Buckle up, investors and finance enthusiasts—StoneCo Ltd.’s (STNE) Q3 2025 earnings report just dropped, and it’s stirring up a storm of excitement and debate in the markets! But here’s where it gets controversial: while the company nailed a solid earnings per share (EPS) figure, their revenue came up just shy of expectations, leaving analysts scratching their heads about what this means for the fintech giant’s future. If you’re new to earnings calls, don’t worry; we’ll break it all down step by step, explaining the key terms and insights so you can follow along effortlessly. And this is the part most people miss—understanding these nuances can reveal hidden opportunities or red flags that shape your investment decisions. Today, we’re diving into the transcript from their November 6, 2025, conference call, complete with the full rundown of participants and highlights. Let’s explore why this quarter’s results are sparking so much discussion, and by the end, I’ll pose some thought-provoking questions to get your take in the comments.
First off, a quick primer for beginners: Earnings calls like this are where company leaders share financial updates and field questions from analysts. StoneCo Ltd., trading under the symbol STNE on platforms like Seeking Alpha (check out https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/STNE for more), is a leading player in Brazil’s financial technology space, specializing in payment solutions that make transactions smoother for businesses and consumers alike. For Q3 2025, they reported an EPS of $0.47, which beat analyst estimates by a modest $0.03—essentially meaning they earned a bit more per share than Wall Street predicted. On the revenue front, though, it was a different story: They brought in $666.61 million, marking a 14.30% year-over-year increase, but still missing forecasts by $13.41 million. This mix of a beat on profits and a miss on top-line growth is fueling debates—does it signal efficient cost management, or could it hint at underlying pressures? As an example, imagine a tech company boosting profits by cutting expenses, but if customer adoption slows, future quarters might feel the pinch.
The call kicked off at 5:00 PM EST on November 6, 2025, and featured a stellar lineup of StoneCo’s executive team, ready to dissect the numbers. Leading the charge was Pedro Zinner, the Chief Executive Officer, who sets the strategic vision. Joining him were Lia de Matos, the Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer, who handles how the company positions itself in a competitive market; Mateus Schwening, the Chief Financial Officer and Investor Relations Officer, who dives deep into the financials; and to round out the team, Roberta Noronha, the Head of Investor Relations, ensuring clear communication with shareholders.
On the analyst side, a who’s who of financial experts dialed in, eager to probe for insights. Representing UBS Investment Bank was Kaio Penso Da Prato. From JPMorgan Chase & Co., Guilherme Grespan brought his perspective. Eduardo Rosman chimed in from Banco BTG Pactual S.A., while Antonio Gregorin Ruette covered for BofA Securities. Marcelo Mizrahi of Banco Bradesco BBI S.A., Daniel Vaz from J. Safra Corretora de Valores e Cambio Ltda, Renato Meloni with Bernstein Autonomous LLP, Neha Agarwala representing HSBC Global Investment Research, Gustavo Schroden from Citigroup Inc., Daer Labarta of Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., and Pedro Leduc from Itaú Corretora de Valores S.A. all contributed their analyses, creating a lively debate on everything from growth strategies to market challenges.
The presentation began with the Operator welcoming everyone and noting that the earnings release, along with a supporting slide deck, were available online at investors.stone.co. For transparency, they reminded participants to review the disclaimers in the press release and presentation, which cover forward-looking statements (predictions about future performance that aren’t guarantees) and non-IFRS financial measures (adjusted metrics not strictly following standard accounting rules). They also pointed to the company’s Form 20-F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov for a deeper look at business risks, like regulatory changes or economic shifts that could impact fintech operations.
The Operator then handed things over to Pedro Zinner, who thanked everyone and launched into a brief update. But wait—here’s a controversial angle: Some investors argue that focusing too heavily on EPS beats distracts from revenue misses, potentially masking slower customer growth in emerging markets. Others counter that in volatile economies like Brazil, smart cost controls are a sign of resilience. What do you think—does StoneCo’s Q3 performance signal strength or vulnerability? Is this a buying opportunity, or should shareholders brace for tougher times ahead? Share your views in the comments below—do you agree with the optimistic spin from the team, or do you see red flags that most are overlooking? Your insights could spark a great discussion!