Core Insights - MercadoLibre is positioned to dominate the e-commerce and fintech landscape in Latin America, drawing comparisons to Amazon's growth trajectory in North America [1] - Amazon remains unmatched in global e-commerce size and scale, with diversified revenue streams including AWS and advertising [2] - MercadoLibre is experiencing significant growth, particularly in its fintech arm, Mercado Pago, which has seen a 29% year-over-year increase in monthly active users and an 83% growth in its credit portfolio [5] Company Performance - Amazon's stock has underperformed the S&P 500 over the past year and five years, indicating a potential shift from a growth stock to a value stock as the business matures [3] - MercadoLibre's market capitalization stands at $105 billion, with a current price of $2076.83 and a gross margin of 45.14% [4] - Mercado Pago's user base has reached 72 million monthly active users, reflecting the region's increasing adoption of digital banking and e-commerce technology [5] Market Trends - Latin America is identified as the fastest-growing e-commerce market globally, leading to an increase in digital payment methods among consumers [7] - MercadoLibre has maintained 27 consecutive quarters of growth above 30% year-over-year, highlighting its strong market position [6]

London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - January 19, 2026) - FiNext Conference has officially announced Alona Shevtsova as one of the featured speakers at FiNext Conference Dubai 2026, one of the leading international events dedicated to financial innovation, fintech, and the future of the global financial industry.Alona ShevtsovaTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10281/280844_25048d9544bf9aad_001full.jpgThe conference, which will take place on ...

Core Viewpoint - SEI Investments is positioned as a strong performer in the asset management sector, particularly due to its focus on institutional investors and its fintech capabilities, which are expected to drive growth in 2026 [1][2][3]. Company Overview - SEI Investments primarily serves institutional investors, differentiating itself from larger firms like BlackRock and Vanguard that cater to both retail and institutional clients [2]. - The company is recognized as a fintech, providing technology solutions for various financial entities, including fund managers and banks, to manage functions such as asset management, compliance, and cybersecurity [3]. Financial Performance - For the first nine months of 2025, SEI's revenue increased by 8% year-over-year, while expenses rose by only 5%, leading to a 32% jump in earnings [6]. - The operating margin improved to 28%, an increase of 8% compared to the previous year, and the return on equity stands at 27.7%, one of the highest in the sector [6]. Market Position and Analyst Sentiment - Analysts are optimistic about SEI, with a 12-month median price target of $109.50 per share, indicating a potential upside of approximately 27% [5]. - 80% of analysts covering SEI rate it as a buy, reflecting strong market confidence [5]. Industry Trends - There is a growing trend of outsourcing among fund managers, driven by the complexity of regulatory environments and the need for technological upgrades [9][10]. - A report indicates that 88% of fund managers plan to increase their outsourcing over the next year, which bodes well for SEI as a leading provider in this space [10]. Strategic Outlook - SEI is expected to continue investing in technology and automation to enhance its service offerings, with plans to optimize margins through cost management [7]. - The company's valuation at 15 times forward earnings is considered attractive for a fintech, suggesting potential for growth amidst increasing demand for its services [11].

Core Viewpoint - Hagens Berman is notifying investors about a securities class action against Klarna Group plc, focusing on alleged misstatements in the company's September 2025 IPO documents, with a lead plaintiff deadline set for February 20, 2026 [1][2]. Summary by Relevant Sections Class Action Details - The class action involves investors who purchased shares during Klarna's September 2025 IPO and experienced significant losses [2]. - The core allegation is that Klarna's IPO documents understated credit loss reserves and risks associated with "Fair Financing" [2]. Allegations Against Klarna - The lawsuit claims that Klarna's IPO Registration Statement and Prospectus contained misleading statements regarding credit modeling and risk management [3]. - Specifically, it is alleged that the offering documents materially understated the credit risks of lending to financially unsophisticated clients and those in financial hardship, which led to an underestimation of potential increases in loss provisions [4]. Financial Performance and Impact - On November 18, 2025, Klarna reported a 102% year-over-year increase in its provision for credit losses and a significant rise in operating losses, resulting in the stock price dropping nearly 22% below its IPO price [5]. - The investigation is focused on whether the IPO documents adequately disclosed the company's credit risks, especially given the doubling of credit loss provisions shortly after the IPO [6]. Legal Process and Contact Information - The deadline for appointing a lead plaintiff in the class action is February 20, 2026, with the lead plaintiff representing other class members in the litigation [7]. - Investors can contact Hagens Berman to report losses or seek more information about the case through their secure portal or email [8].

Economic Outlook - Cathie Wood, founder and CEO of ARK Invest, predicts a sharp rebound in the U.S. economy, describing it as a "coiled spring" ready to bounce back after a rolling recession [1] - Wood believes that easing interest rates and rising productivity could unlock significant growth potential, likening the next three years to "Reaganomics on steroids," which may lead to a "golden age" for the U.S. stock market [2] Historical Context - Wood draws parallels between current economic policies and those of the Reagan era, highlighting how deregulation, tax cuts, and sound monetary policy contributed to a long bull market in the 1980s and 1990s [3] - She notes that the Trump Administration's policies reflect early Reaganomics, which previously led to a significant appreciation of the dollar [3] Investment Performance - The Ark Innovation ETF, known for its focus on emerging high-tech companies, achieved a remarkable 153% return in 2020 and has seen a 35.49% increase in 2025, outperforming the S&P 500's 17.88% return during the same period [4] - However, the ETF has experienced significant volatility, with a decline of over 60% in 2022, resulting in a five-year annualized return of -10.31%, compared to the S&P 500's 14.66% [6] Wealth Impact - From 2014 to 2024, the Ark Innovation ETF has reportedly wiped out $7 billion in investor wealth, making it the third-largest wealth destroyer among mutual funds and ETFs according to Morningstar's analysis [7] Top Holdings - As of January 16, 2026, the top holdings of the Ark Innovation ETF include Tesla (10.14%), CRISPR Therapeutics (5.29%), and Roku (5.09%), among others [5]

Core Insights - Block, Inc. is a financial technology company with a market cap of $40.1 billion, preparing to announce its fiscal Q4 earnings for 2025 [1] Financial Performance - Analysts expect Block to report a profit of $0.26 per share for Q4 2025, consistent with the same quarter last year [2] - For the current fiscal year ending in December, analysts project a profit of $0.84 per share, a significant decline of 75.1% from $3.37 per share in fiscal 2024 [3] - The company's earnings per share (EPS) is anticipated to rebound to $1.67 in fiscal 2026, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 98.8% [3] Stock Performance - Block's stock has declined by 23.7% over the past 52 weeks, underperforming the S&P 500 Index's return of 16.9% and the State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF's increase of 26.4% during the same period [4] - Following the release of weaker-than-expected Q3 results, Block's shares dropped by 7.7% in the subsequent trading session [5] Analyst Ratings - Wall Street analysts maintain a "Moderate Buy" rating for Block, with 25 out of 42 analysts recommending "Strong Buy," four advising "Moderate Buy," 11 indicating "Hold," and two suggesting "Strong Sell" [6] - The mean price target for Block is set at $83.27, indicating a potential upside of 26.3% from current levels [6]

Core Viewpoint - Intuit Inc. is considered a strong long-term investment, but recent downgrades and challenging comparisons for future growth have raised concerns about its near-term performance [1][3]. Group 1: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Wells Fargo downgraded Intuit to Equal Weight from Overweight with a reduced price target of $700, down from $840, citing tough comparisons for growth heading into 2026 [1]. - TD Cowen initiated coverage with a Buy rating and a price target of $802, expecting Intuit to exceed consensus expectations and arguing that AI-related risks are overstated [2]. - Truist also initiated coverage with a Buy rating and a price target of $739, emphasizing Intuit's strong market position and diverse fintech offerings [3]. Group 2: Company Overview and Market Position - Intuit provides a range of financial management, payments, compliance, and marketing products and services in the US, including well-known brands like TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp [3]. - Despite the potential of Intuit as an investment, some analysts believe that other AI stocks may offer greater upside potential with less downside risk [4].

Core Insights - Euronet Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ:EEFT) is currently viewed as one of the most undervalued fintech stocks, despite recent downgrades from analysts [1] - Wolfe Research downgraded the stock from Peer perform to Underperform with a price target of $80, citing structural pressures limiting revenue growth for payment service providers [2] - Monness also downgraded the stock from Buy to Hold, highlighting competitive pressures from independent channels that may affect long-term growth rates [3] Company Challenges - The company faces challenges in its European ATM business due to a rising trend in cash-to-card conversions [2] - Immigration headwinds are posing a threat to Euronet's retail remittance business, raising concerns about its growth prospects [2] - Competitive pressures from independent channels are also a concern for the company's long-term growth [3] Business Segments - Euronet Worldwide operates in three segments: Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), epay, and Money Transfer, providing a range of payment solutions globally [3]

Group 1 - PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (NYSE:PAGS) is considered one of the most undervalued fintech stocks, with expectations of a quarterly revenue of approximately $981.30 million and an EPS of $0.39 for fiscal Q4 2025 [1] - Bank of America Securities has reiterated a Buy rating on PAGS with a price target of $13, highlighting the strategic initiatives of the newly appointed CEO and CFO to significantly increase the company's loan book by 2029 [2] - The new management team brings retail banking expertise and has enhanced credit models and collection capabilities, while also utilizing AI to expedite credit underwriting processes [3] Group 2 - PagSeguro Digital Ltd. primarily serves consumers, individual entrepreneurs, micro-merchants, small companies, and medium-sized companies in Brazil, focusing on financial services and digital payments [3]

Group 1 - Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz (NASDAQ:KSPI) is considered one of the most undervalued fintech stocks to buy now, with Wolfe Research reiterating a Buy rating and a price target of $95 [1] - J.P. Morgan has a Hold rating on the stock, lowering its price target from $96 to $88, reflecting a cautious outlook on financial technology stocks due to expected slower growth in 2026 [2] - Kaspi.kz is set to release its fiscal Q4 2025 results on February 24, with Wall Street expecting quarterly revenue of approximately $2.31 billion and a GAAP EPS of $3.12 [3] Group 2 - Kaspi.kz operates in three segments: Payments, Marketplace, and Fintech, providing solutions for consumers and merchants in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine [3]