PayPal stock came under heavy selling pressure after the company announced a major leadership shakeup alongside disappointing financial results. The board named Enrique Lores as the next chief executive, with the transition set to take effect on March 1, 2026.
The decision marks the exit of Alex Chriss, a move that signaled board-level frustration with execution speed and strategic progress. During the interim period, Jamie Miller will step in to manage operations and maintain continuity.
Financial performance added to investor anxiety. PayPal’s Q4 2025 earnings fell short of expectations, with revenue growth remaining muted and branded checkout activity slowing more sharply than anticipated. These trends raised questions about the durability of PayPal’s core payment products.
Key Pressures Facing PayPal Include:
- Slowing growth in branded checkout volumes
- Weak 2026 earnings guidance pointing to flat or lower profitability
- Withdrawal of long-term outlook due to economic uncertainty
- Intensifying competition across digital payments
The company acknowledged growing rivalry from platforms such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, as well as buy-now-pay-later providers and emerging fintech apps.
| Metric | Market Reaction |
| Q4 earnings | Below expectations |
| 2026 guidance | Weaker than forecast |
| Stock move | Sharp single-day decline |
Despite remaining profitable, analysts warned that PayPal may be losing momentum in key segments. The leadership overhaul is widely viewed as an effort to reset strategy, rebuild confidence,and reignite innovation.
