Minneapolis, MN, Dec. 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sezzle Inc. (NASDAQ:SEZL) (Sezzle or Company) // Purpose-driven digital payment platform, Sezzle, today announced it will join the S&P SmallCap index, effective after market close on Friday, December 12, 2025. The S&P SmallCap 600 seeks to measure the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity market. “Our inclusion in the S&P SmallCap 600 highlights the progress Sezzle has made and sets the stage for our next phase of growth. It marks another step in strengthen ...

Core Insights - Tassat Group, Inc. has secured a U.S. patent for its Yield-in-Transit (YIT) technology, enhancing programmable interest-bearing settlement infrastructure [1] - The YIT technology aims to modernize financial transaction systems for regulated institutions and supports Lynq in delivering integrated interest-bearing settlement [1][2] Group 1: Technology and Innovation - The YIT technology facilitates intraday accrual and distribution of on-chain interest, addressing challenges in high-velocity settlement environments [3] - By enabling interest distribution based on the duration assets are held, the YIT model eliminates ambiguity and inefficiencies associated with traditional settlement processes [3][5] - Tassat's patent validates its innovation in tokenization and real-time programmable settlement platforms, potentially transforming capital efficiency for digital asset institutions [4] Group 2: Market Impact and Applications - YIT ensures that liquidity remains productive throughout the settlement process, allowing on-chain assets to generate continuous returns [5] - The technology opens avenues for features like collateral pledging, delivery vs. payment, and stablecoin reserve management [6] - The real-time impact of YIT is being demonstrated within Lynq's institutional network, allowing users to accrue on-chain intraday interest and receive same-day distributions [6][7]

Group 1 - The analyst initiated coverage on PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL) early this year and has maintained a bearish outlook on the stock [1] - The analyst emphasizes a strong focus on the tech sector and holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree with Distinction, majoring in Finance [1] - Core values highlighted by the analyst include Excellence, Integrity, Transparency, and Respect, which are deemed essential for long-term success [1] Group 2 - The article invites readers to provide constructive criticism and feedback to enhance the quality of the work [1]

I initiated coverage on PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL ) very early this year, and since then I have stayed bearish on the stock. As you can see in the rating history chart below, it seems that myI'm a full-time investor with a strong focus on the tech sector. I graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree with Distinction, major in Finance. I'm also a proud lifetime member of the Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society. My core values are: Excellence, Integrity, Transparency, & Respect. ...

Core Insights - Affirm Holdings, Inc. (AFRM) is experiencing a significant increase in active consumers, with a 24% year-over-year growth in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, driven by higher retention rates and new consumer acquisitions through partnerships [1][8] - The company's transparent, interest-free payment options are particularly appealing to younger shoppers, contributing to a broader shift towards pay-over-time models in digital commerce [2] - Total transactions increased by 52.2% year-over-year in the first quarter, leading to a 33.6% growth in total revenues, largely due to repeat customer transactions [3][8] Business Environment - Despite positive growth indicators, the company faces challenges such as higher funding costs, evolving buy now, pay later (BNPL) regulations, and changes in consumer borrowing behavior [4] - Competitors like Klarna Group plc and PayPal Holdings, Inc. are also performing well, with Klarna reporting a 32% year-over-year increase in active users and PayPal showing a 7% increase in net revenues [5][6] Financial Performance - Affirm's shares have gained 11.8% year-to-date, outperforming the industry average of 10.2% [7] - The forward price-to-sales ratio for AFRM is 5.03, above the industry average of 4.98, indicating a higher valuation compared to peers [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Affirm's fiscal 2026 earnings suggests a remarkable 566.7% growth from the previous year, with a revenue growth estimate of 26% year-over-year [12]

Core Insights - The partnership between Fifth Third and Brex is likened to a transformative deal in the payments sector, combining Fifth Third's scale with Brex's innovative fintech capabilities, aiming to enhance commercial card processing into an AI-enabled spend management platform [2][5] Company Perspectives - Fifth Third aims to transition its conventional commercial card processing business into a more advanced platform that leverages AI for improved customer value and growth in spending [2][5] - Brex is excited about the scale this partnership brings, allowing them to offer advanced financial tools to Fifth Third's mid-size business clients, many of whom currently manage finances manually [4][5] Technological Advancements - The collaboration is expected to provide a significant upgrade in financial tools, enabling corporate cards that control spending proactively and automate tedious tasks like receipt tracking and invoice approvals [5][8] - The integration of AI is anticipated to streamline financial processes, reducing manual work and errors, and saving hundreds of hours annually for corporate treasurers and controllers [8] Market Impact - A pilot program conducted earlier showed a tenfold increase in the sales pipeline, indicating strong market potential for the combined offerings of Fifth Third and Brex [9]

Company Overview - Block is currently valued at $37 billion with a revenue of $24 billion, trading at $61.04 [2] - The company has experienced a 0.5% revenue growth over the last 12 months and has an operating margin of 9.6% [2] - Block's debt-to-equity ratio stands at 0.18, and its cash-to-assets ratio is 0.35 [2] Stock Performance - Block stock has declined by 13.9% over the last 21 trading days, raising concerns about payment volume growth and competition in the fintech sector [2] - The stock has decreased by 86.1% from its peak of $281.81 on August 5, 2021, to $39.22 on October 30, 2023, while the S&P 500 saw a peak-to-trough decline of 25.4% during the same period [8] - The stock also experienced a decline of 55.6% from a peak of $85.70 on February 20, 2020, to $38.09 on March 20, 2020, compared to a 33.9% decline for the S&P 500 [9] - Additionally, Block stock fell by 48.8% from a peak of $99.01 on September 28, 2018, to $50.72 on December 24, 2018, while the S&P 500 had a decline of 19.8% [10] Valuation Metrics - Block stock is currently trading at a P/E multiple of 14.1 and a P/EBIT multiple of 21.5 [2] - Historically, the stock has returned a median of 17.5% within a year after experiencing sharp declines since 2010 [2] Resilience Assessment - The stock has performed worse than the S&P 500 during various economic downturns, both in terms of the extent of its decline and the speed of its recovery [4] - If the stock were to drop another 20-30% to $43, investor confidence may be tested [4]

Key Takeaways Block shares are down 28.1% YTD amid intensifying competition across digital payments and consumer finance.Block faces macro pressures, rising wallet rivals and added volatility from its bitcoin-related strategy.Square posts steady GPV and gross profit gains while Cash App expands with new tools, services and features.Block (XYZ) shares have dropped 28.2% year to date, which can be attributed to intensifying competition in the fintech industry. XYZ stock has not only underperformed its peers, ...

Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz (NASDAQ:KSPI) is one of the best new tech stocks to buy right now. On December 4, JPMorgan analyst Reginald Smith lowered the firm’s price target on Kaspi.kz to $88 from $96 and kept a Neutral rating on the shares as the firm broadly updated its 2026 outlook on the financial technology group. JPMorgan forecasts a soft-landing grind for the sector in 2026, predicting slowing real growth due to a weakening labor market and the delayed impact of tariffs. In Q3 2025, the company r ...

Warren Buffett reached a $153 billion net worth with strategic investments, and that’s the main reason why many people monitor what the Oracle of Omaha is doing in the stock market. Buffett recently drew attention by purchasing a $4.3 billion stake in Alphabet stock. That was enough news to send shares of Google’s parent company more than 10% higher in less than two weeks. Explore More: Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Bought Over $73 Million in Shares of This Tech Company — Here’s Why Try This: 6 Thin ...