The remittance provider posted strong fourth-quarter earnings and issued upbeat guidance for 2026.Shares of Remitly Global (RELY 2.16%) jumped 30% this week, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. The mobile remittance platform reported Q4 earnings and guided to strong growth in 2026, which led investors to bid up the stock. Plus, the company is now producing strong operating leverage at scale, leading to huge profit gains.Here's why Remitly Global stock popped this week, and whether it is a ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the investment potential in legacy businesses within the remittance industry, particularly focusing on companies like Western Union (WU) and Euronet (EEFT) that are perceived to be in secular decline but may offer high yield and cash-generative opportunities [1] Group 1: Investment Focus - The emphasis is on identifying high-quality, shareholder-oriented companies that are undervalued due to short-term market factors or irrational investor behavior [1] - There is a particular interest in sectors such as remittances, ATMs, and tobacco, where cash-generative stocks are often overlooked despite their potential for revenue and earnings growth [1] Group 2: Geographic Scope - While the primary focus is on U.S. stocks, the analysis also includes attractive investment opportunities in the UK and globally [1]

Group 1 - The technology sector is experiencing a bull market, yet many stocks, including some hypergrowth stocks, are trading at lower multiples, presenting attractive entry points for investors in 2026 [1][2][9] - Coupang, a leading e-commerce platform in South Korea, reported a 20% year-over-year growth in net revenue and a 22% increase in gross profit, with active users rising by 10% to nearly 25 million [4][8] - A data leak scandal involving the exposure of customer data for approximately 34 million accounts has negatively impacted Coupang, leading to a 4% decline in weekly active customers [5][6] Group 2 - Despite the data breach, Coupang's fundamentals remain strong, with a market cap of $43 billion, trailing revenue over $33 billion, and a clean balance sheet, making it an attractive hypergrowth stock for 2026 [8] - Remitly Global is identified as a fast-growing remittance provider with significant potential for operational expansion [9]

Core Viewpoint - Remitly Global is positioned as a potential high-growth stock, with the potential to become a "10-bagger" due to its small-cap status and market share growth opportunities [1]. Group 1: Company Overview - Remitly Global operates as a modern remittance service with a user-friendly mobile application and competitive low transfer fees [3]. - The company currently holds a global market share of less than 10%, indicating significant room for revenue growth as it continues to capture market share from competitors [3]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Remitly's revenue grew by 25% year-over-year in the last quarter, showcasing its strong growth trajectory [3]. - The company has a market capitalization of approximately $2.8 billion, with trailing revenue exceeding $1.5 billion, indicating it is undervalued relative to its revenue [5]. - Despite being down 73% from its all-time highs, Remitly's business model exhibits strong unit economics, suggesting potential for future profitability once growth spending stabilizes [6]. Group 3: Market Position - The company is recognized for steadily gaining market share from legacy competitors, aligning with investment strategies that favor market-share gainers [2]. - Remitly's gross margin stands at 57.91%, reflecting its operational efficiency [2].

Core Viewpoint - Western Union's introduction of the U.S. Dollar Payment Token (USDPT) on Solana and the Digital Asset Network highlights the potential of stablecoins as an opportunity for remittance firms rather than a threat [1][2]. Group 1: Company Developments - Western Union shares increased by 6.5% following the announcement of USDPT and the Digital Asset Network [1]. - The Digital Asset Network will provide cash-out access at 380,000 Western Union agents, indicating a strategy to monetize stablecoin flows [2]. Group 2: Market Analysis - Analysts from William Blair anticipate that stablecoin remittances could enhance settlement speed, reduce pre-funding requirements, and improve capital efficiency, particularly in markets susceptible to inflation [2]. - Despite advancements in digital services, Western Union faces sluggish core money transfer growth and potential challenges from a remittance tax set to take effect in 2026 [3]. Group 3: Financial Metrics - Western Union's current dividend yield stands at 10%, with a low price-to-earnings ratio of 5.3x for 2026, which is expected to support the stock price [3]. - Following the market opening, WU shares rose by 2% to $9.68 [3].

Core Insights - Western Union is piloting stablecoin settlement solutions to reduce reliance on traditional banking systems [1][5] - The company views stablecoins as an opportunity rather than a threat, although it currently lags behind competitors like MoneyGram and Zepz [2][3] - Stablecoin wallets are particularly valuable in emerging markets where remittance inflows are crucial [4] Company Developments - CEO Devin McGranahan confirmed the pilot of stablecoin solutions on October 24 [1] - Western Union is expanding partnerships to enable customers to hold and move stablecoins [4] - The company aims to integrate stablecoins into its treasury operations for faster, more transparent, and cost-effective money transfers [5] Industry Trends - Other remittance providers, such as MoneyGram and Zepz, have already adopted stablecoin technology [3][7] - Major banks globally are exploring blockchain technology and stablecoin systems to enhance their payment solutions [8] - Traditional financial institutions are under pressure to innovate due to the rise of digital payment solutions, with SWIFT and major card networks actively developing their own blockchain capabilities [8]

Core Insights - Western Union is launching a stablecoin settlement pilot program aimed at reducing reliance on traditional banking systems and enhancing settlement efficiency and fund transparency [1] Company Overview - Western Union processes approximately 70 million transactions per quarter, covering over 200 countries globally [1]

Core Insights - XYRA Corp. is strategically expanding into Mexico's fintech and remittance markets, aiming to connect these two dynamic financial sectors [1][3] - The company is developing an AI-driven, quantum-secure payment infrastructure that integrates remittances with fintech through tokenization, enhancing financial inclusion [2][6] Industry Overview - Mexico is a significant financial hub, with a remittance corridor and a rapidly growing fintech ecosystem projected to reach $65 billion by 2033 [3] - The country sees millions of transfers from the U.S. weekly, supporting families and small businesses, while over 800 fintech startups provide credit access to millions of users [4] Current Challenges - Despite the growth, remittances and fintech have evolved separately, with traditional transfers taking 2-5 days and incurring fees over 6%, while local fintechs lack access to verified cross-border data [5] XYRA's Solution - XYRA's system allows U.S. users to send money converted into quantum-secure stablecoins, instantly settled in Mexican pesos and accessible via an XYRA credit card [7] - The platform employs post-quantum cryptography and AI to automate compliance, detect fraud, and generate real-time credit scoring, creating a self-reinforcing economic loop [7] Future Prospects - The integration of remittances and fintech is expected to transform traditional money transfers into long-term financial empowerment opportunities [8] - XYRA's initiative marks a significant milestone in bridging the gap between these two sectors, with plans for global expansion [8]

Core Insights - XYRA Corp. is strategically expanding into Mexico's fintech and remittance markets, aiming to connect these two dynamic financial sectors [1][3][8] - The company is developing an AI-driven, quantum-secure payment infrastructure that integrates remittances with fintech through tokenization, enhancing financial inclusion [2][6][7] Industry Overview - Mexico is a significant financial hub, with a remittance corridor and a rapidly growing fintech ecosystem projected to reach $65 billion by 2033 [3] - The country sees millions of transfers from the U.S. weekly, supporting families and small businesses, while over 800 fintech startups provide credit access to millions of users [4] Current Challenges - Despite the growth, remittances and fintech have evolved separately, with traditional transfers taking 2-5 days and incurring fees over 6%, while local fintechs lack access to verified cross-border data [5] XYRA's Solution - XYRA's system allows U.S. users to send money converted into quantum-secure stablecoins, instantly settled in Mexican pesos, and accessible via an XYRA credit card [7] - The integration reduces costs and settlement times, creating a self-reinforcing economic loop that empowers both senders and recipients [7][9] Future Prospects - The initiative marks a significant milestone for XYRA, positioning it for global expansion and establishing a bridge between fintech and remittances [8]

Core Viewpoint - The remittance provider Remitly is expanding its product offerings to adapt to the growing influence of stablecoins in the cross-border payment market, which has led to a significant decline in its stock price despite strong revenue growth [1][2][11]. Group 1: Product Expansion and Innovation - Remitly has introduced the Remitly Wallet, allowing its 8.5 million active customers to hold various currencies, including stablecoins [3]. - The company is partnering with payment provider Stripe to facilitate remittance transactions using stablecoins, enhancing the platform's value and customer adoption [4]. - Utilizing stablecoins on its balance sheet will enable Remitly to conduct real-time cross-border transactions, potentially reducing operating costs and improving customer value [4][5]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Market Position - In the last quarter, Remitly reported a 34% year-over-year revenue growth to $412 million, driven by a 40% increase in send volume, alongside a positive net income of $6.5 million [7]. - Despite the growth, Remitly's market share in total remittance payments globally is estimated to be below 5%, with significant revenue growth of nearly 100% year-over-year from outside North America, reaching $350 million [9]. - The stock is currently priced at $19 per share, with a market cap of $3.9 billion and revenue of $1.46 billion, indicating potential for doubling sales to $3 billion in the coming years [12]. Group 3: Investment Outlook - The current market conditions and the narrative surrounding stablecoins have led to a discount on Remitly's stock, despite its strong growth trajectory and resilience against immigration-related headwinds in the remittance market [11]. - With a projected net income margin of 20% on $3 billion in revenue, Remitly could achieve $600 million in net income, resulting in a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 6.5, suggesting the stock is undervalued [12][13].