Minneapolis, MN, Jan. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sezzle Inc. (NASDAQ:SEZL) (Sezzle or Company) // Sezzle, a purpose-driven digital payment platform, today announced the appointment of Lee Brading as Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), effective February 1, 2026. Brading will succeed Karen Hartje, who served as CFO and principal financial officer under a Consulting Agreement since November 1, 2025, following her announcement of retirement after nearly eight years as CFO of Sezzle. Hartje will remain engaged a ...

Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) is expected to report a 14.2% increase in EPS and a 12.4% rise in revenue for the quarter ended December 2025.The company's P/E ratio stands at 31.20, indicating a premium valuation by the market based on its growth prospects.Visa's debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66 and current ratio of 1.08 highlight its financial stability and ability to meet short-term liabilities.Visa Inc. (NYSE:V), a global leader in digital payments, facilitates transactions between consumers, merchants, financial instit ...

Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on PayPal (NASDAQ: PYPL) with a Neutral rating and a stock price of $56.60.Investor sentiment for PayPal has significantly improved, surging from 12 to 72 ahead of its Q4 2025 earnings report.PayPal has a strong track record of exceeding earnings estimates, having done so for seven consecutive quarters.On January 26, 2026, Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on PayPal (NASDAQ: PYPL) with a Neutral rating, with the stock priced at $56.60. PayPal is a leading digital paym ...

Dubai and Dhaka, December 11, 2025 - VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON), a global digital operator (“VEON”), today announces that Banglalink, its digital operator in Bangladesh, has received the permission of Bangladesh Bank to operate as a payment service provider - a milestone in the operator’s ambition to expand further into digital financial services. As a payment services provider, Banglalink will be able to offer regulated money transfer and payment services for customers, expanding access to formal financial ...

Core Insights - Sezzle Inc. will be included in the S&P SmallCap 600 index, effective after market close on December 12, 2025, which reflects its growth and progress in the market [1][2]. Company Overview - Sezzle is a fintech company focused on empowering consumers financially through its digital payment platform, which offers point-of-sale financing options and digital payment services [3]. - The company aims to enhance consumers' purchasing power and promote responsible spending, financial management, and independence [3].

Core Insights - Visa Inc. is scheduled to report its fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results on October 28, 2025, with earnings estimated at $2.96 per share and revenues of $10.61 billion [1][5] - The earnings estimate reflects a year-over-year increase of 9.2%, while revenue is projected to grow by 10.3% compared to the previous year [2][5] Financial Performance - For fiscal 2025, Visa's revenue consensus estimate stands at $39.85 billion, indicating a year-over-year rise of 10.9, and EPS is projected at $11.43, suggesting a 13.7% increase [3] - Visa has a history of exceeding earnings estimates, having beaten projections in the last four quarters by an average of 3.9% [3][4] - The company has an Earnings ESP of +3.70% and a Zacks Rank of 3, indicating a favorable outlook for the upcoming earnings report [4] Growth Drivers - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a 6.2% increase in total Gross Dollar Volume year-over-year, with a model prediction of 5.5% growth [5] - Total processed transactions are expected to grow by 10% year-over-year, with Visa's model predicting a 9.5% increase [6] - Payment volumes are projected to rise by 8.6% year-over-year, with U.S. operations expected to increase by 7.3% [7] - Data processing revenues are estimated to grow by 13.3% year-over-year, while service revenues are expected to rise by 10.2% [8] Expense Considerations - Adjusted total operating expenses are anticipated to increase by 10.6% year-over-year due to higher personnel, professional fees, and processing expenses [11] - Client incentives are expected to exceed $4 billion in the fiscal fourth quarter, which may offset some positive impacts from higher volumes [11][10] Stock Performance and Valuation - Visa's stock has increased by 9.3% year-to-date, outperforming the industry decline of 5% but underperforming the S&P 500's rise of 15.5% [12] - Visa is currently trading at 26.68X forward 12-month earnings, above the industry average of 21.48X, indicating a somewhat stretched valuation [16] - In comparison, Mastercard is trading at 30.88X and American Express at 20.70X, with the latter offering better value [18] Strategic Initiatives - Visa's stablecoin initiatives are seen as a significant shift in global payments, enhancing its infrastructure for digital currencies and improving capital efficiency for cross-border transactions [19] - Regulatory clarity under the GENIUS Act is expected to bolster Visa's long-term growth prospects [19] - Despite competition and antitrust scrutiny, Visa's strong network effects and innovation provide resilience [19] Investment Outlook - Current valuation suggests limited near-term upside, with shares outperforming Mastercard but lagging behind the S&P 500 [20] - The upcoming earnings report will be critical for assessing momentum in Visa's stablecoin rollout and international expansion [20]

Core Insights - Sezzle Inc. will release its third quarter 2025 results on November 5, 2025, after market close [1] - A conference call and webcast will be held at 5:00pm ET on the same day, with an earnings presentation available shortly after [1] - Investors are encouraged to submit questions in advance via email [1] Company Overview - Sezzle is a fintech company focused on empowering consumers through its digital payment platform [5] - The platform enhances purchasing power by providing point-of-sale financing options and digital payment services [5] - Sezzle emphasizes transparency, inclusivity, and ease of use to help consumers manage spending and achieve financial independence [5] Upcoming Events - Sezzle management will participate in several investor events, including Oppenheimer Non-Deal Roadshow on November 17, 2025, Wells Fargo's 9th Annual TMT Summit on November 18, 2025, and Northland Growth Conference on December 16, 2025 [6]

Core Insights - Sezzle Inc. has expanded its merchant network with new partners in various sectors, including fashion, sporting goods, beauty, and digital content, in preparation for the 2025 holiday shopping season [1][2]. Merchant Partnerships - New merchants joining Sezzle include Cato Fashions, SCHEELS, D&B Supply, and Dermstore, reflecting a strategic move to cater to price-sensitive consumers during the holiday season [2][4]. - Cato Fashions is noted as a leading women's fashion retailer, while SCHEELS is recognized as a top destination for sporting goods and apparel [2]. Consumer Spending Trends - According to PwC's 2025 Holiday Outlook, consumers are expected to be more price-sensitive, with Gen Z projected to spend nearly 23% less than the previous year, and overall spending across generations expected to dip around 5% [2]. - The focus on discounts and value over splurges indicates a shift in consumer behavior, particularly among younger generations [2]. Strategic Expansion - Sezzle is adapting to Gen Z's preferences by partnering with platforms like Whop, which focuses on social commerce and digital products, allowing users to engage with content more flexibly [3]. - This partnership aligns with the trend of Gen Z prioritizing experiences and digital communities over traditional goods [3]. Performance Metrics - Early results from Sezzle's partnerships indicate significant growth, with Cato brands reporting that Sezzle orders in the first month averaged nearly double their baseline order value [4]. - The company emphasizes its ability to drive meaningful results at scale, showcasing consistent growth in unique shoppers, total orders, and Sezzle-driven volume [4]. Value Proposition - Sezzle positions itself as a solution for both consumers and retailers, helping shoppers budget responsibly while providing retailers with tools to enhance sales and customer loyalty [4].

Core Insights - The payments industry is primarily dominated by Visa Inc. and Mastercard Incorporated, which are integral to the global digital transaction ecosystem as cash usage declines [1][2] - Investors are evaluating which company presents a better investment opportunity amid evolving consumer spending habits and macroeconomic uncertainties [2][3] Visa Overview - Visa is the largest player in global payments, operating in over 200 countries, and has shown steady transaction volume growth even during economic downturns [4] - In fiscal 2023, Visa's processed transactions increased by 10.4%, with projections of 10% growth in 2024 and an average of 10.2% in the first nine months of 2025 [4] - Visa's net revenues for the latest quarter reached $10.2 billion, a 14.3% year-over-year increase, driven by strong payments volume and cross-border transactions [5] - Visa's cross-border volume grew by 12% year-over-year, while its adjusted operating margin was 67.5%, surpassing Mastercard's 59.9% [5][6] - Visa's dividend yield is 0.7%, higher than Mastercard's 0.5%, and its long-term debt-to-capital ratio is 33.6%, significantly lower than Mastercard's 70.7% [6] Mastercard Overview - Mastercard is recognized for its higher growth potential, focusing on credit transactions and international business, which benefits from trends like the rebound in international travel [9] - In the last quarter, Mastercard's net revenue was $8.1 billion, reflecting a 16.8% year-over-year growth, outperforming Visa [12] - Mastercard's gross dollar volume increased by 9.4% to $2.6 trillion, compared to Visa's 7.5% rise to $4.3 trillion [12] - Mastercard's free cash flow was $13.6 billion in 2024, and its return on invested capital stands at 40.3%, significantly higher than Visa's 27.2% [13][14] - Zacks estimates indicate Mastercard has stronger earnings momentum, with revenue growth forecasts of 15.1% compared to Visa's 10.9% [15] Valuation and Performance Comparison - Visa trades at a forward earnings multiple of 26.43X, while Mastercard trades at 32.13X, reflecting investor confidence in Mastercard's growth outlook [18] - Year-to-date, Mastercard shares have increased by 10.2%, outperforming Visa's 7.4% rise and the industry's 2.3% growth [21] Conclusion - Both Visa and Mastercard are strong players in the payments sector, with Visa offering stability and consistent returns, while Mastercard presents a sharper growth trajectory and superior capital efficiency [24][25] - With the ongoing growth in international travel and digital payments, Mastercard is positioned to capture significant growth opportunities, making it a more compelling investment at this time [25]

Core Insights - DLocal (NASDAQ: DLO) is positioned as a significant player in the emerging markets and digital payments sector, headquartered in Uruguay, facilitating secure payment acceptance and transactions for global merchants [1] Company Overview - DLocal enables global merchants to securely accept and make payments, highlighting its role in the digital payments landscape [1] Analyst Background - MMMT Wealth, led by Oliver, a CPA with experience in private equity, hedge funds, and asset management, focuses on investment strategies and stock analysis, aiming for insights over a 3-5 year horizon [1] - Oliver has 5 years of investing experience and 4 years as a CPA, emphasizing a strong commitment to researching top businesses [1]