When a caller inquired about SoFi Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:SOFI) during the September 10 episode of Mad Money, Jim Cramer commented:
Well, you know, it’s a financial tech. It’s a bank, but let’s put it this way: It’s doing as well as it can, but it has a very high price-to-earnings multiple versus the others in its cohort. So, it’s going to mark time until the earnings continue to go up. I do like the company. I like the management. I wouldn’t mind you owning it for the long term.
SoFi’s Growth Remains Strong
SoFi Technologies, Inc. reported record second-quarter adjusted net revenue of $1.2 billion, up 40% year over year, while GAAP net income rose 61% to $156.6 million. Adjusted EBITDA increased 44% to $358 million. Loan originations reached a record $14.8 billion, while members increased 35% to 15.8 million and deposits reached $45.5 billion. Moreover, at the September 8 Goldman Sachs conference, CFO Chris Lapointe said SoFi generated approximately 40% year-over-year revenue growth in each of the first two quarters and approximately 30% adjusted EBITDA margins. He also said the company had outpaced the Rule of 40 for 20 consecutive quarters. Additionally, the company raised its 2026 adjusted net revenue outlook to $4.75 billion to $4.85 billion but maintained its adjusted EPS outlook at $0.60.
Bear Case is About Valuation and Credit Exposure
A concern is that SoFi Technologies, Inc.’s earnings growth may not be sufficient to justify the multiple investors are paying. SoFi is trading at a premium valuation compared to its traditional banking peers, with Yahoo Finance’s latest data showing a trailing P/E of 35.12 and a forward P/E of 21.51. That valuation leaves the shares sensitive to a slowdown in earnings growth. Credit performance is another important consideration as SoFi expands its lending business. For the six months ended June 30, total net charge-offs were $406.1 million, up $77.2 million from the prior-year period, while the total net charge-off ratio declined to 1.91% from 2.24%. The increase in charge-offs was driven primarily by higher personal-loan net charge-offs and student-loan net charge-offs, reflecting growth in average loans.
Hedge Fund Positioning and Short Interest
According to Insider Monkey, which tracks more than 1,000 hedge funds, 44 hedge funds held SoFi in Q2, down from 47 in Q1. Its short interest stood at about 14% to 15% of the float. SoFi Technologies, Inc.’s growth and improving profitability give Cramer’s long-term view a fundamental basis, but its valuation still leaves the stock dependent on continued earnings growth. The company’s ability to turn strong revenue and loan growth into higher earnings will remain important to the stock’s valuation.
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