Affirm vs Upstart
Online checkout financing platform partnering with major retailers vs AI lending platform connecting borrowers and banks. Which is the better buy for your portfolio in October 2026? Plain-English answer below.
Affirm built a buy-now-pay-later network on merchant integrations and FICO-light underwriting, while Upstart uses AI-driven models to originate personal and auto loans for bank partners. Both disrupted traditional credit scoring, but they monetize that disruption through different revenue mechanisms. The Affirm vs Upstart comparison digs into take rates, credit loss trends, bank funding dependency, and which fintech lender's model proves more resilient when consumer credit stress rises.
Affirm built a buy-now-pay-later network on merchant integrations and FICO-light underwriting, while Upstart uses AI-driven models to originate personal and auto loans for bank partners. Both disrupte...
Why It’s Moving
Affirm Secures Exclusive Sam's Club Partnership Amid Sector-Wide Payment Stock Volatility
- Affirm signed an exclusive deal with Sam's Club, launching on SamsClub.com in the coming weeks with plans to expand to physical locations in 2027.
- Wayne Pommen, Chief Revenue Officer at Affirm, emphasized that the partnership aims to provide shoppers with clear, predictable payment options for everything from essentials to big-ticket electronics.
- The announcement comes during a turbulent week for the payments sector, marked by a 3% drop in PayPal ahead of earnings and fluctuating share prices for Affirm, which closed between $72.80 and $73.85.
Affirm Secures Exclusive Sam's Club Partnership Amid Sector-Wide Payment Stock Volatility
- Affirm signed an exclusive deal with Sam's Club, launching on SamsClub.com in the coming weeks with plans to expand to physical locations in 2027.
- Wayne Pommen, Chief Revenue Officer at Affirm, emphasized that the partnership aims to provide shoppers with clear, predictable payment options for everything from essentials to big-ticket electronics.
- The announcement comes during a turbulent week for the payments sector, marked by a 3% drop in PayPal ahead of earnings and fluctuating share prices for Affirm, which closed between $72.80 and $73.85.
Investment Analysis
Affirm
AFRM
Pros
- Affirm anticipates robust full-year earnings growth of 560% to $0.99 per share.
- Recent quarterly results showed EPS of $0.23 beating consensus by $0.12 with revenue up 33.6%.
- Analysts maintain Moderate Buy consensus with average price target of $89.17.
Considerations
- Stock trades at elevated forward P/E of 82.63 versus industry average of 24.48.
- Significant insider selling totalling over $57 million in past three months.
- High beta of 3.57 exposes shares to substantial market volatility.
Upstart
UPST
Pros
- Upstart benefits from AI-driven lending platform enhancing credit assessment efficiency.
- Expanding partnerships with banks and credit unions bolster loan origination volumes.
- Recent profitability improvements stem from scaled operations and lower funding costs.
Considerations
- Persistent sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations hampers loan demand.
- Regulatory scrutiny over AI lending models poses execution risks.
- Competitive pressures from traditional banks erode market share gains.
Affirm (AFRM) Next Earnings Date
The next confirmed earnings date for Affirm is November 5, 2026, scheduled to release after market close. This report will cover the company's fiscal third quarter results for the period ending in September 2026. Investors should note that this timing aligns with the historical pattern of reporting approximately three months after the previous August disclosure.
Affirm (AFRM) Next Earnings Date
The next confirmed earnings date for Affirm is November 5, 2026, scheduled to release after market close. This report will cover the company's fiscal third quarter results for the period ending in September 2026. Investors should note that this timing aligns with the historical pattern of reporting approximately three months after the previous August disclosure.
Buy AFRM or UPST in Nemo
Zero Commission
Trade stocks, ETFs, and more with zero commission. Keep more of your returns.
Trusted & Regulated
Part of Exinity Group 2015, serving over a million customers globally.
6% Interest on Cash
Earn 6% AER on uninvested cash with daily interest payments.
