PayPal Q4 Earnings Preview: Slowing Growth Tests Market Confidence
PayPal Holdings Inc. faces a pivotal moment as it prepares to report fourth-quarter earnings amid mounting competitive pressures. The digital payments pioneer is expected to post $1.29 per share on $8.77 billion revenue—a 4.8% year-over-year increase that underscores slowing momentum in its Core checkout business.
Market skepticism runs deep, with shares down 22% over three months and hovering near 52-week lows at $52.69. Analysts point to Apple Pay and Stripe’s encroachment on PayPal’s turf, while the company’s heavy AI investments remain years from bearing fruit.
‘The math is getting harder,’ says Wedbush analyst Moshe Katri, noting transaction margin growth could halve to 4% by 2026. ‘PayPal must demonstrate it can defend its moat during Thursday’s call.’
