Being added to the S&P 500 is a big deal for any company, and usually a boon to its stock. Not only is the venerable large-cap index widely followed by individual investors, but many funds are built to replicate its performance, which results in consistent demand for its components as funds flow into those popular investment vehicles. It also means that whenever a new stock is chosen for inclusion, it tends to get a bump in its price as all of those funds must buy shares for their portfolios.Now, while the ...

Many financials stocks often fly under the radar. They are not typically viewed in the same way as high-flying artificial intelligence companies that will disrupt all aspects of daily life as we know it. That said, it can be good to look in parts of the market that are less popular, because that means there are likely more opportunities going unnoticed.Furthermore, many traditional financial stocks have started to really focus on technology, because it's become a crucial part of what people are looking for ...

Core Viewpoint - Digital banks SoFi Technologies and Robinhood Markets are leveraging innovative platforms to disrupt traditional financial services, with significant stock price increases over the past year [1][2] Group 1: SoFi Technologies - SoFi has evolved from a student and personal loans specialist to a comprehensive financial services platform, currently serving 10.9 million members, nearly double from two years ago [4] - In Q1 2025, SoFi's adjusted net revenue surged 33% year-over-year, and adjusted EPS increased 200% to $0.06, reflecting diversification into fee-based services [5] - Management projects full-year adjusted EPS of $0.27 to $0.28, nearly double the $0.15 result in 2024, indicating a strong growth outlook [6] - Investors confident in SoFi's growth strategy and market share capture from legacy banks have compelling reasons to buy and hold the stock [7] Group 2: Robinhood Markets - Robinhood's Q1 net revenue increased 50%, with EPS more than doubling to $0.37 from $0.17 in the prior year, driven by active trading in its 25.8 million funded accounts [9] - The cryptocurrency market boom significantly contributes to Robinhood's growth, with crypto representing 43% of total transaction volume and 27% of total revenue [10] - Robinhood is diversifying its offerings with professional trading tools, banking solutions, and wealth management options, increasing customer wallet share [10] - The company plans to expand globally, launching services in the Asia Pacific region and enhancing its digital asset presence through the acquisition of crypto exchange Bitstamp [11] Group 3: Comparative Analysis - Both companies are trading at forward P/E ratios near 50, indicating equal market optimism about their potential [12] - Investors believing in Robinhood's potential for dominance in the online brokerage space should consider adding the stock to a diversified portfolio [13] - SoFi is viewed as a compelling buy-the-dip opportunity, with shares down about 27% from their 52-week high, benefiting from a resilient macroeconomic backdrop [16] - Robinhood faces challenges in meeting high market expectations following its recent stock price surge, which may lead to volatility [17]

$41.62 -0.30 (-0.72%) 52-Week Range $13.98 ▼ Robinhood Markets Today HOOD Robinhood Markets $66.91 P/E Ratio 26.51 Price Target $60.82 Add to Watchlist Robinhood Markets, Inc. NASDAQ: HOOD, the platform synonymous with commission-free trading and the surge of retail investor activity in recent years, is making a dramatic pivot. Known for democratizing access to stock, options, and cryptocurrency markets, the company is now setting its sights on the core territory of traditional finance: banking and wealth m ...