Deluxe Corporation (DLX) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Access earnings results, analyst expectations, report, slides, earnings call, and transcript.
Overview
The earnings call summary shows strong financial performance with increased EPS, operating income, and cash flow. Despite some challenges in print revenue, growth in payments and data segments is robust. The Q&A reveals optimism about AI and strategic growth, with no unclear responses from management. The dividend remains stable, and leverage ratio improvements are noted. Overall, the sentiment is positive, with strong fundamentals and strategic focus on growth areas.
Key Financial Performance
Comparable adjusted EBITDA Expanded more than 6% year-over-year, driven by disciplined execution and scaling profits faster than revenue.
Organic revenue Grew 1% year-over-year, reflecting robust growth in payments and data businesses offsetting declines in print.
Comparable adjusted EPS Grew 13% year-over-year, supported by improved operating income and cost efficiencies.
Operating income Increased by 23% year-over-year, driven by cost discipline and operational efficiencies.
Free cash flow Generated $175 million, up from $100 million in 2024, driven by lower restructuring spend, improved EBITDA, and working capital efficiency.
Net debt Reduced by $76 million year-over-year, lowering the year-end leverage ratio to 3.2x from 3.6x.
Payments and data revenue Increased to 47% of total revenue, up from 43% in 2024, with a 10% full-year growth rate.
Data segment revenue Expanded by 31.3% year-over-year, driven by strong demand for marketing capabilities and AI-enhanced tools.
Merchant Services revenue Grew 3.8% year-over-year, with sequential improvement across quarters and a 6.3% growth in Q4.
B2B Payments revenue Grew 0.9% year-over-year, with sequential improvement across quarters and a 4.5% growth in Q4.
Print segment revenue Declined by 5.7% year-over-year, with a 1.8% decline in checks and a 6.5% decline in forms and business products.
Adjusted EBITDA margin Expanded to 20.2%, up 90 basis points year-over-year, reflecting cost discipline and operational efficiencies.
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Operating Highlights
Payments and Data Revenue: Payments and data now account for 47% of revenue, up from 43% a year ago. The Data segment grew over 30% year-over-year, and the Payments and Data businesses combined grew 10% for the full year.
Deluxe Fast Funds Solution: Introduced in collaboration with Visa Direct network, showcasing innovation in Merchant Services.
Expansion in Data Segment: The Data segment expanded its revenue by over 30% year-over-year, leveraging AI-enabled data analytics tools and targeting new market verticals.
Merchant Services Growth: Revenue grew 3.8% for the year, with sequential improvement across quarters. Investments in technology platforms and partnerships with ISVs and FIs are driving growth.
Cost Efficiency: Reduced SG&A expenses by $40 million, improving operating income by 23% and expanding EBITDA margins across all segments.
Debt Reduction: Reduced net debt by $76 million, achieving a leverage ratio of 3.2x, ahead of schedule.
Shift to Payments and Data: Payments and Data are expected to achieve revenue parity with Print in 2026, marking a strategic transformation into a payments and data company.
Focus on Core Print Offerings: Optimized long-term margin profile by prioritizing core offerings and reducing focus on low-margin opportunities.
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Risk or Challenges
Macroeconomic and Peer Group Volatility: The Deluxe Merchant Services (DMS) business faced some levels of macroeconomic and broader peer group volatility, which could impact revenue growth and operational stability.
Secular Decline in Print Business: The Print segment experienced a revenue decline of 5.7% in 2025, with legacy Check revenue declining by 1.8% and printed forms and other business products declining by 6.5%. This ongoing decline poses a challenge to maintaining profitability in this segment.
Promotional Product Solutions Demand Headwinds: The promotional product solutions within the Print segment faced demand headwinds, with a 15.3% year-over-year revenue decline, which could impact overall revenue and profitability.
Transition to Digital Offerings in B2B Payments: The B2B Payments segment is transitioning to more digital solutions, which may involve operational challenges and require significant investment to sustain growth.
Dependence on Consumer Spending in Merchant Services: The Merchant Services segment's growth is partly dependent on stable macroeconomic conditions and discretionary consumer spending levels, which could be impacted by economic downturns.
Operational Cost Discipline: While operational cost discipline has been a focus, maintaining this discipline across all segments could be challenging, especially as the company invests in new technologies and solutions.
Debt and Leverage Ratio: Although the company reduced its net debt and improved its leverage ratio to 3.2x, achieving the longer-term target of 3x or lower may be challenging if free cash flow generation slows or if there are unexpected financial pressures.
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Guidance & Outlook
Revenue Growth: 2026 revenue guidance is set at $2.11 billion to $2.175 billion, reflecting a range of -1% to +2% comparable adjusted growth versus 2025.
Adjusted EBITDA: Expected to grow between 3% and 9% in 2026, with a range of $445 million to $470 million.
Adjusted EPS: Guidance for 2026 is set at $3.90 to $4.30, reflecting growth of 6% to 17%.
Free Cash Flow: Projected to grow by 14% in 2026, reaching approximately $200 million.
Merchant Segment Revenue: Expected to grow in the mid-single-digit range year-over-year in 2026.
B2B Payments Revenue: Anticipated to expand at low single-digit levels in 2026.
Data Segment Revenue: Projected to maintain strong mid- to high single-digit growth rates in 2026.
Print Segment Revenue: Expected to continue declining at low to mid-single-digit rates in 2026.
Margins: Merchant segment margins are expected to reach mid-20s, B2B margins to remain in the low to mid-20s, Data segment margins to return to low to mid-20s, and Print margins to remain flat in the low 30s range.
Capital Expenditures: Expected to range between $90 million and $100 million in 2026.
Leverage Ratio: Targeting a sub-3x leverage ratio in the first half of 2026.
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Shareholder Return Plan
Dividend Payment: The company has paid its regular dividend for more than 30 consecutive years.
Board Approval: The Board approved a regular quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share on all outstanding shares.
Dividend Payment Date: The dividend will be payable on February 23, 2026, to all shareholders of record as of market closing on February 9, 2026.
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Key Q&A
Q:How is Deluxe positioned to respond to trends in AI and agentic commerce?
A:Deluxe is well-positioned, having already applied AI technology across its business. The company has built one of the largest consumer and small business data lakes and uses Gen AI-based tools that improve with every campaign. This has contributed to a 30% revenue growth in their data-driven marketing business.
Q:What is Deluxe's outlook on macroeconomic risks and potential growth factors?
A:Deluxe sees traditional consumer behavior patterns stabilizing, which gives confidence in growth. The company expects solid growth in the data segment in the first half of the year, with normalization in the second half due to tough comparisons. Growth factors include pipeline visibility and continued execution across all segments.
Q:What are Deluxe's primary objectives for 2026?
A:The three main objectives are: 1) Shifting revenue mix towards payments and data business to offset declines in the Print segment. 2) Driving efficiency through operational improvements. 3) Generating cash flow to reduce net debt and leverage ratio. Each business segment has specific strategic goals to support these objectives.
Q:What is the pipeline outlook for the Merchant business in 2026?
A:Deluxe is optimistic about the ISV distribution channel, with a new leader driving a robust pipeline. Investments in API suite improvements, reporting tools, and other features are expected to make the program more appealing to ISVs. The company anticipates sharing updates on wins throughout the year.
Q:What is Deluxe's approach to build versus buy decisions for investments?
A:Deluxe balances building capabilities internally and making responsible acquisitions. Recent acquisitions, such as CheckMatch and residuals from an ISO, are expected to improve profitability. The company also invests in internal innovations like AI tools, Tap on Glass, and database enhancements to drive growth.
Q:What are the AI-focused opportunities Deluxe is pursuing?
A:Deluxe applies AI across its business to solve specific customer problems. Examples include improving matching rates in Lockbox operations, enhancing ROI in data-driven marketing, and using AI for chatbots in Merchant and B2B spaces. The focus is on delivering value rather than using technology for its own sake.
Q:Review of Unclear Management Responses
A:No questions were identified where management avoided giving a direct answer or lacked clarity in their responses.
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Earnings Word Cloud
The most frequently occurring keywords in this quarter's earning call
AI analytics
AI intelligence
APIs tool
BB Payments
BB portfolio
Barry evening
Chip detail
Chip minute
DMS deepening
DMS digit
DMS offering
DMS sale
DMS technology
DMS trend
Day Deluxe
Deluxe Fast
Deluxe Full
Deluxe generation
Deluxe path
creation algorithm
debt leverage
end leverage
enterprise
exit rate
future payment
integration
lake
leverage ratio
mix payment
model
network
parity
position
priority area
priority mix
profit
progress Chip
relationship
result progress
value creation
DLX Transcript
Deluxe Corporation (DLX) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Positive1-28
The earnings call summary shows strong financial performance with increased EPS, operating income, and cash flow. Despite some challenges in print revenue, growth in payments and data segments is robust. The Q&A reveals optimism about AI and strategic growth, with no unclear responses from management. The dividend remains stable, and leverage ratio improvements are noted. Overall, the sentiment is positive, with strong fundamentals and strategic focus on growth areas.
Deluxe Corporation (DLX) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown11-5
The earnings call presents a mixed outlook. Strong free cash flow and data segment growth are positives, but declines in B2B payments and print revenue are concerning. The lack of guidance for next year and a decline in some segments suggest caution. Overall, the sentiment is neutral, with no clear catalyst for a significant stock price movement.
Deluxe Corporation (DLX) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Positive8-6
The earnings call reveals strong financial performance with positive growth in key segments like Data Solutions and Merchant Services. The company's strategic partnerships and acquisitions, such as Check Match, are expected to drive future growth. Despite a decline in the Print segment, overall profitability and cash flow have improved significantly. The Q&A session highlights management's confidence and strategic focus, with no significant negative trends reported. The positive sentiment is reinforced by optimistic guidance and execution on strategic initiatives, suggesting a likely positive stock price movement in the short term.
Deluxe Corporation (DLX) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown4-30
The earnings call reflects a mixed sentiment: financial performance shows modest improvement with revenue and EBITDA growth, but guidance indicates flat to slight growth, and uncertainties in the economic environment persist. The Q&A highlights potential growth in the Merchant business and partnerships, yet there's concern over legacy product demand. Dividend consistency and debt reduction are positives, but the overall outlook remains cautious, leading to a neutral sentiment.
DLX Slides
DLX Report
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this earnings call transcript come from?
All transcripts are sourced directly from the official live webcast or the company’s official investor relations website. We use the exact words spoken during the call with no paraphrasing of the core discussion.
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Why do some answers appear as “Unclear” or “Inaudible”?
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Who creates the AI Summary and Key Q&A highlights shown above the transcript?
They are generated by a specialized financial-language model trained exclusively on 15+ years of earnings transcripts. The model extracts financial figures, guidance, and tone with 97%+ accuracy and is regularly validated against human analysts. The full raw transcript always remains available for verification.
