Core Insights - The fintech sector is a transformative investment space merging finance and technology, encompassing services like online banking, peer-to-peer payments, insurance, cryptocurrency, and cybersecurity [2] Industry Overview - The performance of the fintech space is inversely related to interest rates, with low rates benefiting technological improvements and product innovation [3] - The expansion of mobile and broadband networks, along with advancements in AI and machine learning, positions fintech for significant growth in banking, payments, and investments [4] Investment Recommendations - Three fintech companies are recommended for investment to capitalize on the digital finance revolution by 2026: Robinhood Markets Inc. (HOOD), SoFi Technologies Inc. (SOFI), and Affirm Holdings Inc. (AFRM) [5] Company Analysis: Robinhood Markets Inc. (HOOD) - Robinhood operates a financial services platform allowing users to invest in various assets, including cryptocurrencies [8] - Increased retail participation is expected to improve HOOD's trading revenues, supported by solid trading activity and growth in net interest revenues [9] - HOOD is innovating rapidly with new products like Cortex and Legend, enhancing user engagement and expanding its financial services [12][13] - The company is expanding internationally, offering tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs across 31 EU/EEA countries, which positions it for sustained profitability [14] - HOOD has an expected revenue growth rate of 21% and earnings growth rate of 16.2% for the next year, with a long-term EPS growth rate of 27.5% [15] Company Analysis: SoFi Technologies Inc. (SOFI) - SOFI leverages its online banking services and the Galileo platform to expand its market presence, benefiting from lower interest rates [16][17] - The company is well-positioned to capitalize on the digitalization trend in the financial sector, with a focus on innovation and strategic partnerships [19] - SOFI has an expected revenue growth rate of 25.3% and earnings growth rate of 62.1% for the next year, with a long-term EPS growth rate of 22.2% [21] Company Analysis: Affirm Holdings Inc. (AFRM) - Affirm's growth is supported by increasing GMV, adoption of Affirm Cards, and entry into high-growth verticals [22] - The company utilizes a cloud-native platform with machine learning for underwriting and customer service optimization [23] - Affirm is expanding into everyday spending categories and broadening its ecosystem beyond core BNPL offerings [24][26] - AFRM has an expected revenue growth rate of 26% and earnings growth rate of over 100% for the current year, with a long-term EPS growth rate of 22.3% [27][28]

Core Insights - U.S. stock markets have experienced a significant rally in 2023, largely driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, with notable performance from non-tech companies as well [1][2] Group 1: Company Highlights - General Motors Co. (GM) holds a 17% market share as the top-selling U.S. automaker, benefiting from strong demand across its brands and a 10% year-over-year sales increase in China [6][7] - GM's software and services division generated $2 billion in revenue by the end of Q3 2025, with 11 million OnStar subscribers, indicating a shift towards software-led growth [7] - Robinhood Markets Inc. (HOOD) is seeing improved trading activity and higher net interest income, with a focus on product diversification to enhance its market position [10][11] - Expedia Group Inc. (EXPE) operates a robust platform that connects travelers and suppliers, leading to stable demand and increased gross bookings, supported by a strong brand portfolio [13][14] - Dillard's Inc. (DDS) is enhancing its customer base through store and online improvements, with a focus on fashionable merchandise driving traffic and better-than-expected earnings [15][16] - Five Below Inc. (FIVE) is experiencing strong momentum with traffic gains and improved marketing effectiveness, leading to an upward revision of its full-year sales expectations to $4.62-$4.65 billion [18][19] Group 2: Financial Performance and Projections - GM has an expected revenue growth rate of -0.3% and an earnings growth rate of 12.9% for the next year, with a 0.5% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings [8] - HOOD's expected revenue and earnings growth rates are 21% and 17.9%, respectively, with a 1.8% improvement in the earnings estimate [12] - EXPE's expected revenue and earnings growth rates are 6.3% and 20.8%, respectively, with a 3.2% improvement in the earnings estimate [14] - DDS has an expected revenue growth rate of 0.7% and an earnings decline of -8.2%, with a 5.3% improvement in the earnings estimate [17] - FIVE's expected revenue and earnings growth rates are 8.6% and 5.6%, respectively, with a 1.3% improvement in the earnings estimate [20]

Federal Reserve and Interest Rates - The Federal Reserve will hold its last FOMC meeting of 2025 on December 9-10, with market participants anticipating a 25 basis-point cut in the benchmark lending rate, marking the third rate cut of 0.25% in 2025 [1] - The CME FedWatch tool indicates an 84.7% probability of a 25-basis-point rate cut in December, a significant increase from 42% the previous week, with the current Fed fund rate at 3.75-4% [1] Financial Technology (Fintech) Industry - The fintech sector's performance is inversely related to interest rate movements, benefiting from a low-interest-rate environment which fosters technological improvement and product innovation [3] - The expansion of mobile and broadband networks, along with advancements in AI and machine learning, positions fintech for significant growth, revolutionizing banking, payments, and investments [4] Investment Recommendations - Five financial technology companies are recommended for investment based on favorable Zacks Ranks: Robinhood Markets Inc. (HOOD), Interactive Brokers Group Inc. (IBKR), Fair Isaac Corp. (FICO), SoFi Technologies Inc. (SOFI), and Moody's Corp. (MCO) [5] - Each of these companies currently holds either a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) [5] Company-Specific Insights Robinhood Markets Inc. (HOOD) - Robinhood operates a financial services platform allowing users to invest in various assets, with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 21% and 16.2% respectively for next year [10] - The company has seen improved trading revenues due to higher retail participation and solid trading activity, supported by a robust liquidity position [9][10] Interactive Brokers Group Inc. (IBKR) - IBKR's revenue growth is supported by proprietary software development, lower compensation expenses, and an expanding global footprint, with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 5.5% and 8.1% respectively for next year [12][13] Fair Isaac Corp. (FICO) - FICO benefits from strong performance in its Scores and Software segments, with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 19.7% and 31.3% respectively for the current year [16] - The company is expanding its scoring models and has seen increased adoption of its software solutions [15] SoFi Technologies Inc. (SOFI) - SOFI is positioned as a leader in online banking services, with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 25.5% and 65.1% respectively for next year [19] - The company focuses on innovation and strategic partnerships to enhance its market presence [18] Moody's Corp. (MCO) - Moody's is expanding through strategic acquisitions and has a strong position in the credit rating industry, with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 6.8% and 11.3% respectively for next year [23] - The company is benefiting from a rebound in bond issuance volume and has made significant acquisitions to enhance its market presence [22]

Market Overview - U.S. stock markets are experiencing a successful year, with major indexes like the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite up 11.2%, 14.8%, and 18.8% respectively [2] - The technology sector, particularly driven by advancements in generative and agentic artificial intelligence (AI), is the primary force behind this rally, although the finance sector has also contributed with the Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) up 8.5% year to date [3] Recommended Stocks for 2026 - Five finance stocks are recommended for investment in 2026, having risen over 30% this year: Morgan Stanley (MS), Interactive Brokers Group Inc. (IBKR), Robinhood Markets Inc. (HOOD), Cboe Global Markets Inc. (CBOE), and Invesco Ltd. (IVZ) [4][9] - All five stocks currently hold a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating potential for further upside [4] Morgan Stanley (MS) - Morgan Stanley's focus on wealth and asset management, along with strategic acquisitions like EquityZen, is expected to enhance revenue growth, with projected increases of 11.7% in total revenues and 12.8% in investment banking fees for 2025 [7] - The firm has an expected revenue growth rate of 3.9% and earnings growth rate of 5.8% for next year, with a recent 3.7% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings [10] Interactive Brokers Group Inc. (IBKR) - IBKR's revenue growth is supported by proprietary software development, lower compensation expenses, and expansion into emerging markets, with an expected revenue growth rate of 5.5% and earnings growth rate of 8.1% for next year [11][13] - Recent results showed solid revenue growth and lower expenses, indicating a positive outlook for the company [12] Robinhood Markets Inc. (HOOD) - Robinhood operates a financial services platform that allows trading in various assets, including cryptocurrencies, and is expected to benefit from increased retail market participation [14][15] - The company has an expected revenue growth rate of 20.3% and earnings growth rate of 16.2% for next year, with a notable 9.7% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings [16] Cboe Global Markets Inc. (CBOE) - CBOE anticipates growth in trading volume, which will drive transaction fees and organic growth, with an increased revenue growth target for 2025 set to low double digits to mid-teens [17][18] - The company has an expected revenue growth rate of 2.7% and earnings growth rate of 4.7% for next year, with a 3% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings [19] Invesco Ltd. (IVZ) - Invesco's financial performance is bolstered by higher assets under management (AUM) and strategic expansion plans, with an expected revenue growth rate of 14.4% and earnings growth rate of 28.6% for next year [20][22] - Recent initiatives, including converting QQQ into an open-end ETF and establishing a joint venture in India, are expected to support revenue growth [21]

Market Overview - The cryptocurrency market experienced a significant decline, with nearly $500 billion lost as panic spread due to President Trump's threat of 100% tariffs on China [1] - Bitcoin (BTC) fell nearly 19% from its all-time high earlier in the week, reaching a low of $103,800 before recovering to around $112,000 [4][5] - The Federal Reserve's recent interest rate cuts and concerns about inflation and a shrinking labor market have led investors to shift from riskier assets like cryptocurrencies to safer options such as gold [6] Bitcoin Recovery - Bitcoin is attempting a rebound after its decline, with expectations that it will resume its upward trajectory once market conditions improve [2][7] - The cryptocurrency's recent volatility is attributed to unclear statements from President Trump regarding trade relations with China [4] Investment Opportunities - A "buy-the-dip" strategy is suggested for investing in crypto-focused stocks, with three companies highlighted: Robinhood Markets, NVIDIA Corporation, and Visa Inc. [3][11] Robinhood Markets, Inc. - Robinhood operates a financial services platform allowing users to invest in various assets, including cryptocurrencies [8] - The expected earnings growth rate for Robinhood for the current year is 62.4%, with a 16.4% improvement in earnings estimates over the past 60 days [9] NVIDIA Corporation - NVIDIA is a leading designer of graphics processing units (GPUs), which are essential for cryptocurrency mining and production [12] - The expected earnings growth rate for NVIDIA for the current year is 48.3%, with a 4.7% improvement in earnings estimates over the past 60 days [13] Visa Inc. - Visa is modernizing cross-border money movement by expanding its stablecoin settlement capabilities on the Solana blockchain [14] - The expected earnings growth rate for Visa for the current year is 13.7%, with a 0.9% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 90 days [15]

Group 1: Cryptocurrency Market Dynamics - Bitcoin has seen significant growth, crossing $100,000 for the first time since December 2024, reaching an all-time high of over $109,000 on Trump's inauguration day [1] - Bitcoin surged over 36% between November 6 and December 31, 2024, and has been the best-performing asset class in 2024, raising almost 125% year-over-year [3] - The cryptocurrency industry is expected to benefit from Trump's presidency, which is being touted as a "golden age for America" [2] Group 2: Political Influence on Cryptocurrency - Trump has positioned himself as a "pro-Bitcoin" candidate, emphasizing themes of freedom and independence from government control [3] - The appointment of David Sacks as chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology indicates a strong governmental push towards cryptocurrency adoption [4] - Trump's executive order on January 23 aimed at advancing cryptocurrency adoption reflects a significant shift towards digital currency with fewer restrictions [4][6] Group 3: Investment Platforms and Opportunities - Robinhood Crypto allows users to buy and sell cryptocurrency for as little as $1 without commission fees, providing a low-cost entry point for investors [7] - The platform offers up to a 1% deposit match on all crypto deposits and transfers, enhancing the investment appeal [7] Group 4: Market Volatility and Investor Sentiment - Bitcoin has experienced a pullback of over 3% in the past week, indicating potential volatility as initial enthusiasm around Trump's presidency fades [9] - Investors are cautioned that while volatility can lead to substantial gains, it also poses risks of significant losses [9]

Federal Reserve and Interest Rates - The Federal Reserve cut the benchmark lending rate by 25 basis points to a range of 4-4.25% on September 17, marking the first rate cut of the year [1] - The Fed's dot-plot indicates two additional rate cuts of 25 basis points each in 2025 and one in both 2026 and 2027 [1] Fintech Industry Overview - The fintech sector benefits from a low-interest-rate environment, which fosters technological improvement and product innovation [2] - The growth of mobile and broadband networks, along with advancements in AI and machine learning, positions fintech for significant expansion [3] Investment Recommendations - Five fintech companies are recommended for investment based on favorable Zacks Ranks: CoStar Group Inc. (CSGP), PayPal Holdings Inc. (PYPL), SoFi Technologies Inc. (SOFI), Interactive Brokers Group Inc. (IBKR), and Robinhood Markets Inc. (HOOD) [4][9] - All five companies exhibit strong revenue and earnings growth expectations for the current year [9] CoStar Group Inc. (CSGP) - CSGP benefits from a resilient subscription business and a strong portfolio of marketplaces, with global traffic reaching 141 million in Q2 2025 [7] - New product launches, such as Matterport 3D tours and AI voice search, enhance customer experience [8] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for CSGP are 18.1% and 21.1%, respectively, for the current year [10] PayPal Holdings Inc. (PYPL) - PYPL is experiencing robust growth in total payment volume and strengthening customer engagement [11] - The company leverages AI for fraud detection and operational efficiency, contributing to an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 4% and 12.5%, respectively, for the current year [13] SoFi Technologies Inc. (SOFI) - SOFI is positioned as a leader in online banking services, benefiting from lower interest rates that encourage customer growth [14] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for SOFI are 31.7% and over 100%, respectively, for the current year [16] Interactive Brokers Group Inc. (IBKR) - IBKR's initiatives to enhance its global presence and product suite are expected to support revenue growth, with a projected CAGR of 6.5% by 2027 [17] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for IBKR are 8.9% and 11.4%, respectively, for the current year [19] Robinhood Markets Inc. (HOOD) - HOOD operates a financial services platform that allows users to invest in various assets, benefiting from increased retail market participation [20][21] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for HOOD are 35.4% and 41.3%, respectively, for the current year [22]

Market Sentiment - The market exhibits a bullish outlook on Robinhood (HOOD) [1] - There is speculation that Robinhood's stock price could reach $200 this year [1] Company Announcement - Robinhood is teasing a significant announcement related to its crypto offerings [1] - The announcement is scheduled for June 30, 2025, at 5:00 PM CEST / 11:00 AM ET [1]

Upcoming Announcements - Robinhood is planning to make "exciting announcements" related to crypto [1] - The announcements are scheduled for June 30, 2025, at 5:00pm CEST / 11:00am ET [1] - The announcements will be broadcast live [1]

Event Announcement - Robinhood 将于 2025 年 6 月 30 日欧洲中部时间下午 5:00/美国东部时间上午 11:00 举行直播活动，发布激动人心的公告 [1] - Robinhood 的公告与加密货币相关 [1]