Robinhood stock grew a lot and got expensive in 2025. It will only be worth its current price if the business' growth continues.For years, Robinhood Markets (HOOD +7.32%) stock looked kind of hopeless.Shares of the online brokerage -- the first company to "gamify" stock investing and hook a new generation on investing during the pandemic's lockdown era -- surged in the days following its July 2021 IPO. But it took mere months for Robinhood to give back all its gains and then some. By the time 2022 rolled ar ...

Core Insights - The article discusses Andrew Ross Sorkin's new book "1929," which explores the events leading to the Great Crash of 1929 and its cultural impact on society [1][2][17] - The narrative highlights how the stock market dominated the culture of the time, with widespread participation from various social classes, including billionaires and everyday citizens [3][4][5] Group 1: Cultural Impact and Participation - The stock market was a central aspect of American culture in 1929, with significant involvement from the elite and the general public [3][4] - The book illustrates that many prominent figures, including Groucho Marx, were heavily affected by the market's downturn, showcasing the widespread nature of the crisis [4][14] - The optimism of the era was fueled by technological advancements, leading to a belief that capitalism could elevate everyone to millionaire status [5][6] Group 2: Key Figures and Their Roles - Charlie Mitchell, a significant figure in the financial landscape, promoted the idea of democratizing finance and was instrumental in the creation of modern credit systems [7][10] - Contrasting views emerged from various financial leaders, with some, like Charles Merrill, advising caution as early as 1928, while others believed the market was stable [9][11] - The book details the actions and decisions of influential figures during the crash, including Carter Glass, who warned against the practices that led to the financial collapse [10][12] Group 3: Market Dynamics and Policy Responses - The article emphasizes that the market's decline was not a singular event but a series of failures and poor policy decisions that followed the crash [13][16] - By the end of 1929, the stock market was only down 17%, indicating that the initial impact was not as severe as commonly perceived [13] - The lack of regulatory frameworks at the time, such as the absence of the SEC, contributed to the chaotic trading environment [15][16]

Core Insights - Robinhood Markets Inc. shares increased over 12% following CEO Vladimir Tenev's announcement of significant growth in prediction markets, with over 4 billion event contracts transacted by customers, including 2 billion in Q3 alone [1][2] Group 1: Business Expansion - The brokerage has partnered with Kalshi to offer prediction-market contracts, which are regulated by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission [2] - Robinhood expanded its offerings to include pro- and college-football contracts in August [2] Group 2: Market Performance - The recent share price increase has led to a record high for Robinhood, contributing to a more than 260% increase in shares this year [2] - Robinhood was added to the S&P 500 Index this month, reflecting its growing prominence in the market [2] Group 3: Core Business Operations - Beyond prediction markets, Robinhood's primary business remains focused on trading stocks, options, and cryptocurrencies [3]

Core Insights - SoFi Technologies has transitioned from being viewed as a niche player in student loan refinancing to a profitable fintech company with expanding operations [1][2] - The company's shares have recently surged, reflecting growing investor interest and confidence in its business model [1] Business Model - SoFi operates as a digital-first platform, allowing users to manage their entire financial life through a single app, which includes services like checking accounts, loan refinancing, stock and crypto trading, and ETF investments [4][5] - This integrated approach increases customer engagement and loyalty by creating higher switching costs compared to traditional banks that specialize in specific areas [6] Financial Performance - SoFi has achieved two consecutive years of positive adjusted net income, with a significant performance boost in Q2 2025, where adjusted net revenue rose 44% year over year to $858 million and adjusted net income surged 459% to $97 million [8] - Membership growth has been robust, with 846,000 new members added in Q2 2025, bringing the total to 11.7 million, more than double the number from three years ago [10] Revenue Diversification - The revenue mix is evolving, with fee-based revenue now contributing 44% of total revenue, indicating a shift beyond the company's original focus on student loan financing [10] - The lending portfolio has also performed well, with a record $8.8 billion in loans originated in the quarter, and a decline in bad debt charge-offs over recent quarters [11]

Group 1 - The stock market has transitioned from traditional trading floors to predominantly electronic trading, with after-hours trading becoming increasingly common and potentially the new norm [1][2] - Several established brokers are already offering after-hours trading, and a new SEC-approved 24X National Exchange will launch on September 29, allowing trading of U.S. equities from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET on weekdays [2] - Extended trading hours provide convenience for retail and international investors who may not be able to trade during regular market hours [3][4] Group 2 - The ability to react to real-time events is a significant advantage of extended trading hours, allowing investors to respond to news such as earnings releases or economic data as it happens [5] - However, trading outside regular hours can carry increased risks, including emotional decision-making and potential long-term damage to investment portfolios [6] - Lack of liquidity during extended trading hours can lead to higher costs and risks, with wider bid-ask spreads making it difficult to execute trades effectively [7][8]

Core Insights - Robinhood Markets experienced significant growth in early 2025, with shares rising nearly 35% in May, driven by a strong earnings report and new ventures in cryptocurrency [1][2] Financial Performance - Net revenue increased by 50% year-over-year to $927 million, with transaction revenue from cryptocurrencies up 100% to $252 million, options revenue up 56% to $240 million, and stocks revenue up 44% to $56 million [4] - Net income surged 114% to $336 million for the quarter [4] Share Repurchase Program - The company announced a substantial increase in its share repurchase program, raising the total authorized amount from $500 million to $1.5 billion [5] Cryptocurrency Ventures - Robinhood is expanding its involvement in cryptocurrency by acquiring Canadian company WonderFi Technologies for approximately $183 million [6] - The acquisition aims to enhance access to crypto trading for Canadians through Robinhood's platform [7] Blockchain Initiatives - The company plans to develop a blockchain-based trading system for European investors to trade U.S. securities, potentially utilizing a digital token-based system [8]