Dave Skyrockets 540% in a Year: Should You Buy the Stock Now?

Core Insights - Dave Inc. (DAVE) stock has experienced remarkable growth, increasing by 540.5% over the past year, significantly outperforming the industry average of 51.6% and the S&P 500's growth of 12.3% [1] - In the last six months, DAVE shares rose by 152.6%, while the industry saw only a 3.1% increase, with competitors Katapult Holdings (KPLT) and MediaAlpha (MAX) gaining 38.5% and 3.2%, respectively [4] Financial Performance - DAVE's proprietary underwriting engine, CashAI, contributed to a 67% year-over-year increase in Q1 variable profit and a 950 basis point improvement in variable margin [6][9] - ExtraCash originations rose by 46% year-over-year to $1.5 billion, aided by CashAI's effective underwriting capabilities [10] - The 28-day delinquency rate improved by 33 basis points year-over-year, with provisions for credit losses decreasing from 0.94% to 0.69% [11] Profitability and Growth Estimates - DAVE's return on equity (ROE) stands at 59.2%, far exceeding the industry average of 6.6% [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 revenues is $474.4 billion, indicating a 36.7% increase from the previous year, with earnings per share (EPS) expected to grow by 66.8% to $8.74 [15][16] - Analysts have revised EPS estimates upward for both 2025 and 2026, reflecting increased confidence in DAVE's financial performance [16] Liquidity and Capital Returns - DAVE's current ratio in Q1 2025 was 8.59, significantly higher than the industry average of 1.84, indicating strong liquidity and the ability to meet short-term obligations [17] - The company's robust capital return and strong liquidity position are favorable indicators for investors [19] Competitive Position - DAVE's CashAI technology enhances credit quality and financial performance, positioning the company favorably against traditional fintech competitors [12][18] - The combination of strong financial metrics and innovative technology supports a recommendation to buy DAVE stocks for investors interested in the fintech sector [19][20]