PayPal Shares Slide After Advent-Stripe Takeover Bid Reportedly Ends

PayPal shares fell 13% in premarket trading on Friday after Bloomberg News reported that a consortium led by buyout firm Advent International and payments processor Stripe had abandoned its pursuit of the fintech company. The group had reportedly offered $60.50 per share, valuing PayPal at around $53 billion, but the company’s board had previously considered the offer inadequate.

The reported bid was far below PayPal’s pandemic-era peak valuation of roughly $360 billion in 2021. PayPal has struggled since the surge in online shopping and digital payments faded, while competition from Apple and Google intensified. The company has responded with management changes, workforce reductions and a renewed focus on higher-margin businesses.

PayPal had recently raised its 2026 profit forecast and outlined additional cost-saving measures under newly appointed CEO Enrique Lores as part of its turnaround strategy. Analysts said the company could argue that the reported $53 billion offer undervalues its platform, brand and user base, but sustaining that position will depend on demonstrating stronger growth and earnings. PayPal’s shares had gained nearly 30% since Reuters first reported the takeover approach in July.

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