PayPal just lost its $53 billion safety net

PayPal's shares plummeted 12.7% to $53.66 after the consortium of Stripe and private-equity firm Advent International withdrew its $60.50 per share offer, valuing the company at $53 billion. The deal was deemed inadequate by the board, and analysts doubted the consortium's ability to fund a higher bid. The stock's selloff was intense, with 36 million shares traded.

PayPal's current valuation is about 85% below its 2021 peak of $360 billion. The company's shares are trading at a 27% discount to the industry median. PayPal's CEO, Enrique Lores, acknowledged the need to demonstrate that the company can generate more shareholder value on its own. The acquisition bid highlights the challenge PayPal faces in competing with Apple, Alphabet, and Shopify, who have integrated their payment services into their ecosystems.

The potential for agentic commerce, where AI agents handle the shopping process, could be a significant growth opportunity for PayPal.