profitability - The Latremie Post

Affirm (AFRM) Stock: Payment Firm Posts Big Earnings Beat as Volume Jumps 42%

Affirm Reports Strong Fiscal Q1 2026 Earnings, Beating Expectations Across the Board

Buy now, pay later company Affirm Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFRM) delivered an impressive fiscal first quarter performance that surpassed Wall Street estimates on multiple fronts. For the quarter ended September 30, Affirm reported earnings of 23 cents per share, a significant turnaround from a 31 cent loss in the same period last year. Analysts had predicted just an 11 cent profit.

Revenue surged 34% year-over-year to $933 million, beating the consensus forecast of $883 million. The company’s gross merchandise volume (GMV) also posted strong growth, climbing 42% to reach $10.8 billion, outperforming the $10.38 billion estimate.

### Debit Card Contributes $1.4 Billion in Volume, Margins Improve

Affirm’s newly launched debit card contributed $1.4 billion to its total transaction volume. Although revenue from this product came in right at expectations, totaling $69.33 million, it represents a promising addition to the company’s offerings.

The company’s adjusted operating margin expanded notably to 28.3%, up from 19% a year earlier, signaling enhanced profitability and more efficient scaling. Affirm continues to shift its revenue mix towards zero-percent interest payment plans. These plans, which generate fees from merchants rather than interest from consumers, typically carry lower margins than interest-bearing products but tend to attract customers with stronger credit profiles and larger purchase amounts.

### New Partnerships Position Affirm for Future Growth

Affirm faces competition from competitors like Klarna, Sezzle, Afterpay (Block), and PayPal but continues to secure significant partnerships with major retailers such as Amazon and Shopify. A new partnership with Apple, launched in September, now offers Affirm’s payment plans for in-store iPhone purchases at Apple retail locations—a move analysts believe could materially boost growth in 2026.

Additionally, Affirm has entered deals with Wayfair and Fanatics, further diversifying its merchant base. While Walmart recently shifted the majority of its buy now, pay later volume to Klarna, Affirm’s new partnerships help offset that loss.

### Fiscal Q2 Guidance and Stock Performance

Looking ahead, Affirm provided fiscal Q2 revenue guidance of approximately $1.045 billion, which aligns closely with analyst expectations.

Following the strong quarterly results, AFRM stock surged over 11% in after-hours trading to $73.32. The stock had dipped during the regular session but was up 7% year-to-date prior to the earnings announcement. Affirm holds an IBD Composite Rating of 81 and an Accumulation/Distribution Rating of B-minus, reflecting positive technical signals.

### Summary

Affirm’s fiscal Q1 performance highlights robust growth in revenue and volume, improved profitability, and promising progress from new product launches and partnerships. The company appears well-positioned to capitalize on expanding market opportunities within the competitive buy now, pay later space.
https://blockonomi.com/affirm-afrm-stock-payment-firm-posts-big-earnings-beat-as-volume-jumps-42/

Why India’s largest oil producer has lower mcap than Zomato

**Why India’s Largest Oil Producer Has a Lower Market Cap Than Zomato**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Oct 12, 2025, 06:21 PM*

India’s biggest oil and gas producer, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), is currently perceived as undervalued by the market. Despite boasting a market capitalization of around ₹3.1 lakh crore, ONGC trails behind companies like food delivery giant Zomato in terms of market value.

### Understanding the Market Discrepancy

One of the main reasons for this disparity is that over one-third of ONGC’s market capitalization comes from its stakes in subsidiaries and minority investments, which the market has not fully factored in.

### Market Cap Growth Comparison

Looking back over the last 13 years, ONGC’s market capitalization has grown by only about 26%. This growth is modest compared to other major Indian companies. For example:

– **Reliance Industries**: Its valuation surged from ₹2.43 lakh crore in July 2012 to ₹18.7 lakh crore today.
– **Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)**: Grew from ₹2.42 lakh crore in 2012 to ₹10.95 lakh crore now.

### ONGC’s Diverse Portfolio

ONGC holds significant stakes in various subsidiaries and minority investments, including:

– **Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL)**: 71.63% stake valued at over ₹18,000 crore.
– **Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL)**: 54.9% stake worth approximately ₹52,770 crore.

Alongside these, ONGC also has minority stakes in:

– **Indian Oil Corporation**: 14.20% stake valued at around ₹31,000 crore.
– **GAIL (India) Ltd**: 5% stake worth about ₹5,900 crore.

The total value of ONGC’s stakes in subsidiaries and minority investments exceeds ₹1.07 lakh crore, which is more than a third of its current market capitalization.

### The Minister’s Take on PSU Valuations

Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri recently expressed concern about the undervaluation of state-owned oil public sector undertakings (PSUs). He highlighted a “perception bias” among investors that undervalues these profitable and economically significant entities.

The Minister underscored the robust performance of oil marketing companies, noting that Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum together generated a combined profit of ₹2.5 lakh crore over the past six years.

### Conclusion

While ONGC remains India’s largest oil and gas producer with a strong asset base and profitable subsidiaries, the market continues to undervalue its true worth. This disparity underscores investor perception challenges faced by public sector enterprises compared to fast-growing private sector companies like Zomato.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/ongc-s-market-cap-growth-lags-behind-peers/story

KJo reveals how Dharma changed after Poonawalla acquisition

**Karan Johar Sells 50% Stake in Dharma Productions to Adar Poonawalla for ₹1,000 Crore**

*By Shreya Mukherjee | Oct 06, 2025, 05:17 PM*

Filmmaker Karan Johar recently sold a 50% stake in his production company, Dharma Productions, to billionaire Adar Poonawalla for ₹1,000 crore. The deal was made through Poonawalla’s company, Serene Productions, giving him equal ownership of the studio.

In a recent interview with Komal Nahta on the YouTube channel *Game Changers*, Johar opened up about this decision and its implications for his future projects.

### Expansion Plans: Funding Issues Led to the Decision

Johar revealed that many of his unfulfilled dreams were due to funding constraints. “I was very clear that I am okay to sell 50% of my company or to sell equity, only because I want to expand,” he said.

He emphasized the importance of having the right partner for expansion — a role he found in Poonawalla.

### Personal Ties: Friendship with Poonawalla Played a Crucial Role

The filmmaker shared that his close friendship with Adar Poonawalla and his wife, Natasha, was a key factor in the deal. “Adar and Natasha have been my close friends, very dear to me,” Johar stated.

Although he initially hesitated when Poonawalla expressed interest in investing, feeling that it wasn’t his area, Johar soon realized they shared the same vision for growth.

### Management Praise: Applauding Apoorva Mehta’s Leadership

Johar also lauded Apoorva Mehta, the Executive Chairman and CEO of Dharma Productions, for expertly managing the business side of the company.

“Apoorva is the most correct human. Our accounts are perfect down to the last rupee,” Johar said. He added that Mehta runs Dharma like a well-oiled machine and has been instrumental to the company’s success.

### New Focus: Accountability and Profitability

“The deal has forced me to think about profitability,” Johar admitted. “There was never accountability before this, I just learned the term quarter.”

He shared that Mehta often keeps him in check by reminding him not to pursue projects that aren’t financially viable. Despite this shift towards profitability, Johar emphasized that his commitment to artistic integrity and creating films for creative satisfaction remains unchanged.

### Future Plans: Uncertainty Looms

Regarding his upcoming projects, Johar expressed uncertainty, especially after the critical acclaim of *Homebound*. “I made *Homebound*, worldwide critically acclaimed, but I can’t say if I’ll take such decisions in the future or not,” he revealed.

As Johar embarks on this new chapter with a strong partner by his side, industry watchers eagerly await the exciting developments at Dharma Productions.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/kjo-describes-changes-after-adar-poonawalla-takeover/story