, and earnings expected to grow by 70.6% this year and 44.8% next year [13][16] Group 5: Investment Considerations - For investors seeking high-growth tech exposure beyond major names, Pagaya Technologies, Sezzle, and AppLovin present a compelling mix of momentum, earnings strength, and long-term potential, supported by rising analyst estimates and top Zacks Ranks [17]

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 ...

Core Insights - The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) will not classify buy now, pay later (BNPL) companies like credit card networks, allowing Sezzle to focus on consumer engagement and platform innovation [1] Financial Performance - Sezzle reported a gross merchandise volume (GMV) increase of 64.1% year over year, reaching $808.7 million, driven by higher subscriber and user engagement [4] - Total revenue rose by 123.3% to $104.9 million, achieving a new quarterly high, while net income increased over fourfold to $36.2 million, equating to $1.00 per diluted share [4] - Operating expenses decreased to 52.4% of revenue, an 18.2-point improvement from the previous year [5] - The company raised its 2025 net income forecast by nearly 50% to $120 million, reflecting management's confidence in sustaining growth [6] Product and Service Innovations - Sezzle introduced several new features, including a Pay-in-5 beta program, enhanced shopping tools, and a financial education module called Money IQ [2][3] - The Pay-in-5 feature is expected to grow, currently accounting for under 10% of volume but showing positive initial results [11] Market Strategy - The company is focusing on enterprise-level merchants and exploring new verticals like grocery, where BNPL adoption has been slower [7] - Sezzle's On Demand product is experiencing monthly sequential growth, indicating strong consumer interest and engagement [8] Customer Engagement - Consumer purchase frequency increased to 6.1 times per year from 4.5, indicating stronger user engagement and higher lifetime value [5] - The expansion of the merchant network and online communities aims to enhance customer loyalty and financial literacy [3]