Sezzle shares plunge another 16%, now down 60% in a week

Why have Sezzle shares collapsed to a new record low today?

| More on:

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

It's going from bad to worse for the Sezzle Inc (ASX: SZL) share price this Wednesday. Sezzle shares have collapsed by another 15.7% so far this Wednesday and are now trading at 22 cents a share. That's despite the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) having a day of mild gains so far today.

This latest plunge now puts the Sezzle share price down a painful 59.8% over the past five trading days alone. Yet, a week ago, Sezzle shares were over 50 cents each, a far cry from the 22 cents we see today (a new all-time low). Sezzle is now down a devastating 92.95% in 2022 thus far and more than 98% down from the all-time high of over $11 a share that we saw back in 2020.

So what on earth is going on with the Sezzle share price to elicit such a savage selloff from the market?

Side-on view of a devastated male investor laying his head on his laptop keyboard

Image source: Getty Images

Why have Sezzle shares fallen another 16% today?

Well, it appears that it was the news we heard yesterday that is continuing to punish the Sezzle share price today. Yesterday, we learned that the deal between Sezzle and its fellow buy now, pay later (BNPL) share Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) has collapsed.

This deal, first gazetted back in February, would have seen Zip acquire Sezzle in full. It was to be an all-scrip deal worth almost $500 million at the time. This would have seen Sezzle shareholders receive 0.98 Zip shares for every Sezzle share owned.

However, both the Sezzle and Zip share prices have been in freefall ever since the deal was announced. As such, it had become increasingly clear that it would be difficult to implement on its original terms.

This all came to a head yesterday when both companies announced that the deal was off. Zip shares have responded very positively, up more than 7% since the deal was announced. But it has been Sezzle that has copped the worst of ASX investors' disappointment.

So it's likely that it is the continuing fallout from this merger deal falling through that is behind the savage day Sezzle shares have copped this Wednesday.

At the current Sezzle share price, this ASX BNPL share has a market capitalisation of $45 million.

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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 ZIPCOLTD FPO. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on BNPL shares

Little girl looking down trying to zip up her pink windcheater.
BNPL shares

Zip share price dips amid cap raise rumours

The Zip share price closed 4.95% lower during a crummy day for the market.

Read more »

Woman looking at her smartphone and analysing share price.
BNPL shares

This ASX All Ordinaries stock is down 40% in a year, and the chair is buying up big

Over the past three months, he's spent more than half a million dollars of his own money buying more Humm…

Read more »

Three United States flags and a Wall St sign outside the US financial building.
BNPL shares

Guess which ASX All Ords share is planning a Nasdaq listing

Sezzle has its eyes on a US listing to expand its investor base.

Read more »

woman paying using paypal
BNPL shares

Zip share price gains amid global asset sale

Zip has begun the process of selling off assets after announcing it will cease operations in six more international regions.

Read more »

illustration of laptop with down arrow and the word zip representing zip share price going down.
BNPL shares

Why did the Zip share price crash 26% in February?

The Zip share price fell 26% last month, as the ASX BNPL stock faced headwinds from three fronts.

Read more »

woman thing about her payment
BNPL shares

Why is Choice gunning for ASX BNPL companies like Zip?

The Federal Government wants to make a decision on new regulations for BNPL companies by the year's end.

Read more »

unhappy investor considering computer screen
BNPL shares

Are Zip shares finally cheap enough to buy following last week's 12% dive?

Even though Zip shares look cheap, there are a few red flags to consider...

Read more »

a young woman sits with her hands holding up her face as she stares unhappily at a laptop computer screen as if she is disappointed with something she is seeing there.
BNPL shares

Zip share price lower on $243m first-half loss

Zip is still making large losses but is heading in the right direction...

Read more »