Latest news with #Flex
Business Wire
a day ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Flex Becomes First FinTech to Launch Visa Infinite Business Credit Card
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Flex, the all-in-one financial operating system for modern businesses, today announced the launch of the Flex Visa Infinite® Business Credit Card. This marks a major milestone, making Flex the first U.S. financial technology company in its category to introduce a Visa Infinite Business-branded credit card. 'The launch of the Flex Visa Infinite Business Credit Card marks a significant advancement in how small and midsize businesses access premium financial solutions,' said Veronica Fernandez, SVP, Head of Visa Commercial Solutions North America. This new offering replaces Flex's previous commercial Mastercard product and represents a complete reimagining of Flex's card experience. The new card offers higher-tier benefits, the same flexible repayment options, and an upgraded set of travel, insurance, and lifestyle perks. Existing cardholders will be transitioned to the new Visa Infinite Business platform, bringing with them enhanced rewards and protections designed for growing businesses. Visa Infinite Business is Visa's highest small business card product and is typically reserved for elite corporate programs. Through this relationship, Flex is bringing these premier benefits to the small business market. Cardholders will receive luxury travel access, personalized concierge services, and extensive purchase protections, fully integrated into Flex's broader platform for business banking, expense management, and AI-powered payment automation. 'We're proud to bring our customers a business card that's as sophisticated and flexible as they are,' said Zaid Rahman, Founder and CEO of Flex. 'The Flex Visa Infinite Business card doesn't just extend flexible working capital, it elevates the entire financial experience for business owners, from how they spend to how they travel, protect purchases, and build long-term value.' 'The launch of the Flex Visa Infinite Business Credit Card marks a significant advancement in how small and midsize businesses access premium financial solutions,' said Veronica Fernandez, SVP, Head of Visa Commercial Solutions North America. 'By extending the exclusive benefits and protections of Visa Infinite® Business to a broader market, we are empowering business owners to manage their finances, travel and operations with greater confidence and flexibility. This milestone reflects Visa's ongoing commitment to innovation and to supporting the growth and success of modern businesses across the country.' With the new Flex Visa Infinite Business card, Flex customers gain access to a range of exclusive luxury benefits previously unavailable in the commercial fintech market. Cardholders receive priority access to top-rated restaurants via OpenTable, allowing them to bypass long waitlists and secure reservations at sought-after venues. Through Priority Pass, Flex customers enjoy unlimited access to more than 1,300 airport lounges around the world, providing a premium travel experience and they also benefit from the Visa Luxury Hotel Collection, which includes over 900 world-class properties globally and offers upgrades upon arrival and on-property credits during each stay. These features are complemented by Visa's 24/7 Infinite Concierge, which helps cardholders book travel, secure tickets to exclusive events, or handle logistics anytime, anywhere. In addition to luxury perks, the card includes comprehensive insurance and protection benefits. Cardholders receive rental car collision damage coverage when booking with the Flex card, often serving as primary insurance. They are also protected with trip cancellation and interruption coverage, reimbursement for delayed travel and lost luggage, and purchase protection covering theft or damage on eligible purchases. Return protection and extended warranty coverage provide additional peace of mind, ensuring business owners are covered when plans change or products don't perform as expected. Flex's newest card offering also provides unprecedented flexibility in how businesses manage their spend. Cardholders can choose between up to 60 days interest-free, up to 1.75% unlimited cashback for early payment, or up to 1.75x points redeemable for travel 1, gift cards 1, or statement credits. This structure allows businesses to decide whether to maximize liquidity, reduce costs, or earn rewards. With no annual fee and no caps or categories, it's a structure designed to adapt to the needs of modern operators. This launch builds on Flex's rapid growth over the past year. The company has tripled in size and now processes more than $2 billion in annualized total payment volume. By bringing the highest tier of Visa's commercial benefits to its customer base and embedding them within its platform for banking, credit, and automated bill pay, Flex is redefining what a business card can do. The Flex Visa Infinite Business Card is available now to qualified customers. For more information or to apply, visit *Flexbase Technologies, Inc. is a technology company and is not a bank. Banking services provided by Thread Bank, Member FDIC. The Flex Business. *The Flex Business Credit Card is issued by Lead Bank, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and is only available to eligible commercial entities. Fees and terms and conditions apply. Applicants are subject to eligibility requirements. 1 Coming soon. ABOUT FLEX Founded in 2022, Flex is the B2B fintech company redefining financial management for business owners by providing a financial ecosystem that empowers owners to expand their business and accelerate growth. Flex bundles every single aspect of the back office into one finance super app to seamlessly control finances. The company offers Flex Business Credit Card with 0% interest for 60 days on all purchases and built-in employee expense management and rewards, as well as Flex Banking with up to 2.99% yield on idle cash. The company also has launched several products like AP Automation, Cashflow Analytics, Bill Pay, Mobile Apps, and more. Flex aims to be the financial platform that all aspiring business owners use to build, manage and protect their finances.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Root Brands Leads the Way in Accepting HSA and FSA Funds for Natural Supplements
Franklin, TN – Root Brands, the rapidly expanding nutraceutical company, headquartered in Franklin, announced today that U.S. consumers can purchase eligible Root Brands products with Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) dollars. In a category where most supplements remain ineligible for tax-advantaged health funds, Root Brands' partnership with payments innovator Flex, positions the company at the forefront of affordability and accessibility in natural health. Under the new program, shoppers simply select 'Pay with HSA/FSA' at checkout, complete a brief telehealth screening to document medical necessity, and then pay with their existing HSA or FSA debit card. Within 24 hours, Flex issues both a Letter of Medical Necessity and an itemized receipt, ensuring end-to-end IRS compliance without extra paperwork for the customer. 'Tax-advantaged accounts hold more than $110 billion today, yet people tell us they still pay out-of-pocket for daily wellness essentials,' said Clayton Thomas, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Root Brands. 'Our goal has always been to democratize health, and accepting HSA and FSA dollars removes another barrier between families and the clean, science-driven solutions they deserve.' Dr. Christina Rahm, co-founder, Chief Science Officer, and lead product formulator, added: 'Root's formulas are created to meet clear clinical endpoints, from heavy-metal detoxification to cognitive support. As a result, they naturally fit the definition of medical necessity. By aligning with Flex, we can document those therapeutic benefits in minutes and let consumers use pre-tax funds to protect their health proactively.' The decision to pursue HSA/FSA acceptance originated from listening to Root's community of independent ambassadors, many of whom are healthcare professionals. 'Nurses kept telling us their patients wanted a tax-efficient way to afford detox protocols,' Thomas noted. 'We built the entire workflow around that real-world feedback.' A quiet pilot in the second quarter processed more than 3,000 qualified transactions in its first 30 days, demonstrating robust demand for nutraceuticals that meet clinical reimbursement standards. Founded in 2020 by Thomas and Rahm, Root Brands has leveraged an affiliate-led social-sharing model to serve more than 100,000 customers and 10,000 brand ambassadors worldwide. The company's product line (including flagship detox drops Clean Slate, neuro-nootropic Zero-In, turmeric-powered anti-inflammatory Restore, and microbiome support powder Relive Greens) is manufactured in FDA-registered, GMP-certified U.S. facilities and tested to be non-GMO, gluten-free, and predominantly vegan. Root's wellness ecosystem now extends beyond capsules and powders. Earlier this year Dr. Rahm debuted Rahm Roast, a 100 % Arabica coffee line that employs a patent-pending detoxification process to remove mold and other toxins from every bean, mirroring the rigorous purity standards applied to Root's supplements. The clean-coffee blend, available through and the Root online store, gives customers a daily ritual that aligns with the company's detox-first philosophy while satisfying coffee aficionados with rich dark-chocolate and almond notes. Today, the FDA allows over 1,000 unregulated food additives into the food supply. So long as the manufacturer self-certifies the ingredient under the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS), these additives can be included as ingredients for human consumption. This increase in food additives has correlated with a flare of health problems in the American people. Many are now following the Root Brands' detox protocols as a first step in supporting their body's natural systems, with the goal of reducing their symptoms. Industry analysts view Root Brands' move to accept HSA funds as a milestone for the broader nutraceutical sector. While the IRS allows HSA/FSA reimbursement for vitamins deemed medically necessary, most brands lack an integrated workflow to validate eligibility at the point of sale. Root's embedded telehealth pathway streamlines that process, potentially opening a multi-billion-dollar channel for clinically substantiated supplement makers. The HSA/FSA launch follows a 12-month period of rapid expansion for Root Brands, highlighted by new market entries in Asia, the Middle East, and South America, recognition in Forbes India for global health leadership, and ongoing third-party certifications such as BSCG drug-free status. 'Every market we enter tells us the same thing: consumers want transparency, traceability, and real science behind their supplements,' Dr. Rahm said. 'Those standards apply equally to how people pay for wellness. Accepting HSA and FSA funds is part of that larger promise of accountability.' As a flagship product for 2025, Root now offers the DRCgx™ Genetic Test, an at-home DNA kit that analyzes hundreds of variants tied to micronutrient absorption, detox pathways, exercise recovery, and medication response. For a one-time $499 fee, customers gain lifetime access to dynamically updated reports, arming them and their healthcare providers with a personalized genomic roadmap that dovetails with Root's targeted protocols. This further strengthens the medical-necessity case for HSA/FSA reimbursement. How the Program Works: Choose 'Pay with HSA/FSA' at checkout on Complete a short telehealth consult—typically under five minutes—to confirm medical necessity. Pay with an HSA/FSA card (or any major card if a benefit card is unavailable). Receive required documentation (Letter of Medical Necessity and itemized receipt) by email within 24 hours—no additional forms to file. The company reports that plan administrators representing more than 2,000 corporate benefit programs have already whitelisted Root Brands SKUs, accelerating employer-level adoption. Availability: All eligible Root Brands products, including individual items and value packs, are now live for HSA/FSA purchases in the United States. International customers may continue to purchase through existing e-commerce channels; regional tax rules apply. Media Contact Marty McGinley Root Brands 393 Nichol Mill Ln, Unit 250B Franklin, TN 37067, USA 1-224-622-7110 For additional information, visit or follow @therootbrands on major social platforms.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Flex (NASDAQ:FLEX) Beats Expectations in Strong Q2, Full-Year Outlook Slightly Exceeds Expectations
Global manufacturing solutions provider Flex (NASDAQ:FLEX) reported Q2 CY2025 results topping the market's revenue expectations , with sales up 4.1% year on year to $6.58 billion. Guidance for next quarter's revenue was better than expected at $6.65 billion at the midpoint, 1.8% above analysts' estimates. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.72 per share was 12.3% above analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy Flex? Find out in our full research report. Flex (FLEX) Q2 CY2025 Highlights: Revenue: $6.58 billion vs analyst estimates of $6.27 billion (4.1% year-on-year growth, 4.9% beat) Adjusted EPS: $0.72 vs analyst estimates of $0.64 (12.3% beat) Adjusted EBITDA: $487 million vs analyst estimates of $491.7 million (7.4% margin, 1% miss) The company lifted its revenue guidance for the full year to $26.5 billion at the midpoint from $25.9 billion, a 2.3% increase Management raised its full-year Adjusted EPS guidance to $2.96 at the midpoint, a 1.7% increase Operating Margin: 4.7%, up from 3.7% in the same quarter last year Free Cash Flow Margin: 4%, similar to the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $20.11 billion "Our first quarter results are a great start to FY26 and a testament to the strength of our strategic focus on high-growth end-markets like data center and power," said Revathi Advaithi, CEO of Flex. Company Overview Originally known as Flextronics until its 2016 rebranding, Flex (NASDAQ:FLEX) is a global manufacturing partner that designs, engineers, and builds products for companies across industries from medical devices to solar trackers. Revenue Growth Reviewing a company's long-term sales performance reveals insights into its quality. Any business can put up a good quarter or two, but many enduring ones grow for years. With $26.07 billion in revenue over the past 12 months, Flex is a behemoth in the business services sector and benefits from economies of scale, giving it an edge in distribution. This also enables it to gain more leverage on its fixed costs than smaller competitors and the flexibility to offer lower prices. However, its scale is a double-edged sword because finding new avenues for growth becomes difficult when you already have a substantial market presence. To accelerate sales, Flex likely needs to optimize its pricing or lean into new offerings and international expansion. As you can see below, Flex's 2.4% annualized revenue growth over the last five years was sluggish. This shows it failed to generate demand in any major way and is a rough starting point for our analysis. We at StockStory place the most emphasis on long-term growth, but within business services, a half-decade historical view may miss recent innovations or disruptive industry trends. Flex's performance shows it grew in the past but relinquished its gains over the last two years, as its revenue fell by 4.2% annually. This quarter, Flex reported modest year-on-year revenue growth of 4.1% but beat Wall Street's estimates by 4.9%. Company management is currently guiding for a 1.6% year-on-year increase in sales next quarter. Looking further ahead, sell-side analysts expect revenue to grow 1.4% over the next 12 months. Although this projection implies its newer products and services will catalyze better top-line performance, it is still below average for the sector. Here at StockStory, we certainly understand the potential of thematic investing. Diverse winners from Microsoft (MSFT) to Alphabet (GOOG), Coca-Cola (KO) to Monster Beverage (MNST) could all have been identified as promising growth stories with a megatrend driving the growth. So, in that spirit, we've identified a relatively under-the-radar profitable growth stock benefiting from the rise of AI, available to you FREE via this link. Operating Margin Operating margin is one of the best measures of profitability because it tells us how much money a company takes home after subtracting all core expenses, like marketing and R&D. Flex was profitable over the last five years but held back by its large cost base. Its average operating margin of 3.8% was weak for a business services business. On the plus side, Flex's operating margin rose by 1 percentage points over the last five years, as its sales growth gave it operating leverage. This quarter, Flex generated an operating margin profit margin of 4.7%, up 1 percentage points year on year. This increase was a welcome development and shows it was more efficient. Earnings Per Share Revenue trends explain a company's historical growth, but the long-term change in earnings per share (EPS) points to the profitability of that growth – for example, a company could inflate its sales through excessive spending on advertising and promotions. Flex's EPS grew at an astounding 19% compounded annual growth rate over the last five years, higher than its 2.4% annualized revenue growth. This tells us the company became more profitable on a per-share basis as it expanded. We can take a deeper look into Flex's earnings quality to better understand the drivers of its performance. As we mentioned earlier, Flex's operating margin expanded by 1 percentage points over the last five years. On top of that, its share count shrank by 24.1%. These are positive signs for shareholders because improving profitability and share buybacks turbocharge EPS growth relative to revenue growth. Like with revenue, we analyze EPS over a shorter period to see if we are missing a change in the business. For Flex, its two-year annual EPS growth of 9.4% was lower than its five-year trend. We hope its growth can accelerate in the future. In Q2, Flex reported EPS at $0.72, up from $0.51 in the same quarter last year. This print easily cleared analysts' estimates, and shareholders should be content with the results. We also like to analyze expected EPS growth based on Wall Street analysts' consensus projections, but there is insufficient data. Key Takeaways from Flex's Q2 Results We enjoyed seeing Flex beat analysts' revenue and EPS expectations this quarter. We were also glad it raised its full-year revenue and EPS guidance. Zooming out, we think this was a good print with some key areas of upside. Investors were likely hoping for more, and shares traded down 4.7% to $51.29 immediately following the results. Big picture, is Flex a buy here and now? If you're making that decision, you should consider the bigger picture of valuation, business qualities, as well as the latest earnings. We cover that in our actionable full research report which you can read here, it's free.
Boston Globe
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
In Boston, soul line dancing goes beyond ‘boots on the ground'
The scene was from one of three free weekly classes that Boston Rhythm Riders offers for community members to learn line dances. Popular choices include Cupid's 'Flex,' Frankie Beverly and Maze's 'Before I Let Go,' and the recent viral hit, 803Fresh's 'Boots on the Ground' — all songs that have helped line dancing garner its recent social media visibility. Advertisement However, the organization wasn't chasing a viral moment when it started. In 2007, Angie Dickerson, Boston Rhythm Riders's creative director and operations manager, launched the group as a way to uplift herself after a major life change. At the time, Dickerson had moved from Houston back to Boston to take care of her mother, who'd been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up As a UMass Boston theater arts alum and Roxbury native, Dickerson said her involvement in the arts saved her life growing up. Jamal Fortest dances with his mom, Tina, who hosted a line dance class at Refectory Hill in Franklin Park. Heather Diehl/For The Boston Globe 'I needed and was missing singing, dancing, [and] theater,' she said. 'So, line dancing actually saved me. While I was saving other people at the same time, I didn't realize the impact.' With the help of her friends, Dickerson began teaching line dancing classes wherever she could, from after-school programs to community centers and nightclubs. Advertisement Although she credits the South for her passion for the dance form, Dickerson noted that there has always been a history of line dancing in Boston. Yet, when she first returned to Massachusetts — and sometimes even now — she said people associate line dancing strictly with country line dancing. It's such a common occurrence that she often has to emphasize the distinction between country and soul/urban line dancing, which primarily incorporates R&B, soul, Afro-fusion, and hip-hop music. While primarily reserved for family gatherings, such as weddings, reunions, or cookouts, soul line dancing has been a part of Black culture for decades. Before finding the Boston Rhythm Riders, numerous students in the Tuesday class recalled participating in more famous soul line dances with their families, like the 'Wobble,' 'Cupid Shuffle,' and 'The Electric Slide.' Cousins DeLisa Burns Boyd and Kim Burns hug during a break at the line dance class at Refectory Hill in Franklin Park on July 16. Heather Diehl/For The Boston Globe But without more visibility, Dickerson initially had issues booking spaces in gyms for line dancing classes. 'They basically were like, 'Well, Zumba is popular right now. We don't know anything about line dancing. Why don't you go get your Zumba certification and come back?'' Dickerson said. 'And I was like, 'No, I want to do line dancing. This thing is going to be big, I'm telling you.'' Now, as mainstream media takes notice of soul line dancing, it seems that Dickerson was right. On TikTok, the hashtag #linedance has amassed over 400,000 posts, and the line dance song 'Boots on the Ground' hit No. 1 on the Adult R&B Airplay chart in June. Locally, interest in Boston Rhythm Riders's classes has grown — attendance at their Wednesday class in particular has increased threefold, Dickerson said. Advertisement Despite previous practice space struggles, the dance group found a rhythm that worked for them. Along with their Tuesday class at Bowdoin Street Health Center's community room, the Rhythm Riders offer a Wednesday class in Franklin Park (as part of the Boston Park Commission's fitness series) and a Thursday class in the Hyde Park Community Center. Boston Rhythm Riders have also been bringing soul line dancing to the festival and summer event circuit, performing at events like the annual Two months ago, Lori Brown, 69, had been looking for a fitness class to join when she took her first class at Bowdoin Street Health Center. She said she's been back every week since, even going as far as looking up other line dances on YouTube to practice. DebRa Horne-Bramble participates in a line dance class held at Refectory Hill in Franklin Park on July 16. Heather Diehl/For The Boston Globe 'She got me hooked,' Brown said, referencing Dickerson's impact. With each event, their community of line dance enthusiasts grows stronger, but not just for the love of the music. As Dickerson developed Boston Rhythm Riders and shared her story about her mother's cancer diagnosis, other women began to share their own experiences with cancer with her. Floyd, who joined the organization two years ago, said she especially liked the way Boston Rhythm Riders turned line dancing into community work. When Floyd needed to take a hiatus from her job and dancing while undergoing breast cancer treatment, Dickerson was there waiting when she was ready to come back, offering her support and a more active role in the group. Advertisement For Dickerson, Boston Rhythm Riders wasn't just a place to learn a line dance, but a community space for those with shared experiences to participate in an accessible, nontraditional way to stay social and active. Dickerson said Boston Rhythm Riders tries to tie wellness into everything they do — such as their upcoming 18th annual line dance wellness anniversary in September 18-21 and flash mob fundraiser at the American Cancer Society in October— because it allows people to have resources brought to them, rather than having to search for them. Some of the Rhythm Riders' past partnerships include ZaZ Restaurant, a Caribbean fusion business in Hyde Park, and Body by Brandy, a fitness and wellness organization in Roxbury. 'We're always looking for ways to enhance the resources and take it to the next level,' Dickerson said. 'We are here for the community, and it's more than just line dancing — it's bigger.'
Mint
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Mint
2025 Renault Triber launched in India with fresh design and 21 standard safety features: Price, variants and more
Renault India has launched the latest iteration of its Triber, a compact MPV known for its versatile seating configuration. The updated model is positioned as part of the company's broader brand transformation strategy under the 'Renault Rethink' initiative and comes with a host of design upgrades, new features, and safety enhancements. Visual updates Visually, the new Triber sports a redesigned front fascia, including a fresh grille, a sculpted bonnet, and updated front and rear bumpers. It also features new LED projector headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights, LED fog lamps, and revamped LED tail lamps. These design changes extend to a new set of dual-tone 'landscape' 15-inch Flex wheels and additional exterior colour options, bringing the total to six monotone and three dual-tone paint schemes. Interior and features Inside, the cabin has been refreshed with a dual-tone dashboard and an 8-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system that supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. New upholstery options, an LED instrument cluster, LED interior lighting, and blacked-out interior door handles aim to provide a more modern in-cabin experience. Independent air conditioning vents for the second and third rows continue to be offered. Renault has retained the Triber's key selling point, its modularity. The MPV supports over 100 seating configurations, including Easy-Fix third-row seats that enable the car to function as a 5-, 6-, or 7-seater. With the third row removed, the Triber offers up to 625 litres of boot space. Other practical features include a 23-litre interior storage area, a ground clearance of 182mm, and roof rails with a load capacity of up to 50kg. The new Triber is now available in four variants: Authentic, Evolution, Techno, and Emotion. All variants are powered by a 1.0-litre petrol engine that delivers 72 PS at 6250 rpm and 96 Nm of torque at 3500 rpm. A five-speed manual transmission is offered across the range, while the top-end Emotion variant also comes with a five-speed Easy-R automated manual transmission (AMT). Also Read | Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and Renault Triber score poor ratings in GNCAP crash tests In terms of safety, the vehicle now includes 21 standard features such as six airbags, electronic stability programme (ESP), tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) with brake assist. A front parking sensor has also been introduced—claimed to be the first in this segment. All seats come with 3-point seat belts, and ISOFIX child seat anchors are standard. Additional comfort features include automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, and welcome-goodbye sequences with auto-folding outside rear-view mirrors. A 'belonging take away' reminder has also been added as a small yet useful convenience feature. Pricing in India The starting price for the updated Triber is ₹6,29,995 (ex-showroom), with the top-end AMT variant priced at ₹9,16,995. Renault has also announced that the vehicle is available with government-approved CNG retrofitment kits and will be covered by a 3-year standard warranty, which can be extended to 7 years under the Renault Secure programme.
