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]

Deluxe (NYSE:DLX) Q4 2025 Earnings call January 28, 2026 05:00 PM ET Speaker5Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by, and welcome to the Deluxe Quarterly Earnings Conference Call. All participants are currently in a listen-only mode, and today's call is being recorded. At this time, I would like to turn the conference over to your host, Vice President of Strategy and Investor Relations, Brian Anderson. Please go ahead.Speaker1Thank you, operator, and welcome to the Deluxe Fourth Quarter and Full Yea ...