The recommendations of Wall Street analysts are often relied on by investors when deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock. Media reports about these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts changing their ratings often affect a stock's price. Do they really matter, though?Before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage, let's see what these Wall Street heavyweights think about Affirm Holdings (AFRM) .Affirm Holdings currently has an average ...

An updated edition of the February 24, 2025 article.Fintech, or financial technology, is transforming how individuals and businesses manage money by offering faster, more affordable and user-friendly financial services. From digital payments and mobile banking to artificial intelligence (AI)-driven insurance, robo-advisors and blockchain solutions, fintech is redefining traditional finance through innovation and accessibility.This sector is especially popular among Millennials and Gen Z, who are driving rap ...

The Internet Software and Services space is gathering momentum owing to robust IT spending on solutions that support hybrid operating environments. Outstanding penetration of mobile devices among users makes sense for businesses to invest heavily in web-based infrastructure, applications and security software. Within the Technology sector, the Zacks-defined Internet Software industry is currently within the top 37% of the Zacks Industry Rank. Since the Internet Software industry is ranked in the top half of ...

Market Overview - Ongoing chaos around tariffs is impacting global stock markets, leading to fears of higher costs and potential economic slowdown [1] - The pullback in several stocks presents opportunities to identify attractive investments that can navigate short-term challenges [1] Affirm Holdings (AFRM) - Affirm Holdings is a buy now, pay later (BNPL) platform with 21 million active customers and 337,000 active merchants as of the end of 2024 [3] - TD Cowen analyst Moshe Orenbuch initiated coverage with a buy rating and a price target of $50, valuing the stock at approximately 23 times the 2026 adjusted earnings per share [4] - Orenbuch highlights Affirm's seasoned underwriting capabilities and partnerships with major e-commerce players like Amazon and Shopify, which enhance its market position [5][6] - Despite potential short-term profit impacts due to a slowing job market, Orenbuch believes Affirm's long-term profitability trajectory remains intact [7] TJX Companies (TJX) - TJX Companies operates over 5,000 off-price retail stores across nine countries, including brands like TJ Maxx and Marshalls [9] - Jefferies analyst Corey Tarlowe reaffirmed a buy rating with a price target of $150, noting TJX's strong position to capitalize on surplus inventory in the market [10] - Tarlowe expects TJX to benefit from a secular shift towards off-price retail, gaining market share from traditional retailers [12] - The company delivered a peak gross margin of 30.6% in fiscal 2025, and Tarlowe views the fiscal 2026 gross margin guidance of 30.4% to 30.5% as conservative [13] CyberArk Software (CYBR) - CyberArk Software specializes in identity security solutions and is set to announce its first-quarter results on May 13 [15] - TD Cowen analyst Shaul Eyal reiterated a buy rating with a price target of $450, citing strong demand and the company's ability to navigate challenging market conditions [16] - Eyal notes that CyberArk's consistent performance is supported by the critical nature of its Identity and Access Management solutions amid increasing cyber threats [17] - The company is expanding its platform through strategic acquisitions and has significant opportunities in the Agentic AI market, aiming for long-term targets of $2.2 billion in revenue and $600 million in free cash flow by fiscal year 2028 [19]

Fintech’s relief rally is already losing steam. Shares of Affirm, PayPal, and other consumer-facing fintech firms turned lower Thursday, giving back gains from Wednesday’s sharp bounce. That surge followed President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 90-day pause on sweeping tariff hikes, which briefly eased concerns over rising costs and broader macro pressures.While duties on Chinese goods were simultaneously raised to 145%, markets viewed the broader delay as a potential softening in Washington’s more disr ...

Group 1: Partnership and Expansion - Affirm Holdings, Inc. (AFRM) and Shopify have partnered to launch Shop Pay Installments in international markets, addressing the demand for flexible payment solutions in online shopping [1] - The initial expansion will focus on Canada, with plans to extend into the U.K., Australia, and Western Europe, including France, Germany, and the Netherlands [2] Group 2: Product Benefits and Market Position - Shop Pay Installments will enable merchants in select countries to offer interest-free payment options at checkout, enhancing the shopping experience and reducing cart abandonment rates [3] - Affirm has a strong user base of 21 million active users and over 330,000 integrated merchant partners, positioning it well in the competitive Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) market [3][4] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The BNPL market is becoming increasingly competitive, but Affirm's responsible lending history and strong presence in the U.S. provide a solid foundation for global expansion [4] - Klarna has paused its IPO plans, which alleviates some competitive pressure on Affirm, allowing it more room to maneuver in the BNPL space [5] Group 4: Stock Performance - Over the past year, AFRM shares have increased by 31.1%, significantly outperforming the industry growth of 7.8% [6]

Ahead of the market rally on Wednesday, Evercore ISI analyst Adam Frisch initiated coverage of Affirm with an Outperform rating and a $50 price target when shares were trading at around $37. Affirm closed Wednesday at $44.Affirm led the rebound on Wednesday. The buy now, pay later firm closed Wednesday up nearly 22%, clawing back steep losses from earlier in the week. Shares plunged after the initial tariff news rattled growth stocks and sparked fears of a consumer spending slowdown. But the rollback, combi ...

The fintech sector is rallying Wednesday following the Trump administration's announcement of a 90-day pause on planned tariffs. Affirm was up 20%, Toast and Block rose 13% and PayPal increased 10%. The 90-day pause doesn't eliminate the threat of tariffs — it just delays it. Investors are still pricing in risk, including inflation, discretionary pullbacks, hardware import costs and credit exposure.Legacy payment networks like Visa and Mastercard, both up 6%, continue to benefit from inflation and their str ...

Core Insights - Affirm and Shopify have expanded their pay-later offering, Shop Pay Installments, to Canada, marking its first availability outside the U.S. [1] - The partnership aims to enhance global reach and provide shoppers with flexible payment options, which is expected to drive higher conversion rates for merchants [2] - Future expansions are planned for Australia and Western Europe, starting with France, Germany, and the Netherlands [3] Company Developments - Shop Pay Installments will be available in general access to Shopify merchants in Canada and the U.K. this summer, with cross-border commerce capabilities anticipated between the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. [2] - Local merchants can activate Shop Pay Installments directly from their Shopify admin dashboard without additional technical integration [4] Industry Trends - The buy now, pay later (BNPL) options are becoming a permanent fixture in consumer budgeting and shopping behaviors [4] - BNPL is increasingly popular among affluent consumers for both luxury and essential purchases, indicating its mainstream acceptance [6] - The appeal of BNPL lies in its predictability and control over repayments, rather than merely being a borrowing option [5]

Parkev Tatevosian, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Parkev Tatevosian is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through his link, he will earn some extra money that supports his channel. His opinions remain his own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool. ...