Highlights

  • SG Americas Securities LLC acquired 56,951 shares of StoneCo, valued at approximately USD 597,000.
  • Broker ratings vary: Santander upgrades to "outperform," while Wall Street Zen cuts to "hold."
  • Institutional ownership remains high, with 73.19% of shares held by large investors.

SG Americas Securities LLC disclosed a new position in StoneCo Ltd. (NASDAQ: STNE) in its latest 13F filing with the SEC, acquiring 56,951 shares valued at around USD 597,000 during the first quarter. This investment reflects a broader trend of institutional movement in the fintech firm’s stock, which has seen an uptick in interest from hedge funds and advisors.

Among other firms adjusting their positions, Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. increased its holdings by 143% in Q1, while JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its stake by 7.3% in the previous quarter. Meanwhile, HighTower Advisors LLC, Proficio Capital Partners LLC, and Raymond James Financial Inc. all initiated positions in recent months, reinforcing the company’s appeal to asset managers despite fluctuating analyst sentiment.

On the brokerage side, opinions on StoneCo’s stock performance are divided. Santander shifted its rating from "neutral" to "outperform" in a May 21st report, citing improved outlook. On the other hand, Wall Street Zen lowered its stance from "buy" to "hold" as of June 6th. Morgan Stanley maintained a more cautious approach, slightly increasing its target price from USD 5.70 to USD 6.00 but retaining an "underweight" rating.

Barclays and Wells Fargo & Company also made changes: Barclays raised its target from USD 13.00 to USD 15.00 with an "equal weight" rating, while Wells Fargo shifted from "equal weight" to "overweight" in March.

Currently, data indicates that the stock holds an average rating of "Moderate Buy", with a consensus target price of USD 15.63. The sentiment reflects a mix of confidence and caution among analysts, with one assigning a "sell" rating, two "hold," eight "buy," and one labeling it a "strong buy."

StoneCo recently reported USD 0.34 earnings per share for Q1 2025, beating analyst estimates by USD 0.02. However, the company posted a negative net margin of 8.90%, even as it delivered a 16.65% return on equity. Analysts forecast USD 1.16 EPS for the full fiscal year.

StoneCo, based in Brazil, operates in the financial technology space, offering software and digital transaction tools primarily to merchants through its proprietary Stone Hubs and direct sales channels.