A leading Federal Reserve official says that employment in the U.S. likely declined last year.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showing that job creation ...

SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ: SOFI) is one of the most popular stocks in the financial sector right now, and for good reason. The business has been growing rapidly for years, with no signs of slowing down, and long-term investors have been handsomely rewarded. Even after a substantial pullback in recent months, SoFi has delivered a 180% return for investors over the past three years. Thanks to a new ETF launched by Direxion, investors can now supercharge their exposure to SoFi. The Direxion Daily SoFi Bull 2 ...

Group 1 - Flywire Corporation (NASDAQ:FLYW) is identified as one of the 9 small-cap software infrastructure stocks with significant upside potential, with a price target increase from $16 to $17 by Truist analyst Matthew Coad, indicating an upside potential of almost 58% [1] - Stephens analyst Charles Nabhan upgraded Flywire from Equal Weight to Overweight, raising the price target from $17 to $19, which reflects an upside of more than 76% [2] - The company specializes in payments enablement and software, facilitating both cross-border and domestic transactions, and offers vertical-specific software for B2B payment needs across various segments [3] Group 2 - Analysts express a positive outlook for the FinTech sector in 2026, with Coad noting that some companies may need to adjust expectations below initial guidance [1] - Nabhan highlights a favorable higher education environment as a growth driver for Flywire, alongside the stock's low valuation and recent outperformance [2]

Block Inc. (NYSE:XYZ) is one of the best stocks under $50 to invest in. On February 5, Citi analyst Bryan Keane lowered the firm’s price target on Block to $85 from $105 while keeping a Buy rating. The firm reset the target ahead of the company’s Q4 2025 report, though Citi still expects Block to achieve its 19% gross profit growth estimate. On January 27, Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage of Block with an Overweight rating and an $87 price target and noted that the company’s turnaround is gaining mom ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the rapid advancements in AI technology and the potential for significant disruption in various industries, as highlighted by Matt Shumer's essay [1][2] - There is a growing divide in perceptions of AI, with some viewing it as a transformative force while others see it as merely assistive [3][4] AI Industry Insights - Shumer warns that the capabilities of AI could lead to massive disruption by the end of the year, suggesting that companies should adopt paid AI tools to stay competitive [2] - Despite the hype around AI, there is a contrasting sentiment among investors, who are largely selling AI stocks amid a broader downturn in tech [4] Canadian Tech and Defence - Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) is a $6.6 billion initiative aimed at enhancing domestic companies' roles in rebuilding the armed forces and improving sovereign defence capabilities [6] - The DIS is expected to benefit Canadian tech companies, which are positioning themselves to capture a share of the federal funding allocated to the defence sector [6] Startup Ecosystem - The University of Toronto is recognized as the top university in Canada for entrepreneurs, contributing to job creation and economic growth through its venture-backed startups [5] - Notable startups include Erthos, AmacaThera, and Ada, which are innovating in cleantech, biotech, and AI customer engagement respectively [7] Investment Trends - A report commissioned by the federal government revealed persistent issues in the private sector's feedback regarding the Business Development Bank of Canada, which has not been addressed [5] - The Ottawa e-commerce giant reported record quarterly revenue and a $2 billion USD stock buyback, yet investor sentiment remains cautious [9]

Klarna says its pay later options are now available on Google Pay in the U.K.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.With this offering, Google Pay users in the U.K. have the choice of using Klarna’s intere ...

Business Performance - Rakuten Mobile surpassed the target of 10 million subscribers, achieving full year profitability at the EBITDA level of JPY 12.9 billion, a year-on-year improvement of JPY 66.7 billion [2] Financial Results - Consolidated revenue increased by 9.5% year-on-year to JPY 2.5 trillion, marking the 29th consecutive year of revenue growth [3] - The FinTech segment significantly contributed to this growth, with a year-on-year increase of 19% [3] - Consolidated non-GAAP operating income rose by JPY 99.2 billion year-on-year to JPY 106.3 billion, driven by the FinTech segment and improved losses in the Mobile segment [3] AI Initiatives - The Chief AI and Data Officer will provide an update regarding the company's AI initiatives, indicating a focus on technological advancements [1]

Core Viewpoint - Trump Media and Technology Group Corp. is reminding brokers of the February 13 deadline to provide information about DJT shareholders as of the February 2 record date, in relation to the distribution of digital tokens to shareholders [1][2]. Group 1: Digital Token Distribution - Trump Media announced plans to distribute digital tokens to shareholders in partnership with Crypto.com, with each shareholder eligible to receive one digital token per whole share owned as of the record date [3]. - The digital tokens will not be classified as equity securities and cannot be distributed through The Depository Trust Company (DTC), necessitating identification of each beneficial shareholder [4]. - Only ultimate beneficial owners of Trump Media shares as of the record date will be eligible to receive the digital tokens, which will not have a cash value [8][10]. Group 2: Communication and Compliance - Trump Media is collaborating with external partners to ensure accurate communication and compliance with SEC rules regarding shareholder communications, particularly concerning Objecting Beneficial Owners (OBOs) [5][6]. - Brokers are requested to provide a complete list of Trump Media shareholders designated as OBOs, including their name, address, and record-date share balance, by February 13, 2026 [6][7]. - The timely provision of this information is crucial for facilitating the token distribution and ensuring shareholders can obtain their entitled benefits [7]. Group 3: Company Overview - Trump Media aims to promote free speech through its platforms, including Truth Social, Truth+, and Truth.Fi, which focus on providing alternatives to mainstream tech platforms [13].

Group 1 - Multitude AG is a listed European FinTech company that provides digital lending and online banking services to consumers, small and medium-sized enterprises, and other FinTechs overlooked by traditional banks [2][3] - The company operates through three independent business units: Consumer Banking (Ferratum), SME Banking (CapitalBox), and Wholesale Banking (Multitude Bank) [2] - Multitude Group employs over 700 people across 25 countries and offers services in 17 countries, achieving a combined turnover of 274 million euros in 2024 [2][3] Group 2 - The FY2025 Preliminary Results Presentation webcast is scheduled for 12 March 2026 at 10:00 am CET, inviting financial analysts, investors, and media [1] - Registration for the webcast can be found on the company's website under the financial calendar section [2]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2025, the company achieved a total revenue of approximately $1.04 billion, representing a 64% increase from the previous year, with fee revenue reaching $950 million, up 64% as well [23][29] - The net income for Q4 was approximately $19 million, a significant improvement from a loss of $2.8 million in the same quarter last year [16][28] - The adjusted EBITDA margin for the full year was 22%, compared to just 2% the previous year, reflecting strong operational leverage [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Personal loan originations grew by 75% year-on-year, while auto and home loan originations increased fivefold year-on-year [9][16] - The average loan size rose to approximately $7,000, a 5% increase from the prior quarter, driven by a higher mix of non-personal loan products [27] - The contribution margin for Q4 was 53%, down 4 percentage points from the prior quarter, reflecting a strategic shift towards long-term customer value [27][30] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a total of approximately 456,000 loan transactions in Q4, an 86% increase from the previous year [26] - The Upstart Macro Index (UMI) averaged around 1.4 for most of the past year, indicating a stable consumer risk environment [18][32] - The company expects to maintain a compound annual growth rate of 35% from 2025 to 2028, with a target adjusted EBITDA margin of around 25% by 2028 [32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to solidify its position as a leader in AI-powered lending, focusing on expanding market share in auto and home lending segments [11][56] - A strategic shift towards prioritizing customer lifetime value over immediate take rates is expected to enhance long-term profitability [30][68] - The company plans to enhance transparency by providing monthly transaction volume updates, allowing investors to better gauge performance trends [12][59] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the company's growth trajectory, citing a strong foundation built over the past years and improved AI capabilities [10][11] - The leadership transition is seen as a positive step, with the new CEO emphasizing the importance of technology in driving future growth [5][15] - The company anticipates that economic factors such as tax refunds and looser monetary policy will positively impact consumer demand for loans [64] Other Important Information - The company has successfully reduced its balance sheet loans by 20% in Q4, with a significant portion of new product originations funded by third parties [9][25] - The leadership team has undergone changes, with new appointments aimed at strengthening the company's strategic direction [15][33] Q&A Session Summary Question: How did the company manage to reduce balance sheet loans while experiencing strong growth in autos and HELOCs? - Management indicated that the reduction in balance sheet loans was part of a strategy to incubate new products, with 70% of these products now funded by third parties [36][37] Question: How much conservatism is built into the UMI guidance? - The company clarified that the UMI guidance is based on their best estimate of consumer risk, without labeling it as conservative or aggressive [39] Question: What factors are influencing the expected decline in EBITDA margins for 2026? - Management explained that the decline is due to a mix shift towards larger secured products with lower take rates and a focus on long-term customer value [43][45] Question: What is the current health of the private credit partnerships? - The company reported that their private credit partners are performing well, with strong diligence on credit quality [48] Question: How does the company view the consumer health and its impact on loan demand? - Management noted that consumer health is stabilizing post-COVID, with positive trends in UMI indicating a return to normalcy [52][53] Question: What is the company's perspective on the personal loan market and potential saturation? - The company believes it is gaining market share in personal loans and is focused on competitive advantages rather than overall market growth [61][62] Question: How is the company planning to engage borrowers during the repayment period? - Management acknowledged that there is significant potential for improving customer engagement and cross-selling additional products [83]