Reasons Behind the Current Investor Interest in Global Payments Shares
Company Overview: Global Payments Inc. (GPN) is a global payments technology company with a market cap of $20.8 billion, providing software and services to enhance customer experiences. Despite a 24.8% decline in shares year-to-date, the company is positioned for growth through strategic acquisitions and partnerships.
Financial Performance: GPN's earnings estimates for 2025 are projected at $12.19 per share, with revenue expectations of $9.3 billion, reflecting a 1.8% year-over-year growth. The company has shown strong cash flow generation, increasing from $2.2 billion in 2023 to $3.5 billion in 2024.
Strategic Moves: GPN is set to acquire Worldpay to expand its global presence and product offerings while divesting its payroll business and Issuer Solutions segment. These actions aim to streamline operations and enhance long-term growth potential.
Challenges and Competitors: Despite solid prospects, GPN faces rising operating expenses and a low return on equity (ROE) compared to industry averages. Competitors like OppFi, Green Dot, and The Brink's Company are also performing well, each holding a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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Visa Introduces USDC Settlement in the U.S. and Promotes Onchain Payments
Visa's USDC Settlement Initiative: Visa Inc. is modernizing payment systems by allowing U.S. institutions to settle obligations using USDC, a stablecoin, alongside traditional methods, enhancing speed and liquidity in transactions.
Collaboration with Circle and Blockchain Development: Visa is partnering with Circle to develop Arc, a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain, aimed at supporting Visa's commercial activities and USDC settlements, further integrating blockchain technology into its operations.
Strategic Positioning in Financial Services: This initiative positions Visa as a bridge between traditional finance and blockchain infrastructure, with plans for broader U.S. access by 2026 and the establishment of a Stablecoins Advisory Practice to assist financial institutions.
Stock Performance and Market Outlook: Visa's shares have increased by 8.7% over the past year, contrasting with a decline in the industry, while other financial service stocks like OppFi, FirstCash, and Dave have shown strong earnings growth and upward revisions in estimates.
Zacks Analyst Insights: Capital One Financial, SoFi, and OppFi
Stock Highlights: Zacks.com features stocks like Capital One Financial Corp. (COF), SoFi Technologies, Inc. (SOFI), and OppFi Inc. (OPFI) in their Analyst Blog, emphasizing their potential for growth in the evolving payments industry.
Growth in Payments Industry: The global payments sector is expected to thrive in 2026, driven by the shift to digital payments, increased consumer spending, and supportive monetary policies, including recent interest rate cuts by the U.S. central bank.
Company Performance: Capital One is projected to see growth in net interest income due to rising consumer loan demand, while OppFi is focusing on AI to enhance efficiency, and SoFi is expanding its digital ecosystem, all contributing to positive earnings forecasts.
Investment Opportunities: The article suggests that continued innovation and technological advancements in the payments space will benefit these companies, with Zacks ranking Capital One and OppFi as #1 (Strong Buy) and SoFi as #2 (Buy).
FIGS, MDB, and Others Designated as Strong Buy Stocks (Dec. 9)
Zacks Rank #1 Stocks: Five stocks have been added to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) List, including FIGS, MongoDB, Kennametal, EverQuote, and OppFi, all of which have seen significant increases in their earnings estimates over the past 60 days.
Quantum Computing Revolution: Quantum computing is emerging as a major technological advancement, with major companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon actively integrating it into their infrastructures.
Investment Opportunities: Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook has identified seven stocks that are expected to lead in the quantum computing sector, suggesting a potential investment opportunity for those looking to capitalize on this technology.
Free Stock Analysis Reports: The article offers free stock analysis reports for the highlighted companies, encouraging readers to explore these investment options further.
OppFi Surges 33% Year-to-Date: Is It Still a Good Time to Buy the Stock?
Stock Performance: OppFi Inc. (OPFI) has seen a 32.5% increase in shares year-to-date, outperforming its industry and notable competitors like Cantaloupe and Fidelity National Information Services.
Operational Efficiency: The company's AI and machine learning-based Model 6 improved auto approval rates and significantly reduced expenses, leading to a 136.9% increase in net income year-over-year.
Positive Guidance: OppFi has consistently raised its guidance for adjusted net income and earnings per share for 2025, reflecting strong investor confidence in its profitability.
Valuation Appeal: OPFI is currently undervalued compared to its industry, with lower forward earnings and EV-to-EBITDA ratios, making it an attractive option for value-based investors.
Zacks.com Spotlights El Pollo Loco, OppFi, Edison, ScanSource, and Zions Bancorporation
Bargain Stocks Highlighted: The article discusses five stocks with attractive EV-to-EBITDA ratios, including El Pollo Loco Holdings, OppFi Inc., Edison International, ScanSource, Inc., and Zions Bancorporation, which are considered undervalued based on this metric.
EV-to-EBITDA vs. P/E Ratio: EV-to-EBITDA is presented as a superior valuation metric compared to the traditional price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, as it accounts for a company's total value and is less susceptible to manipulation, making it useful for evaluating firms with negative net earnings.
Growth Projections: Each highlighted stock has promising earnings growth projections for 2025, with OppFi Inc. expected to grow by 65.3%, followed by Edison International at 23.7%, and Zions Bancorporation at 19%.
Investment Tools and Resources: The article promotes Zacks Investment Research's tools, such as the Research Wizard, which helps investors screen stocks and develop investment strategies, emphasizing the importance of combining multiple valuation metrics for better decision-making.
OppFi Sees 46% Increase Over the Year: Is Now the Time to Invest in the Stock?
Stock Performance: OppFi Inc. (OPFI) shares have surged 45.5% over the past year, significantly outperforming its industry and competitors, which have seen declines of 11.1% and 25.9% to 29.9%, respectively.
Profitability and Efficiency: The company has improved its operational efficiency through AI and machine learning, resulting in a 136.9% increase in net income year-over-year and a notable reduction in expenses as a percentage of total revenues.
Risk Management: Despite an increase in net charge-offs, OPFI plans to implement a new risk assessment model (Model 6.1) to better identify riskier borrowers, aiming to enhance credit risk management by early 2026.
Positive Outlook: Management has consistently raised its earnings guidance for 2025, reflecting strong investor confidence, and OPFI is currently undervalued compared to industry averages, making it a recommended buy for long-term capital gains.
Visa Introduces USDC Settlement in the U.S. and Promotes Onchain Payments
Visa's USDC Settlement Initiative: Visa Inc. is modernizing payment systems by allowing U.S. institutions to settle obligations using USDC, a stablecoin, alongside traditional methods, enhancing speed and liquidity in transactions.
Collaboration with Circle and Blockchain Development: Visa is partnering with Circle to develop Arc, a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain, aimed at supporting Visa's commercial activities and USDC settlements, further integrating blockchain technology into its operations.
Strategic Positioning in Financial Services: This initiative positions Visa as a bridge between traditional finance and blockchain infrastructure, with plans for broader U.S. access by 2026 and the establishment of a Stablecoins Advisory Practice to assist financial institutions.
Stock Performance and Market Outlook: Visa's shares have increased by 8.7% over the past year, contrasting with a decline in the industry, while other financial service stocks like OppFi, FirstCash, and Dave have shown strong earnings growth and upward revisions in estimates.
Zacks Analyst Insights: Capital One Financial, SoFi, and OppFi
Stock Highlights: Zacks.com features stocks like Capital One Financial Corp. (COF), SoFi Technologies, Inc. (SOFI), and OppFi Inc. (OPFI) in their Analyst Blog, emphasizing their potential for growth in the evolving payments industry.
Growth in Payments Industry: The global payments sector is expected to thrive in 2026, driven by the shift to digital payments, increased consumer spending, and supportive monetary policies, including recent interest rate cuts by the U.S. central bank.
Company Performance: Capital One is projected to see growth in net interest income due to rising consumer loan demand, while OppFi is focusing on AI to enhance efficiency, and SoFi is expanding its digital ecosystem, all contributing to positive earnings forecasts.
Investment Opportunities: The article suggests that continued innovation and technological advancements in the payments space will benefit these companies, with Zacks ranking Capital One and OppFi as #1 (Strong Buy) and SoFi as #2 (Buy).
FIGS, MDB, and Others Designated as Strong Buy Stocks (Dec. 9)
Zacks Rank #1 Stocks: Five stocks have been added to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) List, including FIGS, MongoDB, Kennametal, EverQuote, and OppFi, all of which have seen significant increases in their earnings estimates over the past 60 days.
Quantum Computing Revolution: Quantum computing is emerging as a major technological advancement, with major companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon actively integrating it into their infrastructures.
Investment Opportunities: Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook has identified seven stocks that are expected to lead in the quantum computing sector, suggesting a potential investment opportunity for those looking to capitalize on this technology.
Free Stock Analysis Reports: The article offers free stock analysis reports for the highlighted companies, encouraging readers to explore these investment options further.
OppFi Surges 33% Year-to-Date: Is It Still a Good Time to Buy the Stock?
Stock Performance: OppFi Inc. (OPFI) has seen a 32.5% increase in shares year-to-date, outperforming its industry and notable competitors like Cantaloupe and Fidelity National Information Services.
Operational Efficiency: The company's AI and machine learning-based Model 6 improved auto approval rates and significantly reduced expenses, leading to a 136.9% increase in net income year-over-year.
Positive Guidance: OppFi has consistently raised its guidance for adjusted net income and earnings per share for 2025, reflecting strong investor confidence in its profitability.
Valuation Appeal: OPFI is currently undervalued compared to its industry, with lower forward earnings and EV-to-EBITDA ratios, making it an attractive option for value-based investors.
Zacks.com Spotlights El Pollo Loco, OppFi, Edison, ScanSource, and Zions Bancorporation
Bargain Stocks Highlighted: The article discusses five stocks with attractive EV-to-EBITDA ratios, including El Pollo Loco Holdings, OppFi Inc., Edison International, ScanSource, Inc., and Zions Bancorporation, which are considered undervalued based on this metric.
EV-to-EBITDA vs. P/E Ratio: EV-to-EBITDA is presented as a superior valuation metric compared to the traditional price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, as it accounts for a company's total value and is less susceptible to manipulation, making it useful for evaluating firms with negative net earnings.
Growth Projections: Each highlighted stock has promising earnings growth projections for 2025, with OppFi Inc. expected to grow by 65.3%, followed by Edison International at 23.7%, and Zions Bancorporation at 19%.
Investment Tools and Resources: The article promotes Zacks Investment Research's tools, such as the Research Wizard, which helps investors screen stocks and develop investment strategies, emphasizing the importance of combining multiple valuation metrics for better decision-making.
OppFi Sees 46% Increase Over the Year: Is Now the Time to Invest in the Stock?
Stock Performance: OppFi Inc. (OPFI) shares have surged 45.5% over the past year, significantly outperforming its industry and competitors, which have seen declines of 11.1% and 25.9% to 29.9%, respectively.
Profitability and Efficiency: The company has improved its operational efficiency through AI and machine learning, resulting in a 136.9% increase in net income year-over-year and a notable reduction in expenses as a percentage of total revenues.
Risk Management: Despite an increase in net charge-offs, OPFI plans to implement a new risk assessment model (Model 6.1) to better identify riskier borrowers, aiming to enhance credit risk management by early 2026.
Positive Outlook: Management has consistently raised its earnings guidance for 2025, reflecting strong investor confidence, and OPFI is currently undervalued compared to industry averages, making it a recommended buy for long-term capital gains.
