Upstart's Stock Volatility and Future Outlook
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 22 2026
0mins
Should l Buy UPST?
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Stock Volatility: Since its IPO in 2020, Upstart's stock has experienced extreme volatility, rising from $26 per share to $320 in October 2021, but plummeting to $12 during the spring 2023 banking crisis, currently trading at $29, reflecting a 65% drop over the past year.
- Revenue Model Analysis: Upstart's AI platform assists banks in evaluating loan applications for a fee, while also providing loans directly to institutional investors; however, rising interest rates have curtailed lending activity, impacting its revenue generation capabilities.
- Management Transition Impact: The upcoming resignation of the CEO in May raises concerns about the company's future, compounded by last year's decision to halt quarterly guidance, which has further eroded investor confidence and pressured the stock price.
- Uncertain Market Outlook: With ongoing economic and interest rate uncertainties, investor concerns about credit risk are heightened, presenting continuous challenges for Upstart, while Jefferies Financial Group emerges as a more attractive investment alternative, expected to benefit from increased M&A activity.
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Analyst Views on UPST
Wall Street analysts forecast UPST stock price to rise
13 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
4 Hold
2 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 28.240
Low
20.00
Averages
56.73
High
80.00
Current: 28.240
Low
20.00
Averages
56.73
High
80.00
About UPST
Upstart Holdings, Inc. is an artificial intelligence (AI) lending marketplace. The Company’s platform includes personal loans, automotive retail and refinance loans, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), and small dollar loans. It applies artificial intelligence models and cloud applications to the process of underwriting consumer credit. Its AI marketplace connects consumers with its lending partner. Its consumers can access Upstart-powered loans via Upstart.com, through a lender-branded product on its lending partners’ own websites, and through auto dealerships that use its Upstart Auto Retail software. Its platform enables lenders provide a product their customers want, rather than letting customers seek loans from competitors. Its cloud-based software platform incorporates technologies and software development approaches to allow for development of new features, such as cloud-native technologies, data integrity and security, and configurable multi-tenant architecture, and others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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