The Motley Foolยท2025-06-09 07:50The Trade Desk - The Trade Desk operates as a leading independent demand-side platform (DSP) for media buyers, differentiating itself from competitors like Google and Meta by not owning media content [3] - The company has been recognized as a DSP technology leader, particularly in connected TV advertising, and utilizes AI to enhance its digital media buying process [4] - The Trade Desk has strong partnerships in retail advertising with companies like Albertsons, Dollar General, and Walmart, which provide unique measurement opportunities [5] - The stock is currently 49% below its record high, with a target price of $135 per share indicating a potential 90% upside from its current price of $71 [5] - Earnings are expected to grow at 12% annually through 2026, with a current valuation of 31 times earnings, which may be reasonable given past performance [6] - The company has a strong competitive position in a growing industry, making it a potential buy for patient investors [7] Upstart - Upstart provides an AI-driven lending platform that improves credit risk assessment compared to traditional models, analyzing thousands of signals to identify fraud and estimate default risk [8] - The platform allows lenders to approve more borrowers at lower interest rates, enhancing profitability and benefiting from a network effect as AI models improve over time [9] - Upstart's adjusted earnings are projected to grow at 195% annually through 2026, with a current valuation of 165 times earnings, which appears reasonable [11] - The stock is currently 86% below its record high, with a target price of $85 per share suggesting a 57% upside from its current price of $54 [5] - Long-term investors may find value in Upstart's compelling proposition for banks and credit unions, despite sensitivity to interest rate changes [10][12]