NU Stock Surges 30% in the Past 6 Months: Buy, Hold, or Sell?

Core Insights - Nu Holdings Ltd. (NU) has experienced a 30% increase in stock price over the past six months, outperforming the broader industry which rose by 24% [1] - The article evaluates NU's recent performance and growth trajectory to assess whether the current dip in stock price represents a buying opportunity [1] Revenue Durability - Nu Holdings' primary strength lies in the durability of its revenues, effectively converting its large customer base into recurring income streams that are less sensitive to macroeconomic fluctuations [2] - In Q3 2025, Nu expanded its customer base to 127 million, adding over 4 million new users while maintaining an activity rate above 83% [2] Monetization and Revenue Growth - The focus has shifted from rapid user acquisition to deepening monetization across various financial services, including payments, credit, savings, and insurance [3] - Revenue grew by 39% year-over-year on a currency-neutral basis in Q3, reaching $4.2 billion [3] Engagement and Revenue Streams - Nu Holdings emphasizes high-engagement products, avoiding high-risk credit to enhance short-term earnings, and instead focusing on everyday transactions and low-cost deposits [4] - As customers adopt multiple products, the average revenue per active user continues to rise, enhancing long-term earnings visibility [4] Capital Efficiency - NU demonstrates strong capital efficiency with a return on equity (ROE) of 30%, significantly higher than the industry average of 11.4% [6][10] - The return on invested capital (ROIC) stands at 14.3%, well above the sector average of 3.4%, indicating effective capital deployment [10] Earnings and Revenue Projections - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NU's 2025 earnings is 59 cents, reflecting a 31% increase from the previous year, with expected earnings growth of 42% in 2026 [11] - Sales are projected to rise by 36% and 32% year-over-year in fiscal 2025 and 2026, respectively [11] Comparison with Peers - Comparisons with Block (XYZ) and SoFi Technologies (SOFI) highlight how Nu Holdings could evolve into a multi-product financial platform, enhancing user engagement and revenue durability [8][9] Long-Term Growth Potential - Nu Holdings is transitioning into a high-quality fintech platform, focusing on deepening monetization and maintaining strong customer engagement, which supports predictable revenue streams [14] - The disciplined approach to product expansion limits risk while enhancing operating leverage and capital efficiency, making NU an attractive option for long-term investors [14]