The Zacks Analyst Blog Capital One Financial, SoFi and OppFi

For Immediate ReleasesChicago, IL – December 17, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog includeCapital One Financial Corp. COF, SoFi Technologies, Inc. SOFI and OppFi Inc. OPFI.Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:3 Payment Stocks to Buy as Bull Run Extends to 2026The global payments industry is gearing up for 2026 with a positive growth environment, driven by the ongoing transition to digital and electronic payment methods. While consumer spending continues to grow, payments remain a crucial part of the financial infrastructure, benefiting from the high frequency of transactions in everyday shopping. Cards, digital wallets and online checkouts are steadily replacing cash, creating a consistent volume boost that ensures long-term revenue prospects for leading payment companies with strong networks and merchant reach.Monetary policy has also become a modest tailwind for the payment landscape. The U.S. central bank lowered interest rates three times in 2025, including a 25-basis-point reduction in its most recent move, per the Federal Reserve’s FOMC statement. New York Fed president John C. Williams mentioned that these rate cuts are aimed at maintaining economic balance as inflation eases and policy moves closer to neutral. He also anticipates inflation to dip to 2.5% next year before hitting the Fed’s 2% target by 2027.Lower rates generally support consumer spending, improve credit conditions and reduce funding costs for both merchants and fintech platforms, which can help boost payment volumes heading into 2026. This will also have a positive effect on demand for various financial products, including loans and mortgage services, in the coming days.In the payment industry, companies often pursue mergers and acquisitions to strengthen diversification. By expanding across products and geographies, they reduce reliance on any single revenue stream, helping stabilize the top line and limit the impacts of localized or product-specific disruptions.Beyond volumes, the quality of growth in the payments space is improving. Revenues are increasingly driven by value-added services such as fraud prevention, data analytics, identity verification and others. Companies have been stepping up investments in technology to enhance efficiency, scalability and long-term competitiveness.Continued innovation, enhanced security of transactions and expansion initiatives should continue to benefit payment companies like Capital One Financial Corp., SoFi Technologies, Inc. and OppFi Inc. Innovation across payment rails is broadening the opportunity set. Real-time and account-to-account payments are gaining traction in payroll, bill payments and peer-to-peer transfers, increasing overall transaction frequency. In 2026 and beyond, the long-term prospects for payment stocks look promising. With monetary policy easing, the rise of digital solutions and ongoing tech innovations create a favorable backdrop.3 Stocks to WatchHere, we have picked three payment stocks that flaunt a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or #2 (Buy) and have the potential to retain their purple patch going forward. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Headquartered in McLean, VA, Capital One Financial is a diversified financial services holding company that offers a wide range of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients across the United States through its banking and non-banking subsidiaries. Growing consumer loan demand will keep supporting Capital One Financial’s net interest income. Its solid credit card and online banking operations, and opportunistic buyouts are expected to continue to benefit the company in 2026.COF’s bottom line beat estimates in the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 28%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Capital One Financial’s 2026 earnings and revenues suggests growth of 1.5% and 17.4%, respectively, from the 2025 forecasts. It has witnessed four upward estimate revisions in the past 30 days against none in the opposite direction.In the past year, shares of Capital One Financial have gained 32.4% compared with the industry’s rise of 54.5%. COF currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.Based in Chicago, IL, OppFi’s increasing focus on AI and machine learning (ML)-based models poises it well for growth. Increased automation across underwriting and servicing is expected to improve operating efficiency and support margin expansion. In addition, steady top-line growth, driven by improved scalability in partnership and direct-response programs, has been a key catalyst heading into 2026.OPFI’s earnings surpassed estimates in the last four quarters, the average surprise being 52.2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for OppFi’s 2026 earnings and revenues suggests growth of 8.6% and 9.1%, respectively, from the 2025 projections.In the past year, OppFi’s shares have risen 38.4% against the industry’s fall of 9.6%. OPFI currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1.Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, SoFi Technologies’ focus on innovation, including product launches and partnerships, bolsters its reputation as a forward-thinking competitor to traditional banks. SoFi’s expanding digital financial ecosystem, rising member engagement, scalable fee-based services, proprietary technology platforms and lower funding costs are expected to continue to benefit the company in 2026.SOFI’s earnings surpassed estimates in the last four quarters, the average surprise being 45.2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SoFi’s 2026 earnings and revenues suggests growth of 62.9% and 25.4%, respectively, from the 2025 forecasts.In the past year, SOFI shares have soared 55% against the industry’s fall of 12.6%. SOFI currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.Free: Instant Access to Zacks' Market-Crushing StrategiesSince 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.Today you can tap into those powerful strategies – and the high-potential stocks they uncover – free. No strings attached.Get all the details here >>Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Previewreports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>Media ContactZacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@zacks.com                                     https://www.zacks.com                                                 Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance  for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.5 Stocks Set to DoubleEach was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the coming year. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +112%, +171%, +209% and +232%.Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Capital One Financial Corporation (COF): Free Stock Analysis Report SoFi Technologies, Inc. (SOFI): Free Stock Analysis Report OppFi Inc. (OPFI): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks