Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for 2025 was $2.133 billion, a 0.5% increase compared to 2024, and a 1.1% increase on a comparable adjusted basis [18] - GAAP net income improved to $85.3 million, or $1.87 per share, up from $52.9 million, or $1.18 per share in 2024 [18] - Comparable adjusted EBITDA was $431.5 million, a 6.2% increase from the previous year, with adjusted EBITDA margins expanding by 90 basis points to 20.2% [18][19] - Comparable adjusted EPS grew by 12.6% to $3.67 from $3.26 in 2024 [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Merchant services revenue for 2025 was $398.6 million, growing by 3.8% compared to 2024, with adjusted EBITDA at $85.9 million, a 9.4% increase [19][20] - B2B payment segment revenue finished at $290.5 million, reflecting a 0.9% growth, with adjusted EBITDA at $64.4 million, a 12.8% increase [22][23] - Data-driven marketing business revenue reached $307.3 million, a 31.3% increase year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA at $86.4 million, reflecting a 28.1% margin rate [25][26] - Print business revenue was $1.14 billion, a decline of 5.7% compared to the previous year, with adjusted EBITDA at $366.9 million, a 2.6% decline [28][29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Payments and data now account for 47% of total revenue, up from 43% a year ago, with expectations to achieve revenue parity with print businesses later in 2026 [5][7] - The data segment expanded its revenue by over 30% year-over-year, indicating strong demand across market verticals [8] - The print segment continues to experience secular decline, with legacy check revenue declining by 1.8% [28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on shifting its revenue mix towards payments and data, aiming for ongoing profitable growth [6][7] - There is a strong emphasis on driving operational efficiencies and improving margins across all business segments [13][14] - The company aims to increase cash flow generation to lower net debt and improve leverage ratios, with a target of achieving a leverage ratio of 3 times or lower [15][32] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the operating environment, noting traditional consumer behavior patterns stabilizing [46] - The company anticipates continued growth in the data segment, with expectations for double-digit growth in the first half of 2026 [49] - Management highlighted the importance of executing their strategic priorities to achieve a strong trajectory heading into 2026 [39] Other Important Information - The company generated $175 million of free cash flow in 2025, achieving its 2026 goal a year early [5] - The board approved a regular quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share, payable on February 23, 2026 [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is Deluxe positioned to respond to trends in AI and agentic commerce? - Management stated that Deluxe is well-positioned, having applied AI technology across multiple business areas, leading to improved performance and significant revenue growth in the data-driven marketing business [42][44] Question: What are the primary objectives for the business in 2026? - The main objectives include shifting the revenue mix towards payments and data, driving operational efficiency, and generating cash flow to lower debt [55][56] Question: What does the pipeline look like for 2026 in terms of distribution growth? - Management indicated a robust pipeline for the ISV distribution channel, with ongoing investments in improving API suites and reporting tools [57][58] Question: What are the opportunities for build versus buy decisions in investments? - Management emphasized a balanced approach, making responsible acquisitions while also focusing on internal capability development to enhance business growth [65][66]