PayPal raises its 2026 profit outlook

What happened

PayPal published its third-quarter 2026 results on 27 October and raised its full-year profit outlook. The PayPal results quickly became a search trend in Brazil, where the company is one of the best-known names in online payments. Net revenue rose 2% to $8.6 billion, while adjusted (non-GAAP) earnings per share grew 8% to $1.45, according to the company's filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

The key numbers

Total payment volume, the value of all payments that went through PayPal's platforms, reached $487.1 billion, up 6%, or 7% at constant currency. The number of payment transactions grew 7% to 6.8 billion. Active accounts stood at 440 million, almost flat on a year earlier. Reported (GAAP) earnings per share fell 4% to $1.25, and GAAP operating income fell 8% to $1.4 billion. The company also bought back $1.5 billion of its own shares in the quarter.

A higher outlook

PayPal now expects adjusted earnings of about $5.60 per share for 2026. In July it had guided to about $5.38. Its outlook for reported earnings, about $5.07 per share, was left unchanged. Chief executive Enrique Lores said the company is beginning to see its strategy show up in its financial results, while adding that there is more work to do.

Background: a year of change

Lores took over as chief executive earlier this year and launched a turnaround plan. In July, PayPal reported second-quarter results less than two weeks after a buyout offer from Stripe and private equity firm Advent International became public, according to SiliconANGLE. PayPal's board considered that offer too low. The latest release does not mention the bid.

Why it matters for payments

PayPal's numbers are a useful pulse check on digital payments. Payment volume and transaction counts are growing faster than revenue, which shows that people keep moving more money through apps even when each payment earns the provider less. For anyone who uses a money transfer app or pays online, that competition tends to put the focus on clear pricing and speed. Searches such as "money transfer app" and "international money transfer" are among the most common money-related searches in the UK and the US this week, according to Google Trends, next to older habits such as the wire transfer.

What to watch next

PayPal guided to adjusted earnings of about $1.43 per share for the fourth quarter, which includes the holiday shopping season. Watch whether payment volume keeps growing faster than active accounts, and whether the company gives any update on its strategy or on outside interest in the business.

What it means for Odix Pay users

If you send money abroad, compare the full cost before you confirm. With Odix Pay money transfer you can send money to bank accounts abroad, and the app shows the fee and the exchange rate before you confirm. If you are paid from abroad, a personal virtual IBAN in your own name lets you receive money like a regular bank transfer. Availability depends on your country, and fees are shown in the app. More stories in the Odix Pay newsroom.