Toast shares fall 9.53% after hours as PayPal's earnings miss triggers fintech selloff.
ByAinvest
Tuesday, Feb 3, 2026 5:36 pm ET3min read
TOST--
think>
Okay, let's tackle this query step by step. The user wants me to act as a financial analyst explaining the stock price movement of Toast (TOST) by linking it to recent news events. The input provides the stock's performance (down 9.53% after hours), the trading period, and six news reasons.
First, I need to determine if the stock moved down and during which session. The stock performance is given as after-hour down -9.53362944%, which I'll round to -9.53% as per the instructions. The trading period is after-hours, so that's clear.
Next, evaluate each news event's relevance. The first news (Reason 1) mentions a broad sell-off in tech stocks due to AI disruption fears, leading to a "basket-style reaction." Toast is listed as one of the affected stocks, down 9.7%. This seems directly relevant and aligns with the direction of the price drop. The second reason (Reason 2) links Toast's decline to PayPal's earnings miss, which caused a selloff in payment and merchant-tech stocks. Since Toast and PayPal are both in the payment/merchant tech space, this is also relevant. The third reason (Reason 3) is about a new integration by Omniboost, which seems positive but doesn't explain a price drop. The fourth (Reason 4) is a mid-day drop of 5.25%, but the user is asking about the after-hour drop, so this might not be the main cause. The fifth reason (Reason 5) discusses Toast's expansion in India, which is a positive development but doesn't explain a negative movement. The sixth reason (Reason 6) is another integration update, similar to Reason 3, also positive.
Now, check if the relevant events are bearish. Reason 1 and Reason 2 are both bearish. Reason 1's broad sell-off in tech and the specific mention of Toast's drop. Reason 2's connection to PayPal's poor earnings and the impact on related stocks like Toast. The other reasons don't align with the negative movement.
The user wants a concise explanation. The key is to combine both reasons if they both contributed. However, the example given in the instructions focuses on one main event. But in this case, both Reason 1 and Reason 2 seem to be the main drivers. However, the after-hour drop is specifically mentioned in Reason 1 as part of the afternoon session, but the user's input says the stock is down after hours. Wait, the first news event mentions the afternoon session, but the user's stock movement is after-hour. There's a possible discrepancy here. The first news event says the stocks fell in the afternoon session, but the stock movement is after-hour. However, the after-hour trading could be reacting to the day's events. The second news event is about a Tuesday afternoon selloff after PayPal's earnings, which might have occurred during the regular session, but the after-hour drop could be a continuation. Need to clarify if the after-hour drop is part of the same day's events. The user's input says the stock is down after-hour, and the first news event mentions the afternoon session, so it's possible that the after-hour trading is a continuation. The second news event is also about a Tuesday afternoon selloff. If the after-hour drop is the same day, then both reasons could be contributing. However, the user's example only includes one main event. Since the first reason is a broader market sell-off in the afternoon, and the after-hour trading is part of that day's extended hours, it's likely that the after-hour drop is a result of the same factors mentioned in Reason 1 and Reason 2. However, the second reason specifically links Toast to PayPal's earnings miss, which is a more direct cause. The user's example shows that when multiple reasons are present, they should be combined if they are both relevant. But the user's instructions say to identify the key news likely causing the move. So I need to determine which is more impactful. The first reason is a broad sell-off, and the second is a specific trigger (PayPal's earnings). The after-hour drop could be a reaction to both the day's market sentiment and the specific news about PayPal. Therefore, the explanation should mention both factors. However, the user's example only includes one reason. To comply with the example, perhaps focus on the most direct cause. The second reason is more specific to Toast's industry (payment/merchant tech), so that might be the primary driver. However, the first reason is a broader market factor. The user's example combines both if they are relevant. Let me check the example again. The example includes one main reason. In the example, the stock's movement is explained by one news event. So perhaps the user expects the most relevant and direct cause. Given that, Reason 2 is more specific to Toast's sector.
Stay ahead of the market.
Get curated U.S. market news, insights and key dates delivered to your inbox.
AInvest
PRO
AInvest
PROEditorial Disclosure & AI Transparency: Ainvest News utilizes advanced Large Language Model (LLM) technology to synthesize and analyze real-time market data. To ensure the highest standards of integrity, every article undergoes a rigorous "Human-in-the-loop" verification process.
While AI assists in data processing and initial drafting, a professional Ainvest editorial member independently reviews, fact-checks, and approves all content for accuracy and compliance with Ainvest Fintech Inc.’s editorial standards. This human oversight is designed to mitigate AI hallucinations and ensure financial context.
Investment Warning: This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional investment, legal, or financial advice. Markets involve inherent risks. Users are urged to perform independent research or consult a certified financial advisor before making any decisions. Ainvest Fintech Inc. disclaims all liability for actions taken based on this information. Found an error?Report an Issue

Comments
No comments yet