Advent International and Stripe have ended their roughly $53 billion pursuit of PayPal Holdings, Inc. after failing to agree on a purchase price, sending the stock down about 13% to a $53.6 close. The board had rejected a $60.50 per share offer, and now investors must weigh whether the standalone business can deliver value. PayPal's transaction margin dollars grew only about 1% last quarter, and branded checkout rose just 2%, as competitors like Apple Pay erode its payment flow. However, the company beat second-quarter EPS of $1.38 and raised its full-year outlook to about $5.38, while CEO Enrique Lores, appointed in March 2026, announced a $1.5 billion savings target and a 20% workforce reduction in May. Hedge fund holdings fell to 60 in the second quarter from 76 in the first, and short interest is near 4.7%, with shares trading just above a 52-week low of $38.46.
PayPal Holdings IncBuyout collapses, stock falls 13% on failed acquisition
