Euronet Worldwide(EEFT) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, adjusted EPS was $2.39, reflecting double-digit year-over-year earnings growth despite external pressures [24][25] - For the full year, revenue was $4.2 billion, adjusted operating income was $550 million, and adjusted EBITDA was $743 million, with adjusted EPS of $9.61, indicating another year of double-digit growth [33][34] - Consolidated operating margins expanded by approximately 30 basis points compared to the previous year, with expectations for continued margin improvement into 2026 [33] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The EFT segment showed strong performance with revenue growing 8%, adjusted operating income increasing 12%, and adjusted EBITDA growing 13% [25] - The epay segment experienced a revenue decline of approximately 2%, with adjusted operating income down 7% and adjusted EBITDA down 8%, attributed to macroeconomic pressures [26] - The money transfer segment saw a revenue decline of 1% year-over-year, with adjusted operating income down 6% and adjusted EBITDA down 5%, primarily due to macroeconomic conditions and immigration-related dynamics [27][28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The global digital channel for money transfer delivered 31% transaction growth and 33% revenue growth in Q4, with a significant increase in new customer acquisitions [21] - The gaming-related branded payments business within epay accounted for 37% of total branded payments margin, benefiting from the growth in the global video game market, which was approximately $290 billion in 2025 [17] - Remittances into Mexico declined approximately 2% in Q4 2025, reflecting broader market trends, but the company managed to achieve a modest increase in remittance volumes for the year [28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains focused on executing growth initiatives across all segments, particularly in digital strategies and expanding its global network [5][10] - Recent acquisitions, including Kyodi and Credia Bank's merchant acquiring business, are expected to drive multiyear growth [9][12] - The company emphasizes a shift from traditional ATM ownership to a focus on payments infrastructure and merchant acquiring, enhancing its capabilities in modern payment processing [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenging operating environment due to immigration policy uncertainty and economic stress among lower-income consumers, but expressed confidence in the company's competitive position and growth initiatives [5][6] - The company anticipates adjusted EPS growth of 10%-15% in 2026, supported by a strong pipeline of growth initiatives and an optimized operating model [32] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a diversified business model to withstand macroeconomic pressures, ensuring resilience and continued growth [7][36] Other Important Information - The company returned approximately $388 million in capital to shareholders through share repurchases in 2025, reflecting a disciplined capital allocation strategy [8][34] - The company is actively pursuing digital growth opportunities across all segments, with a focus on enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency [31] Q&A Session Summary Question: Are there signs of improvement in macro issues affecting the business? - Management noted some positive trends in January but cautioned against over-optimism due to ongoing challenges in the operating environment [40][41] Question: What triggered the review of the money transfer business? - The review was initiated to ensure organizational alignment with the growth of the money transfer segment, which has seen significant success since the acquisition of Ria [45][47] Question: Can you provide details on the growth of the merchant processing business? - The merchant acquiring business has shown strong growth, with epay growing over 20% and EFT's merchant acquiring business growing over 30% [54] Question: What are the expectations for CoreCard in 2026? - Management expressed optimism about CoreCard's contribution, indicating that it is expected to perform well and potentially exceed previous revenue figures [75][78] Question: How does the company view the impact of competitors' partnerships? - Management indicated that the impact from competitors, such as Kroger's exclusive relationship, would be marginal and not significantly affect their business [82]