WallStSmart

Upstart Holdings Inc (UPST)vsVisa Inc. Class A (V)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Visa Inc. Class A generates 3566% more annual revenue ($43.03B vs $1.17B). V leads profitability with a 51.7% profit margin vs 4.2%. V trades at a lower P/E of 27.7x. V earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 74/100 (B).

UPST

Hold

50

out of 100

Grade: D+

Growth: 8.7Profit: 4.0Value: 4.0Quality: 5.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 0.80

V

Strong Buy

74

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.7Profit: 10.0Value: 5.7Quality: 5.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 1.84

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

UPST2 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
44.6%10/10

Revenue surging 44.6% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
209.1%10/10

Earnings expanding 209.1% YoY

V6 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Market CapQuality
$603.46B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
62.4%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 62 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
51.7%10/10

Keeps 52 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
67.3%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 67.3%

Revenue GrowthGrowth
17.1%8/10

17.1% revenue growth

EPS GrowthGrowth
35.5%8/10

Earnings expanding 35.5% YoY

Areas to Watch

UPST4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
Return on EquityProfitability
6.7%3/10

ROE of 6.7% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
4.2%3/10

4.2% margin — thin

Operating MarginProfitability
0.9%3/10

Operating margin of 0.9%

P/E RatioValuation
74.4x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

V3 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
27.7x4/10

Moderate valuation

Price/BookValuation
17.4x4/10

Trading at 17.4x book value

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.844/10

Grey zone — moderate risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : UPST

The strongest argument for UPST centers on Revenue Growth, EPS Growth. Revenue growth of 44.6% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : V

The strongest argument for V centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 51.7% and operating margin at 67.3%. Revenue growth of 17.1% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : UPST

The primary concerns for UPST are Return on Equity, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. A P/E of 74.4x leaves little room for execution misses. Debt-to-equity of 2.70 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Bear Case : V

The primary concerns for V are P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

UPST profiles as a hypergrowth stock while V is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

UPST carries more volatility with a beta of 2.28 — expect wider price swings.

UPST is growing revenue faster at 44.6% — sustainability is the question.

V generates stronger free cash flow (2.6B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

V scores higher overall (74/100 vs 50/100), backed by strong 51.7% margins and 17.1% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Upstart Holdings Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · CREDIT SERVICES · USA

Upstart Holdings, Inc. operates a cloud-based artificial intelligence (AI) lending platform. The company is headquartered in San Mateo, California.

Visa Inc. Class A

FINANCIAL SERVICES · CREDIT SERVICES · USA

Visa Inc. is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Foster City, California, United States. It facilitates electronic funds transfers throughout the world, most commonly through Visa-branded credit cards, debit cards and prepaid cards. Visa is one of the world's most valuable companies.

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