Upstart Holdings (UPST) Buy, Sell or Hold

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Upstart Holdings (UPST)

29.25

+0.15 (0.50%)

as of Aug 13, 2026, 2:45:26 pm Market Open.

46 watching

Investor Insights

Aug 13, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 1 opinions in the last 12 months.

Upstart Holdings (UPST) is facing a challenging financial landscape characterized by negative cash flow, although analysts project good earnings growth for the upcoming year. The company carries some debt and is relatively small, adding to its risk profile. Recent quarterly results have been mixed, showcasing a beat on earnings but a miss on revenue, leading to a volatile stock performance. The high short interest of 27% indicates potential for a short squeeze if the company reports strong results. Given its sensitivity to economic conditions and interest rates, experts advise caution, suggesting that selling may be prudent amid negative momentum despite its relatively attractive valuation at 23 times earnings.

Consensus

Sell

Valuation

Fair Value

Similar

LendingClub, LC

SELL

Trevor Rose’s Insights - Trevor’s most-liked answers from 5i Research

UPST is running with negative cash flow, but good earnings growth is expected this year. It has some debt and is relatively small, which adds risks. Its last quarter was mixed (a beat on earnings, a miss on revenue). Short interest is very high at 27%, so good results could result in a squeeze. In the last three quarters the stock fell sharply after the news. But in the three before that, it rose sharply. The company is highly sensitive to the economy and rates. It is not too expensive at 23X earnings. Still, with negative momentum we think risks are too high here, and we would be fine selling this.
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HOLD

Trevor Rose’s Insights - Trevor’s most-liked answers from 5i Research

The quarter and outlook were very solid, and this is the second very strong Q in a row, and the stock has regained lots of momentum. EPS could be 70% next year, after a shift from a loss to a profit this year. The 23% short position will likely continue to cover. We think investors can hold this now.
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DON'T BUY

Just reported a bad quarter, but management tried to paint a rosy picture during the conference call. Revenues missed, adjusted RPS loss was more than expected, and transaction volume is -34% YOY. What are these guys smoking?

DON'T BUY

A Covid stock, part of the buy-now, pay-later group that had its day. In late 2021, it peaked around $400, plunged to the low teens two years later, then rebounded somewhat, but is still way past its highs. These stocks got killed as soon as the Fed announced it would raise interest rates, leaving behind the days of very low rates.

SELL

It's a huge short squeeze like Gamestop was, but the shorts can go only so far like what happened with Gamestop and AMC. So take profits now.

COMMENT

A key investing lesson is not to buy a damaged company (though buy a damaged stock). UPST sank from $400 at peak to around $11. The trick is to buy or sell in tranches to minimize losses.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Trevor Rose’s Insights - Trevor’s most-liked answers from 5i Research.

UPST had its big decline because it had to take loans onto its balance sheet. The recent deal goes a long way in resolving this concern. It does use data to price loans, but we are not sure if it is the 'AI play' that some think. The rally we think is likely largely short covering. However, when a stock goes from 'almost bankrupt' to growing again it can still have a big move, and longer than one might think. Its guidance was solid, so fundamental buyers may come back here and continue to support it.
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DON'T BUY

It's a short squeeze, and not doing well.

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DON'T BUY

It's in a short squeeze and not doing well. Their numbers were cut again yesterday. There are a number of bad loans.

BUY

They work with banks and credit unions to determine whether a borrower is worth of a loan. They operate a cloud-based aggregator (their platform using AI). He sold shares in late 2021. $12.15 is the price target, but he thinks $19 will happen and then we'll see analyst upgrades.

SELL

A painful one. He doesn't like their business model, their last quarter or their pre-announcement.

DON'T BUY

Buy now, pay later stocks: Affirm, Upstart, Block and Paypal Upstart is down 92% from its high, Affirm 89%, Block 78% and PayPal 76%. Some of this is due to these stocks being massively massively overpriced to begin with. At peak, Affirm was trading at 30x sales (not earnings), and it won't be profitable before 2026. Block and PayPal are profitable, but were trading at sky-high multiples last year (170x PE and 65x respectively). The market hates the buy-now, pay-later stocks because they don't make money (though are well-run). He liked Upstart early on; it wasn't a buy-not,pay-later story, but helped facilitate loans using technology. But Upstart took on far more credit risk than assumed, which upset him. The business models of these stocks were far better when interest rates were low. Also, more competitors have rushed in now. The lesson: don't be caught up in euphoria. Earnings, valuations and interest rates matter.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Aug 04/21, Down 70%) He got out as the macro picture changed. Lowered guidance because of lower borrowing demand. (Analysts’ price target is $51.00)

SELL

He was hoping it would be a loan platform, not a loaner, and hoped they had gotten loans off their books to have an asset-lite model. A pandemic play.

SELL

They just cut their forecast, and shares are plunging 43% after hours. Valuations matter. This didn't make sense then or now. Share are down 90%.

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Upstart Holdings (UPST) Frequently Asked Questions

What is Upstart Holdings stock symbol?

Upstart Holdings is a American stock, trading under the symbol UPST (previously UPST-Q on Stockchase) on the NASDAQ (UPST). It is usually referred to as NASDAQ:UPST or UPST

Is Upstart Holdings a buy or a sell?

In the last year, 1 stock analyst issued a Buy, Sell, or Hold rating on UPST (previously UPST-Q on Stockchase). 0 analysts recommended to BUY and 1 analyst recommended to SELL the stock. The latest stock analyst rating is SELL. Read the latest stock experts' ratings for Upstart Holdings.

Is Upstart Holdings a good investment or a top pick?

Upstart Holdings was recommended as a Top Pick by Stockchase Insights on 2026-01-30. Read the latest stock experts ratings for Upstart Holdings.

Why is Upstart Holdings stock dropping?

Earnings reports or recent company news can cause the stock price to drop. Read stock experts' recommendations for Upstart Holdings.

Is Upstart Holdings worth watching?

Upstart Holdings is followed by 46 investors on Stockchase and is a trending stock that is worth watching.

What is Upstart Holdings stock price?

On 2026-08-13, Upstart Holdings (UPST) stock closed at a price of $29.25.

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Upstart Holdings (UPST)