Investors liked what they heard about two new company initiatives.Investors have been extremely willing to pay for PayPal (PYPL -0.49%) stock over the past few trading days. They were cheered by the announcement of not one, but two initiatives that, if managed well, will sharpen the company's competitive edge. This helped push its stock up by over 9% week to date as of Thursday night, according to data compiled by S&P Global Market Intelligence.Buy now, profit laterThe first initiative was made public on Mo ...

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) provider Affirm introduced a promotion across the United States, offering shoppers interest-free payment plans as the holiday season approaches.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .The event, called 0% Days, will run from Oct. 22 to 24, giving users of the Affirm app or Affirm Card access to thousands o ...

Fresh off its initial public offering (IPO), fintech company Klarna Group (KLAR) seems to be at the crux of another growth boom. The company’s newly launched Klarna card is gaining significant traction among consumers. The card was launched in July and quickly became a customer favorite. In the second quarter, the company initiated the U.S. rollout to deliver a smarter wallet experience, introducing features such as real-time transfers and deposits. By the end of the quarter, the card had an acceptance ra ...

Klarna (KLAR) is a leading financial technology company specializing in flexible digital payment solutions and “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) services for online shoppers. Klarna has become one of the world’s largest providers in its sector, serving over 100 million consumers and hundreds of thousands of merchants. The company’s platform integrates payments, credit, and shopping tools while recently expanding into banking and digital marketing services. Founded in 2005, Klarna is headquartered in Stockholm, ...

Affirm (NASDAQ: AFRM) stock has declined by 17.5% over 5 trading days. While company-specific news has been somewhat limited, insider selling appears to have weighed on the stock with a substantial share sale by CEO Max Levchin.CHONGQING, CHINA - AUGUST 26: In this photo illustration, a person holds a smartphone displaying the logo of Affirm Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFRM), a leading American financial technology company specializing in buy now, pay later (BNPL) services, with the company's branding visible i ...

PayPal (PYPL) has had a tough run in 2025, with its stock sinking more than 20% year-to-date, underperforming the broader market. The combination of rising competition in the fintech space and macroeconomic uncertainty has pressured its shares. However, recent developments suggest that the company may be setting the stage for a significant recovery. PayPal’s Blue Owl Deal A key development is PayPal’s new partnership with Blue Owl Capital, a prominent alternative asset manager, which will help PYPL to li ...

Core Insights - Affirm has formed partnerships with ServiceTitan and Vagaro to provide pay-over-time options for service providers in various industries, enhancing payment flexibility for consumers and businesses alike [1][4]. Group 1: Partnership with ServiceTitan - The integration with ServiceTitan's digital payments solution allows contractors to offer clients the ability to split home repair bills into biweekly or monthly payments [2]. - ServiceTitan's VP stated that this collaboration will provide a "flexible, responsible" payment option for homeowners, who typically spend an average of $8,800 annually on home improvement [3]. - Affirm's Chief Revenue Officer noted that this payment option helps contractors reduce friction, win more jobs, and improve customer satisfaction [3]. Group 2: Partnership with Vagaro - The partnership with Vagaro enables salons, spas, fitness studios, and wellness providers to offer pay-over-time options during both online and in-store checkouts [4]. - Vagaro's CEO mentioned that this option will assist businesses using the platform in growing and better serving their customers [4]. - Affirm's Senior VP highlighted that this initiative will provide consumers with "more choice and control at checkout" [4]. Group 3: Growth and Market Trends - Affirm reported a 39% growth in the services category during the June quarter, which now constitutes 3% of the company's overall mix [4]. - The CEO of Affirm indicated that the demand for their services is accelerating, as evidenced by a new record in gross merchandise volume (GMV) [5]. - The evolution of buy now, pay later (BNPL) services is characterized by increased consumer trust and a desire for predictability and control over repayment [5][6].

Core Insights - Affirm Holdings Inc. has announced two significant partnerships to expand its "buy now, pay later" services into new markets [1][2] - The collaborations are with ServiceTitan Inc. and Vagaro, targeting sectors with high-cost services [1][2] Group 1: Partnerships - Affirm has entered a multi-year agreement with ServiceTitan, allowing homeowners to pay for repairs and upgrades in biweekly or monthly installments, with no hidden or late fees [3] - The average household spends approximately $8,800 annually on home improvements, highlighting the need for flexible financing options [3] - The partnership with Vagaro will enable nearly 100,000 businesses to offer Affirm's installment plans at checkout, both online and in-person [4] Group 2: Market Positioning - By integrating its services within these platforms, Affirm aims to become a preferred payment option in markets where high costs deter consumer spending [2] - Vagaro's CEO emphasized that the partnership will provide customers with a "flexible, responsible way" to pay, while also supporting business growth [4] Group 3: Stock Performance - Affirm's stock has seen a significant increase of over 97% in the past year, although it was trading lower by 1.77% to $87.85 at the latest check [5]

Group 1 - Affirm Holdings has expanded its buy now, pay later service to U.S. Apple Pay users for in-store purchases using iPhones, building on its previous online and app launches [4]

Core Insights - Buy now, pay later (BNPL) plans are gaining popularity as an alternative to credit cards, allowing consumers to make purchases in short-term, typically interest-free installments [1] - An estimated 86.5 million Americans utilized BNPL loans in 2024, with projections indicating an increase to 91.5 million in 2025 [1] - Nearly half of Americans have used BNPL services at least once, with 11% having used them six or more times [1] Industry Impact - BNPL is seen as a threat to the credit card industry, as it caters to consumers who either prefer not to use credit cards or have limited credit availability [2] - Each purchase financed through BNPL represents a potential loss of transaction activity for credit cards, impacting major revenue drivers for banks and financial institutions [2] - The rise of BNPL services raises concerns among traditional lenders regarding consumer credit quality, as it creates a gap in understanding consumer credit profiles [3]