Matthew Cochrane

In less than one month's time, PayPal has made two key acquisitions designed to give it a leg up on competition in the payments industry.

The credit card network is trading at a high valuation after a market-crushing run. Is it still a buy for investors at these levels?

Lost amidst the news of a new CEO and a cold spring is that Lowe's appears to finally be moving in the right direction strategically.

PayPal is in an enviable position in one of the world’s hottest trends, but competition from companies all across the board is getting intense.

Wondering how long you can rely on those pension checks to keep coming? Here's what you can do to see how sustainable your pension plan really is.

The home improvement retailer's gardening sales were hit by unusually cold weather, but a much more important figure continues to trend in the right direction.

This shoe manufacturer's stock was punished after the company guided for a light quarter ahead, but did the market overreact?

The newly formed payments company, after the merger of Vantiv and Worldpay earlier this year, seems poised to beat the market as it enjoys cost synergies and unprecedented scale.

PayPal's newest toy complements it almost perfectly, giving the digital-payment platform new merchant tools, a greater point-of-sale presence, and an increased geographic reach. It also looks like a calculated move aimed squarely at the competition.

Despite being overlooked in a hot sector, this payment processing company has found a way to consistently surpass investors' expectations.

The major credit card companies are ganging up to mimic one of PayPal's most popular -- and most successful -- services. Are PayPal's days now numbered?

In a bull market getting long in tooth, good value stocks are getting harder to find, but these three companies fit the bill. Find out why I own all three.

To the average eye, these two credit card titans might sport similar business models, but looks can be deceiving. Which company makes for a better investment right now?

First Data's recent acquisitions are already paying off, but does that make the company a buy for investors?

This company is much, much more than another payment processing provider.

PayPal's Customer Choice initiatives are driving the company's growing network effect.

New products show that PayPal believes it can help fill gaps in the world's financial system for the underprivileged.

Credit risk concerns might be overblown, making this credit card company an undervalued gem that is finding new ways to win and incentivize customers.

Mastercard gave investors more reasons to cheer when it reported a strong first quarter, but one recent acquisition is providing the payment network with several potential revenue streams.

After a strong first quarter, can American Express continue to produce big returns for investors? The company's management emphatically believes it can, especially if it sticks to its newfound formula for success.