This is the Way...to Fintech Profits? Shift4, Upstart, and PayPal Ride the Razor Crest of Wall Street!

Shift4 Payments: I Have Spoken...of Profit!

Alright Mando here. Heard some chatter 'round the cantina about these 'fintech' stocks. Seems like a dangerous game but what ain't in this galaxy? First up Shift4 Payments. They’re like the Armorer forging ahead with some solid earnings reports. Beat expectations raised guidance… sounds like they know the Way. Their adjusted earnings were higher than some LSEG expectation whatever that is. I still prefer cold hard credits but seems like they are doing well. End to end payment volume is topping StreetAccount's consensus which is good since they are pushing into new verticals. This is the way.

Upstart Holdings: From Underperform to...Neutral? A Mandalorian's Upgrade!

Then there's Upstart Holdings. Bank of America upgraded them? Sounds like they finally realized this company is not a Jawa junk pile. Apparently their loan portfolio is becoming more diversified. Which is good you do not want to depend on subprime borrowers alone. Seems like they are becoming a clan of two now. Remember this is the way but I still don't understand where they came up with the name. Upstart really?

PayPal: Venmo's Bounty and Macroeconomic Mayhem!

PayPal... ah the company with all the credits. Shares were slightly higher after reporting an earnings beat but revenue was not what they expected. Like a Tusken Raider ambush you never know what you're gonna get. The only good news coming from them is Venmo. Venmo is actually making some sort of profit can you believe it? Finally monetizing the platform it seems like they were walking the Way of the Mandalore this time. Now I'm no financial expert but even I know that keeping your full year earnings per share guidance unchanged despite a lower tax rate... well that’s just bad business. And I know a thing or two about bad business.

Mizuho's Musings: A Mandalorian's Guide to Analyst Speak

Mizuho some analyst clan thinks PayPal will rebound. They say branded total payment volume rose 6%... excluding leap day effects. Sounds like they are finding any way to find the bright side. Honestly it sounds like they are doing mental gymnastics to find the 'good' in this company. Like the Jawas who try to convince you that their droids are up to par. I'm not buying it. The Mandalorian does not buy hopium.

The Razor Crest's Dashboard: A Summary of the Scuttlebutt

So what’s the verdict? Fintech stocks are a gamble like betting on a podrace. Shift4 looks like it’s on a winning streak Upstart's trying to clean up its act and PayPal's hoping Venmo can carry the load. But remember this is the way... the way of speculation. Invest at your own risk. And always have an escape plan just in case things go south. You never know when you will need to jetpack out of there.

A Mandalorian's Investment Strategy: Beskar and Blasters

Personally I'm sticking with Beskar and blasters. They never lose value. But if you're gonna dabble in this 'fintech,' do your homework. And may the Force be with you... you'll need it. This is the way I have spoken. Now where's the kid? I need to make sure he is not investing on any of these companies.