Two financial technology companies, Rocket Companies and Affirm Holdings, may soon become members of the S&P 500 Index, according to analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (KBW).
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In fact, that could potentially happen as the S&P 500 prepares for its third-quarter rebalancing on September 18, a process where the index committee reviews companies and makes changes to ensure the index continues to represent the U.S. stock market. KBW analysts believe upcoming changes could create an opportunity for new companies to join one of the world’s most closely followed stock indexes.
Being added to the index is considered a major milestone because it often increases a company’s visibility among investors. And many funds that track the S&P 500 are required to buy shares of companies that are added, which can create additional demand for the stock.
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Rocket Companies Emerges as a Top S&P 500 Candidate
KBW believes Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT) is one of the strongest candidates for a future addition. Rocket is currently the sixth-largest company among those eligible for inclusion in the S&P 500 and is the largest eligible financial company that is not already part of the index.
Rocket Companies is best known for its online mortgage platform, Rocket Mortgage, which has helped transform the home loan industry by allowing customers to apply for mortgages digitally. The company has also expanded into other areas of personal finance, including real estate services and lending products.
KBW gave Rocket a medium probability of being added during the third-quarter rebalancing. However, the firm said Rocket has a medium-to-high chance of joining the S&P 500 over the next several quarters if it continues to meet the index’s requirements.
Affirm Gains Attention as a Fintech Contender
Another company receiving attention from analysts is Affirm Holdings (NASDAQ: AFRM), a financial technology company that provides buy now, pay later services.
Affirm allows consumers to split purchases into multiple payments instead of paying the full amount upfront. The company partners with retailers and online businesses to offer flexible payment options to shoppers.
KBW also assigned Affirm a medium probability of being added to the S&P 500 during the upcoming rebalancing. The company’s growth in digital payments and consumer finance has made it a notable name in the fintech industry.
For both Rocket and Affirm, joining the S&P 500 could bring important benefits. Index inclusion can increase a company’s exposure to large institutional investors and may improve trading activity in its shares. Investors who follow the S&P 500 often pay close attention to additions and removals because these changes can influence stock prices.
The S&P 500 committee makes the final decision, and companies must meet specific standards before they can become members. These standards include requirements related to market capitalization, profitability, liquidity, and public share ownership.
If Rocket or Affirm are added, the move would represent a significant achievement for both companies. It would place them alongside some of the largest and most recognized businesses in the world and could attract increased attention from investors.
As the September rebalancing announcement approaches, market participants will be watching closely to see which companies earn a spot in the S&P 500. Rocket Companies and Affirm Holdings are two names that analysts believe could be among the next group of companies to join the benchmark.
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