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Fiserv Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 3 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 1 new, 4 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • GAAP revenue down 1% in quarter: Quarterly GAAP revenue was $5.20 billion, down 1% from $5.26 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted EPS of $1.75: Adjusted EPS was $1.75 in the third quarter, against $2.04 a year earlier; nine-month adjusted EPS was $5.38, against $6.65. Source
  • Goodwill impairment drove GAAP loss: A non-cash charge of $6.45 billion, recorded in the third quarter, drove the GAAP loss in the period. Source
  • Organic growth returned in Financial: In the quarter Merchant organic revenue fell 2% and Financial Solutions organic revenue rose 2%, with the total flat. Source
  • Adjusted operating margin fell: Adjusted operating margin was 31.2% in the quarter and 30.9% for nine months, against 37.0% and 38.2% a year earlier. Source
  • Banking net attrition down over 25%: Net attrition in banking was down more than 25% year to date, according to the CEO. Source
  • Free cash flow of $2.04 billion: Free cash flow was $2.04 billion for nine months, against $2.88 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Elevate savings target raised after review: The higher Project Elevate savings reflect a comprehensive portfolio review and additional operational efficiencies identified by management. Source

“Our team is executing with urgency, and we are seeing meaningful progress.”

Takis Georgakopoulos, Chief Executive Officer of Fiserv

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Organic revenue Source2026 full year(1%) to 0%Kept
Adjusted earnings per share Source2026 full year$7.20 to $7.40Kept
GAAP revenue change Source2026 full year(1.5%) - (0.5%)Kept
Amortization of acquired intangible assets Source2026 full yearrelatively consistent with 2025 amountKept
Project Elevate savings Sourcenot stated$1 billionRaised from $500 million
Share repurchases Sourcefourth quarter of 2026$500 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: 2026 organic revenue and adjusted EPS guidance affirmed. Source
  • Guidance raised: Project Elevate savings target raised to $1 billion from $500 million. Source
  • New guidance: Share repurchase of $500 million planned for the fourth quarter, earlier than previously anticipated. Source
  • Ended: Sale of the student loan servicing business completed in the third quarter. Source

Revenue and earnings per share

  • GAAP revenue down 1% in quarter: Quarterly GAAP revenue was $5.20 billion, down 1% from $5.26 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Nine-month organic revenue fell 3%: For the first nine months organic revenue fell 3%, with Merchant Solutions down 2% and Financial Solutions down 4%. Source
  • Adjusted EPS of $1.75: Adjusted EPS was $1.75 in the third quarter, against $2.04 a year earlier; nine-month adjusted EPS was $5.38, against $6.65. Source

Goodwill impairment and GAAP loss

  • Goodwill impairment drove GAAP loss: A non-cash charge of $6.45 billion, recorded in the third quarter, drove the GAAP loss in the period. Source
  • GAAP loss per share: GAAP diluted loss per share was $(11.17) in the quarter and $(8.90) for nine months, against earnings of $1.46 and $4.83 a year earlier. Source
  • GAAP operating margin turned negative: GAAP operating margin was (105.7)% in the quarter and (23.0)% for nine months, against 27.3% and 28.5%; the charge sits within Corporate and Other. Source
  • Impairment excluded from adjusted results: Adjusted results exclude the charge net of a $50 million tax benefit, a $12.04 per-share adjustment in the quarter. Source
  • Goodwill balance fell after charge: Goodwill was $30.95 billion at September 30, 2026, against $37.70 billion at December 31, 2025. Source

“As we simplify and focus our organization with an AI-everywhere mindset, we have increasing confidence that we can drive greater efficiency while investing in innovation and delivering differentiated client value.”

Takis Georgakopoulos, Chief Executive Officer of Fiserv

Segment revenue and organic growth

  • Merchant revenue down, Financial flat: Merchant Solutions GAAP revenue was $2.52 billion, down 3%; Financial Solutions revenue was $2.33 billion, flat with the prior year. Source
  • Organic growth returned in Financial: In the quarter Merchant organic revenue fell 2% and Financial Solutions organic revenue rose 2%, with the total flat. Source
  • Nine-month segment revenue declined: Nine-month GAAP revenue fell 1% in Merchant Solutions and 4% in Financial Solutions compared with the first nine months of 2025. Source

Margins and costs

  • Adjusted operating margin fell: Adjusted operating margin was 31.2% in the quarter and 30.9% for nine months, against 37.0% and 38.2% a year earlier. Source
  • Financial Solutions margin declined: Financial Solutions operating margin was 38.1% in the quarter and 38.3% for nine months, against 42.5% and 46.3%. Source
  • Merchant Solutions margin declined: Merchant Solutions operating margin was 28.7% in the quarter and 28.4% for nine months, against 37.2% and 35.3% a year earlier. Source
  • Cost of processing rose: Cost of processing and services was $1.73 billion in the quarter, against $1.49 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Transformation expenses rose: One Fiserv transformation program expenses were $158 million in the quarter and $487 million for nine months, against $13 million in each prior-year period. Source

“Our third quarter performance was in line with our expectations, including a return to organic revenue growth in Financial Solutions,”

Paul Todd, Chief Financial Officer of Fiserv

Clients and demand

  • Banking net attrition down over 25%: Net attrition in banking was down more than 25% year to date, according to the CEO. Source
  • Major client wins now ramping: The company said major client wins are now ramping. Source
  • Clover and merchant platform momentum: Clover is described as showing consistent underlying growth, and the modern merchant platform as gaining momentum. Source

Cash flow and capital returns

  • Operating cash flow declined: Net cash provided by operating activities was $3.09 billion for nine months, against $4.12 billion in the prior-year period. Source
  • Free cash flow of $2.04 billion: Free cash flow was $2.04 billion for nine months, against $2.88 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Capital spending increased: Capital expenditures, including capitalized software, were $1.44 billion for nine months, against $1.32 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Debt repayments increased: Debt repayments, including redemption costs, totaled $5.59 billion for nine months, against $3.35 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Share purchases were lower: Treasury stock purchases, including shares withheld for taxes, were $395 million for nine months, against $5.70 billion a year earlier. Source

Project Elevate and portfolio changes

  • Elevate savings target raised after review: The higher Project Elevate savings reflect a comprehensive portfolio review and additional operational efficiencies identified by management. Source
  • MoneyPass joint venture formed: The MoneyPass Group joint venture combines the MoneyPass Network, ATM Managed Services and Cash Intelligence; the company keeps a minority stake. Source
  • Net gain on business sales: A net gain of $100 million was recorded in the quarter on a 51% preferred interest sale and the student loan servicing sale. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Banking net attrition Sourcedown more than 25 percent year to date

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: The impairment followed a triggering event tied to sustained decreases in the share price and market capitalization. Source
  • Operational: Modernization costs within the transformation program were $80 million in the quarter and $232 million for nine months. Source
  • Operational: An $85 million impairment and other charge on certain leased facilities was recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Share repurchases resumed earlier than the company had planned, with $500 million for the fourth quarter. Source
  • On track: Management says second-half initiatives are on track to support the revenue acceleration it expects in the fourth quarter. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.