Core Viewpoint - Investors are increasingly seeking growth stocks, particularly in the financial sector, to achieve above-average returns, but identifying such stocks involves significant risk and volatility [1] Group 1: Growth Stock Identification - The Zacks Growth Style Score system aids in identifying promising growth stocks by analyzing real growth prospects beyond traditional metrics [2] - MasterCard (MA) is currently highlighted as a recommended growth stock, possessing a favorable Growth Score and a top Zacks Rank [2] Group 2: Earnings Growth - Earnings growth is a critical factor for growth investors, with double-digit growth being particularly attractive [3] - MasterCard's historical EPS growth rate stands at 21.5%, with a projected EPS growth of 11.6% for the current year, surpassing the industry average of 11.3% [4] Group 3: Asset Utilization - The asset utilization ratio, or sales-to-total-assets (S/TA) ratio, is an important metric for assessing efficiency in generating sales [5] - MasterCard's S/TA ratio is 0.62, indicating that the company generates $0.62 in sales for every dollar in assets, compared to the industry average of 0.41 [5] Group 4: Sales Growth - Sales growth is another key indicator, with MasterCard expected to achieve a 15% sales growth this year, significantly higher than the industry average of 4.8% [6] Group 5: Earnings Estimate Revisions - Positive trends in earnings estimate revisions correlate strongly with stock price movements [7] - MasterCard's current-year earnings estimates have been revised upward, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by 1.9% over the past month [8] Group 6: Overall Positioning - MasterCard has achieved a Growth Score of B and a Zacks Rank of 2 due to positive earnings estimate revisions, positioning it well for potential outperformance [10]

Core Viewpoint - MasterCard has received an upgrade to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook on its earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system tracks earnings estimate revisions, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - An increase in earnings estimates typically leads to higher fair value calculations by institutional investors, resulting in stock price movements [4]. MasterCard's Earnings Outlook - MasterCard is expected to earn $16.29 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, with no year-over-year change anticipated [8]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for MasterCard has increased by 2.1%, reflecting a positive trend in earnings estimates [8]. Zacks Rating System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with only the top 20% of stocks receiving a "Strong Buy" or "Buy" rating [9][10]. - MasterCard's upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].

Core Insights - American Express Company (AXP) has established a multi-year strategic partnership with Toast, Inc. to enhance hospitality experiences by integrating guest data from its restaurant reservation platforms into Toast's systems [1][2] - This partnership strengthens AXP's position in the restaurant and hospitality ecosystem, creating a seamless guest experience from reservation to payment [2][4] - AXP differentiates itself from competitors by linking card membership to exclusive, data-enhanced hospitality services, which can drive higher loyalty and spending among cardmembers [3][5] Company Strategy - The integration of Resy and Tock listings into Toast's platforms enhances visibility and marketing for restaurants, potentially improving retention and attracting more establishments to Toast [4][7] - AXP's approach allows it to deepen customer relationships and expand merchant acceptance, while Toast benefits from new traffic sources and tools [4][5] Competitive Advantage - AXP sets itself apart from Visa and Mastercard by integrating deeply into the hospitality journey, offering personalized dining experiences and creating value beyond transactions [5][6] - This end-to-end control reinforces AXP's premium image and positions it as a hospitality partner rather than just a payment processor [5][6] Financial Performance - AXP shares have declined 0.5% year-to-date, while the industry has grown by 2.3% [6] - AXP trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 17.87, below the industry average of 20.89, with a Value Score of B [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AXP's 2025 earnings is $15.26 per share, indicating a 14.3% increase from the previous year [10][12]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the reliability of Wall Street analysts' recommendations, particularly focusing on MasterCard (MA), and highlights the differences between average brokerage recommendations (ABR) and Zacks Rank as tools for investors [1][5]. Group 1: Brokerage Recommendations for MasterCard - MasterCard has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.47, indicating a position between Strong Buy and Buy, based on recommendations from 38 brokerage firms [2]. - Out of the 38 recommendations, 27 are Strong Buy and 4 are Buy, which account for 71.1% and 10.5% of all recommendations respectively [2]. Group 2: Limitations of Brokerage Recommendations - Solely relying on brokerage recommendations for investment decisions may not be advisable, as studies show they often fail to guide investors effectively towards stocks with high price appreciation potential [5]. - Analysts from brokerage firms tend to exhibit a strong positive bias in their ratings, with five "Strong Buy" recommendations for every "Strong Sell" recommendation, indicating a misalignment of interests between these firms and retail investors [6][10]. Group 3: Zacks Rank as an Alternative - Zacks Rank is presented as a more effective tool for predicting stock price movements, categorizing stocks into five groups based on earnings estimate revisions, which have shown a strong correlation with near-term stock price changes [8][11]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MasterCard has increased by 1.9% over the past month to $16.29, reflecting analysts' growing optimism about the company's earnings prospects [13]. Group 4: Current Investment Outlook for MasterCard - The recent change in the consensus estimate, along with other factors, has resulted in a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) for MasterCard, suggesting that the Buy-equivalent ABR may serve as a useful guide for investors [14].

NEW YORK, Aug. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gross Law Firm issues the following notice to shareholders of Flywire Corporation (NASDAQ: FLYW). Shareholders who purchased shares of FLYW during the class period listed are encouraged to contact the firm regarding possible lead plaintiff appointment. Appointment as lead plaintiff is not required to partake in any recovery. CONTACT US HERE: https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/flywire-corporation-loss-submission-form/?id=159957&from=4 CLASS PERIOD: February 2 ...

Q2 2025 Financial Performance - Total revenue was $521.3 million, a decrease of 3.1% compared to Q2 2024[28] - Net income was $22.4 million, or $0.50 per share on a diluted basis, up from $20.5 million, or $0.46 per share in Q2 2024[28] - Adjusted EBITDA increased 4.6% to $106.5 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 20.4%, up 140 basis points versus Q2 2024[28] - Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.88, up 3.5% compared to Q2 2024[28] Segment Performance - Merchant Services revenue increased 2.9% to $101.4 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 21.4%, up 190 basis points year-over-year[29, 31] - B2B Payments revenue increased 1.1% to $71.0 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 22.0%, up 210 basis points year-over-year[32, 34] - Data Solutions revenue increased 18.1% to $67.8 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 30.1%, up 260 basis points year-over-year[35, 37] - Print revenue decreased 9.0%, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 32.2%, expanding 180 basis points year-over-year[45, 47] Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - Net debt was $1,444.6 million as of June 30, 2025, with a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 3.5x[49] - Free cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2025, was $52.1 million, compared to $17.6 million for the same period in 2024[49] 2025 Guidance - Revenue is projected to be between $2.090 billion and $2.155 billion, representing a decline of 1% to an increase of 2%[52] - Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be between $415 million and $435 million, an increase of 2% to 7%[52] - Adjusted EPS is projected to be between $3.25 and $3.55, flat to an increase of 9%[52] - Free cash flow is expected to be between $130 million and $150 million, an increase of 30% to 50%[52]

Core Insights - Global Payments Inc (GPN) reported second-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $3.10, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.03, with an 11% year-over-year increase [1][8] - Adjusted net revenues rose 2% year over year to $2.4 billion, slightly surpassing the consensus mark by 0.2% [1] - The strong performance was driven by growth in Merchant Solutions and Issuer Solutions, although elevated expenses partially offset the gains [1] GPN's Operating Performance - Adjusted operating income for the quarter was $1.1 billion, reflecting a 4.5% year-over-year increase [2] - Adjusted operating margin expanded by 130 basis points to 44.6% [2] - Total operating expenses increased by 2.3% year over year to $1.5 billion, primarily due to higher selling, general, and administrative expenses [2] Segmental Performances - **Merchant Solutions**: Adjusted revenues reached $1.8 billion, up 1.1% year over year, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.7% [3] - Adjusted operating income for this segment increased by 3.7% year over year to $917.3 million, beating the consensus estimate of $902.5 million [3] - **Issuer Solutions**: Adjusted revenues were $547.4 million, growing 4% year over year and surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.1% [4] - Adjusted operating income improved by 8% year over year to $266.4 million, exceeding the consensus estimate of $255.7 million [4] GPN's Financial Position (As of June 30, 2025) - Cash and cash equivalents increased to $2.6 billion from $2.4 billion at the end of 2024 [5] - Total assets rose to $48.5 billion from $46.9 billion at the end of 2024 [5] - Long-term debt decreased to $14.2 billion from $15.1 billion at the end of 2024, with the current portion totaling $1.9 billion [5] - Total equity increased to $23.2 billion from $22.9 billion at the end of 2024 [5] Cash Flow and Capital Deployment - GPN generated operating cash flows of $818 million in the second quarter, up from $736.9 million a year ago [6] - The company repurchased shares worth $691.1 million in the first half of 2025 [9] - A quarterly dividend of 25 cents per share was declared, payable on September 26, 2025 [9] 2025 Outlook - GPN reaffirmed its 2025 guidance, expecting adjusted net revenue growth of 5% to 6% on a constant currency basis [10] - Adjusted EPS growth is anticipated to be between 10% and 11% in 2025 [10] - The company expects to convert nearly 90% of adjusted net income into adjusted free cash flow [10] - An increase of more than 50 basis points in the annual adjusted operating margin is also expected [10]

Group 1 - Zacks Premium offers various tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1] - The Zacks Style Scores provide a unique rating system for stocks based on value, growth, and momentum, helping investors identify securities with high potential for market outperformance [2][3] Group 2 - The Value Score identifies attractive and discounted stocks using financial ratios such as P/E and Price/Sales, appealing to value investors [3] - The Growth Score focuses on a company's future prospects by analyzing projected earnings and sales, targeting growth investors [4] - The Momentum Score leverages price trends and earnings estimate changes to assist momentum traders in timing their investments [5] Group 3 - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, offering a comprehensive indicator for investors who utilize multiple investing strategies [6] - The Zacks Rank, a proprietary stock-rating model, uses earnings estimate revisions to simplify portfolio building, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks achieving an average annual return of +23.75% since 1988 [7][9] Group 4 - WEX Inc., a leading provider of payment processing solutions, holds a 2 (Buy) Zacks Rank and a VGM Score of B, indicating strong investment potential [11] - WEX's Value Style Score is A, supported by a forward P/E ratio of 10.95, making it attractive to value investors [11] - Recent upward revisions in earnings estimates by analysts have increased WEX's consensus estimate to $15.57 per share, with an average earnings surprise of +2.4% [12]

Core Insights - Global Payments (GPN) reported revenue of $2.36 billion for the quarter ended June 2025, marking a year-over-year increase of 1.6% and an EPS of $3.10 compared to $2.93 a year ago, with revenue meeting Zacks Consensus Estimate and an EPS surprise of +2.31% [1] Financial Performance - Non-GAAP Revenues for Merchant Solutions were $1.83 billion, slightly above the average estimate of $1.82 billion, reflecting a year-over-year change of +1.1% [4] - Non-GAAP Revenues for Issuer Solutions reached $547.37 million, exceeding the average estimate of $541.47 million, with a year-over-year increase of +4% [4] - Non-GAAP Revenues for Intersegment Elimination reported at $-17.86 million, compared to the average estimate of $-15.55 million, showing a year-over-year change of +19.2% [4] - Revenues for Merchant Solutions were $1.96 billion, slightly below the estimated $1.97 billion, representing a year-over-year decrease of -0.7% [4] Operating Income - Non-GAAP Operating Income for Corporate was reported at $-130.87 million, compared to the average estimate of $-127.02 million [4] - Non-GAAP Operating Income for Merchant Solutions was $917.26 million, exceeding the average estimate of $902.47 million [4] - Non-GAAP Operating Income for Issuer Solutions was $266.35 million, surpassing the average estimate of $255.74 million [4] - Operating Income for Merchant Solutions was $716.93 million, compared to the average estimate of $687.89 million [4] - Operating Income for Corporate was $-289.99 million, compared to the average estimate of $-205.89 million [4] Stock Performance - Shares of Global Payments have returned -2.8% over the past month, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite has changed by +0.5% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Core Insights - Nuvei has partnered with Chow Sang Sang Holdings International Limited to enhance its global payment capabilities as the jeweler expands into North America [1][3] - The partnership aims to support Chow Sang Sang's digital payments transformation and omnichannel strategy, providing seamless and localized payment experiences [3][4] - The global online jewelry market is projected to grow significantly, with sales expected to rise from $105.6 billion in 2024 to $166 billion by 2029, reflecting a 16% CAGR [3] Company Developments - Nuvei has obtained a Money Services Operator (MSO) license in Hong Kong, allowing it to offer local acquiring and settlement services [2] - The company is expanding its presence in the APAC region, including Greater China, Japan, Singapore, and Australia [2] - Nuvei's technology supports over 200 markets, with local acquiring in 50 markets, 150 currencies, and 720 alternative payment methods [6] Market Trends - The U.S. e-commerce jewelry sales are projected to increase from $22.5 billion to $37.9 billion from 2024 to 2029, more than tripling since 2017 [3] - Luxury brands are increasingly seeking sophisticated payment partners to enhance their global e-commerce capabilities [4] - Chow Sang Sang operates over 900 stores across Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, offering a diverse portfolio of brands [4][5]