Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported adjusted net revenue of $2,360 million, reflecting a 5% increase on a constant currency basis excluding dispositions [40] - Adjusted operating margin increased by 130 basis points to 44.6%, translating to 110 basis points of expansion excluding dispositions [40] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) rose by 11% on both reported and constant currency basis [41] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Merchant Solutions achieved adjusted net revenue of $1,830 million for the second quarter, reflecting growth of approximately 5.5% excluding dispositions [41] - The integrated embedded business saw strong growth, particularly in international markets, with high single-digit growth in Central Europe, LatAm, and Asia Pacific [42] - Issuer Solutions produced adjusted net revenue of $547 million, reflecting growth of approximately 3.5% on a constant currency basis [42] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted stable transaction volume trends and growth in accounts on file, with over 15 million accounts converted year-to-date [43] - The company experienced notable growth in new POS locations, particularly following the launch of the Genius platform [41][42] - International signings for software partnerships increased by more than 30% over the last six months compared to the prior year period [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on streamlining and unifying its business globally, with significant progress in transformation initiatives expected to yield $650 million in annual run rate operating income benefits [50][49] - The acquisition of Worldpay is seen as a unique opportunity to enhance competitive strengths and accelerate growth, with integration planning already underway [34][35] - The company plans to return $7.5 billion in capital to shareholders between 2025 and 2027, consistent with its capital allocation strategy [52] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the resilience of the business model despite a fluid macro environment and muted consumer sentiment [7] - The company anticipates adjusted net revenue growth of 5% to 6% over 2024, with adjusted EPS growth expected to be at the high end of the 10% to 11% range for the full year [45][48] - Management highlighted the positive reception of the Genius platform and the expected acceleration in growth in the second half of the year [80] Other Important Information - The company announced the divestiture of its payroll business for $1.1 billion, allowing for additional shareholder returns through an accelerated share repurchase program [6][23] - The company has initiated the approval process for the Worldpay acquisition with regulators, with expectations to close in 2026 [32][33] - The company is enhancing its integrated digital technologies to improve efficiency and customer engagement [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Should we expect normal seasonal patterns in Q3 and Q4 for merchant growth? - Management expects growth for the merchant business to be approximately 5.5% in the first half of the year, with acceleration anticipated in Q3 and Q4 due to transformation benefits from the Genius platform [56] Question: What is the expected impact of the payroll divestiture on revenue? - The payroll divestiture is expected to close at the end of Q3, contributing approximately $65 million in revenue per quarter [57] Question: Are there plans for additional share buybacks? - Management confirmed that they have bought back approximately $690 million worth of shares year-to-date and expect to execute a $500 million accelerated share repurchase following the payroll transaction [60] Question: What are the considerations for additional divestitures in light of the Worldpay acquisition? - Management indicated that they are reassessing portfolio composition and may consider additional divestitures that do not align with the Worldpay strategy [68] Question: Is there any concern about attrition during the Genius rollout? - Management noted that while there was some pause in buying behavior leading up to the launch, they have not seen significant attrition in the existing customer base [72]