As of Monday, the Nasdaq Composite index had tumbled more than 11% since the start of the year. The outlook for the economy is worrisome, as trade wars and promised tariffs could lead to disaster for many businesses. But that doesn't mean you should necessarily get out of the market. On the contrary -- this can be an optimal time to score some deals and investments you can hang on to for the long haul.If you've got $5,000 you can afford to invest in the stock market today, three stocks you'll want to consid ...

In 2024, Mastercard processed $9.8 trillion worth of transactions, an 11% increase from 2023. In 2023, transaction value increased 10%. And in 2022, the value of transactions increased 12%. These are impressive growth numbers, and it highlights why investors like Mastercard stock. Mastercard (MA -3.04%) is an industry-leading payment processor that is growing strongly as cash is replaced by cards. The shares have been rising steadily, more than doubling during the past five years. There's just one problem: ...

Core Insights - Visa has consistently outperformed the S&P 500 over the last decade, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.6% compared to the S&P 500's 12.6% [1][2] - An investment of $25,000 in Visa stock on March 23, 2015, would now be worth approximately $137,000, factoring in price appreciation and reinvested dividends [2][3] - Visa's current annual dividend is $2.36 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of about 0.7% at the current share price [2] Business Performance - Visa operates a vast payment network that processes tens of billions of dollars in transactions daily, reporting $4.1 trillion in payment volume for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 [3] - This payment volume generated $9.5 billion in revenue and $5.1 billion in net income for the same quarter [3] - The company's business model is characterized as simple, steady, and lucrative, making it a wise investment choice for over a decade [4]

Company Overview - ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW) is a global company specializing in payment solutions for financial institutions, merchants, and billers [1] - The company operates in 94 countries, indicating a broad international presence and a diverse portfolio of platforms [1] Services Offered - ACI Worldwide provides a range of financial services, enhancing its role in the payment solutions industry [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year 2024, revenue increased by 23.5% to $58.4 million, and adjusted EBITDA increased by 43.3% to $9.6 million [8] - Adjusted EBITDA margins improved by 230 basis points to 16.5% [8] - Fourth quarter total revenues of $15.6 million increased by $1.9 million or 14% compared to the same period last year [21] - Net income for the fourth quarter was $1.4 million or $0.02 per fully diluted share, down from $5.6 million or $0.05 per fully diluted share in the same period last year [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The patient affordability business grew 212% year-over-year, reaching $12.7 million compared to $4.1 million in 2023 [9] - Claims processed in the patient affordability segment increased by 272%, with 33 net programs added, representing a 77% increase over the previous year [9] - Plasma donor compensation business contributed $43.9 million in revenue for the year, a 4.6% increase over 2023's $42 million [11] - Fourth quarter plasma revenue decreased by 6.2% to $10.8 million, primarily due to oversupply issues [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company exited 2024 with 480 plasma centers, an increase of 16 centers over the previous year, and anticipates adding 10 to 15 centers in 2025 [11] - The average revenue per plasma center decreased by 9.5% to $7,510 [18] - Fourth quarter pharma revenues of $12.7 million accounted for 21.7% of total revenue, up from 8.6% during the same period last year [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The long-term strategy focuses on expanding solutions to create new revenue streams, particularly in maturing segments [13] - The acquisition of Gamma Innovation LLC aims to enhance capabilities in plasma donor and pharmaceutical patient engagement [14] - The company plans to enter the high-margin software-as-a-service market, significantly expanding its total addressable market [14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects the patient affordability business to sustain its strong growth trajectory in 2025, projecting to at least double in revenue [10] - The plasma business is facing challenges due to oversupply and increased donation yields, which are expected to persist [12] - Guidance for 2025 anticipates total revenues between $68.5 million and $70 million, reflecting year-over-year growth of 17.5% to 20% [26] Other Important Information - The company exited the year with $10.8 million in unrestricted cash and zero debt, a decrease of $6.3 million from 2023 [24] - The company repurchased 36,700 shares in the fourth quarter for approximately $135,000 [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you help us understand the strength in Q4 and the contributions from existing vs. new pharma patient affordability programs? - Management noted that 14 new programs were launched in the first quarter of 2025, with 10 added in Q4 2024, indicating strong revenue visibility from historical programs [35][37] Question: What is the marketing strategy behind the Gamma acquisition? - The acquisition is aimed at enhancing engagement tools and capabilities for both plasma and pharmaceutical businesses, with no revenue from Gamma factored into guidance [39][41] Question: Can you provide a deeper dive into the issues causing the slowdown in the plasma business? - Management explained that oversupply is due to post-COVID overproduction and increased plasma yields, leading to lower donations and compensation [50][51] Question: How many new programs are anticipated in the patient affordability segment this year? - Management indicated that they aim to at least double the number of programs added last year, with 14 already added in Q1 2025 [66] Question: Can you quantify the cash portion of the purchase price related to Gamma? - The cash portion will be paid out over five years, with the company maintaining a cautious approach to its cash position [73]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year 2024, revenue increased by 23.5% to $58.4 million, and adjusted EBITDA increased by 43.3% to $9.6 million [8] - Adjusted EBITDA margins improved by 230 basis points to 16.5% [8] - Fourth quarter total revenues of $15.6 million increased by $1.9 million or 14% compared to the same period last year [21] - Gross profit margin for the fourth quarter was 58.9% versus 52.2% during the same period last year [22] - Net income for the fourth quarter was $1.4 million or $0.02 per fully diluted share, down from $5.6 million or $0.05 per fully diluted share in the same period last year [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The patient affordability business grew 212% year-over-year, reaching $12.7 million compared to $4.1 million in 2023 [9] - Claims processed in the patient affordability segment increased by 272%, and 33 net programs were added, representing a 77% increase over the previous year [9] - Plasma donor compensation business contributed $43.9 million in revenue for the year, a 4.6% increase over 2023's $42 million [11] - Fourth quarter plasma revenue decreased by 6.2% to $10.8 million, primarily due to oversupply issues [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company exited 2024 with 480 plasma centers, an increase of 16 centers over the previous year, and anticipates adding 10 to 15 centers in 2025 [11] - The plasma business maintained a market share of just under 40% [18] - Fourth quarter pharma revenues of $12.7 million accounted for 21.7% of total revenue, up from 8.6% during the same period last year [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The long-term strategy focuses on expanding the depth and breadth of solutions to create new revenue streams, particularly in maturing segments [13] - The acquisition of Gamma Innovation LLC aims to enhance capabilities in plasma donor and pharmaceutical patient engagement, marking entry into the high-margin software-as-a-service market [14] - The company expects to at least double its patient affordability revenue in 2025 [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged a slowdown in the plasma business due to excess inventory and expects these conditions to persist through at least the remainder of 2025 [12] - The guidance for 2025 anticipates total revenues in the range of $68.5 million to $70 million, reflecting year-over-year growth of 17.5% to 20% [26] - Management expressed confidence in the patient affordability business continuing to grow significantly, projecting at least 100% year-over-year growth [26] Other Important Information - The company exited the year with $10.8 million in unrestricted cash and zero debt, a decrease of $6.3 million over 2023 [24] - The company repurchased 36,700 shares in the fourth quarter for approximately $135,000, totaling 136,700 shares for the year at approximately $495,000 [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Understanding the strength in Q4 and 2025 - Management noted that 14 new programs were launched in 2025, with 10 added in Q4 2024, contributing to revenue visibility [35][37] Question: Marketing strategy for Gamma acquisition - The acquisition is aimed at enhancing engagement tools and capabilities for both plasma and pharmaceutical businesses, with no revenue from Gamma factored into guidance [39][41] Question: Issues causing slowdown in plasma business - Management explained the oversupply in the plasma collection industry due to overproduction post-COVID and increased plasma yields, leading to lower donations and compensation [50][51] Question: Anticipated additions to patient affordability programs - Management indicated that they aim to at least double the number of programs added in 2025, following a 77% increase in the previous year [66] Question: Cash portion of Gamma purchase price - The cash portion of the purchase price will be paid out over five years, with no specific amount disclosed [73]

Core Insights - Splitit has launched a new Embedded Shopify App that offers one-click payment installments and all-in-one credit card processing, enhancing the payment experience for consumers and merchants [1][4]. Group 1: Product Features - The Splitit Card Installments app integrates seamlessly into the Shopify checkout process, allowing consumers to choose between full payment or installment options without any redirects or applications [2][4]. - The app is designed to reduce cart abandonment, which affects 22% of online shoppers due to complex checkout processes [2]. - As a white-label solution, the app allows merchants to maintain brand identity and control over customer data, ensuring a consistent brand experience [3]. Group 2: Market Reach and Opportunities - The Embedded Shopify App caters to shoppers in over 100 countries, enabling merchants to offer localized payment options and potentially access new markets and revenue streams [4][6]. - Splitit serves many of Internet Retailer's top 500 merchants and is accepted by over 1,500 eCommerce merchants across more than 30 countries [6].

Core Viewpoint - Visa Inc. is experiencing strong financial performance driven by increased cross-border volumes and the growing adoption of digital payments, with a notable stock price increase of 24.4% over the past six months [1] Financial Performance - Visa's net revenues for fiscal 2024 reached $35.9 billion, marking a 10% year-over-year increase, with the first quarter of fiscal 2025 also showing a 10% rise to $9.5 billion [4] - Adjusted EPS for fiscal 2024 grew 15% to $10.05, while the first quarter of fiscal 2025 saw a 14% increase to $2.75 [6] Growth Drivers - Key growth drivers include a 15% increase in cross-border volume in fiscal 2024, accelerating to 16% in Q1 2025, alongside a 10% growth in processed transactions for fiscal 2024 and an 11% increase in Q1 2025 [5][7] - Payments volume rose 6.7% in fiscal 2024 and 7.3% in Q1 2025, contributing significantly to revenue growth [8] Revenue Segments - In Q1 2025, Visa reported year-over-year increases in key revenue segments: Service Revenues up 7.5%, Data Processing Revenues up 8.9%, and International Transaction Revenues up 14% [9] Operational Strength - Visa's strong operating cash flow supports both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, enhancing its competitive edge in the payments industry [10] Fiscal Outlook - Visa projects low-double-digit net revenue growth for fiscal 2025, with operating expenses expected to rise in the high single-digit to low double-digit range [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a 12.5% and 12.6% increase in EPS for fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026, respectively, with revenue growth estimates of 10.2% and 10.3% [12] Valuation - Visa is currently trading at a forward P/E ratio of 28X, higher than its five-year median of 26.89X and the industry average of 23.04X [13] Challenges - Rising expenses, with adjusted operating expenses increasing by 10.8% in fiscal 2024 and 11.4% in Q1 2025, alongside legal challenges and regulatory hurdles, pose risks to short-term growth [15][16][17] Investment Perspective - Visa's strong market position and growth potential make it an attractive long-term investment, though new investors may consider waiting for a more favorable entry point due to its premium valuation [18][19]

Core Insights - PayPal has experienced a significant pullback since the beginning of the year, indicating a challenging market environment for growth stocks [1] - Management has indicated a deceleration in growth for 2025, with unbranded processing expected to undergo a reset year [1] Company Overview - PayPal is categorized as a growth stock, but it faces headwinds that may impact its performance in the near term [1] - The company is under scrutiny from investors due to the anticipated slowdown in growth and the reset in unbranded processing [1] Analyst Perspective - The analysis emphasizes the importance of identifying undervalued companies with strong balance sheets and management teams, particularly in sectors with long-term growth potential [1] - The investment strategy combines growth-oriented principles with strict valuation criteria to enhance the margin of safety for investors [1]

Core Insights - Dividends play a crucial role in investor returns, with 85% of the S&P 500's cumulative total return since 1960 attributed to reinvested dividends and compounding [1] - Companies that grow their dividends significantly outperform non-payers and those with static payouts, delivering 10.2% average annual returns from 1973 to 2023 compared to 4.3% for non-payers [2] - Payout ratios below 75% indicate greater financial flexibility for companies, allowing them to maintain or increase dividends during economic challenges [3] Company Summaries Costco - Costco operates a membership-based warehouse retail model that thrives in a competitive landscape, focusing on exceptional value through bulk purchasing [4] - The company has strong business fundamentals, with membership renewal rates exceeding 90% in the U.S. and Canada, generating reliable revenue from membership fees [5] - Despite a modest 0.51% dividend yield, Costco boasts a 12.6% 10-year dividend growth rate and a conservative 27% payout ratio, allowing for continued dividend growth and investment in expansion [6][7] Visa - Visa operates one of the largest payment processing networks globally, benefiting from powerful network effects that enhance its competitive position [8] - The company's business model generates exceptional margins with minimal capital expenditures, resulting in substantial free cash flow for business investment and shareholder returns [9] - Visa's 17.5% 10-year dividend growth rate and a disciplined 21.7% payout ratio reflect a balance between reinvestment and shareholder rewards, positioning it well for growth as economies transition to digital payments [10][11] American Express - American Express targets affluent consumers and businesses with its integrated payment and lending model, cultivating a loyal customer base through its premium brand image [12] - The company is expanding its merchant acceptance network while leveraging its closed-loop network for enhanced risk management and marketing effectiveness [13] - With a 1.24% dividend yield and a 10.7% 10-year dividend growth rate, American Express has a disciplined 20% payout ratio, providing capacity for future dividend increases as it focuses on younger consumers and small businesses [14][15]