Core Insights - Mastercard is transforming into a tech-forward payments enabler as physical cards decline in usage, focusing on digital wallets and tokenized payments [1][2] Group 1: Company Strategy - Mastercard is enhancing its Digital Enablement Service and Tokenization services to help banks and fintech securely integrate card details into digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay [2] - The company is engaging in the Buy Now, Pay Later trend and exploring Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and crypto initiatives to remain relevant in a changing landscape [2][8] - By partnering with major tech companies, Mastercard is ensuring its credentials are integrated into digital ecosystems, facilitating tap-to-pay transactions and launching APIs for smoother checkout experiences [3] Group 2: Technology and Security - The focus on cybersecurity, biometric authentication, and AI-powered fraud detection is critical for building trust in the digital payments space [4] - Mastercard's global network and strategic collaborations position it well for a cardless future, emphasizing the need for faster innovation to stay ahead of fintech and tech-native competitors [4] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Visa and PayPal are also advancing in the digital wallet space, with Visa focusing on real-time payments and PayPal enhancing its direct user engagement through its own digital wallet [5][6] Group 4: Financial Performance - Year-to-date, Mastercard's shares have increased by 7%, outperforming the industry's rise of 5.4% [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 32.36, above the industry average of 22.76 [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mastercard's 2025 earnings indicates a growth of 9.5% from the previous year, with recent upward estimate revisions [10]

Company Overview and Mission - Sezzle's mission is to financially empower the next generation by enabling merchants to offer customer-friendly credit alternatives [11, 12, 13] - The company aims to provide flexible, reliable, transparent, and secure services to both merchants and consumers [14] - Sezzle highlights its commitment to trust, financial freedom, technology, and the future [16, 17, 18, 19] - Sezzle is transitioning to a Public Benefit Corporation, focusing on purpose-driven actions and benefits for all stakeholders [20] Growth and Market Opportunity - Sezzle experienced triple-digit year-over-year growth in revenue, consumers, and merchants in 2018, 2019, and Q1 2020 [24] - The company operates in large retail markets: US (over $5.4 trillion), Canada ($461.1 billion), and Australia ($215 billion) [25] - Sezzle has over 1.3 million active consumers and over 14.9K active merchants [28] 2019 Performance Highlights - Sezzle completed its Initial Public Offering (IPO) at A$1.22 per CDI on July 29, 2019 [30] - The company secured a $100 million credit facility in November 2019, maturing in May 2022 [30] - There was significant growth in 2019, including a 775% increase in merchant fees, a 685% increase in merchant sales, and a 489% increase in active consumers [30] COVID-19 Impact and Response - Sezzle implemented a mandatory work-from-home policy and suspended business travel for employees [76] - The company expanded fee forgiveness and payment flexibility programs for consumers [77] - Sezzle highlights the potential positive impact of the US government's stimulus measures on its stakeholders [81] 2020 Momentum - In May, Underlying Merchant Sales (UMS) surged 321% year-over-year [93] - Active Customers rose 326% year-over-year in May [93]

Key Takeaways SEZL launched On-Demand to expand beyond merchant partners and boost product diversification. On-Demand enabled Pay-in-4 at any Visa-accepting location, lifting user flexibility and engagement. Revenues surged 123.3% and GMV climbed 64.1% in 1Q25, driven by higher purchase frequency.Sezzle’s (SEZL) introduction of On-Demand is a display of its product diversification tactic that has been a cornerstone in fueling user engagement, driving the top line and gross merchandise volume (“GMV”). This ...

Online e-commerce behemoth Amazon (AMZN) has kicked off its most anticipated and longest-ever Prime Day event. The event has expanded from 48 to 96 hours this year, running from July 8 to 11. Adobe predicts the four-day shopping spree will equal the combined online spending of two Black Fridays. U.S. online sales are expected to soar to a record $23.8 billion during Amazon’s four-day Prime Day sales event, according to Adobe. The surge in spending marks a 28.4% year-over-year increase, as consumers hunt for ...

Key Takeaways Visa partners with BNPL players to adapt to changing consumer credit preferences. These alliances boost Visa's volumes and give BNPL firms access to its global network. Visa's Q2 fiscal 2025 payments volume rose 8%, with 9% growth in processed transactions.As consumer spending habits evolve and younger generations move away from traditional credit options, Visa Inc.’s (V) increasing partnerships with Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) companies show a smart shift in strategies. Rather than seeing BNPL ...

Key Takeaways AFRM shares jump 145.7% in a year, outpacing peers and major indexes on strong product and execution gains. 94% of Q3 transactions came from repeat users, showing success of short-term plans and wallet integrations. AFRM is expanding into Europe via Shopify, targeting gaming and essentials to diversify transaction growth.Shares of Affirm Holdings, Inc. (AFRM) have surged 145.7% over the past year, significantly outperforming the broader market and peers. By comparison, the industry rose 35.1 ...

Anand Chokkavelu, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Jason Hall has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Matt Frankel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Sezzle. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. ...

Joining us now, Max Levchin, founder and CEO of a firm. Max, it's great to have you back on the program. Welcome.Thank you for having me. Let's start right there. What are you seeing uh in terms of spending behaviors from the consumer.What does it mean for a firm. You know, I've said it before, I feel like I'm a broken record at this point, but every time I'm asked this question, I say, you know, the rumors of uh the demise of the American consumer are greatly exaggerated. We're seeing good demand.We just r ...

we all know that governments are drowning in debt but there's another debt crisis quietly unfolding in the background one that could hit much closer to home the record-breaking mountain of consumer debt from soaring credit card balances to rising mortgage payments and the return of student loan bills millions of Americans are feeling the squeeze so in today's video we'll break down the data unpack what's really happening and ask whether a crisis could be brewing right under our noses my name is Guy and this ...

Key Takeaways AFRM is now the default financing option for Shopmonkey auto repair shops across the U.S. and Canada. The deal gives AFRM access to a high-frequency, urgent spending category with broad consumer relevance. AFRM's total transactions grew 45.6% YOY to 31.3M, driven by repeat users in the last reported quarter.Affirm Holdings, Inc. (AFRM) has partnered with a cloud-based auto shop management platform, Shopmonkey, to become a default pay-over-time option for auto repair customers in the United S ...