Deluxe Acquires Celero Commerce for $625M
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 18 2026
0mins
Deluxe entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Celero Commerce for $625M, plus payment of certain seller transaction expenses and other adjustments. Celero is an integrated payment processing partner offering high-tech, high-touch merchant solutions for small to mid-sized businesses and strategic partners. Celero combines a comprehensive, all-in-one suite of omnichannel payment solutions with dedicated, localized customer support to help drive growth and increase profitability. The transaction advances the ongoing Deluxe transformation strategy to shift the revenue mix towards higher growth Payments and Data segments. Post-closing, the combined Payments and Data businesses are expected to increase to 57% of 2026 revenues on a proforma basis, compared to 31% in 2020. The combination will also further the ongoing modernization of the Deluxe payment technology infrastructure, bring together complementary go-to-market capabilities and expand customer reach through a broadened and diversified network of bank, software, independent partner and direct sales channels. Following close, Deluxe will go to market with greater scale and an expanded set of solutions to deliver for small and medium-sized businesses and merchants. The transaction is expected to be accretive to adjusted EPS in the first year following closing, while also expanding revenue growth and adjusted EBITDA margin rates and generating strong cash flow, inclusive of over $15M in anticipated cost synergies to be realized fully across a 24-month period following the closing, and additional upside potential from revenue synergies. Celero has an attractive financial profile, having delivered over $200M in revenue in 2025 with a 28% adjusted EBITDA margin and 90% unlevered free cash flow conversion.At closing, Deluxe expects its combined net leverage ratio to be approximately 3.9x. Deluxe has a proven track record of prioritizing debt repayment and expects to reduce net leverage to below 3.0x during a 24-month period following the closing. Deluxe will acquire Celero in an all-cash transaction for approximately $625M plus payment of certain seller transaction expenses and other adjustments. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals in the U.S. and other customary closing conditions. The transaction will be funded through committed debt financing, consisting of an incremental Term Loan A financing of $375M from a five-bank syndicate led by BofA Securities, Inc. and drawing on Deluxe's existing revolving credit facility. Deluxe expects the transaction to close in the third quarter of 2026.
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Analyst Views on DLX
About DLX
Deluxe Corporation is a payments and data company. The Company's segments include Merchant Services, Business-to-Business (B2B) Payments, Data Solutions, and Print. The Merchant Services segment offers a suite of payment processing services tailored primarily for small and medium-sized retail and service businesses, as well as nonprofit and government organizations. Its services include credit cards, debit cards, and electronic benefit transaction processing, as well as check guarantee and conversion. The B2B Payments segment integrates both accounts receivable and accounts payable functionalities with automation technologies. The Data Solutions segment leverages data and analytics to help clients acquire and cross-sell customers through targeted marketing campaigns. The Print segment manufactures and distributes checks for both businesses and consumers, utilizing banks and direct sales channels. Its checks business includes forms, envelopes, and deposit tickets.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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Deluxe Acquires Celero Commerce for $625M, Expanding Merchant Processing
- Acquisition Overview: Deluxe announced its acquisition of Celero Commerce for $625 million, plus certain seller transaction expenses and adjustments, aiming to expand its market presence in existing and emerging merchant processing verticals.
- Financial Impact Expectations: The transaction is expected to be accretive to adjusted EPS in the first year post-closing, while driving revenue growth and adjusted EBITDA margin rates, indicating a clear path to ongoing deleveraging.
- Transaction Scale and Market Positioning: Deluxe and Celero processed approximately $70 billion in combined gross transaction volume in 2025, with the combined payments and data businesses projected to increase from 31% of 2020 revenues to 57% in 2026, reflecting a strategic shift towards higher growth segments.
- Financing Structure and Timeline: The transaction will be funded through committed debt financing, including an incremental $375 million Term Loan A from a five-bank syndicate led by BofA Securities, with an expected closing in the third quarter of 2026.
See More
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- Revenue Structure Shift: Post-acquisition, the combined Payments and Data businesses are expected to account for 57% of 2026 revenues, up from 31% in 2020, indicating a strategic pivot towards high-growth areas.
- Profitability Enhancement: The acquisition is anticipated to be accretive to adjusted EPS in the first year following closing, while also driving revenue growth and adjusted EBITDA margin rates, with over $15 million in expected cost synergies to be realized fully within 24 months.
- Financing Arrangement: The acquisition will be funded through committed debt financing, including an incremental Term Loan A financing of $375 million from a five-bank syndicate led by BofA Securities, ensuring sufficient capital to support the transaction's successful completion.
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- Financial Impact and Growth Potential: The acquisition is anticipated to be accretive to adjusted EPS in the first year post-closing, while also driving revenue growth and adjusted EBITDA margin rates, with over $15 million in cost synergies expected to be realized within 24 months.
- Market Expansion and Customer Base: Post-merger, Deluxe's Payments and Data businesses are projected to account for 57% of 2026 revenues, a significant increase from 31% in 2020, further enhancing its distribution capabilities across key verticals such as financial institutions and independent software vendors.
- Operational Efficiency and Leverage: The combined entity is expected to process approximately $70 billion in transaction volume, positioning it among the top ten non-bank merchant acquirers in the U.S., thereby improving processing efficiency and reducing fixed costs to enhance long-term operating leverage and margins.
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- Specific Strike Activity: Within HTZ, the $4 strike put option expiring on September 18, 2026, has seen 7,668 contracts traded, representing around 766,800 underlying shares, suggesting bearish sentiment among investors at this price level.
- Eastman Chemical Options Overview: Eastman Chemical Co (EMN) recorded options trading volume of 10,401 contracts, approximately 1.0 million shares, which is about 98.4% of its average daily trading volume over the past month, reflecting ongoing market interest in its stock.
- High Liquidity Strike: For EMN, the $75 strike call option expiring on July 17, 2026, has seen trading of 5,040 contracts, representing about 504,000 shares, indicating bullish expectations among investors at this price point.
See More
Deluxe Acquires Celero Commerce for $625M, Expanding Merchant Processing
- Acquisition Overview: Deluxe announced its acquisition of Celero Commerce for $625 million, plus certain seller transaction expenses and adjustments, aiming to expand its market presence in existing and emerging merchant processing verticals.
- Financial Impact Expectations: The transaction is expected to be accretive to adjusted EPS in the first year post-closing, while driving revenue growth and adjusted EBITDA margin rates, indicating a clear path to ongoing deleveraging.
- Transaction Scale and Market Positioning: Deluxe and Celero processed approximately $70 billion in combined gross transaction volume in 2025, with the combined payments and data businesses projected to increase from 31% of 2020 revenues to 57% in 2026, reflecting a strategic shift towards higher growth segments.
- Financing Structure and Timeline: The transaction will be funded through committed debt financing, including an incremental $375 million Term Loan A from a five-bank syndicate led by BofA Securities, with an expected closing in the third quarter of 2026.
See More
Deluxe Corporation Acquires Celero Commerce for $625 Million
- Acquisition Overview: Deluxe Corporation has announced its agreement to acquire financial technology company Celero Commerce for $625 million, including certain seller transaction expenses, which will advance Deluxe's transformation strategy towards higher growth Payments and Data segments.
- Revenue Structure Shift: Post-acquisition, the combined Payments and Data businesses are expected to account for 57% of 2026 revenues, up from 31% in 2020, indicating a strategic pivot towards high-growth areas.
- Profitability Enhancement: The acquisition is anticipated to be accretive to adjusted EPS in the first year following closing, while also driving revenue growth and adjusted EBITDA margin rates, with over $15 million in expected cost synergies to be realized fully within 24 months.
- Financing Arrangement: The acquisition will be funded through committed debt financing, including an incremental Term Loan A financing of $375 million from a five-bank syndicate led by BofA Securities, ensuring sufficient capital to support the transaction's successful completion.
See More
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- Transaction Scale and Context: Deluxe announced the acquisition of financial technology company Celero for $625 million, aiming to shift its revenue structure towards high-growth Payments and Data segments, with the transaction expected to close in Q3 2026.
- Financial Impact and Growth Potential: The acquisition is anticipated to be accretive to adjusted EPS in the first year post-closing, while also driving revenue growth and adjusted EBITDA margin rates, with over $15 million in cost synergies expected to be realized within 24 months.
- Market Expansion and Customer Base: Post-merger, Deluxe's Payments and Data businesses are projected to account for 57% of 2026 revenues, a significant increase from 31% in 2020, further enhancing its distribution capabilities across key verticals such as financial institutions and independent software vendors.
- Operational Efficiency and Leverage: The combined entity is expected to process approximately $70 billion in transaction volume, positioning it among the top ten non-bank merchant acquirers in the U.S., thereby improving processing efficiency and reducing fixed costs to enhance long-term operating leverage and margins.
See More
DLX Stock 52-Week High-Low Analysis
- Price Range Analysis: DLX's stock has a 52-week low of $14.59 and a high of $32.07, with the last trade at $23.89, indicating significant volatility within this range and reflecting varying market perceptions of the stock.
- Market Performance Comparison: The current price of $23.89 is approximately 61.5% of the 52-week low, suggesting that after a period of decline, the stock has not yet recovered to its peak level, which may affect investor confidence.
- Technical Indicator Insights: The relationship between DLX's stock performance and its 200-day moving average is noteworthy, especially as 9 other dividend stocks have recently crossed this technical threshold, potentially indicating a growing market preference for dividend-paying stocks.
- Investor Sentiment Impact: Although the current stock price has not surpassed its high, interest in DLX remains, and investors may reassess their positions based on price volatility and dividend potential, influencing future investment decisions.
See More
Deluxe Partners with Dollar Bank to Enhance Merchant Services
- Partnership Announcement: Deluxe has formed a merchant services partnership with Dollar Bank, the largest independent mutual bank in the U.S., leveraging Deluxe's cloud infrastructure to enhance payment options for Dollar Bank's business clients, thereby strengthening Deluxe's presence in the community banking sector.
- Asset Overview: With approximately $12.2 billion in assets and 91 branches, Dollar Bank sought a partner that aligns with its business model and can support its complex portfolio, ensuring sustainable growth for the future.
- Growth Focus: Brian Mahony, President of Deluxe Merchant Services, stated that this partnership reflects their ability to deliver tailored solutions that drive growth for financial institutions and the businesses they serve, highlighting the strategic importance of this collaboration.
- Enhanced Support: Matt Phillips, Senior VP of Business Banking at Dollar Bank, emphasized that Deluxe's proven expertise in payments and merchant services will enable them to provide efficient merchant solutions and enhanced daily support for the businesses that rely on their services.
See More
