About Affirm Affirm's mission is to deliver honest financial products that improve lives. By building a new kind of payment network—one based on trust, transparency, and putting people first—we empower millions of consumers to spend and save responsibly, and give thousands of businesses the tools to fuel growth. Unlike most credit cards and other pay-over-time options, we never charge any late or hidden fees. Follow Affirm on social media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | X. SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)- ...

Core Insights - Affirm has partnered with Esusu to allow renters to pay their rent in two installments, providing a flexible payment option for managing monthly expenses [1][2] - The program will feature 0% interest and no late fees, currently in a pilot phase without a confirmed launch date [2] - Esusu's platform utilizes rental data to build credit and enhance financial stability, covering 5 million units and reaching 12 million people, processing $100 billion in annual gross lease volume [3] Company Developments - Esusu recently raised $50 million in a Series C funding round, which will be used to scale its payment method, Esusu Pay [4] - BLDG Partners, a real estate operator collaborating with Esusu, noted that the offering provides flexibility to residents, reducing financial strain [5] - Esusu has also partnered with Zillow to launch CreditClimb, a tool that allows renters to build credit through rent payments [5] Market Trends - Affirm reported a 30% increase in its merchant count, reaching 419,000, indicating strong demand for 0% installment payment options among various vendors [6]

Core Viewpoint - U.S. fintech stocks are expected to gain an advantage as the government adopts a more populist, affordability-driven agenda ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections, potentially benefiting fintech challengers over traditional lenders [1]. Group 1: Fintech Companies Positioned for Growth - Companies associated with consumer-friendly credit and small-business services, such as buy-now, pay-later providers Affirm and Klarna, as well as fintech firms SoFi and Block, are well-positioned to benefit from the current market dynamics [2]. - Other potential winners identified include restaurant technology platform Toast and e-commerce firm Shopify, which may also capitalize on the affordability trend [2]. Group 2: Market Reactions and Performance - Traditional lenders experienced a rally following Trump's return to the White House in 2025, driven by expectations of a lighter regulatory environment; however, the focus on affordability may shift investor attention towards fintech challengers [3]. - In 2025, SoFi's stock increased by approximately 70%, while Affirm's rose by over 22%. In contrast, Block's stock fell by more than 23%, underperforming both its fintech peers and the broader market, which saw the Nasdaq Composite rise by about 20.4% during the same period [3]. Group 3: Political Influence on the Financial Sector - The rise of populism, linked to the affordability focus as midterms approach, suggests that companies offering lower-cost, user-friendly lending tools or services aimed at small businesses could see significant gains [4]. - Recent actions by the U.S. president, including a call for a one-year cap on credit card interest rates at 10%, indicate a pushback from the banking industry and reinforce the affordability agenda that could favor smaller fintechs [4][5]. - An executive order signed by the president aims to restrict large institutional investors from competing with individual homebuyers, further supporting the affordability-focused agenda that may benefit smaller fintech companies [5].

Affirm Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:AFRM) stock has been ripping higher, returning investors about 30% over the past year. Analysts have price targets suggesting at least 30-40% upside, and retail optimism is building — but Kerrisdale Capital says the entire rally is built on a familiar and dangerous illusion.Track AFRM stock here.In a sharply worded short report, Kerrisdale branded Affirm a "Buy Now, Cry Later" story, arguing the BNPL leader is following the same subprime credit playbook that has burned lenders fo ...

Core Insights - Affirm is piloting a program to help renters split their monthly rent into two equal payments every two weeks at 0% APR, in partnership with Esusu [1][3] - The program aims to provide a flexible option for managing housing expenses, aligning payments with biweekly paychecks [3] - Affirm underwrites each application individually, ensuring that only those who can responsibly afford repayments are approved [5] Group 1: Program Details - The pilot program allows renters to make payments without hidden fees, late fees, or compounding interest [1] - Esusu assists renters in building credit by reporting on-time rent payments to major credit bureaus [2] - The official rollout date of the pilot program has not been confirmed as it is still in early stages [8] Group 2: Industry Perspectives - Analysts suggest that this program could be beneficial for those on tight budgets, but caution that it is too early for a definitive assessment [8] - Concerns have been raised about the potential risks associated with "buy now, pay later" (BNPL) services, particularly if consumers manage multiple loans simultaneously [11] - The payment method is linked to a debit card or checking account, emphasizing the importance of having sufficient funds to cover payments [12]

Core Viewpoint - The shift towards buy-now, pay-later (BNPL) options among younger consumers presents a significant opportunity for companies like Affirm, which is well-positioned to benefit from this trend [1][4]. Industry Overview - BNPL has gained immense popularity, transforming short-term credit into a convenient checkout option on e-commerce platforms and digital wallets [2]. - Approximately 90 million Americans utilized BNPL services last year, with an average monthly spend per user reaching $244 [3]. Company Positioning - Affirm, a leading BNPL operator, allows consumers to spread payments over time through short-term installment loans, primarily earning fees from merchants rather than charging interest [5][6]. - The average order value for Affirm's short-term products is $100, with funding available for purchases ranging from $35 to $1,000 [6]. Financial Performance - Affirm's gross merchandise volume (GMV) surged from $20.2 billion to $36.7 billion, marking a 38% increase last year [10]. - The company has reduced its operating loss from $1.2 billion in 2023 to $87 million last year, achieving its first profitable quarter on a GAAP basis with an operating income of $63.7 million [15]. Strategic Partnerships - Affirm has established partnerships with major e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Shopify, leading to a 70% increase in total partner volume over the last year [11]. Future Projections - The company projects a GMV of $47.5 billion for its 2026 fiscal year, with anticipated operating margins of 7.5% [16].

Group 1 - Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ) is recognized as one of the best fundamental stocks to buy according to analysts, with Keefe Bruyette reducing its price target from $90 to $85 while maintaining an "Outperform" rating [1] - Citi analyst Bryan Keane reiterated "Buy" ratings on Block, Inc. and is optimistic about the buy now pay later (BNPL) sector, predicting it will become a more embedded payment tool in both online and offline commerce by 2026 [2] - Block, Inc. has expanded its partnership with Thrive, allowing sellers to manage catalogs, sales, and stock seamlessly between in-store and e-commerce platforms, including Shopify [3]

Core Viewpoint - Affirm Holdings Inc's stock is experiencing volatility in response to President Trump's proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 10%, which has implications for the consumer credit market [2][3]. Group 1: Market Reaction and Implications - The proposed cap on credit card rates could disrupt traditional credit issuers, potentially benefiting Affirm by positioning it as a consumer-friendly alternative to revolving credit [3]. - Following the initial rise in stock price due to the proposal, Affirm's shares have declined as the market assesses the long-term effects of the policy change [2][3]. Group 2: Technical Indicators - Affirm's stock is trading 0.2% above its 20-day simple moving average (SMA) and 0.3% above its 100-day SMA, indicating a stable short-term trend [4]. - Over the past year, shares have increased by 38.89%, reflecting strength in the longer-term trend [4]. Group 3: Analyst Predictions and Valuation - Analysts predict a significant earnings surge, with the next earnings report scheduled for February 5 [6]. - The stock carries a Buy Rating with a consensus price target of $84.56, supported by an expected earnings growth of 165% [7]. - Affirm's valuation shows a P/E ratio of 110.7x, indicating a premium valuation despite strong growth expectations [9]. Group 4: Benzinga Edge Rankings - Affirm is classified as a "High-Flyer" with strong momentum (score: 80) and exceptional growth potential (score: 98), but a low value score (17) suggests it is priced for perfection [8]. Group 5: Key Price Levels and Estimates - Key resistance for the stock is at $79, while key support is at $65.50 [9]. - EPS estimate is 61 cents, up from 23 cents year-over-year, and revenue estimate is $1.06 billion, up from $866.38 million year-over-year [9]. Group 6: ETF Exposure - Affirm has significant weight in various ETFs, meaning substantial inflows or outflows could lead to automatic buying or selling of the stock [11].

Core Insights - Affirm Holdings, Inc. has become a leading name in the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) sector in the United States, establishing significant credibility despite skepticism surrounding the business model [1] Company Overview - Affirm is recognized for its role in the BNPL market, which allows consumers to make purchases and pay for them over time, a model that has gained traction in recent years [1] Market Sentiment - There remains a level of skepticism regarding the sustainability and viability of BNPL business models, yet Affirm has managed to build a reputation that may mitigate some of these concerns [1]

Group 1: Market Performance - Walmart shares increased by 3%, contributing to gains in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, where it recently moved its stock listing from the NYSE [1] - Consumer staples rose by 1.4%, leading sector gainers, while the technology sector also saw an increase [1] - The S&P 500 and Dow reached record closing highs, driven by gains in technology companies and Walmart [9] Group 2: Walmart's Index Inclusion - Walmart is set to join the Nasdaq-100 index on January 20, which could attract billions of dollars from passive index funds [1] - The shift to the Nasdaq is expected to enhance Walmart's visibility and investment appeal [1] Group 3: Financial Sector Performance - Financial stocks declined by 0.8%, leading sector decliners in the S&P 500, with Citigroup down 3% and American Express down 4.3% [10] - Trump proposed a one-year cap on credit card interest rates at 10%, impacting lender and credit card firm shares [10] Group 4: Earnings Outlook - Analysts anticipate a 26.5% year-over-year earnings growth for the technology sector in the upcoming fourth-quarter earnings season [10] - Overall S&P 500 companies' earnings are expected to rise by 8.8% compared to the previous year [10] Group 5: Market Activity - U.S. exchange volume reached 17.29 billion shares, above the 20-day average of 16.40 billion [8] - Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a ratio of 1.68-to-1 on the NYSE, with 725 new highs and 48 new lows [8]