Upstart Stock Jumps on Upgrade to 'Buy'

Group 1 - Upstart Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:UPST) stock is experiencing a surge of 9.2%, reaching $84.20, following an upgrade from Needham to "buy" from "hold" [1] - Needham cited a better funding balance and set a price target of $100, a level not seen since 2022 [1] - The stock is nearing its two-year high of $86.07, supported by the ascending 20-day moving average, and has a year-to-date gain of 102.4% [1] Group 2 - Options traders are actively engaging with Upstart stock, with 42,000 calls and 21,000 puts exchanged, which is triple the typical options volume [2] - The most popular options contract is the weekly 12/13 85-strike call, with new positions being opened [2] - Despite a reduction in short interest, it still represents 27% of the stock's available float, indicating potential buying power for further upward momentum [2]