Affirm delivered a clear earnings beat with Q4 revenue of $1.17B and GMV of $14.1B, topping estimates and signaling momentum. The company guided Q1 revenue to $1.19-1.22B, above consensus, suggesting robust demand. CEO Max Levchin noted ongoing gas-price pressures but framed BNPL as a budgeting tool that can help shoppers cope with inflation.
Affirm reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results and issued first-quarter sales guidance above estimates, signaling stronger demand and execution in BNPL. The upbeat print could lift sentiment and attract buyers in the near term, especially if the guidance implies ongoing growth and profitability. Risks include macro volatility and competitive intensity in consumer lending.
Affirm expands Shop Pay Installments to Australia through its partnership with Shopify, marking Affirm's return to the market. The program lets eligible Australians split purchases into fortnightly or monthly payments with no late fees; some plans carry interest. Shopify says Shop Pay is a high-conversion checkout used by over 250 million buyers, and the AU rollout could lift merchant conversions there, expanding AFRM's global volume.
An Industry piece argues BNPL delinquency is now observable and climbing, with Klarna and AFRM directly exposed as loan originators. Delinquent payments shift into credit data, letting lenders and analytics firms monetize behavior while also pressuring originators. For AFRM, the developing cycle suggests heightened sensitivity to borrower performance and related data revenue over the coming quarters.
Affirm began furnishing BNPL tradelines to Experian and TransUnion, increasing underwriting visibility for lenders. FICO's study shows most scores move within a 10-point range, yet the data could be monetized as a new asset. The near-term catalyst is lenders adopting FICO Score 10 BNPL, potentially boosting AFRM's underwriting efficiency and revenue upside.
Affirm's recent Investor Day showcased ambitious plans for reaching $100 billion in GMV by fiscal 2029, exceeding prior Wall Street expectations. Although shares dipped 3.55%, major analysts, including BofA, affirm a positive outlook and maintain their 'Buy' ratings with higher price targets, which could drive long-term price recovery.