Core Viewpoint - Shift4, a leader in integrated payments and commerce technology, is actively engaging with investors through participation in conferences and strategic acquisitions, indicating a focus on growth and innovation in the payments sector [1][2][8]. Group 1: Investor Engagement - Shift4 will present at the UBS Global Technology and AI conference on December 3, with CFO Christopher N. Cruz leading the discussion [2]. - The presentation will last approximately 30 minutes, followed by opportunities for one-on-one and small group meetings with management [2]. - Audio webcasts and replays of the event will be available for 30 days on the Investor Relations website [2]. Group 2: Company Overview - Shift4 is redefining commerce by simplifying complex payment ecosystems globally, powering billions of transactions annually for hundreds of thousands of businesses across various industries [3]. - The company is recognized as a leader in commerce-enabling technology, emphasizing its role in enhancing payment experiences [3]. Group 3: Recent Developments - Shift4 has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire Worldline's North American subsidiaries, including Bambora Inc and related entities, with the transaction expected to close in the first quarter of 2026 [8]. - This acquisition aims to expand Shift4's market presence and service offerings, serving over 140,000 merchants [8].

Core Insights - Shift4 has been selected by the Ottawa Senators to manage food and beverage concession payments at Canadian Tire Centre [1] Company Overview - Shift4 is recognized as a leader in integrated payments and commerce technology [1] - The company offers an end-to-end commerce ecosystem tailored for sports and entertainment venues [1] Industry Impact - The partnership aims to enhance the ordering and payment experience for fans attending Ottawa Senators home games [1] - Shift4's technology simplifies the payment process, indicating a trend towards more efficient payment solutions in the sports and entertainment sector [1]

Core Insights - Darlington Partners Capital Management increased its stake in Shift4 Payments by 105,320 shares in Q3, bringing total holdings to nearly 5.1 million shares valued at $392.6 million, representing 13.3% of the fund's $3 billion in U.S. equity assets [2][3][7] Company Overview - Shift4 Payments is a leading provider of integrated payment and commerce technology, employing over 4,000 staff and serving a diverse merchant base [6] - The company focuses on omni-channel capabilities and value-added services, positioning itself competitively in the payments landscape, targeting sectors such as hospitality, retail, and e-commerce [6] Financial Performance - As of the latest market close, Shift4 Payments' stock price was $67.65, down 30% over the past year, while the S&P 500 increased nearly 14% in the same period [4] - Shift4 reported $589.2 million in gross revenue less network fees for the latest quarter, a 61% increase year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA of $292.1 million at a 50% margin [10] Strategic Moves - The company authorized a $1 billion share repurchase program, the largest in its history, indicating confidence in its growth trajectory [10] - Darlington's investment strategy reflects a long-term commitment to Shift4, viewing it as a core business for future growth despite recent stock performance [9][11]

Core Insights - U.S. stocks experienced a rally in Q3, supported by the Federal Reserve's interest rate cut and steady economic data, with the Russell Midcap® Growth Index increasing by 2.78% [3][17] - The Wasatch U.S. Select Fund underperformed, declining by -1.93%, primarily due to concentrated holdings in stocks that faced slower revenue growth [3][4][17] Fund Performance Analysis - The Fund's performance was negatively impacted by a few concentrated stock holdings that reported slower revenue growth, leading to significant declines in their stock prices [4][6] - The investment strategy focuses on high-quality, long-duration growth companies, which faced headwinds as low-quality stocks gained favor in the market [7] Key Detractors - BellRing Brands, Inc. (BRBR) was the largest detractor, with concerns over competition in the protein shake category; however, the long-term outlook remains positive due to category growth potential [8] - Shift4 Payments, Inc. (FOUR) faced stock price declines despite solid organic revenue growth, attributed to macroeconomic concerns and investor sentiment following its acquisition of Global Blue [9] - Inspire Medical Systems, Inc. (INSP) was sold during the quarter after management downgraded guidance due to delays in product rollout, raising execution concerns [10] Top Contributors - Medpace Holdings, Inc. (MEDP) was the top contributor, with strong revenue and earnings growth, raising full-year guidance despite a slowdown in biotech funding [11] - Fabrinet (FN) benefited from strong product adoption, particularly in data centers linked to AI, although the investment is not solely based on AI themes [12] - Nova Ltd. (NVMI) also contributed positively, with a strong track record in semiconductor manufacturing, benefiting from increasing complexity in the industry [13] Future Outlook - The Fund remains committed to its investment philosophy, focusing on high-quality growth companies despite recent underperformance [14] - The fundamentals of the companies within the Fund are encouraging, with strong earnings growth expected to drive return potential over a three- to five-year horizon [15]

Core Insights - Wolf Hill Capital Management significantly reduced its stake in Shift4 Payments by selling 788,852 shares, resulting in an estimated change of $73.33 million based on quarterly average pricing [2][3] - Shift4 Payments shares were priced at $72.26 as of November 13, 2025, reflecting a 29% decline over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 40 percentage points [3][4] Company Overview - Shift4 Payments is a leading provider of integrated payment and commerce technology, offering a diversified suite of products for businesses across multiple verticals [5] - The company generates revenue primarily through transaction processing fees, software subscriptions, and value-added services for merchants [7] - As of November 13, 2025, Shift4 Payments has a market capitalization of $6.43 billion and reported revenue of $3.88 billion with a net income of $194.80 million [4] Operational Performance - In the latest quarter, Shift4 Payments reported a 26% increase in payment volume and a 21% increase in operating cash flow [10] - The company is the number one payment provider for the hospitality and sports & entertainment verticals in the U.S. and has become the number two player in the U.S. restaurant industry [10] Competitive Position - Shift4 Payments operates in 75 countries and continues to acquire complementary businesses, positioning itself as a growth stock trading at 14 times forward earnings [11] - The company's competitive edge lies in its end-to-end technology stack, robust integrations, and focus on security and operational efficiency for merchants [8]

Core Insights - TQI's Asymmetric Ideas Series has generated an average return of approximately 133% since its launch in April 2023, with 9 picks resulting in multi-bagger outcomes [1] - Shift4 Payments, Inc. (FOUR) stock increased from the $60s to the $120s between May 2024 and early 2025, attributed to strong business performance [1] - TQI aims to simplify and enhance the investing experience for all investors through various resources, including premium equity research reports and model portfolios [1] Company Overview - TQI was established in July 2022 with a mission to make investing simple, enjoyable, and profitable [1] - The organization provides access to proprietary software tools and group chats, catering to different stages of the investor lifecycle [1] Performance Metrics - As of November 11, 2025, TQI's Asymmetric Ideas Series has made 31 picks, showcasing significant returns [1] - The performance of Shift4 Payments, Inc. is highlighted as a key success story within TQI's investment strategy [1]

Core Insights - TQI's Asymmetric Ideas Series has generated an average return of approximately 133% since its launch in April 2023, with 31 picks, including 9 multi-bagger outcomes [1] - Shift4 Payments, Inc. (FOUR) stock increased from the $60s to the $120s by early 2025, attributed to strong business performance [1] - TQI aims to simplify and enhance the investing experience through premium equity research, model portfolios, proprietary software tools, and community engagement [1] Company Overview - TQI was established in July 2022 with a mission to make investing simple, enjoyable, and profitable for all investors [1] - The company publishes premium equity research reports on Seeking Alpha and offers various features tailored to different investor needs [1] Performance Metrics - The Asymmetric Ideas Series has seen significant success, with a notable average return and multiple high-performing picks [1] - Shift4 Payments has demonstrated robust business performance, contributing to its stock price appreciation [1]

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Summary of Shift4's Earnings Call Company Overview - **Company**: Shift4 Payments, a financial services and fintech company - **New CFO**: Chris Cruz, who has nearly a decade of experience on Shift4's board and a background in financial services [1][2] Key Highlights from the Quarter - **Performance**: Shift4 delivered results in line with expectations and affirmed medium-term guidance, aiming for an adjusted free cash flow exit rate of $1 billion by 2027 [3][4] - **Acquisition Integration**: The integration of Global Blue is ahead of schedule, with expectations for significant revenue growth in 2026 [4][5] - **Share Repurchase Program**: A $1 billion share repurchase program was authorized, doubling the previous program, indicating confidence in the company's valuation [5][6] Focus Areas for Upcoming Year 1. **Diversification and Scaling**: Shift4 aims to expand its market presence across six continents, particularly in Europe, while maintaining strong EBITDA margins [6][7] 2. **Cross-Selling Opportunities**: The company plans to leverage the Global Blue acquisition to enhance value creation through cross-selling [7][8] 3. **Market Leadership in Restaurants**: Shift4 sees significant growth potential in its SkyTab product, especially in international markets [8][9] Market Entry Strategy - **Disciplined Approach**: Shift4 employs a disciplined strategy for entering new markets, using its existing strengths in payment processing and market-leading positions in various sectors [10][11] - **Focus on Luxury Retail**: The company is targeting luxury retail markets, leveraging its Global Blue acquisition to enhance tax-free shopping experiences [12][13] Financial Metrics and Guidance - **Organic Growth**: Shift4 reported an 18% organic growth rate, with significant contributions from international markets and luxury retail [21][22] - **Adjusted Free Cash Flow**: The company aims for over 50% adjusted free cash flow conversion, with growth and deleveraging as key drivers [33][34] Global Blue Acquisition Insights - **Performance Variability**: Global Blue's performance showed a -11% sales in store metric in Asia-Pacific, primarily due to challenging comparisons from the previous year, while Europe saw a +13% growth [40][41] - **Long-Term Growth Potential**: The Global Blue business is expected to grow in the low to mid double digits, with significant opportunities for payment cross-sell [42][43] Macro Sensitivity and Market Dynamics - **Consumer Behavior**: Shift4's data indicates a bifurcated consumer market, with lower-end consumers pulling back while affluent consumers remain strong [17][18] - **Currency Impact**: The strength of the US dollar affects demand for luxury goods, with a preference for a strong dollar to drive international purchases [46][47] Capital Allocation Strategy - **Priorities**: Shift4's capital allocation focuses on customer acquisition, product enhancements, inorganic growth, and share repurchases, with a current emphasis on share buybacks due to attractive valuations [28][29] - **Leverage Management**: The company aims to maintain a net leverage ratio below 3.75 times, with plans for continued deleveraging [31][32] Conclusion - **Durability of Growth**: Shift4 emphasizes its ability to sustain high growth rates and aims to close the valuation gap by demonstrating consistent performance and strategic execution [39][40]

Group 1 - Shift4 Payments has gained attention due to Jared Isaacman's renewed nomination by President Trump to lead NASA, which has brought the company back into the spotlight after a period of low visibility [1][2] - The company, founded in 1999, provides payment processing solutions for various sectors including restaurants, hotels, and e-commerce, and has evolved into a significant player handling billions of transactions [3] - Despite the growing demand for digital payment solutions, Shift4 has faced challenges in gaining favor with Wall Street, with its stock down nearly 36% over the past year and approximately 40% in 2025 [4] Group 2 - Shift4 Payments is currently valued at nearly $6 billion, but its stock performance has been poor compared to the broader S&P 500 Index, which has increased by about 12.51% over the past year [4][5] - The stock recently hit a 52-week low of $62.55, and it is trading at a valuation of 1.8 times sales, significantly lower than the sector average of 3 times sales and its own five-year average of 2.4 times [5]