Core Insights - Nu Holdings (NU) and Dave (DAVE) are both active in the fintech and digital banking sectors, focusing on the underbanked population, with NU primarily in Latin America and DAVE in the U.S. [1] Group 1: Nu Holdings (NU) - NU has demonstrated strong revenue growth, achieving a 14% sequential increase in Q3 2025, driven by its transformation into an AI-native super app [2][10] - The company reported a 19% increase in net income during the same quarter, leading to a 200 basis points improvement in margins, while maintaining a low cost to serve per active customer below $1 [3][10] - NU added 4.3 million customers in Q3 2025, bringing the total to 127 million, with a monthly average revenue per active customer (ARPAC) of $13.4 and a monthly activity rate of 83% [4][10] - The company has successfully expanded its market presence in Mexico, serving 14% of the population and achieving an ARPAC of $12.5 while keeping costs low [5] Group 2: Dave (DAVE) - DAVE's new pricing model and growth in ExtraCash originations contributed to a 15% revenue increase from the previous quarter and a 63% year-over-year growth in Q3 2025 [6][10] - The company achieved a significant 193% year-over-year increase in adjusted net income, despite rising operating expenses, indicating improved operational efficiency [7][10] - DAVE's average 28-day delinquency rate decreased to 2.33% in Q3 2025, showcasing effective credit risk management [8] - The new fee model, which includes a flat 5% fee on ExtraCash transactions, is designed to be more accessible for the underbanked demographic [9] Group 3: Financial Estimates and Valuation - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NU's 2026 sales is $20.2 billion, reflecting a 29.5% year-over-year growth, with earnings expected to rise by 42.5% to 85 cents per share [12] - For DAVE, the 2026 sales estimate is $656.4 million, indicating a 20.2% year-over-year growth, with earnings projected to increase by 8% to $14 per share [13] - NU is trading at a forward P/E ratio of 19.53X, while DAVE is at 12.99X, indicating that DAVE is significantly cheaper compared to its historical valuations [14] Group 4: Investment Recommendations - NU is recommended for portfolio inclusion due to its scale, customer base, and efficient AI-driven cost structure, positioning it as a strong player in the fintech sector [16] - DAVE is advised to be retained for now, as it shows growth potential but faces competitive pressures that may impact its profitability [17] - NU's growth trajectory and market presence provide a more attractive risk-reward profile compared to DAVE [18]

Core Insights - Nu has established a multi-year partnership with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, becoming the Official Team Partner ahead of the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship Season [1] - The partnership aims to enhance Nu's global brand awareness and cultural relevance, targeting a digital-first audience of over 827 million fans, particularly in Latin America, the United States, Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia [2][3] Company Overview - Nu is one of the largest digital financial services platforms globally, serving over 127 million customers and challenging traditional banking through a digital-first model and AI-driven technology [3][8] - The company focuses on providing innovative financial products and services while promoting financial access and transparency [8][9] Partnership Objectives - The partnership will include dynamic branding and activations both on and off the track, aimed at creating memorable experiences for fans and showcasing team drivers [5] - Both Nu and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team share a commitment to innovation and performance, with plans to leverage technology to enhance fan engagement [6][11] Team Background - The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team is one of the most successful teams in Formula 1 history, with eight Constructors' Championships and nine Drivers' Championships [4][12] - The team emphasizes a commitment to sustainability and positive impact, aligning with modern values in sports [13]

Core Insights - Nu Holdings Ltd. (NU) has established a significant presence in Brazil, serving 60% of the adult population, and is now applying its successful model to expand in Mexico, where it has reached approximately 14% of the population as of Q3 2025, surpassing Brazil's 10% at a similar stage in 2019 [1][8] Financial Performance - The company reported record revenues of $4.2 billion in Q3 2025, reflecting a 39% year-over-year increase on a foreign exchange-neutral basis, while maintaining a cost to serve in Mexico under $1, indicating strong operational efficiency [3][8] - The average revenue per active customer (ARPAC) in Mexico reached $12.5 in Q3 2025, which is close to Brazil's levels, supported by a higher income per capita in Mexico, which is 40% greater than that of Brazil [2][8] Market Position and Valuation - NU's stock has increased by 28.8% over the past six months, outperforming the industry average growth of 27.2%, while its peers, BNP Paribas and Bank of Montreal, saw gains of 14.6% and 21% respectively [5] - From a valuation perspective, NU trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 19.14X, which is significantly higher than the industry average of 11.38X and also above BNP Paribas and Bank of Montreal's ratios of 7.47X and 13.63X respectively [9] Growth Strategy - The company's robust ARPAC and operational efficiency underscore its potential for sustained growth in Mexico, with a focus on long-term investment and scaling rather than short-term profits [4]

Summary of the Americas Thematic Focus List Conference Call Industry and Company Overview - **Industry**: The thematic focus is on various sectors across North America and Latin America, particularly in technology, energy, healthcare, and education. - **Companies Featured**: The focus list includes notable companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Eli Lilly, and Walmart, among others. Key Themes for 2026 1. **Tech Diffusion**: Emphasizes the rapid adoption of AI technologies across various sectors, with significant implications for productivity and competitive dynamics [12][14]. 2. **The Future of Energy**: Focuses on the increasing demand for energy driven by AI infrastructure and the transition to renewable energy sources [12][17]. 3. **The Multipolar World**: Highlights the shift towards localized supply chains and national economic security, impacting multinational corporations [12][13]. 4. **Societal Shifts**: Explores the implications of demographic changes, AI-driven employment disruption, and evolving consumer preferences [12][18]. Americas Thematic Focus List - **List Composition**: The focus list includes 18 high-conviction stock ideas, with a target holding period of 12-18 months [9][20]. - **Key Companies on the List**: - **Amazon (AMZN)**: Positioned as a leader in AI infrastructure, with a projected 32% upside to a price target of $238.18 [23]. - **Microsoft (MSFT)**: Expected to capture significant AI spending, with a 42% upside to a price target of $456.66 [23]. - **Eli Lilly (LLY)**: A leader in the GLP-1 market, with a 25% upside to a price target of $1,032.97 [23]. - **Walmart (WMT)**: Leveraging AI for operational efficiency, with a 13% upside to a price target of $119.20 [23]. Methodology and Specifications - **Focus List Size**: 15-20 stocks, with equal weighting upon construction [21]. - **Sector Weights**: No fixed sector weights, aiming for diversification [21][22]. - **Regional Weights**: Targeting 80-85% in the USA and 15-20% in Latin America [28]. Important Insights and Data - **Amazon's Growth**: Amazon's custom silicon strategy has grown 150% sequentially, indicating strong demand for its AI capabilities [29]. - **Eli Lilly's Market Potential**: The global diabesity market is projected to exceed $150 billion by the early 2030s, with significant growth opportunities for Eli Lilly [39]. - **NVIDIA's Dominance**: NVIDIA is positioned to capture a significant share of the projected $3-4 trillion in annual AI infrastructure spending by the end of the decade [53]. - **Walmart's AI Strategy**: Walmart's AI initiatives have led to a 50% automation rate in its supply chain, significantly reducing delivery costs [68]. Conclusion The Americas Thematic Focus List presents a strategic overview of high-conviction investment opportunities across key sectors, driven by transformative themes such as technology diffusion and energy transition. The insights provided highlight the potential for significant growth and the evolving landscape of investment in the Americas.

Core Viewpoint - Nu Holdings has experienced significant growth, with its shares rising 350% over the past three years, and is positioned to continue its success in the Latin American financial services market due to a high concentration of unbanked and underbanked citizens [2][3]. Company Performance - Revenue increased by 31% year over year to $11.1 billion through the first nine months of 2025, with a customer base of 127 million, including 60% of the Brazilian adult population and 17 million customers in Mexico and Colombia [3]. - The company reported a net income of $2 billion in the first nine months of 2025, with a monthly average cost to serve a customer of $0.90 and a monthly average revenue per active customer of $13.40 [4]. Strategic Focus - Nu Holdings aims to become AI-first, integrating foundation models into its operations to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency [5]. Market Position and Competition - The company faces competition from established financial institutions like MercadoLibre and Itau Unibanco, which may impact its market share as the Latin American financial landscape evolves [7]. - Nu operates in a developing market, facing unique challenges such as political instability, currency fluctuations, and potential regulatory changes [9]. Investment Considerations - Investors may consider purchasing Nu shares before the Q4 2025 financial results are released on February 25, as this could provide insights into customer growth, revenue, and net income [10]. - The current valuation of Nu, with a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 20.7, presents a compelling investment opportunity [11].

Core Insights - Investing in financial stocks may seem risky due to declining interest rates affecting traditional banks' profits, but fintech companies like SoFi and Nu could present long-term investment opportunities as they attract customers from older banks [1][2] Group 1: SoFi - SoFi, founded in 2011, has evolved from offering only student loans to a comprehensive online platform providing various financial services, including auto loans, mortgages, personal loans, credit cards, insurance, and trading tools [4] - The company has experienced rapid growth, increasing its membership from 2.5 million in 2021 to 12.6 million by Q3 2025, with products in use rising from 1.9 million to 18.6 million [5] - Analysts project SoFi's revenue and adjusted EBITDA to grow at a CAGR of 23% and 38% respectively from 2025 to 2027, with an enterprise value of $31.5 billion, indicating it is reasonably valued at 19 times this year's adjusted EBITDA [7] Group 2: Nu Holdings - Nu, founded in 2013, operates NuBank, the leading direct bank in Latin America, and has successfully attracted younger customers while addressing the needs of a largely unbanked adult population in the region [10] - Similar to SoFi, Nu has outpaced traditional banks in growth by leveraging its digital-native platform to appeal to younger demographics [9]

Core Insights - Nu Holdings Ltd. (NU) is leveraging AI to enhance risk mitigation and achieve efficient scalability, with CEO David Velez-Osomo highlighting an AI-first approach as key to low-cost product scalability and unlocking new revenue streams [1][9] Financial Performance - The company has experienced a sequential revenue growth of 14% in the third quarter of 2025, alongside a 19% increase in net income and a 200 basis points expansion in margins [2][3][9] - Monthly average revenue per active customer has reached $13.4, with a monthly activity rate of 83% [4] Customer Growth - Nu Holdings added 4.3 million customers in the third quarter of 2025, bringing the total customer count to 127 million, demonstrating the effectiveness of the AI-first strategy [4][9] AI Implementation - The company is utilizing AI for risk mitigation through the development of nuFormer, which enhances understanding of customer needs and allows for personalized recommendations without increasing risk [5][9] - The AI-first strategy is positioned as a digital banking moat, enabling the company to set benchmarks for data-driven financial offerings in the fintech market [6] Market Position and Valuation - NU's stock has increased by 20.2% over the past six months, compared to the industry's growth of 26.8% [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 19.27X, which is above the industry average of 11.16X and higher than peers Credicorp and Itau Unibanco [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EPS for 2025 is set at 60 cents, with a recent upward revision of 3.4% [14]

Core Thesis - Nu Holdings Ltd. is positioned for significant growth in the U.S. market through its recent filing for a national bank charter, which will enable it to expand operations and better serve underserved communities [2][5]. Expansion Strategy - The filing for a U.S. national bank charter is a critical step for Nu, allowing it to operate across all 50 states and target low-income and Latin American communities [2][4]. - Nu's expansion strategy includes offering no-fee accounts, competitive credit cards, high deposit interest, loans, investment products, crypto services, and low-cost remittances, appealing to an estimated 60 million potential customers [4][5]. Competitive Advantage - Nu leverages cloud-based infrastructure, AI, and automation to maintain a structural cost advantage over traditional U.S. banks, enabling scalable and low-cost operations [5]. - The company has a strong balance sheet and regulatory experience across three countries, which enhances its likelihood of receiving approval for the bank charter [3][5]. Market Opportunity - The U.S. market represents a multibillion-dollar opportunity for Nu, with the potential to replicate its successful growth trajectory in Latin America [5]. - Although meaningful profits are projected to be years away, the filing indicates Nu's long-term ambition to establish itself as a dominant low-cost digital bank [5]. Performance Metrics - Nu Holdings Ltd.'s stock was trading at $17.04 as of January 12th, with trailing and forward P/E ratios of 33.03 and 21.23 respectively [1]. - The stock has appreciated approximately 29.77% since a previous bullish thesis was published, reflecting continued execution and growth in the region [6].

Core Insights - Investing in the intersection of financial services and technology offers significant opportunities, with one fintech stock, Nu Holdings, experiencing a 62% increase in 2025 and a 364% rise over the past three years as of January 12 [1] Company Performance - Nu Holdings has shown remarkable financial performance, with a 42% year-over-year revenue increase in Q3 2025, and analysts project a 31% revenue growth for 2026, indicating a strong growth trajectory [3][4] - The company has expanded its customer base significantly, reaching 127 million customers by the end of Q3 2025, up from 70 million three years prior, with a strong presence in Brazil where 60% of the adult population are customers [4] Market Potential - Latin America presents long-term growth potential due to a high number of unbanked and underbanked individuals, coupled with increasing smartphone and internet penetration, which positions Nu for continued success [5] Valuation and Investment Opportunity - Nu Holdings is currently trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 21.8, which is attractive compared to the S&P 500's 22.4 multiple, suggesting that investors are not overpaying for the stock [6] - The company's scalable digital banking model, which avoids significant operating costs associated with physical branches, has led to substantial growth in both revenue and customer numbers, making it an appealing investment opportunity [7]

Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on following a stock's recent price trends, aiming to buy high and sell higher, with the expectation that established trends will continue [1] Company Overview: Nu Holdings Ltd. (NU) - Nu Holdings Ltd. currently holds a Momentum Style Score of A, indicating strong momentum characteristics [3] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting a favorable outlook based on historical performance metrics [4] Price Performance - Over the past week, NU shares increased by 2.59%, while the Zacks Banks - Foreign industry saw a slight decline of 0.15% [6] - In a longer timeframe, NU's monthly price change is 2.22%, compared to the industry's performance of 3.25% [6] - Over the last quarter, NU shares rose by 8.66%, and over the past year, they increased by 51.79%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500, which rose by 4.96% and 20.67% respectively [7] Trading Volume - NU's average 20-day trading volume is 31,139,958 shares, which serves as a bullish indicator when combined with rising stock prices [8] Earnings Outlook - In the past two months, three earnings estimates for NU have been revised upwards, with no downward revisions, leading to an increase in the consensus estimate from $0.58 to $0.60 [10] - For the next fiscal year, three estimates have also moved upwards without any downward revisions [10] Conclusion - Given the strong momentum indicators and positive earnings outlook, NU is positioned as a promising investment opportunity with a Momentum Score of A and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [12]