Dutch payments company Adyen reported a 32% rise in its half-year core profit, reaching €423.1 million ($465.8 million). This performance exceeded the average analyst estimate of €413.39 million, sending Adyen’s shares up by more than 5% on Thursday.
Adyen’s growth was driven by gains in market share, strategic international expansion, and careful cost management. The company continues to benefit from its partnerships with major clients, including US-based Cash App and Canada’s Shopify (TSX:SHOP).
This growth is notable given the challenges faced by the digital payments sector, including lower post-pandemic consumer spending and increased regulatory scrutiny.
Growth driven by existing clients and new market entries
Adyen’s Chief Financial Officer, Ethan Tandowsky, highlighted the company’s ability to expand services for its existing clients as a significant growth driver. The company sees opportunities to grow further, even in its most mature markets, by deepening partnerships with payments platforms that serve small and medium-sized businesses. Adyen continues to develop its direct integrated services for large companies.
Adyen’s market share remains in the single digits in regions like Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and North America, leaving considerable room for growth.
The company’s international expansion efforts were further demonstrated by a contract win with IKEA in Mexico and its recent clearance to operate as an online payment aggregator in India.
Financial performance and strategic adjustments
Adyen’s net revenue for the first half of 2024 grew by 24% year-on-year, reaching €913.4 million. The company’s EBITDA margin expanded to 46% from 43% during the same period in 2023. These positive results come amid cautious investor sentiment and sector-wide challenges.
Adyen’s strategic adjustments, including a reduction in hiring, have been a key factor in its strong performance. The company hired only 37 employees in the first half of 2024, compared to 551 in the same period last year.
This conservative approach to hiring follows Adyen’s decision to lower its 2026 guidance last November, aiming to control costs amid a challenging market environment.
Competitive landscape and future outlook
Adyen’s strong results contrast with its French rival Worldline, which recently cut its 2024 forecast due to a sharp decline in demand in Europe. The performance of Adyen demonstrates its ability to outgrow peers through strategic decisions and market share gains, particularly in an increasingly competitive global payments landscape.
As Adyen continues to expand its operations and strengthen relationships with key clients, it remains well-positioned to capture further growth in both mature and emerging markets. The company’s cautious yet strategic approach to hiring and cost management is expected to support its ongoing success in the coming years.
This article first appeared on Invezz.com
