Upstart Holdings Inc vs Western Alliance Bancorporation — how do they compare? Upstart Holdings Inc trades at $29.9 (market cap $2.94B), while Western Alliance Bancorporation trades at $81.46 (market cap $8.78B). The key difference: Western Alliance Bancorporation is far larger — about 3× Upstart Holdings Inc's market cap, and Western Alliance Bancorporation pays a 2.09% dividend while Upstart Holdings Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| UPST | WAL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $2.94B | $8.78B |
Sector | Financials | Financials |
52-Week High | $73.76 | $96.08 |
52-Week Low | $24.22 | $66.70 |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.09% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Upstart (UPST) trades at $31.09, up 4.64% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported Q2 2026 revenue growth of 42% year-over-year and a return to GAAP profitability, with loan originations surging 50%. However, it has missed EPS expectations for three consecutive quarters. The stock is supported by a consensus analyst price target of $47.20, implying significant upside, but faces headwinds from high interest rates and competitive pressures.
The outlook is mixed: strong loan growth and AI-driven underwriting improvements offer growth potential, but recent earnings misses, a high P/E ratio of 59.79, and negative operating cash flow in 2025 pose risks. Investor sentiment is cautiously optimistic, with 45% of analysts rating it a Buy, though volatility from macroeconomic factors remains a key concern for shareholders.
Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL) trades at $81.39, up 0.06% on the day, with a neutral technical signal and bullish moving averages. The stock shows strong fundamentals with a P/E of 9.08, net income margin of 25.43%, and consistent earnings beats in recent quarters. Recent developments include the launch of WA VenueX, a digital asset liquidity platform, and recognition as Arizona's top bank by Forbes in 2026.
Outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $93.86, implying 15% upside, supported by 79% analyst buy ratings. Risks include negative operating cash flow and institutional selling, but revenue growth and profitability trends provide a solid foundation for investor confidence.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Upstart Holdings Inc provides credit services. The company provides a proprietary, cloud-based, artificial intelligence lending platform. The platform aggregates consumer demand for loans and connects it to the network of Upstart AI-enabled bank partners. The revenue of the company is primarily comprised of fees paid by banks.
Read more on UPST →Western Alliance Bancorporation is a top-performing bank holding company that operates a dual business model: high-touch regional banking and specialized national business lines. It serves niche industries—including technology, life sciences, and homeowners associations—providing sophisticated commercial lending and treasury solutions that bridge the gap between regional service and national scale.
Read more on WAL →