StoneCo(US:STNE)2025-11-06 23:00Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q3 2025, adjusted gross profit grew by 15.2% year-over-year, with adjusted basic EPS reaching BRL 6.90 per share, up 37% year-to-date [3][5] - Adjusted net income increased by 18% year-over-year, driven by pricing policy adjustments, strategic use of client deposits, and a lower effective tax rate [5][6] - Consolidated ROE expanded by 8 percentage points year-over-year to 24%, while financial services ROE from continuing operations increased to 33% [6][10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue and income grew by 16% year-over-year, reaching BRL 3.6 billion, with adjusted gross profit from continuing operations at BRL 1.6 billion, growing 12% year-over-year [6][7] - The payments business for MSMBs saw an active client base growth of 17% year-over-year, reaching 4.7 million clients, with MSMB TPV growing 11% year-over-year to BRL 126 billion [7][8] - The banking operation's active client base increased by 22% year-over-year to 3.5 million clients, with client deposits growing by 32% year-over-year [8][9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The average daily deposit base increased by 40% year-over-year, with time deposits now accounting for 84% of total deposits [9] - The total credit portfolio grew by 27% sequentially, reaching BRL 2.3 billion, with NPLs over 90 days at 5.03% [10][11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to return excess capital through buybacks or dividends when immediate investment opportunities are not available, having returned 74% of identified excess capital to investors [4] - The focus remains on enhancing the value proposition to clients, evolving product offerings, and scaling credit [34][35] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged ongoing macroeconomic challenges but expressed confidence in the company's ability to deliver consistent value to clients and shareholders [3][5] - The company expects gradual deceleration in TPV growth due to industry dynamics and a weaker macro environment, but remains focused on profitability rather than market share at any cost [34][35] Other Important Information - The effective tax rate was reported at 15.3% in Q4, down from 18.6% in Q3 2024, with expectations for mid to high teens in the long term [14][99] - The company is experiencing operational leverage and efficiency gains, particularly in customer service and logistics, but does not expect current cost levels to be the new normal [68][70] Q&A Session Summary Question: On prepayment business spreads and sustainability - Management indicated that they are not at all-time high spreads and that earnings growth will be driven by credit portfolio growth and operational efficiency [17][26] Question: Competitive environment and pricing trends - Management noted that while there are new entrants in the market, overall players remain rational, and they do not expect significant pressure on spreads [32][36] Question: Organizational redesign progress - Management reported significant progress in transitioning to a fully functional organization, enhancing strategy and client offerings [43][44] Question: Credit portfolio maturity and cost of risk - Management expects cost of risk to remain in the mid-teens, with NPLs projected to grow as the portfolio matures [47][50] Question: Revenue composition changes - Management explained that the movements between transaction revenue and financial income are due to rebalancing and the flexibility of their bundled offerings [51][52] Question: Asset quality and specific client issues - Management clarified that a specific client issue had a minor impact on NPLs, which has since normalized [73][74] Question: Future guidance and tax rate expectations - Management plans to reassess long-term guidance after evaluating year-end performance, with an effective tax rate expected to remain in the mid to high teens [95][99]