Fiserv buying Shift4 at $95 per share could make sense, says Mizuho

After several news outlets reported that Fiserv (FISV) and Amadeus (AMADY) were competing to acquire Shift4 Payments (FOUR), Mizuho analyst Dan Dolev says the potential deal could make sense for Fiserv. The acquisition would boost Fiserv’s North America organic growth into double digits, deepening its exposure to restaurants and hospitality, and put the Argentina inflation debate “to bed,” the analyst tells investors in a research note. With Shift4 outperforming its payments peers by 40%-50% since November 7, 2023, Mizuho thinks much of the takeout premium may already be in the stock. It believes a deal at $95 per Shift4 share could be feasible, and would likely be accretive in year two. The firm keeps a Buy rating on Fiserv with a $156 price target.