Forget about PYPL, buy even cheaper FISV stock

u/TraditionalMango58 · Reddit — r/ValueInvesting · February 03, 2026 at 15:18 · ⬆ 5 pts · 💬 19 comments  | View on Reddit ↗
AI Summary

Original Reddit post

Author argues Fiserv (FISV) is a cheaper, better value than PayPal because it owns financial infrastructure and trades at ~8x earnings with strong FCF.

FISV — LONG Author argues Fiserv trades at roughly 8x earnings with a 12-13% free cash flow yield, making downside capped and offering a potential double if it merely survives. The bull case rests on Fiserv owning the payment infrastructure banks rely on, unlike PayPal which must fight for consumer wallets against Apple Pay, Cash App and Zelle. The Q3 2025 earnings miss and Clover growth slowdown that drove a 40%+ drop is framed as an overreaction, with Clover still gaining share from legacy systems. Main risk implied is continued Clover deceleration.

Fiserv has a Free Cash Flow yield north of 12-13%. They are using that cash to buy back shares hand over fist.

PYPL — AVOID Author contends PayPal is losing the consumer wallet war to Apple Pay, Cash App and Zelle, making it a losing proposition. The argument is that PayPal must fight for every user while Fiserv owns the underlying infrastructure, so PYPL is a 'falling knife' to avoid. No specific catalyst or timeframe is given beyond the ongoing competitive erosion.

PayPal is a fighting a losing war for your wallet.

Score 5
Comments 19
Full Post Text
Ideas
u/TraditionalMango58 Reddit r/ValueInvesting
Fiserv cheap at 8x, owns payment plumbing
Author argues Fiserv trades at roughly 8x earnings with a 12-13% free cash flow yield, making downside capped and offering a potential double if it merely survives. The bull case rests on Fiserv owning the payment infrastructure banks rely on, unlike PayPal which must fight for consumer wallets against Apple Pay, Cash App and Zelle. The Q3 2025 earnings miss and Clover growth slowdown that drove a 40%+ drop is framed as an overreaction, with Clover still gaining share from legacy systems. Main risk implied is continued Clover deceleration.
u/TraditionalMango58 Reddit r/ValueInvesting
PayPal losing wallet war, avoid the knife
Author contends PayPal is losing the consumer wallet war to Apple Pay, Cash App and Zelle, making it a losing proposition. The argument is that PayPal must fight for every user while Fiserv owns the underlying infrastructure, so PYPL is a 'falling knife' to avoid. No specific catalyst or timeframe is given beyond the ongoing competitive erosion.
More from Reddit — r/ValueInvesting

This Reddit post, published February 03, 2026, features u/TraditionalMango58 discussing FISV, PYPL. 2 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: u/TraditionalMango58  · Tickers: FISV, PYPL