Bernstein maintains PayPal stock rating, $94 target amid uncertainty

Published 26/02/2025, 13:42
Bernstein maintains PayPal stock rating, $94 target amid uncertainty

On Wednesday, Bernstein analysts maintained a Market Perform rating for PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) stock, with a steady price target of $94.00. Currently trading at $74.07, PayPal shows potential upside according to InvestingPro analysis, which indicates the stock is currently undervalued. The company maintains a "GOOD" overall financial health score, with particularly strong marks in profitability and cash flow management. The firm’s analyst, Harshita Rawat, described PayPal as a company at a crossroads, potentially poised for significant growth or facing considerable challenges over the next three years.

Rawat acknowledged the company’s ambitious vision, as presented during PayPal’s investor day, which includes goals surpassing the consensus for the year 2027, as well as long-term objectives. PayPal’s array of assets, such as its namesake service, Venmo, Braintree, and its dominance with small and medium-sized businesses, was noted as a reason for optimism, especially with new leadership aiming to address prior execution shortfalls. The company’s strong financial foundation is evident in its $31.8 billion revenue over the last twelve months, with a healthy gross profit margin of 40.5%.

Despite these positive elements, Bernstein’s stance reflects caution due to the uncertainty in assigning a probability to the company’s success. This caution stems from the need to observe key performance indicators from upcoming product rollouts and the rapidly evolving competitive landscape in e-commerce and payment technologies.

The analyst highlighted that the industry is witnessing a surge of new checkout experiences that do not carry the burden of outdated technology or legacy system integrations. Additionally, the structure of e-commerce is shifting, with consolidation into larger platforms and marketplaces, which could influence PayPal’s performance.

Looking ahead, Bernstein has identified PayPal as a "catalyst-rich battleground stock" for 2025. Key developments to monitor include the rollout of new mobile experiences, PayPal’s expansion, adoption of its Fastlane service by large merchants, and the trajectory of its Offline Volume Acquisition Strategy (OVAS). The firm’s current rating indicates a neutral position on the stock, reflecting both the potential for significant rewards and the risks of market challenges. With analysts forecasting EPS of $4.97 for FY2025 and 18 analysts recently revising earnings upward, investors seeking deeper insights can access comprehensive analysis through InvestingPro’s exclusive research reports, which offer detailed valuation metrics and growth projections for over 1,400 US stocks.

In other recent news, PayPal Holdings Inc . has outlined ambitious growth targets during its Investor Day, projecting a 10% increase in total payment volume and over 20% growth in earnings per share. The company also reaffirmed its 2025 financial guidance, expecting at least 5% growth in transaction margin dollars and a 6-10% rise in non-GAAP earnings per share. PayPal introduced new initiatives, including the PayPal Open merchant platform and a strategic partnership with Verifone, aimed at expanding its market presence and service offerings. Analysts from TD Cowen maintained a Hold rating with an $83 price target, noting the ambitious nature of PayPal’s goals. Additionally, Mizuho (NYSE:MFG) analysts highlighted the potential revenue boost from PayPal’s new advertising platform, suggesting it could lead to a 5-10% increase in total revenue. PayPal’s strategic moves, including its Fastlane checkout service expansion in collaboration with J.P. Morgan Payments, underscore its commitment to innovation and growth. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods expressed optimism about PayPal’s long-term growth potential, emphasizing the importance of the new management’s strategic initiatives. These developments reflect PayPal’s focus on enhancing customer engagement and expanding its global reach.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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