Move Over, Upstart: Here's a Way Better Stock to Buy Today
The Motley Fool
by newsfeedback@fool.com (Dave Kovaleski)February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Upstart (NASDAQ: UPST), once a high-flying AI-driven fintech stock, has faced significant volatility since its IPO in late 2020. While the company’s artificial intelligence-powered platform for automating loans initially excited investors, the stock has struggled to consistently deliver on its promise. Trading at $32 per share today, Upstart’s journey has been a rollercoaster: from reaching highs of over $320 in 2021 to plummeting to just $12 during the banking crisis in spring 2023. Despite rebounding to nearly $85 by late 2024, the stock has since declined steadily to its current price.
The company’s reliance on AI for loan processing and underwriting has been both a strength and a challenge. While it positions Upstart as a leader in fintech innovation, the technology’s performance has not always met expectations, leading to investor skepticism. Additionally, the broader market fluctuations, particularly in the tech sector, have amplified the stock’s volatility. This unpredictability has made Upstart a high-risk investment, with its year-to-date decline of 33% underscoring the challenges it faces.
For investors, this highlights the importance of evaluating not just a company’s potential but also the stability of its stock performance. While Upstart’s AI-driven model could still unlock significant growth, its past volatility raises questions about its ability to sustain long-term success. As the fintech landscape continues to evolve, investors must weigh the risks and rewards of investing in cutting-edge technology against the realities of market fluctuations.
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Originally published on The Motley Fool on 2/22/2026