Mastercard has teamed with self-service payment portal Pay4You on a spend management solution for European companies.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.The collaboration, announced Monday (July 7), emp ...

Core Viewpoint - The private sector is experiencing job losses, which is beneficial for earnings season and dividend growth stocks due to easing wage pressures and lower inflation, leading to better profit margins and dividend hikes [2]. Dividend Growth Stocks Dividend Growth Stock 1: T-Mobile US (TMUS) - T-Mobile US initiated a new dividend program in 2023 and raised its dividend by 35% to 88 cents per share after merging with Sprint [6][8]. - The company is expanding its margins and free cash flow, which supports its dividend growth strategy [7][9]. Dividend Growth Stock 2: Amphenol (APH) - Amphenol has seen significant growth, particularly in AI-related applications, with total orders increasing by nearly 60% year-over-year in Q1 2025 [12]. - The company raised its dividend by 50% last year, marking one of its largest increases [12]. Dividend Growth Stock 3: California Resources (CRC) - California Resources has shifted towards green-energy initiatives and has increased its quarterly distribution by 128% since its initiation [15]. - The company has been profitable since emerging from bankruptcy in 2021 and has seen its shares triple since relisting [16]. Dividend Growth Stock 4: RLJ Lodging Trust (RLJ) - RLJ Lodging Trust reduced its dividend significantly during the pandemic but has since increased it by 1,400% from its low point [19]. - Analysts project a 40% AFFO payout ratio for RLJ, indicating potential for further dividend growth [20]. Dividend Growth Stock 5: Coca-Cola Consolidated (COKE) - Coca-Cola Consolidated has shown consistent top-line growth and recently announced a $16-per-share special dividend, along with a quintupled regular payout to $2.50 per share [24]. - The company currently pays out only 15% of its earnings as dividends, suggesting room for future increases [24].

Core Insights - The investment strategy focuses on acquiring strong businesses when they are undervalued, emphasizing the importance of quality and price in investment decisions [1] - The portfolio has evolved over time, transitioning through various industries including telecom, banking, technology, and emerging markets, with a current emphasis on high-quality businesses [1] - The investment philosophy is influenced by notable investors and CEOs, highlighting the value of learning from successful figures in the industry [1] Investment Strategy - The approach prioritizes companies with large user bases and extensive content libraries, recognizing the potential for cross-selling opportunities [1] - Valuation is conducted at the EBIT plus R&D level, reflecting a belief in the significance of certain R&D investments [1] - The investment performance from February 2019 to October 2024 shows an annual return of 11.4% CAGR, which is below the market's 15.18% CAGR, indicating a need for improved future performance [1] Portfolio Management - The strategy aims to minimize portfolio turnover, with a focus on holding existing investments rather than frequent buying and selling [1] - The philosophy rejects traditional "Buy" and "Sell" recommendations, advocating for a "Strong Buy" threshold for exceptional businesses and categorizing others as "Strong Sell" to free up capital for new opportunities [1] - A "Hold" position may be initiated for high-quality businesses if their pricing is not favorable, indicating a flexible approach to investment management [1]

Core Insights - The report titled "Saudi Arabia Cards and Payments: Opportunities and Risks to 2029" provides a comprehensive analysis of the Saudi cards and payments industry, focusing on market trends, performance indicators, and competitive landscape [1][2][3]. Market Overview - The report covers current and forecast values for various markets within the Saudi cards and payments industry, including debit, credit, and charge cards [6]. - It includes detailed insights into payment instruments such as cash, card, credit transfer, direct debits, and cheques, along with an overview of alternative payment instruments [6]. - The competitive landscape is analyzed, detailing market shares of issuers and schemes [2][4]. Payment Instruments - The report provides a thorough analysis of payment instruments, highlighting the growth of contactless payments driven by the mada POS-supporting NFC payments and the introduction of Apple Pay's Express Transit mode for public transport [7]. - The adoption of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) solutions is increasing, with significant funding raised by BNPL firms like Tabby, which secured SAR 600 million ($160 million) in February 2025 [7]. Ecommerce Payments - The report discusses the government's initiatives to support ecommerce growth, including the organization of E-commerce Week by the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha'at) to promote ecommerce among entrepreneurs [7]. Regulatory Environment - Detailed regulatory policies and recent changes in the regulatory structure governing the Saudi cards and payments industry are covered, providing insights into the market drivers and regulations [3][6].

Core Viewpoint - The development of digital assets, particularly stablecoins, is gaining significant attention in the market, with Hong Kong establishing a regulatory framework to promote financial innovation while ensuring safety [4][8]. Regulatory Framework - The "Stablecoin Ordinance" in Hong Kong will come into effect on August 1, marking the introduction of a licensing system for stablecoin issuers pegged to fiat currencies [4]. - This ordinance aims to enhance the regulatory framework for digital asset activities in Hong Kong, ensuring monetary and financial stability while reinforcing its status as an international financial center [4][8]. - The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) will begin accepting license applications following the ordinance's implementation, with specific guidelines being developed through market consultation [4][8]. Market Development and Applications - The Hong Kong government is focused on expanding the application scenarios for stablecoins, aiming to address real economic challenges and promote sustainable market development [5]. - The HKMA launched a "sandbox" for stablecoin issuers to experiment with applications in a controlled environment, facilitating innovation [5]. - The recent "Hong Kong Digital Asset Development Policy Declaration 2.0" indicates the government's intention to explore stablecoins as a payment tool [5]. Public Education and Awareness - There is a need for enhanced public education regarding the differences between stablecoins, cryptocurrencies, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) to mitigate risks of fraud and unlicensed operations [7]. - The government is committed to investor education to help the public understand the nuances of these digital assets [7]. Challenges and Future Outlook - While the new regulatory framework provides a foundation for stablecoin development, challenges remain, particularly in public trust, risk management, and alignment with international standards [8]. - The proactive approach of Hong Kong in balancing regulation and innovation positions it uniquely to address inefficiencies in cross-border payments [8].

Group 1 - Triumph Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: TFIN) will release its second quarter financial results and management commentary after market close on July 16, 2025 [1] - A conference call to review the financial results will be held on July 17, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. central time, led by Vice Chairman and CEO Aaron P. Graft and CFO Brad Voss [2] - The live video conference can be accessed through a specific link or the Company's IR website, with an archive available afterward [3] Group 2 - Triumph Financial is a financial and technology company focused on modernizing and simplifying freight transactions, with a portfolio that includes Triumph, TBK Bank, and LoadPay [4]

Key Takeaways Visa stock climbs past its 50-day SMA, signaling bullish momentum amid strong transaction volumes. Visa is investing in AI and stablecoin tech to expand digital payments and drive future revenue growth. Robust cash flow and a $30B buyback plan highlight Visa's financial strength and shareholder focus.Shares of Visa Inc. (V) are gaining momentum, powered by strong transaction growth, favorable estimates and strategic bets on digital payments and stablecoins. The stock recently broke above its ...

Investors might want to bet on MasterCard (MA) , as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). An upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices -- has triggered this rating change.A company's changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years.The power of a changing ...

London-headquartered payments firm Wise wants to create a national trust bank in the US, in the latest sign of its growing focus on America as it works on moving its main share listing to the country https://t.co/oykyIs260K ...

Key Takeaways CNC, CVS, ODP, STNE and PSFE have low P/B ratios and strong projected earnings growth rates. Criteria include low P/B, P/S, P/E, PEG under 1, price greater than $5, and strong trading volume. Each stock holds a Value Score of A or B and has a favorable Zacks Rank of 1 or 2.The price-to-book (P/B) ratio is widely favored by value investors for identifying low-priced stocks with exceptional returns. The ratio is used to compare a stock’s market value/price to its book value.The P/B ratio is ca ...