Core Viewpoint - The rise of populism is influencing financial policies, favoring fintech companies that aim to improve affordability and efficiency in the financial system [2][3]. Financial Sector Outlook - The financial sector is viewed positively, with expectations of consumer resilience and stable credit conditions [3]. - Policy shifts away from deregulation are expected to benefit disruptors and innovative companies in the fintech space [3]. Fintech Opportunities - Companies targeting small and medium-sized businesses or retail are likely to experience significant tailwinds [6]. - Key fintech subsectors identified include Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services and digital assets, with companies like Affirm, Circle, and Coinbase highlighted as potential winners [7][8]. Regulatory Environment - Increased regulation in digital assets may affirm the legitimacy of these businesses, transitioning from an enforcement-focused environment to a regulatory one [12]. - The market may have overreacted to negative news regarding credit card rate caps, as fintech companies can adapt their pricing structures more easily [11]. Investment Strategy - The fintech basket is characterized as high beta compared to traditional equities, suggesting it should be a satellite position within a diversified portfolio [13]. - Investors may achieve similar exposure to traditional financials with a smaller investment in fintech, given its higher volatility [15]. Corporate Response to Political Climate - Companies are already responding to the political discourse around affordability, even without concrete policy changes [16][17]. - The ongoing populist narrative may drive corporate actions that benefit fintech companies, increasing liquidity in the system [18].

SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ: SOFI) announced fourth-quarter results for 2025 on January 30, 2026, with profitability surging thanks to steady loan activity and accelerated expansion in its fee-based operations. The San Francisco-based firm, which began as a student loan refinancing platform in 2011 and has since broadened into personal loans, mortgages, investing, credit cards, and other digital financial services, achieved a milestone by crossing $1 billion in adjusted net revenue for the first time.SoFi‘s l ...

Core Insights - Brown University has made a significant investment in Chime Financial, acquiring 102,805 shares valued at approximately $2.59 million [2][6] Company Overview - Chime Financial is a leading U.S. fintech platform that provides mobile banking services, including checking, savings, early paycheck access, and overdraft protection [5] - The company generates revenue primarily through interchange fees from card transactions processed via partner FDIC-insured banks [5] - As of January 31, 2026, Chime's stock price is $25.42, with a market capitalization of $9.52 billion and a revenue of $2.07 billion [4] Financial Performance - Chime Financial reported a net income of -$984.77 million for the trailing twelve months (TTM), which is common for newly public companies [4][8] - The investment by Brown University represents 1.8% of its 13F reportable assets under management after the trade [9] Investment Context - Brown University's investment aligns with its strategy, as college students are a key demographic for Chime's services [6] - The university's investment portfolio is relatively small, with only 10 holdings, ranking 7th among Chime's holdings [7]

Group 1: Nvidia - Nvidia is the world's largest semiconductor company with a market cap of $4.6 trillion and is projected to grow to $10 trillion by 2030 through vertical integration in AI [3][5] - The company reported a 62% year-over-year increase in third-quarter revenue and a 65% increase in net income [5] - Nvidia's stock has a forward P/E ratio of 24, significantly below its five-year average of 37, indicating it is attractively priced [6] Group 2: MercadoLibre - MercadoLibre has a market value of $116 billion and operates as a combination of an online marketplace and fintech business in Latin America [7][9] - The company reported a 39% year-over-year increase in net revenue and has 77 million unique active buyers, with both figures growing over 25% year over year [9] - MercadoLibre's stock has a forward P/E of 31, well below its five-year average of 64, suggesting it is also attractively priced [10]

Core Insights - Affirm Holdings, Inc. and Expedia Group, Inc. have expanded their travel payment partnership, making Affirm the exclusive Buy Now, Pay Later option for lodging and packages on major travel brands [1] Group 1: Expanded US Coverage - Under the new agreement, Affirm's installment payment option will be the only Buy Now, Pay Later method for travelers booking hotels and vacation packages on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo in the U.S. [2] - Eligible customers will receive real-time approval decisions and customized monthly payment plans that can extend up to 24 months [2] - Affirm plans to expand its Buy Now, Pay Later service to Canadian travelers on select properties in the near future [2] Group 2: Payment Options - In the U.S., eligible buyers can select three- or six-month plans with 0% APR, with no compounding interest or late fees, and all terms are visible before checkout [3] - The Vice President of Global Payments at Expedia Group emphasized that clear payment choices help individuals pursue meaningful travel experiences [3] Group 3: Adapting to New Booking Habits - Expedia Group is evolving consumer trip planning with tools like AI-powered itinerary discovery, which integrates payment decisions earlier in the booking process [4] - The Senior Vice President of Revenue at Affirm noted that travelers are now considering payment options alongside their destination choices, reflecting the integration of payment flexibility in modern trip planning [4] - Affirm collaborates with nearly 420,000 merchants globally, including major retail brands, to enhance customer access and increase average order value for businesses [5]

Core Insights - Coronation Fund Managers increased its stake in MercadoLibre by 53,352 shares, valued at approximately $112.06 million, reflecting a significant investment in the company [2][3] - The total value of Coronation's position in MercadoLibre reached $285.59 million, marking an increase of $78.93 million from the previous filing, driven by both new purchases and share price appreciation [2] - MercadoLibre's shares have appreciated by 19.7% over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 by 4.68 percentage points [3] Company Overview - MercadoLibre operates a leading e-commerce and fintech platform in Latin America, with a market capitalization of $114.02 billion and a revenue of $26.19 billion over the trailing twelve months [4][5] - The company generates revenue through transaction fees on its marketplace, financial services, logistics, and value-added services for merchants and consumers [8] - MercadoLibre's competitive advantage lies in its integrated ecosystem of online marketplaces, digital payments, credit, and logistics, tailored to the Latin American market [5] Financial Performance - The company reported a net income of $2.08 billion over the trailing twelve months [4] - Revenue growth remains robust, with a year-over-year increase of 39% in the third quarter, alongside expanding margins and improved logistics efficiency [10] Investment Implications - The increased stake by Coronation Fund Managers indicates a strong conviction in MercadoLibre's long-term growth potential, as it now represents 12.81% of their $2.23 billion reportable assets under management [3][9] - The fund's strategy includes pairing MercadoLibre with other emerging-market growth companies, suggesting confidence in the company's competitive position despite its size [11]

Core Viewpoint - A class action securities lawsuit has been filed against Klarna Group plc, alleging that the company and its executives failed to disclose material information in the registration statement related to its September 2025 IPO, which has adversely affected investors [1][2]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit claims that Klarna materially understated the risk of an increase in loss reserves shortly after the IPO, which was known or should have been known given the risk profile of individuals taking out buy now, pay later loans [2]. - The public statements made by Klarna were alleged to be materially false and misleading, leading to investor damages when the true information became public [2]. Group 2: Legal Process - Investors in Klarna who suffered losses during the relevant time frame have until February 20, 2026, to request to be appointed as lead plaintiff, although serving as lead plaintiff is not a requirement for recovery [3]. Group 3: Law Firm Background - Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC, the law firm handling the case, is recognized as one of the top boutique securities litigation firms in the U.S., having been ranked among the top 10 firms nationally based on total settlement value [3].

This fintech stock just posted a huge 62% gain in 2025.The first month of 2026 is coming to a close. And investors are already well on their way to figuring out what portfolio moves to make. Maybe companies that have performed well in the past are best positioned to keep the momentum going. Here's why it's important to take a look at Nu Holdings (NU 5.52%). This fintech stock posted a monster 62% return last year. And Nu is poised to have another great showing in 2026. This booming fintech stock isn't expen ...

SoFi app on a tablet in a café workspace, highlighting fintech on-the-go. Key Points SoFi topped expectations with EPS of 13 cents and record revenue of $1.01B, reinforcing operating momentum. Fee-based revenue and stronger cross-buy trends are scaling the model and reducing reliance on balance-sheet growth. Guidance points to continued strength, but the bar is higher now, making flawless execution more important. Interested in SoFi Technologies, Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better. SoFi Tech ...

ALT5 Sigma Corporation (ALTS) is a dynamic fintech and biotech firm, aiming to revolutionize digital assets and health care. It offers blockchain-powered platforms like ALT5 Prime, an over-the-counter trading system for digital assets, and ALT5 Pay, a crypto payment gateway for seamless merchant transactions. In biotech, it develops non-opioid therapies, such as JAN101 for pain relief in arterial disease and JAN123 for chronic pain syndromes. Founded in 1976 and originally named JanOne until 2024, the co ...