Core Insights - The CE 100 Index experienced a 5.9% increase over the week, influenced by the ongoing earnings season [1][2] Performance Overview - The CE 100 Index outperformed other indices in the 5-day period, with a 5.9% increase compared to Nasdaq's 6.42%, S&P 500's 4.60%, and Dow's 2.49% [2] - Year-to-date, the CE 100 Index is down 4.22%, while the Nasdaq is down 7.56%, S&P 500 down 6.05%, and Dow down 5.74% [2] - Over the past year, the CE 100 Index has risen 17.18%, outperforming Nasdaq's 11.33%, S&P 500's 9.38%, and Dow's 5.30% [2] Sector Performance - All pillars in the CE 100 Index saw gains, with the work segment leading at 8.6%, driven by Coursera's 19.8% increase in share price [4] - Coursera reported a 6% year-over-year revenue increase, reaching $179 million, with customer revenues up 5% to $102.1 million and enterprise revenues up 7% to $61.7 million [4] Company Highlights - Tesla reported a 71% drop in net income year-over-year, with total revenue falling 9% to $19.34 billion, and automotive revenues down 20% to $13.97 billion [5] - Despite disappointing financial results, Tesla's stock rose 18% due to market relief over Elon Musk's reduced involvement in DOGE-related activities [6] - Amazon shares increased by 9.5% after announcing a Rs 350 crore (approximately $41 million) investment in Amazon Pay India, aiming to increase market share in the UPI space [7] - Alphabet's shares rose 6.8% following better-than-expected earnings, with a nearly 10% increase in its core search business and a 28% gain in Google Cloud sales [8][9] - Google Search revenue increased by 10% to $50.7 billion, with YouTube advertising revenues also growing 10% to $8.9 billion [10] Financial Services Developments - The CE 100's Pay and Be Paid segment rose 6.6%, with PayPal announcing a new rewards program for its stablecoin, PYUSD, expected to offer a 3.7% annual rewards rate [11][12][13] - Mastercard's CEO noted that consumer spending remains strong despite economic concerns, leading to a 3.1% increase in Mastercard's stock [14] - Affirm's shares surged 16% after announcing it will report all pay-over-time loans to TransUnion, which may impact future credit scoring models [14][15]

PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: NASDAQ: PYPL ) and Adyen N.V. (OTC: OTCPK:ADYEY ) may both play central roles in the world of digital payment, but they go about it in very different ways, and investors would do well to keep that in mind. PayPalI focus on producing objective, data-driven research, mostly about small- to mid-cap companies, as these tend to be overlooked by many investors. From time to time, though, I also look at large-cap names, just to give a fuller sense of the broader equity markets.Analys ...

Core Viewpoint - Visa Inc. is expected to report strong second-quarter fiscal 2025 results, with earnings projected at $2.68 per share and revenues at $9.56 billion, indicating year-over-year growth of 6.8% and 9% respectively [1][2] Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Visa's fiscal 2025 revenues is $39.6 billion, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 10.2%, while the EPS estimate is $11.30, indicating a 12.4% rise [2] - Visa has a history of exceeding earnings estimates, having beaten them in the last four quarters by an average of 3% [2] Earnings Predictions - The model predicts a likely earnings beat for Visa, supported by a positive Earnings ESP of +0.10% and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [3] - Total Gross Dollar Volume is estimated to increase by 5.5% year-over-year, with the model predicting 5% growth [4] Transaction Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for total processed transactions indicates a 10.1% year-over-year growth, while the model predicts a 9.5% increase [5] - Total payment volumes are expected to rise by 7.4% year-over-year, with U.S. operations projected to grow by 6% [6] Revenue Growth - Data processing revenues are estimated to grow by 9.2% year-over-year, while service revenues are expected to increase by 9.1% [7] - International transaction revenues are projected to grow by 12.7% year-over-year, supported by continuous growth in cross-border volumes [8] Expense Considerations - Adjusted total operating expenses are expected to rise by more than 10% year-over-year due to increased costs in various areas [10] - Client incentives are estimated to be around $3.8 billion for the fiscal second quarter [10] Stock Performance - Visa's stock has declined by 2.5% in the past month, outperforming the industry and S&P 500 declines of 4.1% and 5.9% respectively [11] - Visa is currently trading at 27.73X forward 12-month earnings, above its five-year median of 26.92X and the industry's average of 22.52X [14] Investment Outlook - Visa's low-risk, transaction-based business model positions it well in a volatile macroeconomic environment, benefiting from the shift to digital payments [17] - The company continues to invest in real-time payments and blockchain, reinforcing its long-term growth potential [17] - However, Visa faces regulatory risks and its stock is trading close to its 52-week high, suggesting limited short-term upside [18]

Core Points - CoreCard Corporation plans to hold an investor conference call on May 8, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time, coinciding with the earnings release for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 [1] - A press release with financial results will be issued before the market opens on May 8, 2025 [1] - Investors can access the conference call via a webcast or by dialing a provided phone number, and a Q&A session will be included [2] - A transcript of the call will be available on the company's investor website after the call [2] Company Overview - CoreCard Corporation is a leading provider of innovative credit technology solutions and processing services in the financial technology and services market [1][3] - The company offers a card issuing platform designed for future global transactions, focusing on technological innovation in the payments industry [3] - CoreCard has established trust with major companies and financial institutions, providing real-time transactions through a reliable platform that operates on both private on-premise and cloud technology [3]

Core Insights - Mastercard's CEO Michael Miebach reported a 1.4% increase in consumer spending in March, contrasting with consumer sentiment surveys indicating economic concerns [1][3][2] - Miebach denied rumors of Visa taking over Apple Pay from Mastercard, asserting that the partnership remains intact [6][2] - The company is leveraging generative AI for "agentic commerce," allowing AI agents to assist in travel planning and other consumer needs [12][11] Consumer Spending Trends - Despite consumer sentiment surveys showing economic worries, Mastercard's hard data indicates that consumer spending is not slowing down [2][3] - Miebach emphasized that consumers remain empowered and continue to prioritize their spending desires, such as travel [3][4] Company Diversification and Services - Mastercard operates in 210 countries and territories, providing a buffer against potential economic slowdowns through diversification [4] - The company offers a range of services beyond payment processing, including significant cybersecurity solutions [5][4] Competition and Market Position - Miebach acknowledged fierce competition among payment networks and banks for processing transactions, particularly regarding the Apple credit card [7][6] - Mastercard differentiates itself by focusing on solving customer problems rather than merely competing [9][8] Technological Innovations - The company plans to phase out traditional online payment methods by 2030, replacing them with tokenization and biometric authentication for a smoother checkout experience [10] - Mastercard is utilizing generative AI to enhance customer experience and streamline processes, such as managing reward points and travel bookings [12][11] Investment in Security - Since 2018, Mastercard has invested $11 billion in cybersecurity and fraud management, aiming to save $120 billion in fraud by 2030 [13][14] - The company employs GenAI to monitor the dark web for compromised card data, enhancing real-time alerts for banks [14][13]

Cryptocurrency Market Overview - The cryptocurrency market has shown signs of recovery, with Bitcoin (BTC) surpassing $93,000, marking a seven-week high [1][4] - The recent rally in Bitcoin is attributed to optimism surrounding potential easing of trade tensions, particularly after President Trump's comments on trade talks with China [2][4] Bitcoin Performance - Bitcoin experienced a significant increase of over 6% in the past 24 hours, stabilizing around $93,850 [4] - Despite the recent gains, Bitcoin remains significantly lower than its all-time high, suggesting a potential buying opportunity before further rallies [2][4] Economic Context - President Trump's tariff policies have previously led to a decline in Bitcoin's value, dropping below $74,000, but a recent announcement of a 90-day halt on tariffs has contributed to its recovery [6] - Inflation rates have declined, with the consumer price index falling 0.1% month-over-month, raising expectations for potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve [7] Selected Stocks with Growth Potential - **NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 43.5% for the current year, with a 1.9% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 60 days [9] - **Visa Inc. (V)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 12.4% for the current year, with a 0.9% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 90 days [11] - **Accenture plc (ACN)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 8.2% for the current year, with a 0.1% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 90 days [12] - **HIVE Blockchain Technologies Ltd. (HIVE)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 72.7% for the current year, with a substantial 34.8% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 90 days [13] Industry Developments - Visa is expanding its stablecoin settlement capabilities to the Solana blockchain, enhancing global transaction efficiency [10] - Accenture promotes Ethereum-based blockchain solutions to streamline payment processing for businesses [12] - HIVE Blockchain Technologies focuses on cryptocurrency mining and bridging crypto with traditional capital markets [13]

Core Viewpoint - Payoneer (NASDAQ: PAYO) has established a strong competitive advantage through its global payment infrastructure, which smaller players will find difficult to replicate, indicating a positive outlook for the company as long as it maintains effective execution [1]. Company Analysis - Payoneer is viewed as a company with long-term growth potential, supported by a solid foundation in fundamental analysis and a focus on identifying undervalued companies [1]. - The investment strategy emphasizes acquiring quality companies at a discount to their intrinsic value and holding them for long-term earnings and shareholder return compounding [1].

Core Insights - Dividend stocks act as financial fortresses during market volatility, with 85% of the S&P 500's cumulative total return since 1960 attributed to reinvested dividends and compounding power [1] - Dividend growers have outperformed the broader market since 1973 while exhibiting lower volatility [1] Costco Wholesale - Costco has transformed into a global retail leader with a loyal customer base, utilizing a membership model that ensures predictable revenue [4] - The company has a strong commitment to shareholder returns, boasting 20 consecutive years of dividend increases and an average growth rate of 12.6% over the past decade [5] - Despite a current dividend yield of 0.47%, Costco's stock has significantly outperformed the S&P 500 since 2015, reflecting strong price appreciation [6] - With a conservative payout ratio of 27%, Costco has ample room for future dividend increases, supported by projected net sales of $250 billion for fiscal year 2024, a 5% year-over-year increase, and a growing membership base of nearly 137 million [8] Visa - Visa operates one of the largest electronic payment networks globally, connecting various stakeholders without issuing cards or extending credit [9] - The company has a remarkable 10-year dividend growth rate of 17.5%, with 16 consecutive years of dividend increases [10] - Visa offers a higher current yield of 0.71% compared to Costco, with a conservative payout ratio of 21.7%, indicating strong potential for continued dividend growth [11] - The asset-light business model allows Visa to benefit from increased transaction volumes and expansion into emerging markets, positioning it for robust free cash flow and sustained dividend growth [12][13] Comparative Analysis - For investors focused on dividend growth, Visa is identified as the more compelling option due to its higher historical growth rate, lower payout ratio, and higher current yield [14] - Both Costco and Visa can complement each other in a diversified dividend growth strategy, as they have different business models and industry exposures while maintaining a commitment to shareholder returns [15] - If only one stock can be chosen, Visa is considered the better choice in this comparison [16]

Core Viewpoint - President Trump's global tariffs have created volatility in U.S. stocks, prompting investors to seek companies less affected by trade tensions, with Visa Inc. identified as a potential safe investment due to its low-risk, transaction-based model [1] Company Overview - Visa has a market capitalization of $619.4 billion and is a leader in global digital payments, operating an asset-light model that minimizes credit risk [2] - Unlike Visa, American Express, valued at $176.4 billion, issues credit cards and extends credit, exposing it to higher risks in inflationary environments [3] Economic Factors - Inflation may benefit Visa as it charges a percentage on transactions, potentially increasing revenues with rising prices, although a decline in consumer demand could offset this advantage [4] - Visa is well-positioned for long-term growth due to the global shift from cash to digital payments and its strong network effect [5] Financial Performance - Visa has shown steady earnings and revenue growth despite macroeconomic uncertainties, investing in innovations like real-time payments and blockchain technology [6] - In fiscal 2024, Visa repurchased shares worth $16.7 billion and returned $5.1 billion to shareholders through buybacks and dividends in Q1 of fiscal 2025 [7] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts a 12.5% and 12.6% increase in Visa's EPS for fiscal 2025 and 2026, respectively, with revenue growth estimates of 10.2% and 10.3% [8] Stock Performance - Over the past month, Visa shares increased by 0.2%, outperforming Mastercard and American Express, which declined by 3.7% and 3.4%, respectively [10] Valuation - Visa is currently trading at a forward P/E ratio of 27.76X, above its five-year median of 26.91X and the industry average of 22.10X [13] Challenges - Visa faces rising costs, with adjusted operating expenses increasing by 10.8% in fiscal 2024 and 11.4% in Q1 of fiscal 2025, alongside a rise in client incentives [15] - Regulatory challenges include a lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice and scrutiny over interchange fees in the U.K., which could impact Visa's pricing power [16][17] Investment Outlook - Visa's strong global network and resilience amid economic challenges make it a compelling long-term investment, although short-term upside appears limited as shares are near their 52-week high [18][19]

Core Viewpoint - American Express Company (AXP) is expected to report first-quarter 2025 results on April 17, 2025, with earnings estimated at $3.46 per share and revenues of $17 billion, reflecting year-over-year growth in both metrics [1][2]. Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter earnings indicates a year-over-year increase of 3.9%, while revenues are projected to grow by 7.6% [2]. - For the current year, the revenue estimate stands at $71.5 billion, implying an 8.4% rise year-over-year, and the EPS estimate is $15.24, suggesting a 14.2% increase [3]. Recent Performance - American Express has consistently beaten consensus earnings estimates in the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 6.9% [3]. Earnings Prediction Model - Current indicators suggest uncertainty regarding an earnings beat, with an Earnings ESP of -0.40% and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [4]. Factors Influencing Q1 Results - A rise in network volumes is anticipated, driven by resilient consumer spending among AXP's premium customer base, with a projected 6.1% year-over-year growth in total network volumes [6]. - Discount revenues are expected to grow by 5% year-over-year, supported by increased network volumes [7]. - Growth in cards-in-force is projected at 4.5% year-over-year, with Average Card Member loans expected to rise by 10.6% [8]. - Interest income is likely to increase by 5.2% from the previous year, reflecting higher loan receivables [9]. Expense Considerations - Rising expenses in card member services, marketing, and salaries may limit margin growth, with increased client engagement costs anticipated due to higher spending and travel-related benefits [10]. - Pre-tax income from Global Merchant and Network Services is expected to decline by 3%, and U.S. Consumer Services is projected to fall by 5.4% year-over-year, adding to the uncertainty of an earnings beat [11]. Stock Performance and Valuation - AXP's stock has declined by 13.9% year-to-date, outperforming the industry's decline of 18.5% [12]. - Currently, AXP trades at 16.08X forward 12-month earnings, above the industry average of 13.97X, indicating it may be overvalued compared to its peers [15]. Market Context - The company operates in a different model compared to Visa and Mastercard, taking on full credit risk while serving an affluent customer base [17]. - Expectations of rate cuts could impact banking margins but may also boost consumer spending and swipe fee revenue [18]. - Near-term challenges include rising expenses and greater exposure to U.S. economic shifts compared to global competitors [19]. Investor Sentiment - Steady operations and customer resilience are seen as positive for current shareholders, while new investors may consider waiting for a more favorable entry point due to potential regulatory changes and spending shifts [20].