PayPal (NASDAQ: PYPL) shares surged in early Tuesday trading after the digital payments giant delivered stronger-than-expected third-quarter results and unveiled a strategic partnership with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT.
As of press time, PayPal stock was trading at $70.25, having jumped more than 10% in premarket trading to around $76. PYPL shares extended the gains at market opening trading at $75.44 up almost 8%.
Why PYPL is rallying
The company reported adjusted earnings of $1.34 per share for the September quarter, a 12% increase from a year earlier and well above Wall Street’s estimate of $1.20. Revenue rose 7% to $8.42 billion, surpassing analyst forecasts of $8.24 billion.
Venmo, PayPal’s peer-to-peer payment platform, also delivered strong results, posting 20% revenue growth.
Adding to the upbeat sentiment, PayPal announced its first-ever shareholder dividend, targeting a payout ratio of 10% of adjusted net income.
The company also revealed a major e-commerce partnership with OpenAI that will allow ChatGPT users, now numbering over 800 million weekly, to complete purchases instantly using PayPal’s digital wallet.
The move aims to position PayPal at the heart of the emerging “agentic commerce” ecosystem, where AI-powered assistants facilitate direct transactions.
Wall Street cautious on PayPal stock
Meanwhile, on Wall Street, PayPal has received a cautious outlook, with most analysts maintaining a ‘Hold’ rating despite expectations for moderate upside over the next 12 months.
According to data from 28 analysts surveyed by TipRanks, PayPal’s stock carries an average price target of $80.60, implying a potential 14.73% upside. The most optimistic forecast sees the shares reaching $105, while the most conservative view places the stock as low as $62.
Of the analysts covering PayPal, 10 have issued a Buy rating, 15 recommend Holding, and 3 suggest Selling the stock.
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