Market Signal Briefing

Key Takeaways SOFI posted record Q3 2025 results with nonlending revenues rising 57% year over year.SoFi raised 2025 guidance across metrics, projecting $3.54B revenues and $1.035B EBITDA.NU grew to 127M customers, and lifted Q3 revenues 39% year over year on a currency-neutral basis.
Fintech has become one of the most closely watched areas in financial markets, with SoFi Technologies (SOFI - Free Report) and Nu Holdings (NU - Free Report) standing out as notable players. SoFi has expanded from student loan refinancing into a full suite of financial services, including lending, investing, and banking. Meanwhile, Nu, the Brazilian digital bank giant, is rapidly scaling across Latin America, with millions of new customers each quarter.

Both companies exemplify the shift toward digital-first banking solutions, leveraging technology to provide accessible and user-friendly financial services to a broad customer base.

The Case for SOFISOFI continues to impress investors, delivering strong results in the third quarter of 2025. SOFI’s third-quarter 2025 results reflected operational discipline and growth trajectory. Adjusted EBITDA came in at a record $277 million, with a 29% margin, while nonlending revenues surged 57% year over year. The lending segment also performed robustly, with $481 million in revenues, up 23% from last year. Total loan originations reached a record $9.9 billion, up 57% year over year, driven by strong demand for personal and home loans.

SoFi also strengthened its balance sheet, raising $1.7 billion in new capital and increasing total deposits by $3.4 billion to $32.9 billion. This growing deposit base enhances funding stability and supports lending expansion without excessive reliance on external financing.

Scalable profitability has emerged as the central force behind SOFI’sstronger guidance for 2025, reflected in raised expectations across every major metric. SOFI now anticipates adding approximately 3.5 million members, indicating 34% growth rate compared with the earlier forecast of 30%. This upward revision demonstrates the compounding effect of SoFi’s expanding ecosystem; more members mean higher product adoption and increased operating leverage.

Revenue expectations have also increased significantly. Adjusted net revenue is now projected at $3.54 billion, indicating 36% year-over-year growth and surpassing the prior $3.375 billion estimate. Profitability projections improved even more sharply: adjusted EBITDA is now guided to $1.035 billion, while adjusted net income is expected at $455 million with adjusted EPS of $0.37. SoFi’s most striking upgrade is tangible book value growth, now forecast at $2.5 billion, significantly above the earlier $640 million target. This signals enhanced capital strength and supports future lending and fee-driven expansion.

Both SoFi and Nu Holdings are high-quality fintech platforms with strong execution and favorable long-term trends. However, SoFi emerges as the better buy right now. The company is transitioning decisively from growth to scalable profitability, supported by a diversified ecosystem that spans lending, banking, investing, and technology-driven services. Its improving operating leverage, strengthening balance sheet, and expanding fee-based revenues provide clearer visibility into sustainable earnings power. While Nu Holdings remains an exceptional long-term compounder in Latin America, SoFi’s accelerating profitability, product breadth, and strategic innovation give it a more compelling near-term and medium-term risk-reward profile.

The broad upward revision suggests a business gaining structural efficiency as it scales. Strong member growth, improved cost discipline and expanding fee-based revenue streams are helping SoFi transition into a more durable, higher-margin financial platform with clearer visibility into long-term profitability.

SOFI is entering a strategically important lane with its decision to embed blockchain rails into cross-border payments. This move matters because international remittances remain slow, fee-heavy and controlled by legacy intermediaries. By using blockchain infrastructure, SoFi positions itself to deliver near-instant transfers at a lower cost. This experience can sharply improve sentiment among digitally native users who already rely on the company for banking, lending and investing services.

The Case for NUNu Holdings’ most powerful differentiator is the growing durability of its revenues. The company has demonstrated a clear ability to translate its vast customer base into recurring, multi-product income streams that are far less exposed to macroeconomic swings. In the third quarter of 2025, Nu sustained strong momentum by expanding its customer base to 127 million, adding more than 4 million new users, while maintaining an activity rate above 83%.

While Nubank’s earlier narrative was driven primarily by rapid user acquisition, the more important evolution today is the deepening monetization of those users across payments, credit, savings, insurance and other financial services. This shift toward predictable, repeatable revenue streams positions Nu Holdings for more stable performance, even during periods of tighter credit conditions or renewed foreign-exchange volatility in Latin America. Reflecting this progress, revenues grew 39% year over year on a currency-neutral basis in the third quarter, reaching $4.2 billion.

A key contributor to this resilience is the company’s disciplined focus on high-engagement products. Rather than stretching into higher-risk credit to boost short-term earnings, Nu Holdings continues to scale revenues through everyday transactions, low-cost deposits and steady cross-selling. These revenue streams naturally compound with scale and help smooth out the quarter-to-quarter volatility that often challenges traditional banks. As more customers adopt multiple products, average revenue per active user continues to rise, reinforcing long-term earnings visibility.

The model becomes even more attractive when paired with Nu Holdings’ efficient cost structure. Its technology-led platform avoids the burden of extensive physical infrastructure, allowing incremental revenue from additional products to translate more directly into operating leverage. At a time when legacy banks are grappling with rising compliance and structural costs, Nu Holdings’ revenue durability stands out as a meaningful strategic advantage, one that supports premium valuation multiples and underpins consistent shareholder returns in the next phase of growth.

How Do Zacks Estimates Compare for SOFI & NU?According to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, SoFi is expected to achieve 36.6% year-over-year sales growth and an impressive 140% jump in EPS in 2025, reflecting its improving profitability and operational efficiency.

                                                                    Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Nu Holdings is projected to post a sales growth of about 36%, driven by rapid customer acquisition and geographic expansion across Latin America. NU's EPS is forecasted to grow by 31%, trailing SoFi’s projected EPS growth.

                                                               Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

SoFi’s Valuation Reflects Strong Growth PotentialWhile NU appears attractively valued with a forward 12-month P/E of 20.07X versus its median of 20X, SoFi's higher forward P/E of 46.33X, below its median of 48.67X, reflects investor confidence in its rapid earnings growth potential. SoFi’s valuation premium is justified by its accelerating profitability, diversified financial services ecosystem, and growing U.S. market share.

SOFI Seems a Better BuyBoth SoFi and Nu Holdings are high-quality fintech platforms with strong execution and favorable long-term trends. However, SoFi emerges as the better buy right now. The company is transitioning decisively from growth to scalable profitability, supported by a diversified ecosystem that spans lending, banking, investing, and technology-driven services. Its improving operating leverage, strengthening balance sheet, and expanding fee-based revenues provide clearer visibility into sustainable earnings power. While Nu Holdings remains an exceptional long-term compounder in Latin America, SoFi’s accelerating profitability, product breadth and strategic innovation give it a more compelling near-term and medium-term risk-reward profile.

Both SOFI and NU currently carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Dan Ives is doubling down on artificial intelligence heading into 2026, arguing that investor excitement (and anxiety) around the scale of the AI buildout points to a pivotal year for the technology and the stocks most exposed to it.

The Wedbush analyst said 2026 is shaping up as an “inflection point year” for the AI revolution, with the US maintaining a rare leadership edge over China in technology even as the trillions of dollars required to fully deploy AI across enterprises and consumers continue to unnerve markets.

“We believe both sides can be right at the same time,” Ives wrote, describing AI as a fourth industrial revolution that is still early in its monetization cycle.

While Nvidia remains one of Wedbush’s top technology names, Ives highlighted five other stocks he believes will be “front and center” for investors looking to play AI into 2026: Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT), Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL, XETRA:APC), Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA), Palantir Technologies Inc (NYSE:PLTR) and CrowdStrike Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:CRWD).

Microsoft: Azure inflection ahead
Ives said the market is underestimating the scale of AI-driven growth about to unfold at Microsoft, particularly within its Azure cloud business.

“The Street is underestimating the Azure growth story in our view and AI driven shift about to happen in Redmond heading into 2026,” he wrote, adding that while AI use cases accelerated in fiscal 2025, fiscal 2026 “remains the true inflection year of AI growth as CIO lines build for deployments.”

He called Microsoft one of his favorite large-cap tech names to own over the coming year.

Apple: AI monetization still to come
Apple’s AI strategy has been a lingering question for investors, but Ives believes its massive installed base gives it unmatched leverage once execution accelerates.

“With the biggest consumer installed base in the world of 2.4 billion iOS devices and 1.5 billion iPhones, the time is now for Apple to accelerate its AI efforts,” he wrote.

Ives estimates AI monetization could add $75 to $100 per share to Apple over the next several years as its strategy comes into focus, after what he described as a “head scratching AI strategy this year in Apple Park.”

Ives also expects CEO Tim Cook to remain in place through at least the end of 2027 to guide Apple through this transition.

Tesla: AI valuation unlock
For Tesla, Ives sees 2026 as a turning point as autonomous driving and robotics take center stage.

“Heading into 2026 this marks a monster year ahead for Tesla and Musk as the autonomous and robotics chapter begins,” he wrote, arguing that the company’s AI valuation is starting to be unlocked through full self-driving adoption and the rollout of its Cybercab ambitions in the US.

Ives said the shift toward an AI-driven valuation has begun and suggested Tesla could reach a $2 trillion market capitalization over the coming year, with a bull case of $3 trillion by the end of 2026.

Palantir: Enterprise AI demand surging
Palantir continues to see what Ives described as “unprecedented demand” for its Artificial Intelligence Platform across commercial and government customers.

By delivering AI solutions at enterprise scale that solve real-world problems, Palantir is driving new customer wins and deal expansions, he said. Ives added that the company has a “golden path” to eventually becoming a trillion-dollar market cap player as it grows into its valuation.

CrowdStrike: AI tailwind in cybersecurity
Rounding out the list, Ives highlighted CrowdStrike as a key beneficiary of AI adoption, even if indirectly.

“Deal momentum [is] spreading with AI also a clear tailwind for CRWD,” he wrote, pointing to growing mindshare and an expanding product suite across large enterprises.

Ives said the market is underestimating CrowdStrike’s growth potential, calling cybersecurity a second- or third-order beneficiary of the AI revolution, a dynamic that underpins his bullish stance on the stock.

Taken together, Ives said these five names offer investors differentiated exposure to what he sees as the next major phase of the AI buildout as the technology moves from hype to large-scale deployment in 2026.

If you are a dividend investor who wishes to go off the beaten path and secure large gains while doing so, it's a good idea to look into dividend stocks with a market cap below $10 billion.

HomeStock IdeasLong IdeasTech 

SummaryZeta Global is upgraded to "Strong Buy," driven by robust Q3 results, guidance hikes, and bullish technical signals.ZETA delivered 26% revenue growth, 46% adjusted EBITDA growth, and raised both revenue and EBITDA guidance, signaling operational momentum.Management projects 21% revenue growth and a 23% margin for 2026, with EPS potentially reaching $1.00 and a refreshed $32 price target.Technical breakout above resistance, improving moving averages, and bullish RSI confirm strong upside potential into the high $20s. WANAN YOSSINGKUM/iStock via Getty Images

Zeta Global (ZETA) has been a comeback story since April, but also following a September to mid-November lull. Shares of the now $5.1 billion market cap Information Technology sector company and AI-darling name have jumped in recent days, on not a lot of

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Growth stocks are attractive to many investors, as above-average financial growth helps these stocks easily grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a growth stock that can live up to its true potential can be a tough task.

By their very nature, these stocks carry above-average risk and volatility. Moreover, if a company's growth story is over or nearing its end, betting on it could lead to significant loss.

However, the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects, makes it pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks.

Our proprietary system currently recommends Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM - Free Report) as one such stock. This company not only has a favorable Growth Score, but also carries a top Zacks Rank.

Research shows that stocks carrying the best growth features consistently beat the market. And for stocks that have a combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), returns are even better.

Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this gold mining company a great growth pick right now.

Earnings GrowthEarnings growth is arguably the most important factor, as stocks exhibiting exceptionally surging profit levels tend to attract the attention of most investors. And for growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is definitely preferable, and often an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.

While the historical EPS growth rate for Agnico is 20.2%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 86.1% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 64.4%.

Cash Flow GrowthWhile cash is the lifeblood of any business, higher-than-average cash flow growth is more important and beneficial for growth-oriented companies than for mature companies. That's because, growth in cash flow enables these companies to expand their businesses without depending on expensive outside funds.

Right now, year-over-year cash flow growth for Agnico is 40.3%, which is higher than many of its peers. In fact, the rate compares to the industry average of 8.6%.

While investors should actually consider the current cash flow growth, it's worth taking a look at the historical rate too for putting the current reading into proper perspective. The company's annualized cash flow growth rate has been 36.2% over the past 3-5 years versus the industry average of 15.4%.

Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsBeyond the metrics outlined above, investors should consider the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is a plus here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

There have been upward revisions in current-year earnings estimates for Agnico. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 1.2% over the past month.

Bottom LineAgnico has not only earned a Growth Score of B based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above, but it also carries a Zacks Rank #1 because of the positive earnings estimate revisions.

You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

This combination indicates that Agnico is a potential outperformer and a solid choice for growth investors.

Ready Capital Corporation (RC) Q2 2025 Earnings Conference Call August 8, 2025 8:30 AM ET

Company Participants

Adam Zausmer - Chief Credit Officer
Andrew Ahlborn - CFO & Secretary
Thomas Edward Capasse - Chairman, CEO & Chief Investment Officer

Conference Call Participants

Christopher Whitbread Patrick Nolan - Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., Research Division
Crispin Elliot Love - Piper Sandler & Co., Research Division
Douglas Michael Harter - UBS Investment Bank, Research Division
Jade Joseph Rahmani - Keefe, Bruyette, & Woods, Inc., Research Division
Randy Binner - B. Riley Securities, Inc., Research Division

Operator

Greetings. Welcome to Ready Capital's Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Call. [Operator Instructions] As a reminder, today's conference is being recorded.

At this time, I'll now turn the conference over to Andrew Ahlborn, Chief Financial Officer. Andrew, you may begin.

Andrew Ahlborn

Thank you, operator, and good morning to those of you on the call. Some of our comments today will be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Such statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from what we expect. Therefore, you should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on them. We refer you to our SEC filings for a more detailed discussion of the risks that could impact our future operating results and financial condition.

During the call, we will discuss our non-GAAP measures, which we believe can be useful in evaluating the company's operating performance. These measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for our financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is available in our second quarter 2025 earnings release and our supplemental information, which can be found in the Investors section of the Ready Capital website.

TL;DR

Treasury companies and ETFs concentrated close to 5% of Solana’s circulating supply in 2025, holding more than 28 million tokens.
Treasuries accumulated over 20 million SOL valued at $2.6 billion, but halted purchases in December and shifted toward managing the capital already deployed.
ETFs continue to accumulate and reached 7.86 million SOL. Even so, SOL’s price remains stuck around $128.

Treasury companies and ETFs absorbed close to 5% of Solana’s circulating supply throughout 2025. Taken together, these entities control more than 28 million SOL tokens, a figure that reshapes the supply structure and concentrates economic power within the ecosystem. Part of these holdings was allocated to staking and validator support.

The firms accumulated more than 20 million SOL, valued at roughly $2.6 billion. However, the pace of buying was uneven over the year. In December, treasury companies halted net acquisitions even as SOL traded at lower prices. Accumulation gave way to a defensive management of the capital already invested.

Solana Purchases Slow and Capital Management Takes Over
Shares of treasury companies declined after the speculative peak in the third quarter. Forward Industries, one of the most prominent players in the segment, still retains annual gains of around 40%, but its shares have been falling since September. Its SOL treasury is valued at $871 million, while its market capitalization stands near $608.8 million, a clear signal of fading interest in indirect exposure through equities.

Other companies show a more pronounced deterioration. Solana Company, with 2.3 million SOL in reserves, trades near $2.78 after reaching $772.50 in March. DeFi Dev Corp, the third-largest holder with 2.19 million SOL, dropped from $53.88 to $5.76 by year-end. With no new inflows, these firms now rely on internal ecosystem revenues, mainly fees and staking rewards, as long as SOL’s price remains stable.

ETFs Grow While SOL Remains Range-Bound
Solana ETFs followed a different path. The funds posted net inflows during the final weeks of the year and now hold 7.86 million SOL, surpassing $1 billion in assets under management. Even so, these vehicles do not guarantee long-term retention and can reverse flows quickly if market conditions shift.

Meanwhile, SOL’s price remains trapped. It trades near $128 and has failed to confirm new highs. The contrast is clear: on-chain activity continues to expand, Solana ranked among the networks with the highest fee generation from real usage in 2025, and its social media presence exceeds 10%. However, several applications continue to sell tokens on the open market, creating sustained selling pressure and limiting the impact of institutional accumulation

As the crypto markets are heading for the yearly close, the volatility has just lit up. Bitcoin price surged over $90,000 for a while but failed to reach the critical resistance at $90,500. As a result, the price dropped below $88,000, dragging the Ethereum price below $3000. Besides, Solana price also faced a similar downfall after hitting the psychological barrier at $130 and dropped to $122 to $123 level. Although the price is constantly failing to secure $130, in the broader perspective, the token is preparing for a divine move. 

On the other hand, the token had attracted enough attention through inflows and accumulations. Therefore, it would be interesting to watch whether these factors will push the SOL price beyond $150 in early 2026.

Capital Rotation: Fund Flows into SolanaRecent fund-flow data from CoinShares shows a clear divergence. While Bitcoin and Ethereum products have experienced net weekly outflows, Solana-linked products recorded a third consecutive week of modest inflows. This does not signal a broad risk-on shift, but it does highlight rotation rather than exit. In late-cycle consolidation phases, capital often seeks assets showing momentum without overcrowding—Solana currently fits that profile.

On-Chain Liquidity: DEX Spot Volume Crosses $2.3T YTDOn-chain data reinforces this picture. According to Defilama, aggregate DEX spot volume across Solana-based protocols has crossed $2.3 trillion year-to-date. This reflects cumulative decentralized trading activity rather than a single venue, driven largely by retail participation and memecoin-related flows. While centralized exchanges still dominate total volumes, the scale of on-chain liquidity highlights Solana’s growing role as a major trading hub.

Solana Price Analysis: Weekly Compression at a Make-or-Break ZoneFrom a technical standpoint, Solana’s weekly chart adds weight to the relative-strength narrative. SOL continues to trade within a large ascending structure, supported by a rising trendline that has held since early 2023. Importantly, price is consolidating just above the 200-week EMA near $121, a level that has repeatedly acted as dynamic support during pullbacks.

At the same time, SOL faces persistent resistance in the $145–$150 zone, where multiple weekly rejections have occurred. This has created a compression setup, with higher lows pressing into long-term resistance. Volume has remained steady, and OBV is holding near elevated levels, suggesting accumulation rather than distribution.

As long as SOL holds above the rising trendline and the 200-week EMA, the broader structure remains constructive. A weekly close above $150 would confirm a breakout and open the door toward $180–$200. Conversely, a decisive break below $120 would weaken the setup and expose downside toward the $95–$100 support area.

Conclusion: Can Solana Reach $150 in Early 2026?Whether Solana reaches the $150 level in early 2026 will depend less on narrative and more on price confirmation. On the weekly chart, SOL continues to hold above the rising trendline and the 200-week EMA near $120, keeping the broader structure constructive. As long as this support zone holds, downside risk remains contained.

However, $145–$150 remains a major supply zone, where sellers have repeatedly stepped in. A weekly close above $150, followed by acceptance, would mark a structural breakout and significantly improve the probability of continuation toward higher levels. Until that happens, Solana is likely to remain in consolidation. In short, $150 is achievable—but only if price confirms strength, not before.

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Solana and Ethereum Stablecoins are gaining meaningful adoption and traction in Europe despite heightened regulatory scrutiny in the region. Onchain data shows that stablecoin activity in European time zones rose sharply in 2025.

Ethereum and Solana-based stablecoins experienced significant growth in usage in Europe compared to other global regions, indicating broad adoption and substantial traction in 2025. The sharp increase in stablecoin activity in the region occurred despite hurdles imposed by heightened regulatory scrutiny and stringent laws on stablecoins and the broader crypto ecosystem. 

Stablecoins transaction activities surge in Europe
Source: Artemis. Adjusted Stablecoin Transactions by Region (Ethereum and Solana)
According to onchain data from stablecoin analytics platform Artemis, transactions in European time zones totaled 7.8 million in November 2025. November’s transaction count increased from 7.7 million in October, while September saw the region process 8.8 million transactions. In August, the region’s stablecoin transactions totaled 10 million, up from 10.1 million in July. 

In June and May, 7.6 million and 8.1 million transactions were recorded, respectively. In contrast, April and March saw 10.5 million and 14.1 million transactions, respectively. January and February recorded 14.9 million and 13.7 million transactions, respectively, marking the two months with the highest transaction count of the entire year. The total transaction count in European time zones for the entire year, excluding December, settled at 113.3 million transactions.

Although the transaction count seemingly declined MoM in 2025, the annual computation reveals a different picture. In 2024, the total transaction count for Ethereum and Solana-based stablecoins reached 44.1 million, representing more than 150% increase. In 2023, the transaction count was only 3.8 million, compared to approximately 1.5 million in 2022.

European Central Bank raises concerns about stablecoin usage in Europe
Senne Aerts, a Graduate Programme Participant, published a report for the European Central Bank dated November 2025 as part of the EU Financial Stability Review, acknowledging the upsurge in stablecoin activity in the region. According to Aerts, the stablecoin boom in Europe raises concerns about the region’s financial stability. The publication highlighted that the stablecoin infrastructure possesses structural weaknesses and risks, such as de-pegging and runs.

Aerts explained that the widespread use of stablecoins could destabilize the banking sector due to possible retail deposit outflows. The deviation of capital would diminish an essential source of funding for banking institutions, leaving them with more volatile funding overall.

According to the participant, the outflows could increase if crypto trading platforms were allowed to offer interest on stablecoin deposits and holdings. He said that the interest issuance would “increase stablecoins’ relative attractiveness” and cause “banking disintermediation”.

He also acknowledged that Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) prohibits interest payment on stablecoin holdings by stablecoin issuers and crypto-asset service providers and noted that U.S. banks were calling for a similar ban. Aerts said that stablecoin issuers typically back their stablecoin by holding some of their reserves in bank deposits. He expressed an existing concern that “deposits made by stablecoin issuers may be subject to sudden withdrawals in the event of a stablecoin run, leaving bank funding structures more vulnerable to shocks.”

Aerts credited the upsurge to increasing investor demand and global regulatory developments. The Financial Stability Review highlighted that the majority of stablecoin use cases originate from crypto trading activities, with Stablecoins like USDT and USDC offering investors an easy way in and out of crypto with limited exposure to conversion volatility.

The report also noted that approximately 80% of global trades on centralized crypto exchanges and regulated trading platforms involve stablecoins, indicating that stablecoins have become a vital component for the longevity of cryptocurrencies and the entire DeFi sector. 

Despite the backlash against stablecoins, nine European banks are working on a stablecoin project called Qivalis. According to a recent Cryptopolitan report, the stablecoin intends to introduce the stablecoin in the second half of 2026. The collaborative efforts intend to develop a euro-pegged stablecoin that adheres to MiCAR and addresses the demand for a faster, 24/7 cross-border settlement solution.

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Key Takeaways ROKU's platform revenues are driven by advertising and streaming services distribution.Advertising leads momentum as programmatic demand rises and Ads Manager attracts mostly new advertisers.Streaming growth is supported by new originals, sports content and the low-cost Howdy subscription service.
Roku's (ROKU - Free Report) platform revenues are driven by advertising activities and streaming services distribution. Advertising includes video ads delivered across the Roku platform and The Roku Channel, while streaming services distribution covers revenues from Premium Subscriptions, transaction fees on content purchases and Roku-billed subscriptions. This dual revenue structure provides diversification and gives Roku multiple levers to drive platform growth.

Advertising remains the key driver of platform momentum. Roku has expanded integrations with major demand-side platforms such as Amazon DSP, Trade Desk and FreeWheel, allowing advertisers to access inventory through preferred buying channels. Programmatic transactions account for a rising share of video ad impressions, improving demand access and monetisation efficiency. Roku Ads Manager is broadening the advertiser base by attracting small and medium-sized businesses and performance marketers. Nearly 90% of advertisers using Ads Manager are new to Roku, pointing to incremental demand rather than dependence on traditional brand budgets. Video advertising growth continues to outpace the broader U.S. OTT and digital advertising markets, supporting visibility into platform revenue trends.

Streaming services distribution adds a second growth driver. Subscriptions are benefiting from improved content discovery and AI-powered recommendations that support higher conversions. Roku’s 2026 content slate is expected to strengthen The Roku Channel with originals such as Broad Trip, The Laguna Beach Reunion and The Great American Baking Show Season 2, alongside third-party titles including The Spiderwick Chronicles and Die Hart Season 3. Engagement is expected to be further supported by The Roku Sports Channel, which features MLB Sunday Leadoff, NBA G League and Formula E content. Howdy, Roku’s $2.99 ad-free subscription service with nearly 10,000 hours of content targets a value-focused audience and expands monetisation opportunities.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter 2025 platform revenues is pegged at $1.12 billion, indicating 14.5% year-over-year growth. With advertising execution and subscription expansion progressing together, Roku’s platform revenues appear well-positioned to support further upside.

ROKU Faces Intensifying CompetitionRoku’s platform competes with Netflix (NFLX - Free Report) and Disney (DIS - Free Report) as both expand ad-supported streaming and subscription monetization. Netflix is scaling its ad tier alongside subscriptions, while Netflix continues to monetise viewing inside its own app. Disney follows a similar path across Disney+ and Hulu, with Disney using premium content to support ads and subscriptions. Unlike Netflix and Disney, Roku monetises viewing across apps at the platform level rather than single-service control models.

ROKU’s Share Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesROKU shares have risen 27.5% in the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Broadcast Radio and Television industry’s decline of 15.5% and the Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector’s plunge of 6.7%.

ROKU’s Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, Roku stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month Price/Sales ratio of 3.11X compared with the industry’s 4.3X. ROKU carries a Value Score of D.

ROKU’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ROKU’s fourth-quarter 2025 earnings is pegged at 28 cents per share, unchanged over the past 30 days. The earnings figure suggests improvement over the year-ago quarter’s loss of 24 cents per share.

Roku currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Grayscale is positioning Chainlink at the center of a projected 1,000x expansion in the RWA market — bullish Chainlink price predictions could catch on.

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Modivcare Inc. (the “Company” or “Modivcare”) (OTCMKTS: MODVQ), a technology-enabled healthcare services company providing a platform of integrated supportive care solutions focused on improving health outcomes, today announced the completion of its financial restructuring process and emergence from Chapter 11 protection. Modivcare achieved the objectives it set for this process, including meaningfully reducing funded debt by $1.1 billion—more than 85% of prior funded d.

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XRP witnessed extreme volatility on Monday, with prices rising to $1.91 and falling back to $1.86 within a few hours. On-chain data shows rising inflows in Binance and South Korean crypto exchanges have kept the altcoin under selling pressure.

XRP On-Chain Data Sparks Selloff Concerns
According to CryptoQuant on-chain data, inflows into crypto exchanges increased significantly from mid-December amid a massive correction in XRP. The inflows reached the levels last recorded during the October crypto market crash.

XRP Exchange Inflow on Binance. Source: CryptoQuant
The Exchange Inflow metric shows massive inflows in Binance. XRP daily deposits ranged from 55 million to 116 million. It signals renewed selling pressure similar to earlier this year, coinciding with sustained whale distributions and ongoing uncertainty in the crypto market.

Other crypto exchanges, especially South Korea-based Upbit and Bithumb, recorded massive inflows. XRP faced renewed distribution pressure similar to earlier this year. The ATH price top coincided with sustained whale distributions and a subsequent correction.

Exchange Inflow on Upbit. Source: CryptoQuant
While XRP exchange reserves are falling, the exchange inflow data suggests a shift in investor behavior. Moreover, spot XRP ETF inflows have failed to lift prices. Notably, the total net inflow has reached $1.14 billion, and the total AUM has hit $1.25 billion.

Price Risks Fall to $1
Ripple-linked coin saw volatile price action today as it pared earlier gains to drop back to $1.87. The intraday high and low are $1.85 and $1.91, respectively. Trading volume has increased by 70% over the past 24 hours, indicating interest among traders.

Veteran trader Peter Brandt predicted an XRP crash to $1 due to a bearish double-top pattern on the weekly chart. Crypto analysts, including Ali Martinez, have also shared a $1 price target if bulls fail to defend the $1.80 level amid continued whale selloffs.

CoinGlass data showed massive selling in derivatives markets. At the time of writing, the total XRP futures open interest tumbled almost 3% to $3.44 billion in the last 4 hours. Futures OI on CME and Binance plunged more than 1.21% and 2.15%, respectively, signaling bearish sentiment among derivatives traders.

TL;DR

Trend Research bought $35M ETH, lifting holdings above 601,000 ETH (~$1.83B) after borrowing $958M stablecoins from Aave at ~$3,265 average.
Jack Yi says he is bullish for 1H 2026, will keep buying, run a maximum ETH position, and hold WLFI heavily through volatility cycles.
Fundstrat warned ETH near $1,800 in 1H 2026; Tom Lee also chairs BitMine; Nansen smart money net short $117M added $15M longs.

Trend Research is leaning harder into Ether as year-end positioning compresses timelines for 2026. The Hong Kong firm bought $35 million of ETH, lifting its stack above 601,000 ETH worth about $1.83 billion. Lookonchain also tracked the financing leg: Trend has borrowed $958 million in stablecoins from Aave and built the position at an average cost near $3,265 per ETH. That scale lands even as a major corporate Ethereum holder is bracing for a sharp first-quarter 2026 drawdown, setting up a high-contrast backdrop for execution across public markets.

This #66kETHBorrow Whale(confirmed to be Trend Research) just bought another 11,520 $ETH($34.93M).https://t.co/Zuz4m0o4rf pic.twitter.com/W4zTLoFVeZ

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) December 29, 2025

ETH Bet Gets Bigger
Founder Jack Yi says he is bullish for the first half of 2026 and plans to keep buying Ether “until the bull market arrives.” His stance is intentionally concentrated: maximum position in ETH alongside a “heavy” allocation to the Trump family-linked WLFI token. Yi frames next year as a tailwind set, pointing to financial activity moving onchain, stablecoin rails, rate cut cycles, and friendlier crypto policies. He also signaled he will buy through “fluctuations of a few hundred dollars,” treating volatility as noise. For allocators, it’s a leverage-and-conviction play now, period.

A competing view comes from Fundstrat Global Advisors, which flagged a local bottom near $1,800 ETH in Q1 2026 and warned of a “meaningful drawdown” in the first half of the coming year. The internal note also sketched BTC at $60,000 to $65,000 and SOL at $50 to $75, with a “durable low” in Q1 or Q3 before a rally into year-end. The surprise is the messenger: Tom Lee, Fundstrat’s co-founder, is also chairman of BitMine, the largest corporate Ether holder with about $12.3 billion in ETH holdings.

In practice, positioning looks fragmented. Trend says it will keep accumulating regardless of dollar swings, while BitMine leans on dollar-cost averaging and Trend remains an unlisted holder missing from most public dashboards, including StrategicEthReserve. Yet Trend still ranks third in Ether held behind BitMine and SharpLink Gaming, making its moves hard to ignore. Derivatives flows add a layer: Nansen’s “smart money” cohort was net short ETH by $117 million, but added $15 million in longs over 24 hours, hinting at a rebound in risk appetite. 2026 upside is being priced with hedges attached.

BitMine Immersion Technologies said it added 44,463 Ether to its cryptocurrency treasury over the past week, marking a sizable expansion of its digital asset holdings. The purchase comes as digital asset investment products, including those linked to Ethereum, recorded another week of net outflows, reflecting continued caution among some investors.

Ethereum’s recent rebound has brought a brief sense of relief, but the bigger challenge still lies ahead. While price is attempting to stabilize after weeks of sideways action, the broader structure suggests this move remains corrective rather than decisive. Until ETH can clear the $3,550 barrier, the bounce looks more like a pause in consolidation than the start of a sustained upside breakout.

Sideways Correction Still Dominates Ethereum’s Structure
According to More Crypto Online, Ethereum continues to trade within a sideways corrective structure that has been in place since November 21. Price action remains capped below the upper boundary of this corrective trend channel, signaling that the market has yet to show a convincing shift toward a broader bullish phase.

At this stage, a break above the corrective channel is the minimum indication that upside momentum may be developing. Even if Ethereum does push higher, caution is still warranted. Any advance from current levels could simply unfold as a yellow B-wave within a larger circle wave 5, or as an extended phase of circle wave 4. Both scenarios imply that upward movement may be corrective in nature rather than the start of a sustained rally.

ETH stuck within a descending channel pattern | Source: Chart from More Crypto Online on X
For the more bullish orange scenario to gain real credibility, Ethereum would need to reclaim the $3,550 resistance level decisively. A clean break and hold above this zone would help confirm a stronger breakout structure and reduce the risk that the move is merely a temporary bounce.

Until such confirmation appears, the probability of another downside test remains elevated. Overall, the technical structure still favors consolidation or further downside over an immediate bullish continuation, keeping the market in a cautious mode.

ETH Mirrors Bitcoin’s Range-Bound Behavior
In a more recent update, Crypto Candy noted that Ethereum continues to mirror Bitcoin’s price behavior, remaining locked in a well-defined range between $2,700 and $3,400. ETH’s price has been largely stagnant over the past few sessions, indicating indecision across the broader market as participants await a clearer directional cue.

However, ETH recently found support in the $2,600–$2,700 demand zone, where buyers stepped in and sparked a short-term bounce. This reaction has allowed price to start pushing back toward higher levels within the range, suggesting that downside pressure is easing for now. If momentum continues to build, a move toward the upper boundary around $3,400 could regain focus.

For the bullish bias to remain valid, the $2,600–$2,700 support area must continue to hold. A clean breakdown below that zone would weaken the current recovery attempt and reopen the door to deeper downside.

ETH trading at $2,969 on the 1D chart | Source: ETHUSDT on Tradingview.com
Featured image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com

Ethereum price action is tightening into a triangle formation as volatility compresses, signaling a breakout is nearing as dynamic support and resistance converge.

Summary

Ethereum consolidates within a tightening triangle structure.
Volatility compression signals an imminent expansion.
Breakout direction hinges on volume and key levels.

Ethereum (ETH) price is entering a critical technical phase as price action continues to compress within a tightening triangular structure. With volatility steadily declining and both buyers and sellers becoming increasingly selective, the market is approaching a point where balance can no longer be sustained.

This convergence of dynamic support and resistance typically precedes a sharp expansion, making the coming sessions pivotal for Ethereum’s short-term direction.

Ethereum price key technical points

Triangle apex nearing completion, signaling an imminent volatility expansion
Point of Control (POC) and Value Area Low (VAL) acting as key compression zones
High-time-frame support at $2,680 and resistance at $3,390 defining the broader range

ETHUSDT (4H) Chart, Source: TradingView
Ethereum’s current structure is defined by consecutive lower highs and higher lows, a classic sign of market compression. This price behavior reflects indecision rather than weakness or strength, as buyers and sellers gradually converge toward equilibrium. Such formations often resolve with force once one side gains control.

From a volume-profile perspective, price is gravitating around the Point of Control, an area representing the highest traded volume within the recent range. When price consolidates near the POC, it often indicates balance, but prolonged compression at this level can lead to sharp directional moves once acceptance is established above or below value.

The Value Area Low is playing a critical role as dynamic support during this consolidation phase. Repeated reactions around this region suggest that buyers are still active, but not yet aggressive enough to force a sustained breakout. At the same time, sellers have been unable to press price decisively lower, reinforcing the idea that volatility is being stored rather than released.

One notable technical factor is the untested high-time-frame support near $2,680. This level has not yet been revisited during the current consolidation, leaving a pocket of resting liquidity below price. Markets are naturally drawn to such areas, particularly when price action remains range-bound. A downside break toward this level would not necessarily invalidate the broader structure, but rather complete a full auction rotation within the range.

On the upside, $3,390 remains the key high-time-frame resistance. This region marks the upper boundary of Ethereum’s broader trading range and represents an area where sellers have previously regained control. A breakout above this level would require not only a structural break from the triangle but also a clear influx of bullish volume to confirm acceptance.

In the short term, however, Ethereum’s focus remains on the triangle apex. As price compresses further, volatility continues to contract, a condition that historically rarely persists for long. When the apex is reached, the market is forced to resolve, often resulting in an impulsive move driven by stops, liquidity, and renewed participation, particularly as Ethereum staking deposits have begun to outpace exits for the first time since June 2025, signaling a potential shift in participant behavior.

Significantly, the breakout direction will be determined by volume confirmation. Breakouts without volume tend to fail, leading to false moves and sharp reversals. Conversely, a breakout accompanied by expanding volume often signals the beginning of a sustained directional move.

From a market-structure perspective, Ethereum remains range-bound on the higher time frame. The consolidation unfolding now represents a pause within that range, rather than a confirmed trend reversal. Until either $2,680 or $3,390 is broken with conviction, rotational behavior is likely to persist.

What to expect in the coming price action
As Ethereum approaches the triangle apex, traders should expect volatility to expand in the near term. A downside break could target the untested $2,680 support to clear resting liquidity, while a bullish breakout would need substantial volume to challenge resistance near $3,390.

Until a decisive break occurs, Ethereum is likely to remain rotational within its broader high-time-frame range.

Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) has acquired another 1,229 BTC for $108.8 million at an average price of $88,568 per Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) as Peter Schiff slammed the company’s five-year buying spree as a 3% annual return disaster.

Strategy Resumes Buying After $2.2 Billion Cash RaiseThe largest publicly traded Bitcoin holder purchased the coins last week through the sale of $108.8 million in Class A common stock, according to an SEC filing on Monday

Total holdings increased to 672,497 BTC, acquired for $50.44 billion, representing an average purchase price of $74,997 per Bitcoin.

The company achieved a BTC Yield of 23.2% year-to-date in 2025.

Schiff Destroys The Math On Returns“Strategy has been buying Bitcoin for five years. With an average cost of 75K, the company has a ‘paper profit’ of just 16%. That’s an average annual return of just over 3%,” Schiff posted on X.

MSTR would have been much better off had Saylor bought just about any other asset instead of Bitcoin, he added.

Schiff also went after Strategy’s preferred stock playbook last month, calling it a trap for investors.

“Dividends are only paid if MSTR decides to declare a dividend,” Schiff warned. “Undeclared dividends don’t accumulate. They are lost forever.”

He predicted fund managers will eventually “dump the preferreds” once they realize dividends will never actually be paid, collapsing Strategy’s entire capital-raising machine.

The Valuation Disconnect Is BrutalStrategy’s market value sits at approximately $45 billion, but its BTC holdings are worth around $59-60 billion—a massive discount reflecting investor concerns about leverage, dilution, and Bitcoin’s 30% drop since Oct. 10.

MSTR stock has fallen 50% since Oct. 10, significantly underperforming Bitcoin itself. 

Chart Shows MSTR In Absolute Freefall

MSTR Price Action By TradingView

The devastation is visible on the chart—a collapse from nearly $500 in July to current levels represents a loss of over 68%.

The Supertrend indicator flipped bearish at $187.86 and has been acting as heavy resistance, while the SAR indicator at $179.77 confirms the downtrend is firmly in place.

MSTR has been making lower lows consistently with barely any meaningful bounces, showing complete lack of buyer interest. 

All EMA's are pointing downward with price well beneath them.

There’s currently no clear support level holding except recent low of $153.70.

The stock desperately needs to reclaim $180-$190 to even hint at stabilization, but until Bitcoin itself finds a floor, MSTR will likely continue bleeding as institutional and retail investors head for the exits.

Read Next:

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Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) navigated historic inflows, brutal drawdowns, and sharp rotations in 2025. The year revealed both the maturity of the market and the growing sophistication of ETF investors heading into 2026.

Here's everything most important that happened for Ripple and its ecosystem throughout 2025.

2025 has been a historic year for Ripple and its native token XRP. The company secured key partnerships and made notable acquisitions, and the crypto community finally saw the conclusion of the Ripple/SEC legal battle, while the asset’s price was booming in the summer.

However, the past few months have not been kind to the market, and XRP’s valuation has headed south. Moreover, large investors (known as whales) have been selling their holdings en masse, signaling that the downtrend is nowhere near its end.

The Legal Saga and the Major Acquisitions
Ripple started the year rather quietly, initially standing aside from the spotlight. However, it all changed in March when the company’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, announced that the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had dropped its appeal against the firm, triggering real euphoria across the XRP Army.

The legal battle had to pass through additional phases before being finally concluded in the summer. The final judgment required Ripple to pay a civil penalty of approximately $125 million for violating certain securities laws. The SEC initially sought about $2 billion in disgorgement and penalties, meaning the company was ordered to pay less than 7% of what the regulator insisted on.

That said, countless analysts and experts viewed the ruling as a major and decisive victory for Ripple. Some went even further, describing it as a pivotal moment in the industry and one that marks the pro-crypto shift at the SEC following the resignation of former Chairman Gary Gensler.

The company’s success this year spreads well beyond its court win against. In April, it disclosed the acquisition of the prime brokerage Hidden Road for $1.25 billion, which was seen as one of the largest deals ever in the crypto space. Several months later, the platform was renamed to Ripple Prime, and its goal is to provide services to institutional clients.

Besides that, the firm made other notable deals, including the purchase of Rail for $200 million and Palisade. In addition, it announced a $1 billion acquisition of treasury management system provider GTreasury.

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There were also rumors that Ripple planned to spend more than $5 billion to purchase Circle, the company behind the stablecoin USDC. However, the latter reportedly rejected the offer.

Earlier this month, CEO Garlinghouse dropped another bombshell, saying the entity has received conditional approval from the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to charter Ripple National Trust Bank. The excitement of the XRP community was more than evident, and some revealed that Bank of America has confirmed the move.

The ETFs and RLUSD’s Progress
Another major milestone occurred towards the end of the year. It was mid-November when Canary Capital introduced the first spot XRP ETF in the United States, which has 100% exposure to the token. The product had a very successful debut, and shortly after, Bitwise, Grayscale, Franklin Templeton, and 21Shares followed suit. According to SoSoValue, the investment vehicles have so far generated a cumulative total net inflow of around $1.14 billion.

2025 has also been beneficial for Ripple’s stablecoin. Launched in late 2024 under the ticker RLUSD and pegged to the American dollar, the financial product gained backing from numerous exchanges, banking giants, and well-known entities over the last several months.

In July, Ripple selected the oldest US bank, BNY Mellon, to serve as a custodian for RLUSD. Meanwhile, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) recognized the stablecoin within the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), whereas Abu Dhabi’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) classified it as an accepted fiat-referenced token.

RLUSD’s market capitalization recently surpassed $1.3 billion, making it the 12th-largest stablecoin and the 77th-largest cryptocurrency.

XRP’s Rise and Fall
Ripple’s native token started the year on the right foot, exceeding the $3 mark in January. While the following months were volatile and not as successful, the summer brought another major resurgence.

In July, XRP hit a new all-time high of around $3.65 amid a time when the broader crypto market was booming. The past months, though, have brought a painful correction. As of this writing, XRP trades at around $1.87 (per CoinGecko’s data), representing a 48% decline from the summer peak.

Certain factors, including the bearish market conditions and the recent selling spree by large investors, suggest the pullback may intensify in the near future. At one point towards the end of the year, whales offloaded roughly 1.4 billion tokens in less than a month. Later on, they dumped an additional 510 million tokens in the span of a single week, while around Christmas, they sold 40 million coins.

Those efforts signal reduced confidence in the asset, which could spread panic across the community and prompt smaller players to cash out, too. It also raises the question that the whales might know something we don’t, which could explain their selling en masse.

Tags:

TL;DR

Validator queues: More than 745,000 ETH is lined up to stake compared to just 360,000 ETH in exits, marking the first time in six months that deposits have surpassed withdrawals.
Market signals: The exit queue has historically been a strong indicator of selling pressure. September’s Kiln unstaking released 5% of Ether.
Institutional push: BlackRock’s filing for a staked Ethereum ETF, alongside treasury firms staking billions, highlights mainstream adoption.

Ethereum’s validator dynamics have shifted sharply as deposits now outweigh withdrawals for the first time in six months. Analysts highlight this reversal as a potential signal of renewed confidence in the network, with nearly twice as much ETH queued to stake compared to those preparing to exit.

Staking Queue Turns Positive
According to the Ethereum Validator Queue, approximately 745,000–746,000 ETH is waiting to enter the validator set, while only about 360,000 ETH remains in the exit line. This marks a decisive change after months of withdrawals dominating flows. Over the weekend, both queues hovered near 460,000 ETH, but the entry line accelerated, suggesting growing demand for staking. Analysts warn the exit queue could hit zero by early January, reducing selling pressure and stabilizing supply.

Exit Queue as Selling Indicator
Abdul, head of DeFi at Monad, emphasized that the exit queue has historically served as a leading indicator of selling pressure. In June, ETH traded near $2,800 before surging to a record high of $4,946 in August, only to settle around $3,000. He noted that since July, about 5% of Ether has circulated, largely due to Kiln’s September unstaking. BitMine absorbed nearly 70% of that ETH, securing a 3.4% share of total supply. Abdul expects 2026 to bring dramatic shifts if current patterns persist.

Treasury Firms Drive Demand
Dylan Grabowski, host of the Smart Economy Podcast, linked the surge in staking to rising demand from digital asset treasury firms. BitMine alone staked over 342,000 ETH, valued at roughly $1 billion, within two days. Ignas, co-founder of DeFi Creator Studio Pink Brains, added that Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade has simplified staking and expanded validator limits, attracting larger investors. Higher borrowing rates and unwinding leveraged staking strategies also contributed to shifting supply flows.

BlackRock Eyes Staked ETF
Institutional interest has intensified as BlackRock filed for a staked Ethereum ETF earlier this month. The SEC review is underway, with formal approval pending exchange filings. BlackRock had previously registered the iShares Ethereum Staking Trust (ETHB) in Delaware, signaling intent to broaden mainstream exposure. If approved, the ETF could mark a pivotal step in legitimizing staking as a financial instrument, reinforcing Ethereum’s evolving role in global markets.

Jim Cramer has built a strong reputation in the industry. He's the Mad Money host who carefully picks growth stocks that have the potential to survive market ups and downs.

Key Takeaways TRU has gained 4.1% over the past month, with Q4 2025 earnings expected to rise 5.2% year over year.TRU benefits from Big Data and analytics demand with stable lending, low unemployment and easing rates.TRU's OneTru and TrueIQ platforms are expanding globally, while strong liquidity supports innovation.
Shares of TransUnion (TRU - Free Report) have gained 4.1% over the past month, outperforming the industry’s 0.7% growth. The company’s fourth-quarter 2025 earnings are expected to increase 5.2% year over year. Its 2025 and 2026 earnings are expected to rise 8.7% and 13.1%, respectively. Revenues are expected to grow 8.5% in 2025 and 7.7% in 2026.

Factors That Bode Well for TRUTRU’s revenue growth is driven by the fast-growing Big Data and analytics market amid a stable U.S. economic and lending environment. The creation of massive amounts of data and advances in fast-processed data technology and analytics boost the company's expansion. Additionally, modest GDP growth, low unemployment, stable delinquencies, lower interest rates and manageable inflation in the U.S. market are collectively aiding performance.

TRU’s technology modernization through its OneTru platform, which connects separate data and analytic assets built for credit risk, marketing and fraud mitigation by bringing them under a single, layered and unified environment, is accelerating innovation in credit and non-credit products. One of the company’s innovations, TrueIQ analytics, a platform that accelerates the data model building cycle, enables faster data processing speeds and seamless access to its U.S. credit customers.

In 2025, the company also launched the TrueIQ analytics platform in Canada, the United Kingdom and India, with plans to export other OneTru-enabled solutions to these markets in the future. Factor Trust, a consumer reporting agency acquired in 2017, providing consumer reports to third parties for credit risk assessment, performed well and secured multiple wins in the consumer lending business this year. The recent launch of TrueIQ data enrichment on Snowflake, a marketplace that connects data, apps and agentic products from external sources, expands the market opportunity for data enrichment and underscores the company’s commitment to its customers.

TRU’s current ratio (a measure of liquidity) at the end of the third quarter of 2025 was 2.01, higher than the industry average of 0.98. This indicates that the company can easily pay off its short-term obligations in the future.

A RiskTRU operates in a highly competitive market, with companies like Equifax, Experian, FICO and LexisNexis. This makes it challenging for the company to invest in technology and talent while maintaining a balance between growth and profitability.

Zacks Rank & Stocks to ConsiderTRU currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here

A couple of better-ranked stocks are Genpact (G - Free Report)  and Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR - Free Report) .

Genpact carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. G has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 9.6%. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 5.5% on average.

Palantir Technologies also holds a Zacks Rank of 2 at present, with a long-term earnings growth expectation of 50%. PLTR beat earnings estimates in three of the last four quarters and matched once, with an earnings surprise of 16.3% on average.

San Diego, California--(Newsfile Corp. - December 29, 2025) - Shareholder rights law firm Johnson Fistel, PLLP has launched an investigation into whether the board members of DigitalBridge Group, Inc. (NYSE: DBRG) breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the proposed sale of the Company to SoftBank Group Corp.

Background:

On December 29, 2025, DigitalBridge entered into an agreement pursuant to which SoftBank Group will indirectly acquire all outstanding shares of the Company.Under the terms of the Agreement, SoftBank Group will acquire all outstanding shares of the Company's common stock for $16.00 per share in cash.One Wall Street analyst has a $23.00 target on the Company's stock.Analysts reportedly expect exponential earnings and revenue growth next year.In light of the foregoing, the transaction consideration could be viewed as potentially unfavorable to the Company's shareholders.If you own DigitalBridge shares and believe this proposed deal grossly undervalues your investment, please consider joining our investigation. To participate or learn more you can click or copy and paste the following link to join this investigation: https://www.johnsonfistel.com/investigations/digitalbridge-group-inc/

If you are a shareholder of DigitalBridge and interested in learning more about the investigation, please contact lead analyst Jim Baker ([email protected]) at 619-814-4471. If emailing, please include a phone number.

About Johnson Fistel, PLLP
Johnson Fistel, PLLP is a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm with offices across the U.S., representing both individual and institutional investors in shareholder derivative and securities class action lawsuits, including foreign investors who purchased on U.S. exchanges. In 2024, the firm was ranked among the Top 10 Plaintiff Law Firms by ISS Securities Class Action Services, having recovered more than $90 million for investors. For more information, visit https://www.johnsonfistel.com/.

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Key Takeaways DKNG is leaning on scale, technology, and engagement to lift margins despite volatile sportsbook results.PENN reset its digital strategy by exiting ESPN BET and refocusing on owned platforms to improve returns.PENN's regional casinos and surging iCasino revenue provide steady cash flow alongside digital execution risk.
As the U.S. online betting industry enters a more mature phase, investors are shifting focus from land-grab growth to profitability, execution, and balance-sheet discipline. This sets up a timely faceoff between DraftKings Inc. (DKNG - Free Report) and PENN Entertainment, Inc. (PENN - Free Report) , two players taking sharply different paths to value creation.

DraftKings remains a pure-play digital operator, leaning on scale, technology, and customer engagement to drive long-term earnings power. PENN, by contrast, blends regional casinos with online betting exposure, aiming to leverage omnichannel loyalty and partnerships to stabilize results. With market sentiment split and valuations reflecting very different risk profiles, the key question for investors now is which betting stock offers the more compelling risk-reward at this stage of the cycle.

The Case for DKNGDraftKings continues to show improving underlying momentum despite near-term noise. Management highlighted accelerating handle growth across core sports, stronger customer retention, and meaningful gains in parlay mix, all of which support structurally higher sportsbook margins over time. iGaming growth also re-accelerated, driven by higher engagement and better monetization per customer. These trends suggest DraftKings is benefiting from scale, product depth, and data-driven promotional efficiency, reinforcing its long-term earnings power even when quarterly results are volatile.

DraftKings’ expanding media partnerships and upcoming product initiatives add another layer of optionality. Management emphasized disciplined capital allocation, including a larger share repurchase authorization as free cash flow ramps. At the same time, the company plans to be measured in newer initiatives, targeting faster payback periods than legacy sportsbook investments. This balance, leaning into growth while tightening return thresholds, signals a maturing business model transitioning from land-grab mode toward shareholder returns.

A key risk remains the inherent volatility of sportsbook results. Customer-friendly sports outcomes had an outsized negative impact on recent revenue and EBITDA, underscoring how short-term results can swing sharply even when demand trends are strong. While management argues that these effects normalize over time, quarter-to-quarter earnings visibility remains limited, which can pressure the stock during unfavorable betting cycles.

DraftKings continues to invest heavily in new initiatives, technology, and market expansion, which may impact near-term profitability. Guidance revisions reflect not only adverse outcomes but also incremental spending tied to product launches and growth opportunities. Until these investments fully scale, margins may remain uneven, particularly compared with peers that already generate steadier cash flows. This makes DKNG better suited for investors with a longer time horizon and tolerance for volatility.

The Case for PENNOne of PENN’s biggest positives is its strategic reset in digital. Management made the deliberate decision to exit the ESPN BET partnership early and refocus on assets it fully controls, particularly theScore Bet in North America and Hollywood iCasino. This move simplifies the business, removes heavy fixed marketing costs, and gives PENN greater flexibility to target higher-return customer cohorts. Notably, the company retains ownership of the customer database built during the ESPN partnership, preserving long-term value while resetting unit economics ahead of 2026.

Another key strength is the accelerating momentum in iCasino, which management increasingly views as a profit engine rather than a loss leader. In the third quarter, PENN delivered record North American iCasino revenue, driven by strong cross-sell from online sports betting and rapid growth in monthly active users. Management emphasized improving retention, faster product innovation, and tighter CRM execution, all of which are lifting customer lifetime value. With online sports betting positioned primarily as a top-of-funnel tool, PENN appears better aligned to generate sustainable digital profitability over time.

PENN’s regional casino business remains a stabilizing force and a differentiator versus digital-only peers. Core demand trends were described as stable, with particularly strong performance in several Midwest markets and encouraging early results from the new Hollywood Casino Joliet. Management highlighted growing visitation, higher spend per visit, and database expansion, much of it incremental rather than cannibalistic. Combined with a visible development pipeline and disciplined capital allocation, the land-based segment continues to generate meaningful cash flow to support buybacks, deleveraging and growth investments.

On the downside, execution risk in the Interactive segment remains a near-term concern. While management reaffirmed its goal of reaching breakeven or better in digital operations in 2026, the transition away from ESPN BET introduces uncertainty around customer retention and short-term losses. The fourth quarter is expected to remain pressured due to rebranding costs and softer online sports betting volumes. Until theScore Bet proves it can scale profitably in the United States, investors must be comfortable with continued volatility in PENN’s digital earnings profile.

Stock Performance & ValuationAs witnessed from the chart below, in the past six months, DraftKings’ shares have lost more than PENN.

Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Considering valuation, DraftKings is currently trading at a premium compared with PENN Entertainment on a forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) ratio basis.

P/S (F12M)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Comparing EPS Estimate Trends of DKNG & PENNThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for DKNG’s 2026 earnings estimates implies a year-over-year improvement of 100.4%. The 2026 EPS estimates have decreased over the past 60 days.

DKNG’s EPS Trend
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PENN’s 2026 earnings estimates implies a year-over-year improvement of 116.4%. The 2026 EPS estimates have decreased over the past 60 days.

PENN’s EPS Trend
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Wrapping UpOverall, PENN Entertainment looks better positioned than DraftKings right now due to its more balanced and resilient business model. PENN’s digital reset reduces risk and sharpens its focus on profitability, while iCasino momentum and steady cash flow from regional casinos provide stability and funding flexibility. DraftKings, in contrast, remains more exposed to sportsbook volatility and ongoing investment needs, which can weigh on earnings visibility. As the industry matures, PENN’s diversified structure and clearer path to sustainable returns give it the edge at this stage.

Presently, DKNG carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), whereas PENN carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.