SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ:SOFI) climbs 13%, but tougher margin outlook sets higher bar for second half

SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ:SOFI) climbs 13%, but tougher margin outlook sets higher bar for second half

NEW YORK, August 9, 2026, 14:17 EDT

  • U.S. stock markets did not open on Sunday. SoFi ended Friday trading at $18.38, up 12.7% for the week.
  • Initial estimates indicate an adjusted EBITDA margin of 35.3%-36.7% for the second half, compared with 30.4% for the first half.
  • The stock is trading higher than the $18 median target set by analysts. The consensus price target indicates a potential upside of just 6.5%.

SoFi Technologies stock jumped 12.7% last week. The advance raised a more pressing question for investors: Is profit growth likely to speed up enough to justify the renewed valuation?

Stock chart for NASDAQ:SOFI

Friday closed at $18.38, representing 30.6 times the company’s projected 2026 adjusted EPS. The price is also 2.1% higher than the analysts’ median target.

After the second quarter, management increased its adjusted revenue forecast, now anticipating a range of $4.75 billion to $4.85 billion. Adjusted EBITDA guidance is maintained close to $1.6 billion, with adjusted EPS still projected at 60 cents.

The following second-half numbers are initial estimates, determined by deducting first-half reported results from the full-year outlook. These do not represent the company’s quarterly projections.

MetricFirst-half actualSecond-half impliedChange from first half
Adjusted net revenue$2.293 billion$2.457-$2.557 billionIncreases 7.2% to 11.5%
Adjusted EBITDA$697.7 million$902.3 millionRises 29.3%
Adjusted EBITDA margin30.4%35.3%-36.7%Improves by 4.9 to 6.3 points
Adjusted EPS$0.24$0.36Up 50.0%

This presents a challenge. Revenue requires only modest sequential gains, but EBITDA must climb at nearly three times that rate, and EPS is expected to grow by 50%.

The company delivered solid results in the second quarter. Adjusted revenue climbed 40% to $1.21 billion, with adjusted EBITDA up 44% to $357.8 million. Chief Executive Anthony Noto told Reuters: “Spending remains strong, demand remains strong, and credit performance continues to meet or exceed our expectations.” SEC

The business mix stayed uneven. Lending accounted for the majority of both growth and contribution profit.

Second-quarter segmentNet revenueYear-on-year changeContribution profitContribution marginPrior-year margin
Lending, adjusted$711.7 million+59%$399.0 million56%55%
Financial Services$466.3 million+29%$212.7 million46%52%
Technology Platform$84.5 million-23%$11.8 million14%30%

Lending continues to drive margin performance. Technology Platform revenue dropped 23%, with its contribution margin falling by over half. Financial Services grew, though its margin slipped by six percentage points.

Funding offers a degree of protection. Deposits increased by $5.3 billion over the quarter, reaching $45.5 billion. SoFi calculated that its deposit composition resulted in $712.6 million in annualized interest expense savings.

Credit quality strengthened over the quarter. The annualized charge-off rate for personal loans reported dropped to 2.62%, compared to 2.83% in the same period last year. At the same time, personal-loan originations hit an all-time high of $10.7 billion, boosting exposure should consumer conditions deteriorate.

The recovery extended beyond just one name. Upstart Holdings edged ahead of SoFi, and Affirm Holdings delivered a more modest weekly advance.

CompanyJuly 31 closeAugust 7 closeWeekly change
SoFi Technologies $16.31$18.38up 12.7%
Upstart Holdings $27.44$31.09gain of 13.3%
Affirm Holdings $71.51$75.25rising 5.2%

The trend indicates wider fintech demand contributed to SoFi’s rebound. The shift was not just a change in view on SoFi’s earnings prospects.

Analyst views are divided, with the consensus at Hold. Neutral ratings account for half of the current recommendations.

Analyst measureCurrent reading
Buy or Overweight recommendations8
Hold recommendations13
Underweight or Sell recommendations5
Consensus viewHold
Average price objective$19.58, indicating 6.5% potential gain
Median price objective$18.00, suggesting 2.1% potential decrease
Upper price target$30.00
Lower price target$12.00

The median target is currently under the market price. The $12-to-$30 span highlights an uncommon level of disagreement regarding SoFi’s earnings potential.

Markets will reopen for regular trading on Monday, August 10, starting at 9:30 a.m. EDT. Consumer price figures for July are due on Wednesday, with producer price data following on Thursday. July retail sales will be released on Friday. These reports may influence interest rate outlooks, funding expenses and appetite for consumer loans.

Risks: Softer consumer credit may drive higher charge-offs following fast loan expansion. Contraction in the Technology Platform might continue. Volatility in rates could impact demand or asset yields. The necessary margin improvement in the second half offers little margin for execution missteps.

SoFi has recovered much of its valuation drop following earnings. The next challenge is for investors to see whether the company’s record revenue will translate into significantly stronger profit growth.

TS2 TECH • EXTENDED COVERAGE

Further analysis

What needs to occur in the second half to reach guidance?
To reach its midpoint target of $4.80 billion, SoFi must generate $2.51 billion in adjusted net revenue in the second half. Adjusted EBITDA needed totals about $902 million, indicating an adjusted EBITDA margin of 36%, above the 30% reported in Q2. The company increased its revenue outlook, yet maintained adjusted EBITDA guidance at $1.6 billion. The forecast for adjusted EPS remains $0.60. Management did not offer a full GAAP reconciliation.
Is it possible for record loan growth to persist without encountering a credit setback?
Q2 originations increased by 69% to an all-time high of $14.8 billion. Personal loan balances climbed to $10.7 billion, of which $3.1 billion was for partners. The estimated comprehensive personal-loan charge-off rate stood at 3.7%, marking a 70 basis point improvement from Q1. The disclosed 2.62% rate includes impacts from asset sales and fresh originations. Ninety-day delinquency rates were unchanged compared with the previous year.
Is diversification proving to be enduring?
Fee-based revenue amounted to $472.3 million, accounting for 39% of overall revenue, and rose 22% from the previous quarter. Adjusted net revenue generated by the Loan Platform Business totaled $143.3 million. Existing members were responsible for 51% of new product openings, up from 35% a year ago. However, Technology Platform revenue declined 23% compared to the same period last year, with its contribution margin narrowing to 14% from 30%. Diversification is making progress, but the enterprise platform remains underperforming.
Does available capital meet the needs for accelerated expansion?
Deposits climbed by $5.3 billion in Q2, reaching $45.5 billion. On average, deposits supplied over 90% of liabilities. SoFi's estimated CET1 ratio stood at 18.7%, above the 7.0% minimum. The total risk-based capital ratio was 18.8%, with the required level at 10.5%. Funding capacity currently appears strong. Fast loan expansion requires strict credit oversight.
Is there margin for error at the current valuation?
SOFI closed at $18.38, putting the company’s market capitalization at around $24.85 billion. This represents a price about 31 times its forecast for 2026 adjusted EPS, and 5.2 times the midpoint of its adjusted revenue outlook. Shares are trading at roughly 2.5 times Q2 tangible book value. Diluted share count climbed 14% from a year ago. Diluted EPS increased 50% to $0.12. The stock’s valuation remains vulnerable to any margin or credit disappointments.
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