Mizuho analysts are optimistic about the potential for SoFi Technologies in student loan refinancing, according to their recent earnings report analysis.
Increased Buy Rating and Price Target
On Wednesday, Mizuho analysts maintained their Buy rating on SoFi (ticker: SOFI) but raised their price target from $9 to $15. Along with this revision, they also adjusted their earnings estimates. However, these developments did not have an immediate positive impact on the stock. In fact, SoFi shares declined by 2.6% to $10.08, while the Nasdaq Composite fell by 2.1%.
SoFi’s Initial Focus and Recent Rally
SoFi initially began as a lender specializing in the refinance of student debt. This year, the company’s shares have experienced a rally due to promising news that federal student loan repayments will resume in the fall, effectively ending the pandemic-related moratorium. SoFi’s second-quarter report revealed a 1% decrease in its student loan volume to $395.37 million, which the company attributes to uncertainty surrounding federal student-loan payments.
The Potential of the Market
The fintech community has been engaged in a lively debate regarding the size of the market for student loan refinancing. Mizuho analysts have now provided their perspective, projecting a total addressable market opportunity of $350 billion to $400 billion for SoFi in this sector. This projected value represents nearly a quarter of the outstanding federal and nonfederal student loans.
Unrecognized Opportunity
Mizuho analysts emphasize that the overall potential in student loan refinancing is not fully incorporated into current consensus estimates. This insight underscores the upside prospects for SoFi Technologies.
SoFi’s Projected Student Loan Refinancing Opportunity
In the world of student loan refinancing, projections vary widely for online lender SoFi. Financial services company Mizuho has set a high projection, while even SoFi itself has provided a lower estimate. SoFi’s CEO, Anthony Noto, reiterated the company’s forecast of a student loan refinancing opportunity around $200 billion. However, J.P. Morgan analysts predict a smaller opportunity of approximately $90 billion.
J.P. Morgan analysts believe that refinancing with a private lender like SoFi is economically beneficial for only a fraction of borrowers. These borrowers typically have high income, solid credit scores, and annual percentage rates (APRs). For the majority of borrowers, J.P. Morgan analysts suggest that holding on to their existing federal loans or applying for an income-based repayment plan would be more advantageous.
Analysts’ opinions on SoFi are mixed, with 35% rating it as a Buy, 45% rating it as Neutral, and 20% rating it as a Sell, according to FactSet data. Despite the stock more than doubling in value this year, not everyone is convinced that it can sustain its rapid growth. Keefe Bruyette analysts recently downgraded SoFi shares to Underperform from Market Perform while raising their price target to $7.50 from $5.50. They believe that the stock’s valuation has exceeded its underlying earnings prospects.
As the debate between bears and bulls rages on, the future of SoFi remains uncertain.
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