RT Jeff Kauflin (@JeffKauflin)1/ For over a year, fintech startup TomoCredit has continued selling a credit-boosting product (charging up to $1K per subscription) that’s highly misleading and rarely works, because the credit bureaus no longer accept its data. The customer stories are disturbing: https://t.co/bAflulHe97 ...

Market Overview - Major indices experienced a significant turnaround, with all major indices up at least 2% on the day, marking a notable recovery from previous declines [2][3] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached above 50,000 for the first time, gaining 1,200 points or approximately 2.5%, setting a record high [7] - The S&P 500 increased by over 130 points or 2%, marking its best day since May of the previous year [3][7] Sector Performance - The Russell 2000 saw a notable increase of 3.6%, indicating strong performance in small-cap stocks [8] - Information technology sector led the gains, rising by 4%, while industrials and financials also performed well [9] - Consumer discretionary sector declined by about 0.7%, with communication services being the biggest loser, down approximately 1.5% [9] Notable Stocks - Robinhood emerged as the top gainer in the S&P 500, with shares surging nearly 14%, attributed to its ties with the recovering crypto market [10][11] - Under Armour's stock rose over 19% after reporting a quarterly profit and slightly exceeding revenue estimates, with a year-to-date increase of about 50% [13] - Amazon shares fell by 5.6% following the announcement of a $200 billion investment plan for data centers and AI workloads [15][16] Company-Specific Developments - Bitcoin Treasury reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $2.4 billion, but analysts remain optimistic about its cash reserves allowing it to withstand further downturns [12] - Stellantis faced a significant decline of 24% in its stock price due to challenges related to its electric vehicle strategy and substantial charges linked to previous management decisions [19][20] Market Sentiment - The overall market sentiment appears to be shifting towards a "risk-on" approach, with investors showing renewed interest in equities and crypto assets [6] - Despite the positive day, software stocks continued to decline for the fourth consecutive week, indicating ongoing challenges in that sector [20]

Core Viewpoint - Affirm's CEO Max Levchin expresses confidence in the resilience of the US consumer, countering recession narratives by highlighting strong demand for the company's buy now, pay later (BNPL) services [1][7] Company Performance - Affirm reported a 36% year-over-year increase in gross merchandise volume (GMV) for the past quarter, although guidance suggests a slowdown to 30% growth in Q3 and 25% in Q4 [5] - The company has maintained "very solid" repayment curves over the past eight quarters, indicating stable financial performance among borrowers [2] Consumer Sentiment - Despite Affirm's positive outlook, the University of Michigan's Index of Consumer Sentiment indicates a decline, with the index at 57.3 in February, 20% below last year's peaks [3][4] - This suggests that while consumers are utilizing BNPL services, they are doing so amidst concerns about inflation and labor market conditions [4] Competitive Position - Levchin asserts that Affirm's proprietary AI underwriting is crucial for maintaining high credit quality, allowing the company to identify "healthy" consumers [3] - The company has established a strong brand presence, with 96% of transactions coming from existing consumers, positioning itself as a competitor to major players like PayPal [6]

Core Viewpoint - Rosen Law Firm is reminding investors who purchased securities of Klarna Group plc about a class action lawsuit related to Klarna's September 2025 IPO, with a lead plaintiff deadline set for February 20, 2026 [1]. Group 1: Class Action Details - Investors who purchased Klarna securities may be eligible for compensation without any out-of-pocket fees through a contingency fee arrangement [2]. - A class action lawsuit has already been filed, and interested parties can join by contacting Rosen Law Firm [3][6]. - To serve as lead plaintiff, individuals must file a motion with the court by February 20, 2026 [3]. Group 2: Legal Representation - Rosen Law Firm emphasizes the importance of selecting qualified legal counsel with a proven track record in securities class actions, highlighting their own success in this area [4]. - The firm has achieved significant settlements for investors, including over $438 million in 2019 alone, and has been recognized as a leader in securities class action settlements [4]. Group 3: Case Allegations - The lawsuit claims that the Registration Statement issued during Klarna's IPO contained false or misleading statements, particularly regarding the risk of increased loss reserves shortly after the IPO [5]. - It is alleged that the defendants either knew or should have known about the risks associated with Klarna's buy now, pay later loans, leading to misleading public statements [5].

Amazon - Amazon plans to spend $200 billion this year on data centers, chips, and other equipment, leading to an over 8% drop in its stock, marking the largest decline since April of the previous year [1][2] - The company's operating income is projected at $21 billion, which is below consensus expectations, raising concerns about the trade-off between capital expenditures and profitability [1][2] - Analysts note that Amazon's capital expenditures are significantly higher than its peers, which may lead to negative free cash flow, but the company has historically delivered strong ROI despite similar cycles in the past [2][4] Cryptocurrency - Bitcoin experienced a volatile week, dropping nearly 13% before rebounding by about 10%, reflecting ongoing instability in the market influenced by geopolitical tensions [1][3] - The cryptocurrency market is characterized by fear, uncertainty, and doubt, with traders attempting to buy the dip amid fluctuating narratives about Bitcoin's value as a safe haven [1][3] Roblox - Roblox reported a 55% year-on-year growth in bookings, with 140 million daily active users, and a significant increase in engagement levels [2][3] - The company is focusing on expanding its user base, particularly among users aged 18 and up, which is growing at over 50% year-on-year [3][4] - Roblox is leveraging AI to enhance user experiences and improve safety measures, aiming to create a more engaging platform for its diverse user base [3][4] Affirm - Affirm's stock fell about 6% despite reporting results that beat estimates, with some analysts expressing concerns over a conservative outlook [4] - The company is experiencing significant growth with its Affirm card, which has seen a fourfold increase compared to the rest of the business [4] - Affirm's CEO emphasized the importance of transparency and affordability in their offerings, aiming to replace traditional credit cards with their debit card powered by Affirm [4] Warner Music Group - Warner Music Group's shares rose 5% following a 10% increase in its first-quarter revenue, driven by growth in digital and expanded rights and licensing revenue [7][8] - The company is utilizing AI to automate marketing efforts across its extensive catalog, aiming to increase efficiency and value in the music industry [7][8] - Warner Music Group believes that the value of music is currently undervalued and is focused on transitioning to licensed models to enhance revenue generation [8]

Core Viewpoint - Affirm Holdings Inc. is a prominent player in the financial technology sector, specializing in buy-now-pay-later services, and has shown strong financial performance despite recent stock price volatility [1][2][5]. Group 1: Company Performance - Affirm's recent earnings report exceeded analysts' expectations, indicating robust financial health and potential for sustained growth [2][5]. - The company's market capitalization is approximately $18.89 billion, reflecting its significant market value and industry position [4]. Group 2: Stock Performance - As of the latest trading session, AFRM's stock is priced at $57.24, representing a decline of about 3.68% or $2.19 [3][5]. - The stock has experienced notable volatility, trading between a low of $56.10 and a high of $61.10 within the day, and has fluctuated between a peak of $100 and a low of $30.90 over the past year [3][4]. Group 3: Analyst Ratings - RBC Capital has maintained a "Sector Perform" rating for Affirm and has adjusted its price target from $87 to $77, reflecting a cautious outlook on the stock's future [2][5].

RT Jeff Kauflin (@JeffKauflin)NEW: Credit bureaus cut it off. Customers say they can’t cancel. Yet this San Francisco fintech keeps selling an exorbitant credit-boosting service, and regulators have remained silent. Story here: https://t.co/DK6JDJNTOH ...

Core Insights - Pagaya Technologies (PGY) utilizes AI for decision-making and underwriting, enhancing credit approval efficiency for banks and fintech partners, leading to increased approval rates and credit volume [1][11] - The company experienced a significant turnaround in 2025, achieving three consecutive quarters of positive net income after previous losses, indicating improved fundamentals and profitability [2][11] - Pagaya's diversified model includes 145 institutional funding partners, allowing multiple revenue streams and reducing reliance on any single lender or product [4][11] Business Model - Pagaya does not retain most loans on its balance sheet; instead, it securitizes them, transferring credit risk to institutional investors, which supports a capital-light and scalable business model [5][11] - The company benefits from a data flywheel effect, where increased loan applications enhance the AI model's accuracy and performance [5][11] Competitive Landscape - Upstart Holdings, Inc. (UPST) operates similarly as an AI-powered lending marketplace but temporarily holds loans on its balance sheet, contrasting with Pagaya's capital-light approach [6][7] - LendingTree (TREE) functions as a financial services marketplace, matching consumers with providers without underwriting or holding loans, focusing on a fee-based model [8][9] Financial Performance - Pagaya's stock has increased by 33.2% over the past year, outperforming the industry's decline of 23.9% [10][11] - The current price-to-sales ratio for PGY is 0.84X, significantly below the industry average of 3.02X, indicating potential undervaluation [12][11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PGY's earnings is $3.10 for 2025 and $3.41 for 2026, reflecting year-over-year growth of 273.5% and 10%, respectively [13][16]

Core Insights - SoFi is recognized as a leading fintech company, achieving record user growth and continuous innovation in financial products [1] - The company is expected to have multiple bullish cases by 2026, indicating strong future potential [1] Company Overview - SoFi has established itself as a significant player in the fintech sector, focusing on user acquisition and product expansion [1] - The company is actively innovating its financial offerings to enhance user experience and market presence [1] Market Position - SoFi is positioned to capitalize on the growing interest in fintech solutions, particularly as it continues to attract a diverse user base [1] - The company is part of a broader trend in the financial industry, where technology-driven solutions are becoming increasingly important [1]

Core Viewpoint - The company, known for its buy now pay later services, reported a 30% increase in sales and is investing in AI tools for merchants, despite a decline in stock prices [1]. Sales Performance - The company successfully executed a 0% interest event that attracted millions of consumers, resulting in a 27% sales increase for participating merchants over three days [3][4]. - The company reported a record growth in active merchants, with a 42% year-over-year increase [5]. Partnerships and Market Position - A significant partnership with Intuit is set to launch, expanding the company's reach to a new class of retailers [6]. - The company maintains a strong presence across various e-commerce platforms, including Shopify, and continues to attract large retailers [6]. Technology and Competitive Edge - The company emphasizes its expertise in underwriting, supported by 15 years of proprietary data, which it believes is difficult for competitors to replicate [9][10]. - The company actively utilizes AI tools for credit analysis and has a dedicated team working on proprietary AI solutions [11]. Regulatory Environment - The company is focused on promoting transparency in lending practices, advocating for simple interest and upfront pricing, which aligns with current regulatory discussions [12][14]. - The company believes that transparency in loan terms can significantly improve borrower understanding and affordability [14].