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Upstart Holdings, Inc. (UPST)
:UPST
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Upstart Holdings (UPST) AI Stock Analysis

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UPST

Upstart Holdings

(NASDAQ:UPST)

Rating:49Neutral
Price Target:
$69.00
▼(-0.22% Downside)
Upstart Holdings' overall score is driven by strong earnings call results, indicating a return to growth and profitability. However, financial performance and valuation metrics are weak, reflecting ongoing challenges with profitability, cash flow, and high leverage.
Positive Factors
Financial Performance
UPST posted strong 2Q results, as estimates came in well above Street expectations on the top and bottom line.
Profitability
UPST is returning to profitability and this is expected to continue prospectively, which is likely to increase its value for investors.
User Growth
Website traffic to upstart.com, monthly active users of the UPST app, and Trustpilot reviews for UPST all showed strong y/y increases, up 22%/144%/180% respectively.
Negative Factors
Guidance Concerns
Shares are trading lower due to high expectations not being fully met.
Revenue Risks
A key risk in 2Q (and the outlook) is that loan originations are strong but take rates compress which drives revenue below expectations.
Take Rate Pressure
Take rate continued to decline, which was a concern despite being slightly better than forecast.

Upstart Holdings (UPST) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Upstart Holdings Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionUpstart Holdings, Inc. is a financial technology company that leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide personal loans and credit services. The company operates primarily in the financial services sector, offering a platform that connects consumers with partner banks and credit unions to obtain affordable credit. Upstart aims to improve access to credit and reduce the risk of lending through its innovative underwriting model that goes beyond traditional credit scores.
How the Company Makes MoneyUpstart Holdings makes money by charging fees to its banking and credit union partners for originating loans through its platform. The company earns revenue from referral fees each time a loan is originated and from platform fees for loans originated by its bank partners. Additionally, Upstart generates revenue through servicing fees, which are collected for managing loans on behalf of their partners. The company's AI-driven model allows it to assess risk more accurately, potentially leading to lower default rates and better terms for borrowers, which enhances its attractiveness to lenders and helps drive its revenue streams. Upstart's significant partnerships with various financial institutions enable it to scale its operations and reach a broader consumer base.

Upstart Holdings Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Transaction Volume
Transaction Volume
Indicates the total number of transactions processed, reflecting the company's market activity and potential revenue growth.
Chart InsightsUpstart Holdings has seen a robust recovery in transaction volume, rebounding from a dip in 2022 to reach its highest levels in three years by mid-2025. This resurgence is underpinned by significant growth in the Auto and Home segments, driven by advancements in Model 22 and operational improvements. The latest earnings call highlights a 102% year-over-year revenue growth and a return to profitability, suggesting strong momentum and strategic execution. However, increased loan balances and a competitive market could pose challenges as Upstart continues to expand its product offerings.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

Upstart Holdings Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 05, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Nov 11, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call for Upstart's second quarter of 2025 presented a largely positive outlook. The company achieved significant revenue growth and returned to GAAP profitability earlier than anticipated. Strong performance in the Auto and Home segments and advancements in AI models contributed to this success. However, increased balance sheet usage and challenges with fair value adjustments were noted as areas for improvement.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Triple-Digit Revenue Growth
Upstart achieved a 102% year-on-year revenue growth, reaching $257 million in total revenue for Q2 2025.
Return to GAAP Profitability
Upstart reached GAAP profitability a quarter sooner than expected, with a GAAP net income of $6 million for Q2 2025.
Record Loan Originations
Loan originations on the Upstart platform in Q2 were $2.8 billion, the highest volume in 3 years.
Strong Growth in Auto and Home Segments
The Auto business grew 87% sequentially, and the Home business grew 67% sequentially.
Model 22 Enhancements
Model 22 increased separation accuracy advantage by 17 percentage points, improving conversion rates from 19% in Q1 to 24% in Q2.
Improved Contribution Margins
Contribution margin improved to 58% in Q2, up 3 percentage points from the prior quarter.
Negative Updates
Increased Balance Sheet Usage
Loans held directly on the balance sheet increased to $1.02 billion, up from $815 million in Q1, largely due to new product scaling.
Fair Value Adjustment Impact
Fair value adjustments were more negative than in previous quarters, impacting net interest income guidance.
Company Guidance
In the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, Upstart demonstrated significant growth and exceeded expectations in multiple metrics, showcasing its return to growth mode. The company achieved a 102% year-on-year revenue growth, reaching $257 million, and attained GAAP profitability a quarter sooner than anticipated. Originations on the Upstart platform hit $2.8 billion, marking the highest volume in three years. The Auto business grew 87% sequentially, while the Home business saw a 67% sequential increase. Newer business segments, including small dollar loans, made up more than 10% of originations, with small dollar loans alone growing 40% sequentially. Conversion rates improved from 19% in Q1 to 24% in Q2, driven by model advancements such as Model 22. Upstart's contribution margin rose to 58%, and the company ended the quarter with a GAAP net income of $6 million. Looking forward, the company expects total revenues of approximately $280 million in Q3 2025, reflecting continued momentum and effective execution of its business strategy.

Upstart Holdings Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Upstart Holdings is showing positive revenue growth and improvements in cash flow management. However, profitability remains a challenge with negative margins and high financial leverage, posing potential risks.
Income Statement
55
Neutral
Upstart Holdings has shown a positive revenue growth of 14.7% TTM, indicating a recovery from previous periods. However, the company continues to face profitability challenges, with a negative EBIT margin of -14.9% TTM and net profit margin of -9.2% TTM, reflecting ongoing operational losses.
Balance Sheet
60
Neutral
The company's debt-to-equity ratio is relatively high at 2.04, indicating leveraged financial structure which could be risky in a volatile market. However, the equity ratio of 29.5% reflects a stable asset base. Return on equity is negative due to net losses, posing a challenge to value generation for shareholders.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
Upstart Holdings demonstrates a substantial improvement in cash flows, with a positive operating cash flow to net income ratio of 1.81 TTM. Free cash flow has also improved, suggesting efficient capital management despite negative free cash flow to net income ratio due to net losses.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue851.09M628.83M508.12M837.76M846.61M222.05M
Gross Profit838.23M628.83M508.12M837.76M846.61M222.05M
EBITDA-6.08M-111.87M-196.73M-89.51M152.93M22.07M
Net Income-6.35M-128.58M-240.13M-108.67M135.44M5.98M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets2.48B2.37B2.02B1.94B1.82B477.25M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments400.56M793.61M368.40M422.41M986.61M250.82M
Total Debt1.47B1.54B1.23B1.09B795.80M82.06M
Total Liabilities1.76B1.73B1.38B1.26B1.01B177.00M
Stockholders Equity722.01M633.22M635.30M672.43M807.08M300.25M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-71.26M185.49M-172.58M-697.59M153.24M10.09M
Operating Cash Flow-65.23M186.33M-160.49M-674.68M168.35M15.70M
Investing Cash Flow-312.48M-237.73M-118.45M-114.13M-143.88M136.52M
Financing Cash Flow471.31M559.87M214.27M130.03M855.43M79.05M

Upstart Holdings Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price69.15
Price Trends
50DMA
71.37
Negative
100DMA
59.28
Positive
200DMA
62.40
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-1.54
Negative
RSI
50.38
Neutral
STOCH
81.03
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For UPST, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 69.15 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 69.21, below the 50-day MA of 71.37, and above the 200-day MA of 62.40, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -1.54 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 50.38 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 81.03 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for UPST.

Upstart Holdings Risk Analysis

Upstart Holdings disclosed 83 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Upstart Holdings reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Upstart Holdings Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (68)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
76
Outperform
$519.30M3.0013.64%6.62%12.69%-35.36%
76
Outperform
$7.27B10.8820.47%6.78%9.41%13.98%
72
Outperform
$2.77B3.19135.32%10.99%-3.83%62.05%
69
Neutral
$947.89M11.7419.08%0.77%12.08%
69
Neutral
$1.90B25.835.50%7.54%70.26%
68
Neutral
$17.84B12.0310.32%3.73%9.70%0.76%
49
Neutral
$6.63B-0.96%60.62%96.91%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
UPST
Upstart Holdings
69.60
27.52
65.40%
WU
Western Union
8.55
-2.49
-22.55%
WRLD
World Acceptance
172.34
51.78
42.95%
LC
LendingClub
16.81
5.05
42.94%
OMF
OneMain Holdings
61.36
15.29
33.19%
YRD
Yiren Digital
5.89
1.53
35.09%

Upstart Holdings Corporate Events

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Upstart Holdings Issues $690M Convertible Notes
Neutral
Aug 14, 2025

On August 14, 2025, Upstart Holdings issued $690 million in 0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2032. The issuance aims to manage existing debt and fund general corporate purposes. The company also engaged in capped call transactions to mitigate potential stock dilution. The notes, which are senior unsecured obligations, offer conversion options under specific conditions and have implications for the company’s financial strategy and market positioning.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Upstart Holdings Stockholders Meeting Confirms Key Decisions
Positive
May 23, 2025

Upstart Holdings, Inc. held its annual meeting of stockholders on May 23, 2025, where key decisions were made regarding the company’s governance and operations. The stockholders elected Class II directors to serve until 2028, ratified the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, and approved the compensation of the company’s named executive officers. These decisions are pivotal for Upstart Holdings as they ensure continuity in leadership and oversight, while also affirming the company’s financial management strategies.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 23, 2025