Upstart Holdings Inc vs Wendys Co — how do they compare? Upstart Holdings Inc trades at $29.36 (market cap $2.76B), while Wendys Co trades at $7.62 (market cap $1.50B). The key difference: Upstart Holdings Inc is the larger of the two by market cap, and Wendys Co pays a 7.13% dividend while Upstart Holdings Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| UPST | WEN | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $2.76B | $1.50B |
Sector | Financials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $84.13 | $11.33 |
52-Week Low | $24.22 | $6.17 |
Enterprise Value | — | $5.31B |
Dividend Yield | — | 7.13% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Upstart Holdings (UPST) trades at $29.27, down 0.81% on the day, with a bearish technical signal but improving fundamentals. The company reported a net income of $53.60 million in 2025, marking a significant turnaround from prior losses. Recent news highlights AI-driven lending growth and a $600 million funding deal with Neuberger Berman, though quarterly earnings have been mixed with a recent miss in Q1 2026.
The stock presents a high-risk, high-reward opportunity, supported by analyst consensus targets near $42.00 but challenged by volatile cash flows and rising debt. Key risks include execution on new loan products and macroeconomic sensitivity, while institutional sentiment remains divided with a 45% buy rating. Near-term direction hinges on Q2 2026 results due August 4, 2026.
Wendy's (WEN) trades at $7.63, down 1.68% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and recent meme stock momentum. The company shows consistent earnings beats but faces margin pressure, with net income declining from $204M in 2023 to $165M in 2025. Valuation metrics appear attractive with a P/E of 10.2 and P/S of 0.69, while analyst consensus is mixed with a $7.96 price target.
The stock presents a value opportunity with solid dividends and low valuation, but investors face risks from declining profitability, high debt levels, and competitive pressures. Near-term catalysts include Q2 2026 earnings on August 7 and ongoing Project Fresh initiatives, though weak traffic and cost inflation remain headwinds for sustained growth.
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 →The Wendy's Company is the second-largest burger quick-service restaurant, or QSR, chain in the United States by systemwide sales, with $11.1 billion in 2021, narrowly edging Burger King ($10.3 billion) and clocking in well behind wide-moat McDonald's ($45.7 billion). After divestitures of Tim Hortons (2006) and Arby's (2011), the firm manages just the burger banner, generating sales across a footprint that spans almost 7,000 total units in 30 countries. Wendy's generates revenue from the sale of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, and fries throughout its company-owned footprint, through franchise royalty and marketing fund payments remitted by its franchisees, which account for 94% of stores, and through franchise flipping and advisory fees.
Read more on WEN →