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Mastercard Incorporated MA recently announced guidance for the 2025-2027 timeframe. For this period, it expects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in net revenues at the high end of low-double-digits percentage growth. This indicates a decline from 2022-2024 period’s estimated CAGR of high-teens percentage rate.

Moreover, it expects a CAGR in earnings per share (EPS) in the mid-teens for the 2025-2027 period, compared with the low 20s of the 2022-2024 timeframe. However, it estimates the annual operating margin to improve from a minimum of 50% between 2022 and 2024 to minimum 55% for the 2025 to 2027 period.

Nevertheless, the company is taking steps to expand its business.

MA’s Growth Drivers

The company expects annual carded market volume growth to be around 9% for the 2025-2027 period, excluding China. It plans to boost its Services and Solutions business going forward, further diversifying its revenue streams. It foresees high-teens net revenue CAGR from value-added services and solutions for 2025-2027. MA is expected to strengthen its presence in anti-fraud solutions, which is witnessing rising demand.

Its target addressable market in services, which it can serve with existing capabilities, is estimated at $490 billion. Also, the company boasts a geographically diverse business with around 34% of total GDV coming from North America, followed by 33% in Europe, 24% in the APMEA region and 9% in Latin America.

This presents an opportunity for the company to expand its presence in developing economies and grow its market share. Moreover, its presence in China’s market with local joint ventures can be a major growth driver, differentiating MA from its peers.

MA's Price Performance

Shares of Mastercard have gained 31.2% in the past year compared with the industry’s 34.5% growth.

Affirm Holdings, Inc. AFRM reported first-quarter fiscal 2025 results last week, wherein its earnings beat estimates. Results were aided by improved card network revenues and servicing income, along with growing repeat customers. However, the upside was partly offset by an escalating expense level from a significant increase in provision for credit losses.

Now the question arises whether investors should consider buying the stake or hold tight to their current investments. Let us answer that question by assessing AFRM’s latest quarterly results and long-term growth prospects.

AFRM’s Q1 Results in Brief

Affirm incurred a fiscal first-quarter loss of 31 cents per share, which was narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 36 cents. The metric was flat year over year. Total net revenues amounted to $698.5 million, which rose 40.7% year over year. The top line surpassed the consensus mark by 5.6%.

Active merchants of AFRM increased 21.4% year over year to 323,000 as of Sept. 30, 2024. Total transactions of 27.2 million soared 45% year over year on the back of a significant rise in repeat customer transactions. Servicing income improved 28.9% year over year to $26 million. Interest income of $377.1 million grew 44% year over year.

For a detailed analysis, please read our blog on fiscal first-quarter earnings: Affirm Holdings Q1 Loss Narrower-Than-Expected, 2025 GMV View Up

Affirm Benefits From Higher GMV

An expanding Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) continues to benefit merchant network revenues, which remain one of the most significant contributors to Affirm’s top line. Merchant network revenues mainly comprise merchant fees, which are charged to merchant partners (or integrated merchants) based on the GMV processed through the Affirm platform.

Merchant network revenues advanced 26.3% year over year in the fiscal first quarter. Meanwhile, GMV of $7.6 billion increased 35.7% year over year, attributed to strength in general merchandise and travel and ticketing categories. Management anticipates a GMV of more than $34 billion in fiscal 2025, which denotes an increase from the fiscal 2024 reported figure. Therefore, rising GMV is likely to benefit AFRM’s revenues in the days ahead.

AFRM’s Long-term Growth Prospects

Affirm's unique technology and data-driven approach provides it with an edge in accurately pricing and underwriting credits at the point of sale. This capability allows it to craft tailored products such as interest-bearing installment loans that attract a diverse consumer demographic, thereby significantly boosting its GMV. In fiscal 2024, Affirm facilitated $26.6 billion in GMV.

The company's business structure fosters robust network effects that grow stronger with each merchant added to its platform. As Affirm attracts more users, merchants are drawn to adopt its payment solutions to access this expanding consumer pool. This not only bolsters merchant relationships but also increases their customer acquisition rates and the average value of orders. Lowered operational costs and enhanced accuracy in credit decisions due to repeat consumer interactions also contribute to improved efficiency.

Alliances with industry giants such as Amazon and Apple Pay serve as key growth drivers for Affirm. These collaborations grant access to vast consumer markets and help diversify revenues across different sectors. This expanded reach supports Affirm's plans for international growth, particularly its expected entry into the U.K. market in 2025, further boosting long-term prospects.

The burgeoning buy now, pay later (BNPL) sector presents a lucrative opportunity for AFRM to leverage its extensive array of payment solutions. The popularity of installment payments is on the rise as they alleviate the financial burden of lump-sum payments.

AFRM Stock’s Price Performance

Affirm’s shares have gained 116.6% in the past three months compared with the industry’s 19.2% growth. It has also outperformed the broader Zacks Business Services sector’s 18.2% rise and the S&P 500’s 10.3% rally in the said time frame. In comparison with AFRM, two of its industry peers, Mastercard Incorporated MA and Visa Inc. V have gained 13.3% and 18.4%, respectively, in the same time frame.

Three-Month Price Performance