HomePayPal stock forecast: Third-party price targets

PayPal stock forecast: Third-party price targets

PayPal Holdings is a US-listed digital payments company whose shares are actively traded, with price movements shaped by earnings, management decisions and broader market conditions. Explore third-party PYPL price targets and technical analysis.
By Dan Mitchell
PayPal stock forecast
Photo: Shutterstock.com

PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL) is trading around $39.50 in CFD terms, near the lower end of its intraday range between $38.99 and $42.35 as of 4:51pm UTC on 5 February 2026, following sharp declines from levels above $40. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Price action follows PayPal’s weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter 2025 results and its 2026 profit outlook, with the company reporting adjusted earnings below analyst forecasts and issuing guidance that fell short of prior expectations. The company also announced the appointment of Enrique Lores as its next CEO, effective 1 March (Reuters, 3 February 2026). The stock has traded lower since those announcements amid broader U.S. equity volatility, with major indices such as the Nasdaq Composite recently under pressure (Credit Protection Agency, 4 February 2026).

PayPal stock forecast 2026–2030: Third-party price targets

As of 5 February 2026, third-party PayPal stock predictions show a wide dispersion, with several brokers cutting estimates following the company’s latest results and outlook, while others retain more constructive assumptions. The mini-briefs below highlight six dated targets and rationales drawn from broker commentary and forecast round-ups over this period.

Morgan Stanley (broker research)

Morgan Stanley lowers its PayPal price target to $34 from $50, reiterating an underweight rating. The note points to execution risks and slower expected revenue and earnings growth as key factors behind the cut, amid concerns that recent guidance does not fully address structural challenges in the core payments business (GuruFocus, 4 February 2026).

Citigroup (broker research)

Citigroup cuts its 12-month price target on PayPal to $42 from $60, maintaining a neutral stance. The broker cites softer Q4 results and weaker 2026 profit guidance as reasons for the lower valuation assumptions, amid heightened scrutiny of competitive dynamics and management’s turnaround plans (MarketBeat, 4 February 2026).

Wells Fargo (broker research)

Wells Fargo trims its PYPL stock forecast to $48 from $67 while keeping an equal weight rating. Analysts there point to ongoing execution concerns and subdued online checkout trends, suggesting investors may wait for clearer evidence of improved performance under the new CEO (Investing.com, 4 February 2026).

Compass Point (broker research)

Compass Point upgrades PayPal from sell to neutral while lowering its target to $51. The firm says the reduced target reflects more conservative growth and margin assumptions, while noting that a portion of the near-term uncertainty around the leadership transition and guidance reset may already be reflected in the share price (Yahoo Finance, 4 February 2026).

24/7 Wall St. (forecast article)

24/7 Wall St. reports a current median 12-month Wall Street price target for PayPal of $71.54, based on data from 29 covering analysts. The piece notes that this median forecast assumes scope for earnings growth and valuation support over the next year, within a broader consensus rating described as moderate buy (24/7 Wall St., 22 January 2026).

Predictions and third-party forecasts are inherently uncertain, as they cannot fully account for unexpected market developments. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

PYPL stock price: Technical overview

The PYPL stock price is trading around $39.50 in CFD terms as of 4:51pm UTC on 5 February 2026, remaining well below its short-term moving-average cluster, with the 10-, 20-, 50-, 100- and 200-day SMAs near 50, 54, 58, 63 and 67 respectively. The 14-day RSI sits near 12, placing the stock in deeply oversold territory, while an ADX reading around 43 points to an established trend backdrop rather than range-bound conditions.

On the topside, the first area to watch is the classic R1 pivot near 57.9. A daily close above that level would bring the R2 band around 63.0 back into view as a potential next resistance zone. On pullbacks, the classic pivot near 55.0 marks initial support, with the 100-day SMA around 62.8 acting as another notable moving-average reference. A sustained break below the S1 area around 49.8 would increase the risk of a deeper move towards lower pivot levels flagged by prior support (TradingView, 5 February 2026).

This technical analysis is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any instrument.

PayPal share price history (2024–2026)

PYPL’s stock price has seen a substantial swing over the past two years, falling from around $85 at the end of December 2024 to below $40 by 5 February 2026. From early 2024 into early 2025, the stock largely traded between about $60 and $90, with several moves above $90 in January–February 2025 before easing back into the mid-$60s and $70s through the middle of the year.

That steadier range broke down in late 2025 and early 2026. After trading mostly within a $60–$80 band through July–October 2025, the price drifted towards the high-$50s into year-end, then accelerated lower in early February 2026. The stock fell from above $50 on 2 February to close near $39.65 on 5 February 2026.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

PayPal (PYPL): Capital.com analyst view

PayPal’s recent price action has been shaped by a sharp reset in early February 2026, as the stock sold off following weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter 2025 earnings and revenue, alongside a reduced profit outlook for 2026. The move also coincided with news of a leadership transition to incoming CEO Enrique Lores. As a result, the shares are trading near multi-year lows and well below the $60–$80 range seen for much of 2024–2025. Some market participants note that the lower price level may also reflect a higher risk premium being applied to execution and competitive uncertainties, rather than earnings performance alone.

Looking ahead, sentiment is likely to depend on how PayPal balances cost controls, investment in branded checkout and new products, and the broader backdrop for digital payments. Slower transaction growth, rising competition and potential regulatory or legal pressures represent risks that could continue to weigh on the stock. Conversely, evidence of operational stabilisation, delivery against the revised strategy and clearer communication from the new leadership team could, in an alternative view, help rebuild confidence over time, even if volatility remains elevated.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Capital.com’s client sentiment for PayPal CFDs

As of 5 February 2026, Capital.com client positioning in PayPal CFDs shows 98.2% buyers versus 1.8% sellers, indicating a strongly one-sided tilt towards long positions. Buyers currently outnumber sellers by around 96.4 percentage points. This snapshot reflects open positions on Capital.com and can change over time.

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Summary – PayPal 2026

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

FAQ

Who owns the most PayPal stock?

PayPal’s shareholder base is dominated by large institutional investors rather than individual owners. Major asset managers such as Vanguard Group, BlackRock and State Street collectively hold a significant proportion of the company’s outstanding shares, reflecting PayPal’s inclusion in many broad equity and technology-focused funds. Company executives and board members also hold shares, though their combined stake is materially smaller than that of institutions. Ownership levels can change over time as funds rebalance and updated regulatory filings are published.

What is the five-year PayPal share price forecast?

There is no single, agreed five-year PYPL stock forecast, and long-term projections tend to vary widely. Analyst targets are typically published with a 12-month horizon, while longer-term views depend on assumptions about growth, margins, competition and the broader digital payments landscape. Over multi-year periods, outcomes can diverge significantly from forecasts due to economic cycles, regulatory changes and company-specific execution. For this reason, longer-term estimates are best treated as scenarios rather than predictions.

Is PayPal a good stock to buy?

Whether PayPal is considered a 'good' stock depends on individual objectives, risk tolerance and market views. Analysts currently present a wide range of opinions, reflecting uncertainty around growth prospects, competition and management execution following recent guidance changes. Some focus on potential recovery and valuation support over time, while others emphasise structural and operational risks. Any assessment should weigh both potential opportunities and downside risks, and should not be interpreted as a recommendation to buy or sell the stock.

Could PayPal stock go up or down?

PayPal’s share price could move higher or lower, depending on a range of factors. These include future earnings results, progress against strategic priorities, competitive pressures in digital payments and broader market conditions such as interest rates and consumer spending trends. Short-term movements may also be influenced by sentiment, positioning and wider equity market volatility. As with all equities, past price behaviour does not indicate future performance, and price movements can be unpredictable, particularly during periods of heightened uncertainty.

Should I invest in PayPal stock?

Deciding whether to invest in PayPal stock is a personal decision that depends on your financial situation, investment horizon and risk appetite. PayPal operates in a competitive and evolving sector, which can create both opportunities and risks. This article provides factual context and third-party views but does not provide investment advice. You may wish to carry out your own research or seek independent financial guidance before making any investment decision involving individual shares or related instruments.

Can I trade PayPal CFDs on Capital.com?

Yes, you can trade PayPal CFDs on Capital.com. Trading share CFDs lets you speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset and to take long or short positions. However, contracts for difference (CFDs) are traded on margin, and leverage amplifies both profits and losses. You should ensure you understand how CFD trading works, assess your risk tolerance, and recognise that losses can occur quickly.

Capital.com is an execution-only brokerage platform and the content provided on the Capital.com website is intended for informational purposes only and should not be regarded as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the products or securities to which it applies. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information provided.

The information provided does not constitute investment advice nor take into account the individual financial circumstances or objectives of any investor. Any information that may be provided relating to past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results or performance.

To the extent permitted by law, in no event shall Capital.com (or any affiliate or employee) have any liability for any loss arising from the use of the information provided. Any person acting on the information does so entirely at their own risk.

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