Marqeta (MQ) Soars 1.45% on Strong Q1 Earnings

Marqeta (MQ) shares surged 1.45% today, marking the seventh consecutive day of gains, with a 28.95% increase over the past week. The stock price reached its highest level since November 2024, with an intraday gain of 1.66%.

The strategy of buying MQ shares after they reached a recent high and holding for 1 week yielded moderate returns over the past 5 years, with a 9.57% annualized gain. This suggests a relatively conservative approach, suitable for investors seeking stability. However, the recent 1-week holding period yielded the highest return, indicating that waiting for pullbacks or reactions after a high can be beneficial. Investors should consider their risk tolerance and market outlook when adopting this strategy.

UBS Group recently adjusted its price target for Marqeta, increasing it from $4.75 to $5.00 while keeping a "neutral" rating. This adjustment reflects the firm's confidence in the company's future performance despite maintaining a cautious stance.

Marqeta's financial performance for the first quarter of 2025 showed a significant reduction in net loss, dropping to $8.26 million from $36.06 million in the previous year. This improvement was driven by strong transaction volume growth and effective expense management, indicating the company's efforts to enhance operational efficiency.

Looking ahead, Marqeta has forecasted revenue growth of 13%-15% for 2025. This projection is supported by the company's ongoing platform expansions and new strategic partnerships, which are expected to drive increased revenue and market share.

Barclays maintained an "Equal-Weight" rating for Marqeta as of May 12, 2025. This rating suggests a balanced view of the company's prospects, acknowledging both its strengths and potential challenges. Despite some mixed analyst ratings, the overall outlook for Marqeta remains positive, with several factors contributing to its recent stock price gains.