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Investing.com -- Deutsche Bank resumed coverage on payments and IT services stocks, with preference for high-quality fintech names like Visa (NYSE:V), Mastercard (NYSE:MA), even as the broader sector continues to underperform the S&P 500 this year.
Payments and IT services stocks have dropped 7% and 17% respectively in 2025, versus a 7% gain in the S&P, with Deutsche attributing the lag to fading investor optimism following last year’s rally and renewed uncertainty around consumer demand and trade.
In the payments space, the bank said it favors firms with consistent revenue growth, free cash flow, and shareholder returns.
Alongside Visa and Mastercard, it flagged Affirm, Shift4, and Toast (NYSE:TOST) as long-term winners with expanding product suites and potential for market share gains.
“We believe that open banking (including data calls and A2A payments) is more likely to drive positive tailwinds for V and MA rather than create a threat,” analysts at DB said.
Deutsche was cautious on IT services, assigning Hold ratings across the board. It said the industry faces weak near-term demand and pricing pressure, with uncertainty around the impact of generative AI still clouding the outlook.
Among large names, Accenture (NYSE:ACN) and Cognizant (NASDAQ:CTSH) were seen as best positioned when demand returns, though the bank warned that digital engineering and BPO firms may remain vulnerable until there’s clearer evidence AI will aid rather than disrupt their business models.