Fiserv, Inc. (FI), a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based fintech company providing payments and financial technology services, has underperformed the broader market and industry peers in 2025 despite reporting strong adjusted earnings per share growth. The company's stock declined 35.1% year-to-date and 16.8% over the past year, lagging behind the S&P 500 and the Global X FinTech ETF. In Q2 2025, Fiserv reported an 8% year-over-year increase in revenue to $5.5 billion and a 16% year-over-year surge in adjusted EPS to $2.47, exceeding estimates. However, the company narrowed its full-year organic revenue growth guidance to 10% from 10% to 12%, triggering a 13.9% stock drop. Analysts expect full-year 2025 adjusted EPS of $10.22, up 16.1% year-over-year, and maintain a consensus 'Strong Buy' rating. The mean price target is $187.18, representing a 40.5% premium over current prices, with a street-high target of $250 suggesting 87.6% upside potential. Mizuho analyst Dan Dolev lowered his price target from $194 to $165. Aditya Sarawgi has no positions in the securities discussed.

Circle has launched Arc, an open Layer-1 blockchain designed for large-scale payments, foreign exchange, and capital markets transactions, using USDC as its native gas token. The network leverages the Ethereum Virtual Machine, features fast settlement under one second, and includes privacy options for institutional users. Arc is set to launch its public testnet in the fall and will integrate with Circle’s existing platform while maintaining compatibility with other blockchains. The release follows the expansion of the Circle Payments Network, which has over 100 financial institutions on board. Partnerships with Binance, Corpay, FIS, Fiserv, and OKX are strengthening its presence in both cryptocurrency and traditional finance. USDC circulation reached $65.2 billion by August 10, 2025, up 90% from the same quarter in 2024. The company reported a 53% increase in total revenue and reserve income to $658 million, and a 52% rise in adjusted EBITDA to $126 million, driven by rising demand. Despite a net loss of $482 million in the second quarter due to non-cash expenses including $424 million in stock-based compensation and a $167 million increase in convertible debt, the company completed a $1.2 billion IPO in June, offering 19.9 million shares at $31 each, netting $583 million after underwriting. The GENIUS Act, recently enacted, established a federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, aligning with Circle’s compliance strategy. Circle Gateway, launched on testnet in July, enables instant cross-chain liquidity without bridging or prepaid funds. Commercial adoption is growing through integrations with major financial institutions.

JLL Capital Markets has arranged a construction loan and joint venture equity for Blue Hill at Watchung, a 230-unit luxury apartment community in Watchung, New Jersey. The project, developed by The Sterling Properties Group and Danbro Properties, includes 184 market-rate and 46 affordable-rate units, with an average market-rate unit size of 1,141 square feet. It features premium amenities such as a resort-style pool, fitness center, co-working space, and private garages. The development is scheduled for completion in 2026 and is projected to stabilize by March 2028. The project benefits from a 30-year PILOT agreement with the Borough of Watchung and is located near major corporate offices including Fiserv, L’Oréal, and Celgene. JLL Capital Markets, led by Senior Managing Directors Jim Cadranell and Jon Mikula, and Vice President Michael Lachs, facilitated the financing through First Citizens Bank and a joint venture with Marcus Partners. The total project cost is $102.87 million.

Circle, the only publicly listed U.S. stablecoin company, reported strong growth in Q2 2025, with USDC circulation rising 90% year over year to $61.3 billion and transaction volume reaching $5.9 trillion, a 5.4x increase from the prior year. The company achieved a 28% share of the fiat-backed stablecoin market, up from previous levels. Key developments include the launch of the Circle Payments Network (CPN) with cross-border corridors in Hong Kong, Brazil, Mexico, and Nigeria, and the unveiling of Circle Gateway for instant cross-chain liquidity. Circle also introduced Arc, an open Layer-1 blockchain designed for stablecoin finance, with a public testnet expected in fall 2025. Strategic partnerships with Binance, OKX, Corpay, FIS, and Fiserv have expanded USDC’s role in payments, foreign exchange, and banking. The GENIUS Act, signed by President Trump on July 18, established a federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, confirming that regulated issuers like Circle are not issuing securities and requiring 1:1 reserves in cash and short-duration Treasurys. Circle’s Q2 revenue reached $658 million, with reserve income up 53% year over year to $634 million and other revenue increasing 252% to $24 million. CEO Jeremy Allaire described the quarter as a 'pivotal moment' for stablecoin adoption and the company’s platform growth.

MAI Capital Management added 49,824 shares of FISERV stock to its portfolio as reported in its latest SEC 13F filing for the quarter ending June 30, 2025. The filing reflects broader institutional activity, with 821 institutional investors adding and 964 reducing their FISERV holdings in the most recent quarter. Notable moves include large reductions by several investors, such as a 57.4% drop in shares by one investor for an estimated $1.52 billion. FISERV insiders conducted five open-market sales over the past six months, with no purchases. Congressional members traded FISERV stock 11 times in the past six months, with 7 purchases and 4 sales. Wall Street analysts have issued 17 buy ratings, with a median price target of $200.0, including specific targets from Mizuho, Barclays, UBS, and others.