Has DAVE Outperformed the Business Services Sector in 2025?

The question of whether Dave Inc. (DAVE) has outperformed the Business Services sector in 2025 hinges on two critical indicators: earnings estimate revisions and Zacks Rank. These metrics, which gauge analyst sentiment and relative strength, paint a compelling picture of DAVE's performance against its peers.

Stock Performance and Sector Context

DAVE has delivered a staggering 123.3% year-to-date return in 2025, a figure that dwarfs the Business Services sector's average return of -12.6% according to Yahoo Finance. This divergence underscores DAVE's ability to capitalize on its niche in the fintech space, particularly as its CashAI platform gains traction. Meanwhile, the broader sector has struggled, with mixed earnings revisions and underperformance against the S&P 500, which has risen 22.7% over the past 12 months as reported by Nasdaq.

Earnings Estimate Revisions: A Tale of Two Trajectories

Earnings estimate revisions offer deeper insight into DAVE's momentum. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DAVE's 2025 earnings has surged by 24.7% over the past 60 days, while its 2026 forecast has risen by 12% according to Zacks.com. This upward revision reflects growing confidence in the company's ability to scale its services and monetize its user base.

In contrast, the Business Services sector has shown fragmented performance. While some stocks, like AppLovin (APP), have seen 6% gains in 60-day earnings estimates according to Yahoo Finance, others-particularly in Transportation, Retail, and Consumer Cyclical sub-sectors-have faced negative revisions, signaling macroeconomic headwinds as reported by Forbes. DAVE's consistent positive revisions stand out, especially given the sector's volatility.

Zacks Rank: A Quantitative Edge

DAVE's Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) further cements its relative strength. This top-tier ranking is driven by the model's emphasis on earnings estimate revisions and the company's strong earnings outlook as reported by Yahoo Finance. By comparison, the Business Services sector's average Zacks Rank places it in the top 38% of all sectors, while its industry rank (#180) situates it in the top 26% of 243 industries as reported by Nasdaq. However, these rankings mask the sector's underperformance in absolute terms, as highlighted by its -7.5% 12-month return as reported by Nasdaq.

Conclusion: A Clear Outperformer

DAVE's 2025 performance, both in stock price and earnings expectations, demonstrates its ability to outpace the Business Services sector. The company's 24.7% earnings estimate revision and #1 Zacks Rank reflect a unique combination of innovation and execution, contrasting sharply with the sector's mixed results. While the broader industry faces challenges from macroeconomic pressures and cyclical downturns, DAVE's fintech-driven growth model has insulated it from many of these headwinds.

For investors, this analysis suggests that DAVE's outperformance is not merely a function of short-term luck but a reflection of its structural advantages and positive earnings trajectory. As the sector navigates uncertainty, DAVE remains a standout example of how strategic differentiation can drive relative strength.