Jim Cramer has drawn attention to the increasing competition facing PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) from formidable rivals such as Stripe and Square. This, he notes, contributes to PayPal's perceived decline within the fintech sector. Over the current year, PayPal's stock has suffered a 29% decrease. According to Insider Monkey, this decline includes two significant selloffs: a 13% drop in February after missing Q4 earnings expectations and another 13% decrease in April amid broader market downturns.
Despite these setbacks, there's optimism about the company's future. Cramer has expressed confidence in CEO Alex Chriss' restructuring plans, referring to him as a "miracle worker" and labeling PayPal a buy at prices below $70 per share. Additionally, both strategic partnerships and analyst upgrades have been pointed out as potential factors that could support PayPal's resurgence. Cramer also highlighted the resilience of PayPal's "beloved brand" despite its operational challenges.
Institutional interest in PayPal remains substantial, with 94 hedge funds reportedly holding shares in the company as of the fourth quarter of 2024. Cramer's commentary and the persistent hedge fund interest suggest a careful watch on PayPal's strategic management and market positioning may be warranted in the face of its current hurdles.