LAS VEGAS, Nov. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Innovative Payment Solutions, Inc. (OTC: IPSI) (“IPSI” or the “Company”) today announced the formation of its new wholly owned subsidiary, Astria Insurance Solutions Inc. (“AIS”), as part of IPSI’s strategic entry into the insurance marketing, licensing, and premium-finance sector.AIS has been established to acquire a modern insurance marketing platform currently under active negotiation. In parallel, AIS is preparing to execute a Marketing and Services Agreement ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of the price-to-book (P/B) ratio as a valuation tool for identifying undervalued stocks with high growth potential, alongside the more commonly used price-to-earnings (P/E) and price-to-sales (P/S) ratios [1][5]. Understanding P/B Ratio - The P/B ratio is calculated by dividing the market capitalization by the book value of equity, providing insight into whether a stock is under- or overvalued [1][5]. - A P/B ratio of less than one indicates that a stock is trading below its book value, suggesting it may be a good buy, while a ratio above one may indicate overvaluation [5][6]. - The P/B ratio is particularly relevant for industries with tangible assets, such as finance and manufacturing, but may be misleading for companies with high R&D expenses or significant debt [8][9]. Screening Parameters for Low P/B Stocks - The article identifies five stocks with low P/B ratios that also exhibit strong growth prospects: StoneCo, PagSeguro Digital, General Motors, Itron, and Newmont [11]. - These stocks are characterized by a strong Value Score, favorable Zacks Rank, and solid long-term earnings per share (EPS) growth outlook [11][16][17][18][19][21]. - The screening criteria include a P/B ratio below the industry median, a P/S ratio below the industry median, a P/E ratio using forward estimates below the industry median, and a PEG ratio of less than one [12][13][14]. Company Profiles - **StoneCo (STNE)**: A financial technology provider based in Brazil, with a projected 3-5 year EPS growth rate of 30.3% and a Zacks Rank of 1 [16]. - **PagSeguro Digital (PAGS)**: Offers digital payment solutions primarily in Brazil, with a projected EPS growth rate of 14.2% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [17]. - **General Motors (GM)**: One of the largest automakers globally, with a projected EPS growth rate of 7.0% and a Zacks Rank of 1 [18]. - **Itron (ITRI)**: A technology and services company focused on utility and municipal sectors, with a projected EPS growth rate of 30.0% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [19]. - **Newmont (NEM)**: A leading gold producer with significant reserves and a projected EPS growth rate of 26.05%, holding a Zacks Rank of 1 [21].

Core Insights - PagSeguro Digital (NYSE: PAGS) is a Brazilian fintech company that offers digital payment solutions, online and point-of-sale transaction services, and banking for both businesses and consumers [1] Company Overview - The stock of PagSeguro has been trading sideways after experiencing a nearly 80% crash in 2022 [1] Analyst Background - The analyst has over 10 years of experience researching companies across various sectors, including commodities and technology, and has shifted focus to a value investing-oriented YouTube channel [1]

Core Insights - The article discusses the importance of the price-to-book (P/B) ratio as a tool for value investing, highlighting its utility in identifying undervalued stocks with strong growth potential [1][2]. Group 1: Understanding P/B Ratio - The P/B ratio is calculated by dividing the current stock price by the book value per share, indicating how much investors pay for each dollar of book value [2][6]. - A P/B ratio of less than one suggests that a stock is undervalued, while a ratio greater than one indicates overvaluation [6][7]. - The P/B ratio is particularly relevant for industries with tangible assets, such as finance and manufacturing, but may be misleading for companies with high R&D expenses or significant debt [9][10]. Group 2: Screening Criteria for Value Stocks - Stocks with a P/B ratio lower than the industry median are considered attractive, as they have room for price appreciation [12]. - Additional screening parameters include a lower price-to-sales (P/S) ratio than the industry median, a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio below the industry average, and a PEG ratio of less than one, indicating undervaluation relative to growth prospects [13][14][15]. - Stocks must also have a minimum trading price of $5 and a substantial average trading volume to ensure liquidity [14][15]. Group 3: Selected Low P/B Stocks - StoneCo (STNE) offers financial technology solutions and has a projected 3-5 year EPS growth rate of 30.3%, with a Zacks Rank of 1 and a Value Score of B [16]. - PagSeguro Digital (PAGS) provides digital payment solutions and has a projected EPS growth rate of 14.2%, also holding a Zacks Rank of 1 and a Value Score of B [17]. - KT Corporation (KT) is a telecommunications provider with a projected EPS growth rate of 51.7% and a Zacks Rank of 2 with a Value Score of A [19]. - Arrow Electronics (ARW) is a major distributor of electronic components, with a projected EPS growth rate of 20.7% and a Zacks Rank of 2 with a Value Score of A [19]. - CVS Health has a projected EPS growth rate of 14.3% and holds a Zacks Rank of 2 with a Value Score of A [20].

Core Insights - Visa Inc. is expanding its presence in the travel and hospitality industry through a partnership with HotelRunner, aiming to enhance embedded and autonomous finance in the travel ecosystem [1][4] - The collaboration focuses on providing small and medium-sized enterprises in emerging markets with access to reliable global payment systems, facilitating instant settlements for international transactions [2][3] - Visa's cross-border volume increased by 12% year-over-year in Q3 FY25, indicating strong growth as it deepens ties with the hospitality sector [3][8] Industry Competitors - Mastercard is enhancing its role in embedded travel finance with virtual cards and reported a 13% year-over-year increase in net revenues in the first half of 2025 [5] - American Express reported a 6% year-over-year growth in network volumes and an 8% rise in total revenues in the first half of 2025, showcasing its diverse financial and travel solutions [6] Financial Performance - Visa's stock has increased by 27.3% over the past year, outperforming the industry average rise of 5.2% [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Visa's fiscal 2025 earnings suggests a 13.7% increase compared to the previous year [9] - Visa trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 27.4, which is above the industry average of 20.2, indicating a higher valuation [11]

Core Insights - Virtual Pay Group has been officially licensed by Visa as a Principal Acquirer, enhancing its role in the global digital payments ecosystem [2][3] - The license allows for greater operational independence and scalability, enabling faster onboarding and improved transaction processing for merchants [3] - The CEO of Virtual Pay Group highlighted the significance of this achievement in driving financial inclusion and digital innovation [4] Group 1 - The Principal Acquirer license positions Virtual Pay Group to deepen merchant relationships and accelerate growth in various markets [4] - The company is committed to investing in infrastructure, compliance, and partnerships to transform digital transactions [5] - Virtual Pay Group aims to provide secure and innovative digital payment solutions, promoting financial inclusion and cross-border commerce [6]

Core Viewpoint - StoneCo Ltd. has experienced a significant share price increase of approximately 68.5% year to date, outperforming the broader Internet-Software industry and the S&P 500 benchmark, which saw gains of about 7.3% and 1.2%, respectively [1][4]. Financial Performance - The company has achieved three consecutive quarters of earnings beats, with the latest adjusted earnings per share reported at 34 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.3% [1][3]. - Financial Services revenues grew by 20% year over year in the first quarter of 2025, up from 11% in the previous quarter, indicating a positive trend in profitability [7]. - The Software segment contributed to profitability with an 11% revenue growth, driven by higher recurring subscriptions and an expanding client base, leading to a 12% increase in adjusted EBITDA [8]. Strategic Initiatives - StoneCo's strategic repricing initiatives and capital return programs, including over R$2.4 billion in share buybacks over the past year, have enhanced investor confidence [2][10]. - The company repurchased R$843 million in shares in the first quarter of 2025, contributing to a return on equity (ROE) increase for the Financial Services segment to 27%, up from 23% a year ago [10]. Market Position - StoneCo has outperformed other fintech companies such as PagSeguro Digital and DLocal Limited, which gained 44.4% and 4.7% year to date, respectively [4]. - The stock closed at $13.42, which is 11.9% below its 52-week high of $15.23, indicating potential for future growth [6]. Valuation Metrics - StoneCo's stock is currently trading at a price/earnings ratio of 8.84X forward earnings, significantly lower than its five-year high of 87.87X and below the industry average of 37.72 [13]. - The stock's Value Score of B suggests a discounted valuation, making it an attractive investment opportunity [13]. Industry Outlook - The global fintech market is projected to grow at a robust CAGR of 16.2% from 2025 to 2032, positioning StoneCo to capitalize on broader industry tailwinds [17]. - The company's focus on margin-rich transactions and disciplined share buyback strategy signals strong momentum ahead, enhancing long-term shareholder value [17].

Group 1: Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett - Warren Buffett, known as the "Oracle of Omaha," has overseen a cumulative return of 6,441,524% for Berkshire Hathaway's Class A shares since the mid-1960s, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [2] - Over the past two and a half years, Buffett and his advisors have been net sellers of stocks, totaling almost $173 billion, leading to a record cash reserve of $334.2 billion as of December 31 [5][6] - Buffett's investment strategy is characterized by a focus on value and long-term growth, often waiting for favorable price dislocations in the market [6] Group 2: Potential Acquisition Targets - Sirius XM Holdings, with a market cap of $7.2 billion, is a potential acquisition target for Berkshire Hathaway, as the company already holds 35.4% of its outstanding shares [9] - Sirius XM benefits from a legal monopoly in satellite radio, allowing it to maintain subscription pricing power, with 80% of its net sales coming from self-pay subscriptions [10][11] - The current valuation of Sirius XM is attractive, trading at 7 times forecast earnings in 2026, close to its lowest forward P/E ratio in history [13] Group 3: PayPal Holdings - PayPal Holdings, with a market cap of $63.3 billion, is another potential acquisition target for Berkshire Hathaway, particularly appealing due to its absence in Berkshire's current portfolio [15] - The financial sector is a favored area for Buffett, and PayPal's growth in digital payments aligns with economic expansion [17] - PayPal has shown significant engagement growth, with the average number of payment transactions per active account increasing from 40.9 to 60.6 between December 2020 and the end of 2024 [18] - The new CEO, Alex Chriss, is focused on innovation and efficiency, positioning PayPal for sustained double-digit annual growth opportunities [19][20]