V - Visa Inc.

NYSE - NYSE Delayed Price. Currency in USD
162.64
+1.13 (+0.70%)
At close: 4:01PM EDT

162.64 -0.07 (-0.04%)
After hours: 5:24PM EDT

Stock chart is not supported by your current browser
Previous Close161.51
Open162.75
Bid162.73 x 800
Ask162.85 x 1000
Day's Range161.72 - 163.41
52 Week Range121.60 - 165.74
Volume3,971,784
Avg. Volume7,835,214
Market Cap355.432B
Beta (3Y Monthly)0.88
PE Ratio (TTM)33.60
EPS (TTM)4.84
Earnings DateJul 23, 2019 - Jul 29, 2019
Forward Dividend & Yield1.00 (0.61%)
Ex-Dividend Date2019-05-16
1y Target Est180.49
Trade prices are not sourced from all markets
  • U.S. consumers may finally embrace tap payments as New York subways ready contactless rollout
    MarketWatch4 hours ago

    U.S. consumers may finally embrace tap payments as New York subways ready contactless rollout

    The U.S. has been slow to embrace tap-to-pay transactions, but history suggests that a turning point may be near.

  • Business Wire5 hours ago

    Visa Chief Financial Officer Vasant Prabhu Appointed Company Vice Chairman

    Visa Inc. announced today that Vasant Prabhu, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and member of the Executive Committee, will take on the added title of Vice Chairman for the global payments technology company. As part of his expanded role, Prabhu will take an active role in representing Visa at payments industry forums and serving as a valuable voice with key constituents on business issues of strategic importance to Visa and its clients. “I have extraordinary respect for Vasant,” said Al Kelly, Visa CEO.

  • Why Is Visa (V) Up 0.3% Since Last Earnings Report?
    Zacks8 hours ago

    Why Is Visa (V) Up 0.3% Since Last Earnings Report?

    Visa (V) reported earnings 30 days ago. What's next for the stock? We take a look at earnings estimates for some clues.

  • PayPal Stock Will Move Higher, but There Are Way Better Choices
    InvestorPlace8 hours ago

    PayPal Stock Will Move Higher, but There Are Way Better Choices

    It seems like nothing can stop PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL). After a brief slowdown during the bear market in late 2018, PayPal stock had returned to its late-summer highs by January.Source: Shutterstock The move higher continued, and now it trades at record highs. Given the growth in the payments industry, PYPL will continue its rise long term. However, the question is not whether to buy PYPL stock, but if investors should choose it over its closest peers.PayPal stock continues to register impressive growth, even as it seeks to address the competitive threat posed by Square (NYSE:SQ). Fueling this is a rising cashless society and a move toward more ecommerce. This bolsters not only PayPal stock and that of Square, but also payment processors such as Visa (NYSE:V) and MasterCard (NYSE:MA).InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips * 6 Stocks to Buy for This Decade's Massive Megatrend This increase continues at a steady but significant pace. According to eMarketer, retail ecommerce sales will rise from $3.453 trillion this year to $4.878 trillion by 2021.PayPal may have also become a force in the banking business itself. Its digital wallet, Venmo, has risen to over 40 million accounts as of the first quarter. Venmo also registered a 73% increase on payments on its platform. This compares well to Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) with 37 million digital accounts and Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) who with 29.8 million digital users. PYPL lags only JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM), which claims 51 million active accounts. A Closer Look at PayPal StockGiven this increase, I see ample room for growth for all major players involved. The predicted profit increases in PayPal stock represents the growth well. Analysts expect earnings increases to come in at 23.1% this year and 17.8% next year.This has also brought somewhat higher price-to-earnings (PE) ratios across the industry. PayPal's forward PE now stands at 32.1. While not cheap, that appears inexpensive compared to SQ stock and its 59.3 forward PE ratio. Moreover, the multiples of Visa and Mastercard are somewhat lower, but not by much.But here's the thing.In this sector, multiples tend to rise with rates of profit growth. Square supports a significantly higher PE ratio. However, Wall Street believe SQ's profits will rise by 59.6% this year and 49.3% the next.In 2020, Square's profits will grow at about 2.5 times PayPal's earnings this year. Next year, Square will roughly triple PayPal's growth rate. Given this differential, I see a case for buying SQ when its forward multiple comes in a less than double PayPal's PE ratio.Conversely, investors can pay about 26.4 times forward earnings for Visa. Following what looks like an industry trend, that will buy investors lower but still impressive growth rates. Analysts expect Visa will see a 16.5% earnings increase this year and a 15.6% rate in 2020.Moreover, PYPL has risen more than 46% from its December low. This comes in substantially higher than the 33%-plus growth in SQ over the same period. Given this rapid rise, I cannot rule out a short-term correction. What should investors do?PayPal stock will remain a growth equity for years to come, but it may not outperform a key peer. PYPL trades near record highs. Its massive profit increase justifies its PE ratio in the low 30s. However, one cannot ignore Square stock, which offers almost triple the growth at less than double the valuation.Again, I do not think this negates the bull thesis in PayPal stock. I also believe payment stocks will generally continue to rise long-term. In my view, it comes down to risk tolerance. Investors more comfortable with lower multiples should consider PayPal or maybe Visa. However, for those who will willingly pay a higher PE for more elevated growth levels, Square stock might make a better choice.As of this writing, Will Healy did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned stocks. You can follow Will on Twitter at @HealyWriting. More From InvestorPlace * 4 Top American Penny Pot Stocks (Buy Before June 21) * 6 Stocks to Buy for This Decade's Massive Megatrend * The 7 Best Stocks to Buy From the IPO ETF * 7 Athletic Apparel Stocks With Marathon Pace Compare Brokers The post PayPal Stock Will Move Higher, but There Are Way Better Choices appeared first on InvestorPlace.

  • 10 Stock Market Leaders Amid the Trade War Upheaval
    Investopedia13 hours ago

    10 Stock Market Leaders Amid the Trade War Upheaval

    Stock investors looking for a way to outperform amid the trade war's major upheaval should look at Goldman Sachs' Hedge Funds VIP list.

  • American Express Hits 52-Week High, Will the Rally Continue?
    Zacksyesterday

    American Express Hits 52-Week High, Will the Rally Continue?

    Recent acquisition, co-brand deals and strong operating performance drive the stock rally of American Express (AXP).

  • MTA readies 'contactless' subway terminals for May 31
    American City Business Journalsyesterday

    MTA readies 'contactless' subway terminals for May 31

    The launch was made possible thanks to the MTA's partnering with Visa, Mastercard and American Express.

  • Tokyo Tailwind Could Spark Next Leg Up For Square Stock
    InvestorPlaceyesterday

    Tokyo Tailwind Could Spark Next Leg Up For Square Stock

    If there's one investment I regret missing out on, it's retail-technology outfit Square (NYSE:SQ). During the summer of 2016, SQ stock dropped to single digits. Late last year, the company completed a dramatic turnaround, with shares briefly touching $100. But even at its current price of just under $66, Square has done well for its long-time stakeholders.Source: Via SquarePartially, I blame the cryptocurrency surge for taking my eyes off the ball. The concept surrounding Square stock is so simple yet so incredibly ingenious. Take a small card-swiper, make it compatible with popular smartphones, and presto! You have a platform that enables small-business owners to compete with the alpha dogs of their industries.I've seen firsthand how this diminutive square device has transformed my local business community. In the Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) era where anything physical is subject to disruption, Square brought disruption for -- and in favor of -- the little guy. This breathed new life in the broader brick-and-mortar business model, fueling SQ stock gains.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips * 7 Stocks to Buy for Over 20% Upside Potential That said, the second quarter of this year is not turning out favorably for the company's equity. Since the beginning of April, Square stock is down nearly 14%.Most of that ugliness comes down to Square's disappointing second-quarter earnings report. While the tech firm beat the consensus print for both earnings per share and revenue, management shared profitability and sales guidance that fell short of analysts' estimates. As a result, SQ stock slipped and still looks pensive.The other problem is competition. Major players, such as Mastercard (NYSE:MA) and Visa (NYSE:V), have seen their revenues disrupted by third party payment processors like Square, Stripe and other fintech entrants. They have the resources, though, to return the favor, casting a cloud on Square stock. SQ Stock Sitting on a Japanese GoldmineNow, I'm not going to guess the nearer-term price swings. Clearly, the bullishness in SQ stock got a little out of hand last year. The latest earnings report brought the speculative fever back down to earth. Ultimately, I think this is a good thing for patient investors seeking an ideal time to jump aboard.That's because Square stock has viable opportunities both here and abroad. In the U.S., small businesses are the engine of the economy. They've also contributed the most nominally to the recent employment surge. Arming them with the tools to succeed is always a net positive.But one of the international markets I'm most excited for regarding SQ stock is Japan. Historically, Japan was a cash-based society, and even to this day, this dynamic remains. It's one of the country's strange contradictions: a tech leader that still transacts in paper.In order to juice-up its economy, the Japanese government is desperately urging its citizenry to adopt card and digital payments. Initiatives are working, albeit very slowly. In fact, taxi drivers in Japan have only recently started to accept credit cards, but most still prefer cash.Since Square stock is an indirect investment into the cashless trend, Japan initially appears a headwind. But here's the thing: Japan is getting older rapidly, so old habits are likely to fade. Furthermore, the Japanese are very well-traveled, and are eager to adopt certain western conveniences.As the next generation of Japanese entrepreneurs and small-business owners step in, they'll serve the next generation of consumers. Very likely, these younger customers and clients will prefer cashless payments. With Square already levering a relatively significant presence in Japan, it's in prime position to profit.That alone could send SQ stock soaring. Buy the Discount in Square StockAdmittedly, my thesis will take some time to filter through to the SQ stock price. But it's also an underreported concept that deserves more attention.Although we typically consider Japan a tech giant, the country is also happy living a contradiction. As more or less a conservative society, change might be slow. Eventually, though, I think it will occur. When it does, it will hit like a tsunami.For one thing, Japan is the world's third-largest economy, and it's not going to give up that slot easily. Of course, it has a penchant for all things high tech. Finally, the Japanese have adopted cryptocurrency at a much quicker rate than many other nations, suggesting a willingness to try new things.When Japan does go cashless, it will catch many companies by surprise. Not Square, which knows full well what's up. Therefore, you should consider getting ahead of this hidden trend, not behind it.As of this writing, Josh Enomoto did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * 4 Top American Penny Pot Stocks (Buy Before June 21) * 7 Stocks to Buy for Over 20% Upside Potential * 5 Large-Cap Stocks Holding Steady Amid Trade War Concerns * 7 ETFs for Healthy Healthcare REITs Compare Brokers The post Tokyo Tailwind Could Spark Next Leg Up For Square Stock appeared first on InvestorPlace.

  • NYC Subway’s New Way to Pay Prompts Banks to Update Cards
    Bloomberg2 days ago

    NYC Subway’s New Way to Pay Prompts Banks to Update Cards

    More than 20 years after the initial switch to MetroCards from tokens, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is unveiling the ability to use tap-to-pay credit and debit cards for subway and bus fares. Visa Inc. says 80 of the top 100 U.S. retailers now accept the cards, with companies including Target Corp. and CVS Health Corp. adding the technology in recent months. “Mass transit is a really terrific use case for tap and pay -- people commute 10 times a week,” Visa Chief Executive Officer Al Kelly said in a Bloomberg Television interview.

  • Visa and Mastercard are looking to public transit in their quest for world domination
    Quartz2 days ago

    Visa and Mastercard are looking to public transit in their quest for world domination

    The slippery slope into cashlessness?

  • MarketWatch2 days ago

    Chase tap-to-pay card by Visa can soon be used to ride New York City subways and buses

    J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and Visa Inc. said Wednesday that Chase customers can soon use their Visa contactless cards to ride subways and buses in New York City. The use of the tap-to-pay cards will start May 31 for the 4, 5 and 6 subway lines between the Grand Central-42nd Street station in Manhattan to Brooklyn's Atlantic Ave.-Barclays Center station, and on all Staten Island buses. "Over time," all subway lines and buses will accept the contactless cards, the companies said. "Contactless payments have shaped the way consumers pay all over the world, saving valuable time and delivering a fast, easy and secure way to pay," said Dan Sanford, Visa's global head of contactless payments. J.P. Morgan Chase's stock slipped 0.4% in premarket trade and Visa shares edged up 0.2%, while futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 95 points, or 0.4%.

  • Chase and Visa Provide an Easier Way to Get Around New York City with a Tap
    PR Newswire2 days ago

    Chase and Visa Provide an Easier Way to Get Around New York City with a Tap

    NEW YORK, May 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Chase customers can soon benefit from an easier way to get around town by tapping their Visa contactless cards to ride New York City's subways and buses, removing the need to stand in line to purchase or load a separate transit card.

  • Hot Fintech Market Has Investors Eyeing Rebound in Depressed Square Stock
    InvestorPlace3 days ago

    Hot Fintech Market Has Investors Eyeing Rebound in Depressed Square Stock

    Another jittery week seems to be upon the markets as news headlines highlight that the U.S.-China trade negotiations may be at an impasse. Trade is not a zero-sum game and tariff tiffs will likely affect many companies, countries, and consumers at different levels. Understandably many investors are beginning to get nervous as to where stocks in their portfolios may be headed next. Therefore, today I'd like to discuss the short and long-term outlook for Square (NYSE:SQ), the mobile-payments company.Source: Via SquareFintech is an evolving and growing industry. And the global economy is gradually shifting from cash to cash-less payments. With its strong small business focus and proactive management, Square stock is likely to weather the long-term ebbs and flows of the industry. However, there might be further weakness in the SQ stock price -- after losing 9.2% in the past month -- in the near-term that potential investors should anticipate. Square's Growing EcosystemAlthough it started as a payments company, Square has in recent quarters introduced a range of software, hardware and apps to service small businesses, individual clients and act more like a traditional bank. Its most recent earnings report released on May 1 and accompanying shareholder letter provide a good overview of the growth in service offerings.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsSquare's ecosystem combines software with hardware to especially enable sellers to turn their mobile devices into point-of-sale (POS) solutions. In other words, through various growth initiatives, SQ management is now aiming to make the company a major player in the fintech apps sphere as well as a small business platform that offers a wide range of services.For example, SQ's peer-to-peer mobile payments Cash App has more than 15 million monthly active customers. Square charges 2.75% per transaction to businesses that accept Cash App payments. It also makes money through individuals using the app. * 6 Chinese Stocks That Could Pop On a Trade Deal Management would like to see the Cash App become more like a traditional bank whose core customers are small businesses as well as individuals. As the younger generations especially are making a drastic shift to using electronic payments, Square would like to capture that growth.In October 2018, the group announced Square Installments, which lets customers pay in monthly installments. Previously, Square had also launched Square Capital, which provides short-term loans to small businesses that use its service to process credit card payments.Clearly, Square is expanding its services and merchant ecosystem across different channels and many growth investors are bullish long term on Square stock. However, they would need to pay special attention to how each business that Square is now chasing contributes to the bottom line.While Square currently enjoys a head start in serving small businesses, Wall Street has some questions as to whether the group can maintain a sustained growth quarter after quarter. What Could Derail Square Stock Fundamentally?The global payments industry is a $100 trillion plus market. And the fintech apps revolution is fast changing the way traditional banks, credit card issuers and mobile-payments companies work with businesses as well as retail customers.Such a big industry inevitably attracts both domestic and global competition. Square faces competition from many well-capitalized companies, including the global online payments group PayPal Holdings (NASDAQ:PYPL), transaction processing leader Visa (NYSE:V) and Fiserv (NASDAQ:FISV), which is shaping up to become a global payments giant.To be sure, not every area Square expands into will necessarily translate into easy money. Unless Square increases its revenue base, Wall Street may not be too forgiving about the SQ stock price. Therefore, from a valuation point of view, I'd urge long-term investors to exercise caution with the current price levels.For example, many analysts are expressing doubts over Square's expansion into the loan business and questioning whether the company is taking on too much risk.Another are of potential concern would be declining growth in transaction fees, which still provide the majority of revenues. Square's shifts toward subscription and services revenues may not be enough to make up for the decline in transaction fees.The May 1 earnings report showed that the group's gross payment volume (GPV) grew to $22.6 billion, at a relatively modest rate 27%. Yet Wall Street was concerned about this growth rate.In other words, shareholders would need to decide whether the company has potentially diversified way too much and away from its core business of payment processing. Therefore, they'd need to regularly re-assess their views based on company and sector developments as well as earnings statements. Where is Square Stock Price Now?Let us briefly remember how SQ stock price has acted over the years.Following its initial public offering (IPO) in late 2015, the price of SQ stock surged from $9 to an all-time high of $101.15 in October 2018 as the company became a darling among long-term investors.With such high return on initial investments, many investors look at the future through rose-colored glasses as they tend to assume growth rates will accelerate for many years. That's how recent IPOs usually become momentum stocks. However, if growth decelerates, then the stock price usually suffers. In other words, a momentum stock like Square trades in line with revenue growth trends and expectations.Despite the euphoria in the first three years, SQ stock price has been exhibiting price weakness since all-time high on Oct. 1, 2018. This year, although the stock is so far up 16%, April and May have not been good months for shareholders. The weak Q2 guidance issued during the Q1 conference call triggered the recent downtrend.If you are looking for an entry signal to buy SQ shares, from a technical chart perspective, I am not expecting the stock to make a significant leg up any time soon. Square stock will need to stabilize and build a base again before a long-term sustained leg up can occur.And, I do not expect the SQ stock price to reach the $100 level any time soon; the market may be starting to price the stock with a more realistic and fair view.The daily volatility of Square stock is high, giving it a broad trading range, so short-term traders should proceed with caution. Expect nearer-term trading in SQ to be choppy at best. So Should You Buy SQ Stock in May?I believe the volatility and selling in the markets will continue in May as well as in June. Like many momentum plays, SQ stock is likely to be a battleground between two camps: investors and traders.Depending on news headlines, Square stock may trade sideways for several days, only to continue to pullback toward the low-$60's level, where it is likely to find initial support.If the support around $60 level does not hold, then it may fall further to $50 level, where I'd expect SQ stock to start to stabilize and then trade sideways until the next earnings release, expected in late July. * 7 High-Yield REITs to Buy (Even When the Market Tanks) Indeed, Square stock may become one of the first momentum stocks to test the lows it saw between $49-50 in December 2018, hence making a double bottom in technical charts. Only then the twice-touched low may become a more reliable long-term support level.In other words, I'd not rush to buy Square stock yet. However, I'd get ready to initiate a position as the price declines further, toward $50. I'd also consider buying covered calls in conjunction with going long on SQ shares.If you already own the shares, you might want to stay the course and hold your position. That said, if you are worried about short-term profit taking, then within the parameters of your portfolio allocation and risk/return profile, you may consider placing a stop loss at about 3-5% below the current price point, to protect your profits to date. Bottom Line on Square StockStocks suffer during times of uncertainty and the current political and economic fundamentals offer plenty of questions. Therefore, I'd encourage potential new investors to wait for a few weeks until the smoke clears from the markets and until buyers are definitively back in control in Square shares.Until that time, Square is likely to be a one-step forward, two-steps back kind of stock until it reaches low $50's level. On a final note, if the SQ stock price declines further amid a subdued earnings season, the company could very well become a takeover target.As of this writing, the Tezcan Gecgil did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * 4 Top American Penny Pot Stocks (Buy Before June 21) * 7 Stocks to Buy for Over 20% Upside Potential * 5 Large-Cap Stocks Holding Steady Amid Trade War Concerns * 7 ETFs for Healthy Healthcare REITs Compare Brokers The post Hot Fintech Market Has Investors Eyeing Rebound in Depressed Square Stock appeared first on InvestorPlace.

  • GuruFocus.com3 days ago

    Stanley Druckenmiller Boosts Tech Stocks in 1st-Quarter Buying Spree

    Legendary investor's top 5 buys

  • Markit3 days ago

    See what the IHS Markit Score report has to say about Visa Inc.

    Visa Inc NYSE:VView full report here! Summary * ETFs holding this stock have seen outflows over the last one-month * Bearish sentiment is moderate and increasing Bearish sentimentShort interest | NegativeShort interest is moderately high for V with between 10 and 15% of shares outstanding currently on loan. This represents an increase in short interest as investors who seek to profit from falling equity prices added to their short positions on May 15. Money flowETF/Index ownership | NegativeETF activity is negative. Over the last one-month, outflows of investor capital in ETFs holding V totaled $5.71 billion. Additionally, the rate of outflows appears to be accelerating. Economic sentimentPMI by IHS Markit | NeutralAccording to the latest IHS Markit Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) data, output in the Financials sector is rising. The rate of growth is strong relative to the trend shown over the past year, but is easing. Credit worthinessCredit default swapCDS data is not available for this security.Please send all inquiries related to the report to score@ihsmarkit.com.Charts and report PDFs will only be available for 30 days after publishing.This document has been produced for information purposes only and is not to be relied upon or as construed as investment advice. To the fullest extent permitted by law, IHS Markit disclaims any responsibility or liability, whether in contract, tort (including, without limitation, negligence), equity or otherwise, for any loss or damage arising from any reliance on or the use of this material in any way. Please view the full legal disclaimer and methodology information on pages 2-3 of the full report.

  • With $83 on the Horizon, Square Stock Finally Is Cheap Enough to Buy
    InvestorPlace3 days ago

    With $83 on the Horizon, Square Stock Finally Is Cheap Enough to Buy

    Square (NYSE:SQ) continues its slide. The San Francisco-based payment services company has moved lower even as its peers continue to see their stocks go higher. Despite a steady decline, analysts have mostly held to their price targets on Square stock. Although SQ may remain range-bound for some time to come, investors now have an opportunity to make a trade. Source: Chris Harrison via Flickr (Modified) Given Square's recent trading activity, where it goes from here remains in question. The stock has fallen steadily since its 2019 peak of $82.78 per share in late February. The company provided weak guidance in its quarterly report on May 1. Hence, earnings and revenue beats for the most recent quarter failed to stem the tide. As a result, SQ trades near the $65 per share level.What makes this more confusing is that our increasingly cashless society will require Square's services. This trend has benefitted peers such as PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) over the last year. Consequently, PayPal and peers such as Visa (NYSE:V), Mastercard (NYSE:MA), and American Express (NYSE:AXP) have exhibited remarkably similar trading patterns over the last year.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips * 7 High-Yield REITs to Buy (Even When the Market Tanks) Not Square.I had taken a bearish position on Square stock in recent months. Even with an improving outlook, I thought SQ would face short-term pain back in March. However, with a further 15%, I have recently begun to hold a more bullish outlook. Square Stock Should Clear TargetsAnalysts appear to agree. The average price target on SQ currently stands at $83.50 per share, very close to the stock's 2019 high. On the low end, one analyst set a $30 per share price target. I could see such a price in a recession. However, with a growing economy and a predicted earnings growth rate of 59.6% this year, I do not think such an outcome will occur.The highest current price target comes in at $101 per share, near the level of its 52-week high. Hence, barring a recession, SQ stock should remain in its range for now.The good news for SQ bulls is that the stock price can rise even if Square remains range-bound. Although profit growth will fall modestly, Wall Street predicts that earnings will still grow at an average rate of 45.47% per year over the next five years. Currently, SQ also supports a forward price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of about 57. With its current level of profit growth, I do not see the PE ratio falling significantly in the near term. Square Stock and ExpansionFor investors who want to look beyond the short term, Square also continues to bolster its ecosystem with new products and initiatives. One example involves its Square Online store.After acquiring Weebly, it was able to offer clients a more comprehensive online store. This now makes Square a competitor of Shopify (NYSE:SHOP) and expands its reach in the fast-growing e-commerce industry. Now, with its recent alliance with Postmates, the reach of its ecosystem expands further.Financial services has also become a focus. Square already makes business loans. In recent months, it has also attempted to expand on its Cash App and break into banking itself. However, this move to gain FDIC approval and become an industrial loan company still needs to pass regulatory hurdles.Moreover, Square has only scratched the surface of its potential reach. Currently, the company only operates in the U.S., Canada, Japan, Australia, and the U.K. Though it has not announced plans to move into other countries, it holds tremendous potential offshore.All of these factors should eventually translate into growth for SQ stock, even if the equity remains range-bound for some time to come. The Bottom Line on Square StockThanks to the falling price, traders have an improved opportunity for short-term gain as the long-term outlook improves for investors. A falling stock price continues to take SQ toward the lower end of its current range.Analysts have held to their $83.50 per share price target. Further, Square continues to expand its ecosystem as they add e-commerce storefronts, small business loans, and delivery. The company also offers a bright future to investors with likely moves into banking and other foreign markets.Whether one wants to make a short-term trade or build a long-term investment, SQ stock has fallen to a level where both types of investors can likely swipe in profits.As of this writing, Will Healy did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned stocks. You can follow Will on Twitter at @HealyWriting. More From InvestorPlace * 4 Top American Penny Pot Stocks (Buy Before June 21) * 7 High-Yield REITs to Buy (Even When the Market Tanks) * 5 Great Blue-Chip Stocks to Buy Today * 7 Tech Stocks to Buy That Are Also Perfect for Retirement Compare Brokers The post With $83 on the Horizon, Square Stock Finally Is Cheap Enough to Buy appeared first on InvestorPlace.

  • Investing.com5 days ago

    Bitcoin Above $8,000; Facebook Opens Crypto Company in Switzerland

    Investing.com - Major cryptocurrencies traded in the green on Monday morning in Asia except for Ethereum.

  • 5 Great Blue-Chip Stocks to Buy Today
    InvestorPlace7 days ago

    5 Great Blue-Chip Stocks to Buy Today

    If you're like me, the current bout of trade-induced volatility isn't sitting too right. And while swings and bear markets are a part of investing, the kind of big plunges we've recently seen does make for some sleepless nights. Which is why the stocks to buy today could be America's blue-chip stocks.Blue-chip stocks don't necessarily have a formal definition, but they are generally stable and well-established companies. Blue-chip stocks are typically household names with billions in revenues and steady rising profit profiles. Often, they share the wealth with their investors via rich dividend and buyback programs. The best part is that investors can count on blue-chip stocks to help them get through periods of malaise and bear markets as they tend to be less volatile than let's say, smaller growth stocks.To that end, with the markets starting to feel a bit shaky, blue chip stocks could be the best way to position your portfolio in the upcoming months.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips * 6 Chinese Stocks That Could Pop On a Trade Deal But which blue-chip stocks make sense to buy today? Here are five that could help you get through the next few months and an upcoming bear market. Cisco Systems (CSCO)Source: Shutterstock The technology sector is often seen as a growth element for a portfolio. However, the sector does feature plenty of blue-chip stocks that produce mountains of cash flows, steady dividends, and rising profits. Case in point, former dot-com darling Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO).After building the internet and networking with its focus on switching gear and routers, CSCO made the smart pivot into services and reoccurring revenues. It basically created the model that many tech firms have copied. And in doing that, Cisco has become a cash generation machine. Last quarter alone, the firm managed to produce more than $3.5 billion in free cash flows.The best part is that CSCO continues to share that cash with investors. The firm recently raised its dividend by 6% and added another $15 billion to its authorized buyback program.And yet, more could be in store for Cisco. The firm continues to add new capabilities to its services platform and recently unveiled new conversational A.I. to its interfaces. Adding in continued data center demand as well as the pending 5G upgrades and Cisco continues to look great.For investors looking for a strong tech sector blue-chip stock, Cisco has to be your top pick. Merck (MRK)Source: Shutterstock The steadfastness of the healthcare sector makes it a prime place to find plenty of blue-chip stocks. And one of the best could be pharmaceutical giant Merck (NYSE:MRK).For starters, MRK features a wide portfolio of current and former blockbuster drugs, vaccines and other therapies. This huge portfolio continues to drive profits and cash flows at the giant. But MRK isn't resting on its laurels. A few years ago, Merck made the shift into newer biotech and advanced cancer-fighting medications. That has turned out to be the right move.MRK's Keytruda has quickly become the go-to medicine for a variety of lung cancers and sales going through the roof. Last quarter alone, the blue-chip stock realized more than $2.2 billion in Keytruda sales alone. That double-digit growth has allowed Merck to up its total forecast and guidance for the entire year. The growth of Keytruda could continue. Merck has begun several trials looking to use the drug in other indications. This could provide even more cash flowing Merck's way. Combining the growth of its cancer portfolio with the rest of its steady drug options, and Merck is looking like a great buy for the long haul. * 5 Service Stocks That Can Win the Trade War -- According to Goldman Sachs In the end, MRK's 2.85% yield and continued growth make it a powerful blue-chip stock for any investor. American Express Company (AXP)Source: Shutterstock One of Warren Buffett's favorite blue-chip stocks happens to be American Express (NYSE:AXP). And the Oracle of Omaha isn't wrong in owning it. The financial powerhouse has continued to thrive in the rising economy and has a lot to offer investors.AXP is kind of a weird bird. Like rivals, Visa (NYSE:V) and Mastercard (NYSE:MA) -- also two blue-chip stocks worth owning -- American Express operates a secured payment network and acts as a toll road when customers swipe their cards. Here, Amex scores a hefty fee. The firm's discount revenue rate was last quarter was 2.37%. Basically, for every $100 spent on its cards, $2.37 flowed back to AXP. All in all, last quarter, American Express pulled in more than $6.2 billion in revenue from these operations.Secondly, unlike V and MA, American Express is an issuer of its cards. Because of this, it's able to score hefty membership fees, interest and creates a leverage effect for its profits. Moreover, Amex's entire M.O. is about rewards and its partners pay the credit issuer plenty of fees to get their products/offers onto AXP's platform.The best part is that AXP tends to focus on the higher end of the credit spectrum. This removes many of the uncertainty and issues with offering loans and reduces default rates.All of this has made American Express a powerhouse in the financial sector. Best Buy Chip Stocks: Genuine Parts Company (GPC)Source: Shutterstock Sixty-three years. That's an amazing streak for any firm to consistently raise their dividend. But for blue-chip stock Genuine Parts Company (NYSE:GPC), it's just par for the course. The secret lies with the firms massive and irreplaceable moat.There's a good chance that you've never walked into one of GPC's locations, but your mechanic has. Under the NAPA banner, the firm operates one of the largest networks of auto parts and industrial distribution locations in the nation. Those 9,250 locations are located pretty much everywhere and that's key. Auto parts are generally a "need it now" sort of item and are pretty much immune from the whims of online sales.Because of this huge network, GPC and NAPA are pretty much the only game in town when it comes to getting parts to body shops, mechanics and service centers. This has been beyond good for GPC's bottom line over the years. In its 90-year history, sales have increased in 85 of those years. This streak was continued last year as GPC recorded more than $18.7 billion in revenues. Analysts predict that revenues will jump by about 4% this year. Naturally, those sales have turned into profits and a long streak of dividend increase for investors. * The 3 Best Marijuana Stocks to Buy Right Now This consistency has made GPC one of the best blue-chip stocks to own for the long haul. Coca-Cola (KO)Source: Chris Nielsen via FlickrWhen it comes to blue chip stocks, Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) could be the bluest. Its brand is worldwide and is enjoyed millions of times daily. This has allowed KO to pay a constantly rising dividend for the last 55 years and provide plenty of ballast to a portfolio in markets just like today.And there is still growth to be had.Coke has moved into new beverage categories as tastes have changed. Sparkling water, juices, teas, and other healthy drinks are now on a menu at the firm. And these items continue to grow -- with revenues for these products now accounting for about half of KO's total pie. Meanwhile, KO has improved margins via new packaging designs and sizes. Adding in some tech -- such as its Arctic Coolers and Freestyle machines -- and Coke seems to be winning the beverage wars.The proof is in the pudding. Continued product mix development has resulted in a big 5% jump in revenues last quarter. Likewise, earnings saw a big surge and KO has managed to produce roughly $6.28 billion in free cash flow over the last 12 months.Yes, KO is boring. But that's what exactly what investors should be looking for in a blue-chip stock. Consistency, with a touch of growth. If that doesn't describe Coca-Cola, then I don't know what does.Disclosure: At the time of writing, Aaron Levitt did not have a position in any stock mentioned. More From InvestorPlace * 4 Top American Penny Pot Stocks (Buy Before June 21) * 7 Stocks to Buy that Lost 10% Last Week * Top 7 Dow Jones Stocks of 2019 -- So Far * 5 Service Stocks That Can Win the Trade War -- According to Goldman Sachs Compare Brokers The post 5 Great Blue-Chip Stocks to Buy Today appeared first on InvestorPlace.

  • Facebook forms Swiss fintech firm with payments focus
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    Facebook has set up a new financial technology company in Switzerland focusing on blockchain and payments as well as data analytics and investing, Geneva's commercial register shows. Libra Networks, with Facebook Global Holdings as stakeholder, was registered in Geneva on May 2 to provide financial and technology services and develop related hardware and software, plans submitted on the Swiss register reveal.

  • If Square Stock Starts to Fall It Might Be Hard to Stop
    InvestorPlace7 days ago

    If Square Stock Starts to Fall It Might Be Hard to Stop

    The technical outlook for Square (NYSE:SQ) isn't all that rosy, despite how well the company has done over the past few years. Indeed, Square stock has been a beast on the long side and has made many loyal investors a hefty sum of cash. But even with the stock market in rally mode for much of 2019, Square stock has been absent.Source: Chris Harrison via Flickr (Modified)What's going on?Shares have been rolling over as it appears there's been a bit of a "buyer's strike" regarding Square. While Square stock had a violent rally off its December lows, shares are actually flat since Jan. 15. Compare that to its peers and Square stock investors may be getting frustrated.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips * 6 Chinese Stocks That Could Pop On a Trade Deal PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) is up 22.5% in the same timeframe, while the PowerShares QQQ ETF (NASDAQ:QQQ) is up 13%. Visa (NYSE:V) and MasterCard (NYSE:MA) are up 18% and 28%, respectively. The year-to-date numbers are even worse.Stock YTD Return SQ 17% QQQ 19.3% V 24% MA 33.6% PYPL 33.8% I know it's hard to complain about a 17% gain for the year, but considering the fourth quarter that we endured, a snap-back rally like that is to be expected. The fact that it's lagging the QQQs and has generated just 50% of the return from its most compared to competitor (PYPL), and SQ stock is frustrating.Will that underperformance continue? Trading SQ Stock Click to EnlargeAbove is the weekly chart for Square stock. You can clearly see that Square was enjoying a nice, solid uptrend (blue line) for the better part of a year. However, that uptrend came to an end in Q4 2018, when the markets took a painful fall. Square, which was already elevated from its uptrend by quite a bit, was no exception to this selloff.In October, SQ stock hit a 52-week high of $101.15. By mid-December, shares had fallen more than 50% at its lows when it hit $49.82.On the bounce, shares ran to that $77.50 to $80 area, which effectively capped SQ stock from January through April. At $81.56 is the 61.8% retracement for the 52-week range, which more or less acted as resistance. Unfortunately, the 38.2% retracement at $69.43 did not support SQ stock on the downside, nor did the 50-week moving average.I worry about Square in the short- to intermediate term if it can't get over some of these technical levels. Specifically, I want to see Square over the 10-week moving average and above the 38.2% retracement. Over downtrend resistance (purple line) would eventually be nice too.If it can't do that though, it's prone to more declines. Those declines are exacerbated in the event that U.S. stocks take a bigger hit. I have my sights on three potential downside levels: $60 is a notable level of both resistance and support and only gave way amid a flood of selling in December. At $55 is the 100-week moving average, which should provide a bounce should SQ stock test it.Finally, a retest of the lows near $50 should attract buyers. I don't expect this level without a larger flush in the broader market. Bottom Line on Square StockSquare has been a multi-year stud, but that action has not translated to 2019. The company still has a terrific growth profile, with analysts modeling revenue and earnings to grow 43.5% and 60% this year, respectively; 2020's forecast is solid too, at 35% and 49% growth, respectively.While management provided a solid full-year outlook on May 1, second-quarter guidance came up a bit short. At 88 times this year's earnings (after the earnings pullback), SQ stock doesn't have much room for error. Disappointing on guidance, however marginal, can sap momentum in a hurry.Let's see where Square stock can firm up and whether it can regain momentum. Over the 10-week will be the first sign of turning it around.Bret Kenwell is the manager and author of Future Blue Chips and is on Twitter @BretKenwell. As of this writing, Bret Kenwell is long V. More From InvestorPlace * 4 Top American Penny Pot Stocks (Buy Before June 21) * 7 Stocks to Buy that Lost 10% Last Week * Top 7 Dow Jones Stocks of 2019 -- So Far * 5 Service Stocks That Can Win the Trade War -- According to Goldman Sachs Compare Brokers The post If Square Stock Starts to Fall It Might Be Hard to Stop appeared first on InvestorPlace.

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