Key Points The company hasn't been very popular with investors. It's an effective operator in the hotly competitive BNPL market. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › Klarna (NYSE: KLAR) was a high-profile new arrival on the stock exchange in September 2025, after its initial public offering (IPO). Although the fintech, which offers term loans to consumers, is popular as a lender, it hasn't been an investor favorite. Since the company's market debut, its shares have lost about 2 ...

Core Insights - PayPal Holdings (PYPL) shares are currently undervalued with a Value Score of A, trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 10.24X, significantly lower than the industry average of 21.12X [1][6] - Compared to peers Visa and Mastercard, which have P/E ratios of 26.84X and 30.47X respectively, PayPal's discounted valuation raises questions about its attractiveness as an investment opportunity [2][19] - Despite the low valuation, PayPal faces challenges such as macroeconomic uncertainty, competition from fintech rivals, and the need for innovation in the payment landscape [3] Valuation and Performance - PYPL shares have decreased by 10.6% over the past three months, while the industry fell by only 1% and the S&P 500 increased by 4.7% [4] - Earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 have been revised upward, with 2025 earnings expected to be $5.34 per share (14.8% growth) and 2026 earnings at $5.86 per share (9.7% increase) [8] Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives - PayPal has formed strategic partnerships, including one with Logicbroker to enhance agentic commerce services for merchants [10] - The collaboration with Perplexity aims to integrate PayPal's services into AI-driven retail, enhancing discoverability and checkout experiences [11] - PayPal is also expanding its offerings with features like "PayPal links" for easy money transfers and a "Pay in 4" buy now, pay later solution for Canadian customers [13] Transformation into a Broader Commerce Platform - PayPal is evolving from a payments company to a comprehensive commerce platform, with plans to establish PayPal Bank to offer small business lending and interest-bearing savings accounts [14] - The "PayPal World" initiative aims to unify various payment systems and digital wallets, providing merchants access to a larger customer base [15] - PayPal is increasing its involvement in cryptocurrency with the PYUSD stablecoin and a "Pay with Crypto" option, positioning itself for future digital commerce trends [16] Venmo's Growth Contribution - Venmo is targeting young, affluent consumers and has launched Venmo Stash, a rewards program to enhance user engagement [17] - Venmo is projected to generate $1.7 billion in revenue for 2025, reflecting over 20% growth and a significant acceleration compared to previous years [18] Investment Outlook - PayPal's current valuation suggests that investors may be overlooking its long-term growth potential, presenting a compelling entry point [19] - While short-term challenges exist, the improving earnings outlook, strategic partnerships, and growth initiatives provide a basis for optimism regarding PayPal's recovery [19]

曾经的屠龙少年，到底是妥协了。 当年，PayPal 以"颠覆者"之姿登上舞台，怀揣着颠覆传统银行金融体系的初心，立下了打造独立于银行 体系之外的全球电子货币系统的雄心壮志。 但事实上，公司的发展方向从来都不只是个体意志的选择，而是整体宏观环境和社会结构下，所做出的 最现实抉择。 曾经想颠覆银行的paypal开始努力成为银行。前不久，Paypal向监管提交申请，计划成立一家名为 「PayPal Bank」的工业银行。 之所以选择成为银行，是因为银行牌照是 PayPal 为数不多的救命稻草。 PayPal 九成收入依赖支付业务，本质上是一家靠 "过路费" 生存的公司。但 PayPal 既无流量壁垒，也无 政策保护，市场正被 Block、Apple Pay、Google Pay 蚕食，市占率三年内下滑了14.5个百分点。 而手握银行牌照后，PayPal 将提升其各业务条线的竞争力。届时，其支付业务将拥有更多流量入口， 信贷业务也将获得更低的资金成本。 曾经，那个初生牛犊不怕虎的少年，终究是有了中年人对现实妥协的无奈。 "过路费"越来越难收了 正如中国没有沃尔玛，美国也出不了美团，企业出生地用户习惯、监管环境、区位特 ...

Core Insights - Klarna is expanding its partnership with Blackhawk Network to enhance gift card purchasing options for consumers ahead of the holiday season [2][3] - The collaboration allows consumers to purchase digital gift cards from over 350 brands using Klarna's payment options, which include Pay in Full, Pay in 4, and Financing [3][4] Company Developments - Klarna's chief commercial officer emphasized the importance of flexibility and control for consumers in gift card purchases as the company continues to grow in the U.S. market [2] - The partnership aligns with the rising popularity of digital gift cards, which can now be added to digital wallets like Apple Wallet and Google Wallet [5] Industry Trends - The demand for digital gift cards is increasing, with 81% of consumers having purchased a gift card in the previous year, marking a 6% increase from the prior year [5] - Klarna is evolving into a neobank, supported by a global retail payments network, with a revenue mix that includes merchant fees, interest income, and value-added services [6]

Core Insights - Affirm is enhancing its merchant and financial scale to compete with rivals like Klarna and PayPal by signing distribution deals with Worldpay and expanding its relationship with New York Life [1][8] - The company aims to integrate its payment solutions into various platforms, making it easier for consumers to choose Affirm as a payment option [2][4] Partnership Developments - Affirm has expanded its partnership with Worldpay to integrate its services into Worldpay's embedded payments option, which supports over 1,000 software-as-a-service companies that processed more than $400 billion in payments volume [3][4] - New York Life has agreed to purchase up to $750 million of Affirm's installment loans, providing off-balance-sheet funding that can support up to $1.75 billion in consumer loan volume per year [6] Market Positioning - Affirm has added 23 million users in the past 12 months, indicating strong consumer interest in its payment options, which include multiple payment methods beyond installment financing [4][8] - The company is focusing on mainstream payment solutions, aiming to be present where consumers make payment decisions [2][5] Competitive Landscape - Affirm is in a competitive environment with other BNPL fintechs like PayPal and Klarna, which are also expanding their offerings and partnerships [8][10] - PayPal has recently entered a similar BNPL investment deal, indicating a trend among fintechs to bolster their BNPL portfolios [9][10] Future Outlook - Affirm is set to report earnings soon, which may provide further insights into its growth and market strategies [8]

Core Insights - PayPal is expected to report third-quarter 2025 results on October 28, with anticipated revenue growth of approximately 4% on a currency-neutral basis and non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) between $1.18 and $1.22, aligning with the previous year's figures at the midpoint [1][8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter revenues is $8.25 billion, reflecting a 5.18% increase from the same quarter last year [1][5] Revenue and Earnings Estimates - The consensus estimate for earnings is $1.19 per share, indicating a slight decline of 0.83% from the previous year's reported figure [2] - For the full year 2025, the revenue estimate stands at $33.14 billion, representing a year-over-year increase of 4.21%, while the full-year EPS consensus is $5.23, suggesting a 12.47% increase year-over-year [5] Transaction Volume and Margins - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PayPal's Transaction revenues is $7.44 billion, indicating a 5.2% increase from the year-ago quarter [13] - PayPal anticipates transaction margin dollars to range between $3.76 billion and $3.82 billion, reflecting a 4% year-over-year increase at the midpoint [14] Total Payment Volume (TPV) and Active Accounts - The consensus mark for TPV is $448.938 billion, suggesting a 6.2% year-over-year growth, with active accounts expected to reach 439.1 million, up from 432 million a year ago [15] - However, the estimated number of payment transactions is projected at 6.558 billion, slightly below the previous year's figure of 6.631 billion [15] Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships - PayPal is transforming into a full commerce platform, focusing on enhancing the online payment experience and investing in AI for personalized commerce and fraud detection [7][8] - Recent strategic moves include a two-year agreement with Blue Owl Capital for $7 billion in "Pay in 4" loans and a partnership with Google to improve digital commerce experiences [11] Competitive Landscape and Valuation - PayPal shares have declined 18.2% year-to-date, contrasting with a 16.7% rise in the S&P 500, indicating competitive pressure from rivals like Visa and Mastercard [17][18] - Despite the struggles, PayPal's shares are considered undervalued, trading at a forward P/E of 12.25X compared to the industry average of 21.58X [19] Long-term Growth Potential - PayPal is evolving from a payment processor to a comprehensive commerce partner, aiming to strengthen consumer-merchant connections and enhance user experience [21] - The company is well-positioned to benefit from the growing demand for digital wallets and peer-to-peer payments, presenting a favorable entry point for investors [22]

Core Insights - PayPal Holdings Inc. has entered a two-year agreement with Blue Owl Capital to sell approximately $7 billion of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) receivables originated in the US [1][3] - This transaction supports PayPal's balance sheet-light model for credit while allowing the company to maintain full responsibility for customer-facing activities related to its US Pay in 4 BNPL products [2][3] - The financial implications of this deal have already been incorporated into PayPal's Q3 and full-year 2025 guidance for both GAAP and adjusted EPS, as well as adjusted transaction margin dollars [2] Company Overview - PayPal Holdings Inc. operates as a technology platform facilitating digital payments for merchants and consumers globally [4] - Blue Owl Capital Inc. is an alternative asset manager in the US, providing solutions through permanent capital vehicles and long-dated private funds [4] Industry Context - Online consumer financing has been a strategic focus for PayPal since 2008, with the introduction of the Pay in 4 product in 2020, which allows consumers to split eligible purchases into four interest-free payments over six weeks [3] - The BNPL service has shown to drive higher sales for merchants, with consumers opting for BNPL spending over 80% more per transaction compared to standard branded checkout [3]

Core Insights - PayPal has partnered with Blue Owl Capital to enhance consumer financing, allowing Blue Owl-managed funds to purchase approximately $7 billion of PayPal's "Pay in 4" buy now, pay later (BNPL) loans, benefiting small business owners in the U.S. [1] - The "Pay in 4" program enables consumers to split purchases into four interest-free payments over six weeks, leading to increased spending—over 80% more compared to traditional payment methods [2][4] - This partnership reflects PayPal's disciplined capital allocation strategy, supporting the growth of its Pay Later portfolio and enabling further investment in strategic initiatives [3] Business Impact - Small businesses can offer more flexible payment options, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty, with simplified integration into existing PayPal systems [4] - PayPal processed over $33 billion in BNPL payment volume globally in 2024, marking a 21% increase from the previous year, indicating rapid growth in this sector [4] - Effective customer education on BNPL options is crucial for small business owners to manage cash flow and ensure consumers understand payment flexibility [5] Competitive Landscape - The growing array of BNPL options from various providers necessitates that small businesses evaluate these offerings based on costs, features, and customer experience [6] - PayPal's scale and consumer relationships allow for informed credit decisions through the "Pay in 4" program, positioning it favorably in the expanding BNPL market [6] - Small business owners must strategically incorporate BNPL solutions into their sales strategies to enhance customer engagement and sales volume while preparing for evolving customer needs [6]

Core Insights - PayPal is enhancing its digital payments and financial services in Asia and Europe, focusing on inclusivity in the digital economy as global e-commerce sales are projected to reach $8 trillion by 2027 [1] Group 1: Strategic Partnerships and Financial Moves - PayPal has entered a multi-year agreement with Blue Owl Capital, allowing Blue Owl to acquire approximately $7 billion in U.S. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) receivables from PayPal's "Pay in 4" product, while PayPal maintains control over customer interactions [2] - This balance-sheet-light model enables PayPal to free up capital for high-impact investments, aligning with its disciplined growth strategy [2] - PayPal's global BNPL volume increased to over $33 billion in 2024, marking a 21% rise from the previous year, and this deal is included in its 2025 earnings guidance [3] Group 2: Market Expansion and Investment - PayPal is committing $100 million to the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, which is experiencing rapid digital commerce growth with 500 million internet users [4] - The investment will be utilized for minority stakes, acquisitions, and technology rollouts to scale local businesses and integrate underserved communities into the global digital economy [4][5] - PayPal Ventures led a €25 million ($28 million) Series B investment in Finary, a wealth management platform, indicating its focus on expanding its fintech ecosystem [6] Group 3: Growth Potential and Market Position - Finary plans to use the investment to launch new financial products, enhance its wealth management tools, and expand across Europe, targeting a retail investment market valued at €10 trillion [7][8] - PayPal's strategy of leveraging its $80 billion liquidity aims to optimize credit and penetrate high-growth markets, enhancing its overall market position amid economic uncertainty [9] - The future of commerce is expected to be borderless and instantaneous, with PayPal's updates positioning it to enable the digital economy effectively [10]

Core Insights - PayPal's Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) feature is a significant growth driver, with BNPL volume increasing over 20% year over year in Q2 2025 and monthly active accounts growing by 18% [1][8] Group 1: BNPL Growth and Partnerships - PayPal has entered a two-year agreement with Blue Owl Capital to sell approximately $7 billion of its U.S. "Pay in 4" BNPL receivables, while continuing to manage customer interactions [2] - The BNPL solution has proven beneficial for merchants, exemplified by Ace Hardware, which saw a 35% increase in PayPal sales and a sevenfold rise in average order values after adopting the BNPL service [3] - PayPal's BNPL is widely available, operating in nine global markets, with plans for further expansion in 2025 [4] Group 2: Economic Impact and Competitive Landscape - Consumers using BNPL have an average order value over 80% higher than standard branded checkouts, enhancing merchant sales and creating additional revenue opportunities [4] - In comparison, Block's BNPL Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) grew 17% year over year to $9.11 billion in Q2 2025, while Affirm reported a 45.6% increase in total transactions to 31.3 million in Q3 2025 [5][6] Group 3: Financial Performance and Valuation - PayPal shares have declined 20.5% year to date, underperforming the broader industry and the S&P 500 Index [7] - The stock is trading at a forward 12-month P/E of 12.02X, significantly lower than the industry average of 21.13X, indicating a potential undervaluation [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PayPal's full-year 2025 EPS has been revised upward, suggesting a year-over-year growth of 12.5% [10]