Zip share price tumbles 6% as Apple Pay Later threat looms large

What's going on with BNPL shares?

| More on:
Young man looking afraid representing ASX shares investor scared of market crash

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) share price has continued its slide on Wednesday.

In afternoon trade, the buy now pay later (BNPL) provider's shares dropped 6% to a new multi-year low of 61.7 cents.

Why is the Zip share price falling again?

Investors have been selling down the Zip share price this week amid concerns over the impact that Apple's BNPL launch will have on the market.

The tech giant's BNPL offering, named Apple Pay Later, allows users to split the cost of an Apple Pay purchase into four equal payments with no interest.

However, importantly, the service works with any merchant that already supports Apple Pay and does not require a new payments terminal. If you're like me and use Apple Pay so much you don't really know where your physical cards are any more, you'll know that this means practically every payment terminal out there (I've yet to find one that doesn't).

This means that the seller doesn't even need to offer BNPL as an option to customers nor would it even necessarily know if a sale was made with the payment method. For that seller, the sale is done and the money is heading to their bank account.

And while Zip and others offer this function already with single-use virtual cards, non-integrated merchant transactions generate low margins. This could make it very hard for BNPL providers to turn a profit from a transaction if this becomes the norm and merchants start slipping off their books. Whereas Apple is already earning from each use of Apple Pay, so these low margins are manageable.

Furthermore, as Apple already has a captive audience using Apple Pay every day, it won't be hard for it to market the service to users. Whereas Zip, Sezzle inc (ASX: SZL), and co won't have that luxury and will be forced to continue spending big bucks to promote their services to consumers.

Overall, these are interesting times for Zip and the BNPL industry.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple and ZIPCOLTD FPO. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long March 2023 $120 calls on Apple and short March 2023 $130 calls on Apple. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Share Market News

Unsure man analysing data on laptop.
Share Gainers

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

ASX investors had a rough start to the week this Monday.

Read more »

A man slumps crankily over his morning coffee as it pours with rain outside.
Broker Notes

Guess which popular ASX 200 stock Bell Potter just downgraded

Let's see what the broker is saying on this blue chip.

Read more »

Crude oil barrels rocketing.
ETFs

Why did the BetaShares Crude Oil ETF just spike 4%?

This ETF is attracting buyers in today's seller's market.

Read more »

A male sharemarket analyst sits at his desk looking intently at his laptop with two other monitors next to him showing stock price movements
Broker Notes

Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

Here's why brokers believe that now could be the time to snap up these shares.

Read more »

Woman with an amazed expression has her hands and arms out with a laptop in front of her.
Share Gainers

Why BWP, Metcash, Resolute Mining, and SHAPE shares are pushing higher today

These shares are starting the week on a positive note. But why?

Read more »

A male investor wearing a blue shirt looks off to the side with a miffed look on his face as the share price declines.
Share Fallers

Why Adairs, ANZ, Aurelia Metals, and Pilbara Minerals shares are falling today

These shares are having a tough start to the week in the red. But why?

Read more »

Miner standing in a mine site with his arms crossed.
Broker Notes

Up 41% in 2025, does Macquarie think Lynas Rare Earths shares have peaked?

The company is up nearly 400% in 5 years.

Read more »

A financial expert or broker looks worried as he checks out a graph showing market volatility.
Share Market News

How far could equity markets fall following the US' attack on Iran?

If oil prices rise, it could be bad news for investors.

Read more »