News & Insights

The founder and CEO of Paymentus (PAY), Dushyant Sharma, joined the Schwab Network to discuss the company. Founded in 2004, Paymentus calls itself a provider of “cloud-based bill payment technology and solutions.”

On its site, it boasts “bank level security” and allows users to pay through a variety of channels, including text, web, call centers, and even AI assistants. Its focus is being an all-in-one platform for both sides of the financial equation. In doing so, it accepts payments from all types of sources, from Visa and other credit cards, to PayPal, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, and more.

It says it serves over 2,500 billers and financial institutions, and then in turn is used by millions of consumers and businesses in North America. In 2024, it processed 597 million transactions, with “46 million consumers and businesses” using Paymentus for bills in December of that year. Its clients include utility companies, healthcare & insurance, property management, and even government agencies. They also work with small businesses.

Sharma emphasizes that they serve non-discretionary sectors, insulating it from economic slowdown. Perhaps you’ve come across it already in your daily life, whether on a monthly electricity bill or at a small business, and not even known it.

Looking at the stock itself, PAY is up 12% year-to-date as of the time of this writing, and up 90% over the last year. It has moved strongly upwards since April 7, with mostly green candles, and is only a few dollars away from an all-time high.

In its last quarter, Paymentus beat on the top and bottom line with non-GAAP EPS of $0.14 and revenue of $275.2 million (+49% year-over-year). They also increased their gross profit by 25% year-over-year and reported $41.1 million in free cash flow. They processed 173.2 million transactions in the quarter, a 28% increase from 1Q 2024. They also raised their full-year guidance.

Sharma emphasizes that they haven’t seen any impact from tariff volatility and uncertainty. He says Paymentus has a strong pipeline, bookings, and backlog, so it needs to stay “humble” and focus on execution. “We have grown 30% in market share since last year, so we are feeling great about where we are.” According to their latest shareholder’s presentation, they own 3.6% of U.S. Bill Payment Market.

Companies like Paymentus operate under the radar for many investors but make up a critical part of digital infrastructure. Without this sector, companies would have to build out their own billings systems individually. While payment companies like PayPal (PYPL) and Square (XYZ) are bigger and offer consumer-focused products like credit cards, Paymentus is focused on their platform and infrastructure. As mentioned above, they even accept payments through PayPal or Square’s systems.

Watch the full interview below:

“John P. Calamos Sr. is Founder, Chairman, and Global Chief Investment Officer of Calamos Investments. He is a pioneer in the fields of convertible securities and liquid alternative investments, as well as a Vietnam veteran who has flown over 400 missions as a combat pilot and a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross.” This is how The Sky’s the Limit: Lessons in Service, Entrepreneurship and Achieving the American Dream by Joe Garner & John P. Calamos Sr. describe the titular man. 

 It’s really a treat to have an intimate fireside style chat with a legend: a self-made billionaire, entrepreneur, decorated war veteran and family man. As a U.S. Military pilot, he was always managing risk and used that skill to create and grow Calamos Investments, now with roughly $40 billion under management. After working in a factory manufacturing televisions, John Calamos decided to go to college. Calamos wants to inspire the next generation with his own story and to give them tools to live the American Dream. “We’re looking for people with passion on what they want to do” at Calamos, he says. 

Financier C. Dean Metropoulos wrote that John Calamos has always been rooted to his values and that John “made his own luck.” Metropoulos continues, “His story is a guide for how to accomplish great things by living a purposeful life characterized by service, moderation and empathy.”  

His Greek heritage is never forgotten – especially since he’s been a part of the Greek community in Chicago’s “Greek Town” – from taking his father back to his village in Greece and supporting The National Hellenic Museum where they educate children, and honor successful Greek Americans that created and innovated. At his alma mater, the Illinois Institute of Technology, Calamos endowed a chair in philosophy in a time where those majors are disappearing. “We’ve got to teach the students philosophy,” he argues. John was taught an incredible work ethic from his parents and great discipline in the military.  

This is a rags to riches story. Living the American Dream. Calamos is a pioneer in convertible securities. In fact, Calamos launched one of the first convertible funds in 1985 as a way to manage risk for clients in volatile times. One quote that inspired him to enroll in the ROTC and throughout his life is JFK’s famous words: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” 

Watch the full interview below: