Should I buy Nu Holdings shares in 2025? A Comprehensive ZA Guide

What is Nu Holdings?

How much is the Nu Holdings stock?

The price of Nu Holdings stock is falling this week. As of now, NU is trading at $11.99, reflecting a daily decrease of 1.72% and a 5-day decline of 2.12%. The company’s market capitalisation sits between $57.8 and $58.8 billion, with an average 3-month daily volume of 59.49 million shares. Nu Holdings currently has a P/E ratio near 27.4, does not pay a dividend, and its stock beta ranges from 1.11 to 1.66, indicating moderate volatility. For South African investors, this level of movement highlights both the risks and potential rewards of engaging with a fast-growing fintech leader in emerging markets.

Our full analysis on Nu Holdings stock

Having carefully reviewed Nu Holdings’ latest quarterly results and analyzed the stock’s evolution over the past three years, our proprietary models—including blended financial, technical, and sectoral signals—point toward a nuanced yet highly promising outlook for this fintech leader. By triangulating real-time data, core valuation metrics, and market dynamics, we are able to contextualize Nu Holdings among both incumbent banks and next-generation neobanks. So, why might Nu Holdings stock once again become a strategic entry point into the global digital banking sector in 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Nu Holdings (NYSE: NU) continues to stand out as a formidable player in the fast-evolving digital financial services arena, especially within Latin America’s high-growth fintech ecosystem. As of May 30, 2025, the stock trades at $11.99, slightly off intraday highs yet firmly within its 52-week range of $9.01–$16.15. While short-term performance—seen in a minor 1.72% daily dip and a 2.12% slide over the last five trading days—masks the underlying strength, year-to-date performance is resoundingly positive at +15.73%. Over three months, the stock is up +6.58%, outperforming many regional peers.

Several recent developments underpin market optimism. The full approval of Nu Mexico’s banking license in April 2025 paves the way for a significant product suite expansion, fortifying Nu’s dominant position in the region. A newly appointed Vice Chairman (Roberto Campos Neto, former president of Brazil’s Central Bank) adds credibility, expertise, and global policy acumen. Meanwhile, broad macro tailwinds—ranging from digital banking penetration in Latin America, robust financial inclusion policies, and an ongoing shift from cash to digital solutions—create an ecosystem that is demonstrably favorable for fintech pure-plays like Nu Holdings.

Technical Analysis

From a technical perspective, Nu Holdings' stock price presents a compelling narrative. The current price consolidates above the psychologically important $12.00 level, with the 200-day moving average serving as steadfast support since late May—a bullish structural indicator. Technical models report 71.43% bullish signals across major moving averages, further supporting this thesis.

Momentum indicators, including a neutral Relative Strength Index (RSI) in the 45.8–53.7 range, suggest balanced positioning—neither overbought nor vulnerable—allowing for organic upside without the overhang of near-term correction risk. The MACD indicator remains positive at 0.24, reflecting quietly constructive momentum that increasingly favours bullish setups. Immediate resistance is observed in the $12.87–$13.06 band; a sustained breakout above this area could unlock the next upward leg. With high-volume price stability near multi-month supports, the risk/reward profile skews attractively to the upside in both the short and medium term.

Fundamental Analysis

Nu Holdings’ fundamentals warrant particular attention for their strength, resilience, and prospective upside. The Q1 2025 results showcased the company’s continued operational excellence:

• Revenue: $3.25 billion, up an impressive 40% year-on-year (FX-neutral).
• Net Income: $557.2 million, surging 74% year-on-year (FX-neutral).
• Profit before Taxes: $795.1 million, a 62% climb.
• EPS: $0.12 (essentially in line with consensus).

Of special note is Nu Holdings’ relentless customer acquisition: as of the most recent quarter, the firm surpassed 118.6 million total users, adding 19.3 million customers year-on-year and 4.3 million just in Q1—an unprecedented growth rate in the global banking sector. This scale translates into clear competitive advantages: strong network effects, superior data analytics, and escalating revenue per customer as the platform matures.

Valuation metrics remain compelling despite the achievement-driven re-rating. The trailing P/E ratio stands at 27.3, which, while above global bank averages, is well justified considering the company’s high double-digit revenue growth rate and digital-first, efficient cost structure. The market already prices in expansion potential, yet at $12/share, Nu’s price-to-sales and PEG ratios suggest further headroom—especially when benchmarked against other high-growth fintechs.

The company’s innovation credentials are equally formidable: Nu is the market leader in Brazilian digital banking, with fast-rising operations in Mexico and Colombia, and a platform recognized for user experience and rapid technological evolution. The high ROE of 32% is another standout metric, reflecting efficient capital deployment and robust profitability.

Volume and Liquidity

Institutional-grade liquidity is a defining feature of Nu Holdings, with an average daily volume of close to 60 million shares—currently trending above that figure with recent volume spikes to 62 million. This sustained trading activity signals strong market confidence and supports tight bid-ask spreads for investors seeking optimal entry or exit points.

The public float of 3.32 billion shares and a total of 4.82 billion shares outstanding ensure that the stock remains highly liquid, with sufficient depth to accommodate both institutional and private investors. The float structure is particularly favorable to dynamic price discovery and ensures that valuation adjustments can occur smoothly as new catalysts emerge.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

Nu Holdings’ roadmap brims with tangible growth drivers:

• Geographic Expansion: With the recent full banking license for its Mexican subsidiary, Nu can now roll out personal loans and broader financial products. Early traction in Mexico and Colombia sets the base for imminent scale advantages akin to its Brazilian operation.
• ESG and Financial Inclusion: As one of the most prominent disruptors bringing digital banking to vast underbanked populations, Nu stands at the intersection of sustainability, inclusion, and digital innovation—a combination that resonates deeply with global investors.
• Strategic Talent and Governance: The appointment of a respected central banking figure at the executive level increases the company's ability to navigate regulatory complexity and pursue new partnerships.
• Solid Innovation Pipeline: Nu’s ongoing investments in user-experience, AI-driven underwriting, and mobile-first solutions ensure it retains a leadership edge as digital behaviors accelerate.
• Favorable Sector Trends: Regulatory tailwinds, a generational shift from cash to digital wallets, and rapid smartphone adoption across Latin America combine to underpin above-average secular growth prospects.

Analyst consensus reflects these strengths: 21 analysts rate Nu Holdings as a "Buy," with a consensus price target of $15.13—representing more than 26% potential upside from current levels.

Investment Strategies

Nu Holdings’ current technical and fundamental setup seems to represent an excellent opportunity for investors with various time horizons:

• Short-Term: The stock’s strong support at $12.00 and room to challenge recent resistance levels offer tactical trading setups, especially on confirmation of volume-backed breakouts above $12.87.
• Medium-Term: Macro tailwinds, calibrated execution in new markets, and product rollouts position Nu favourably to outperform regional and sector benchmarks. Positioning ahead of the next earnings cycle—where consensus models anticipate continued rapid top- and bottom-line growth—could maximize upside.
• Long-Term: Investors with a multi-year perspective will appreciate the compounding nature of Nu’s network effects, financial inclusion leadership, and scalable platform. Early-stage penetration in Mexico and Colombia holds the potential to double customer and revenue bases within several years, all while operating in a structurally cost-advantaged digital framework.

Strategically, Nu Holdings’ current price consolidation near technical support, just ahead of sustained product and geographic catalysts, provides a timely entry point for those seeking diversified exposure to fintech innovation across high-growth economies.

Is it the Right Time to Buy Nu Holdings?

Synthesizing both quantitative and qualitative perspectives, Nu Holdings emerges as one of the most well-positioned fintechs in the emerging markets universe. The company fuses stellar revenue growth, sector-leading customer gains, robust profitability, and a flexible digital-first model, all set against the backdrop of accelerating adoption of digital financial services in Latin America. Despite global market volatility, Nu Holdings’ innovation, scale, and strategic vision project strong upside potential, while near-term technical supports and high liquidity mitigate entry risk.

For investors in South Africa and beyond looking to diversify into global technology disruptors with substantial room for expansion, the fundamentals firmly justify renewed interest in Nu Holdings. The stock may be entering a new bullish phase characterized by amplified catalysts, rising analyst targets, and tangible operational momentum. With its exceptional combination of growth, scale, and innovation, Nu Holdings arguably stands at the threshold of its next major value-creation cycle.

In sum, Nu Holdings offers a rare blend of high-growth fundamentals, robust technical posture, and market-driven momentum—elements that make it particularly worthy of consideration for those seeking exposure to the financial technology revolution reshaping global markets.

How to buy Nu Holdings stock in South Africa?

Buying Nu Holdings (Nubank) shares online is straightforward and secure when you use a regulated broker in South Africa. Investors have two main ways to get exposure: you can buy Nu Holdings stock directly (“spot buying”) and become a shareholder, or trade via Contracts for Difference (CFDs), allowing for leveraged bets on price movements without owning the actual shares. Both options are accessible via most online brokers, ensuring flexibility and transparency. For a detailed comparison of brokers and platforms suitable for South African investors, see the table further down this page.

Spot Buying

Buying Nu Holdings stock in cash means you purchase the shares outright through your brokerage account. This makes you a legal shareholder, with rights to future capital gains (but note: Nu Holdings does not currently pay dividends). In South Africa, online share trading platforms typically charge a fixed commission for US-listed stocks—often ranging from R80 to R200 per order, plus possible small custody or conversion fees.

Spot Buying Example

Let’s say Nu Holdings is trading at $11.99 per share and you invest $1,000 (roughly R18,000, depending on the current ZAR/USD rate), with a brokerage fee of about $5.
- $1,000 - $5 gives you $995 to buy shares.
- $995 ÷ $11.99 ≈ 83 shares of Nu Holdings.
- If the share price rises 10% to $13.19, your holding would be worth about $1,100.
✔️ Gain Scenario:
A 10% price increase means a $100 gross gain—a return of +10% on your invested amount, excluding taxes and possible currency fluctuations.

Trading via CFD

CFDs (Contracts for Difference) let you speculate on Nu Holdings’ share price movements without owning the underlying shares. CFD trading is available via regulated brokers and allows you to use leverage, magnifying both gains and risk. Instead of a commission, you pay the spread (the broker’s fee built into the buy/sell price) and overnight financing if you hold positions longer than a day.

CFD Example

You open a CFD position on Nu Holdings with $1,000 and apply 5x leverage, giving you market exposure of $5,000.
- If Nu Holdings’ share price rises 8% over your holding period, that’s a gain of 8% x 5 = 40% on your position.
- You make a $400 profit on your $1,000 stake (before fees and interest costs).
✔️ Gain Scenario:
Leverage means your returns (and your risks) are amplified. Always be aware of the potential for significant losses as well as gains.

Final Advice

Before you buy Nu Holdings shares—either outright or via CFDs—be sure to compare the fees, spreads, and features offered by different regulated brokers serving South African investors. Each platform’s conditions and costs can impact your returns. Ultimately, the best method depends on your own investment goals: spot buying suits long-term investors looking for direct ownership, while CFDs may appeal to active traders seeking to profit from short-term price movements. For a side-by-side broker comparison to help you choose, check the table further down the page.

Our 7 tips for buying Nu Holdings stock

The latest news about Nu Holdings

Nu Holdings delivered outstanding Q1 2025 results with 40% revenue growth and 74% net income increase year-on-year. In Q1 2025, the company posted $3.25 billion in revenue (40% YoY growth FX-neutral) and net income of $557.2 million, demonstrating robust earnings momentum and operational efficiency. The strong double-digit top- and bottom-line growth is especially relevant for South African investors seeking exposure to high-growth, high-return international fintech stocks within emerging markets, since such financials underpin analysts’ consensus “Buy” recommendation.

Nu Holdings achieved rapid customer growth, adding 4.3 million new accounts in the latest quarter and surpassing 118 million total customers. With total customers growing 19% year-on-year and 19.3 million net additions over the past year, the expanding user base provides significant scale and network benefits, suggesting durable long-term growth prospects. These metrics position Nu among the most dynamic digital financial institutions globally, which is key for South African portfolios seeking scalable financial technology plays and diversified sources of growth outside traditional local banks.

Nu Holdings has obtained a full banking license in Mexico, enabling significant product and revenue diversification beyond core credit cards. This regulatory milestone—secured in April 2025—empowers Nu to expand into personal loans and broader banking services in the critical Mexican market, adding significant runway for growth and competitive positioning across Latin America. For South African investors, this demonstrates Nu’s successful geographic expansion strategy and highlights the company’s potential to replicate its digital banking success in multiple large, underbanked markets—a business model with strong relevance as African fintech adoption accelerates.

Recent share price action shows technical support at the 200-day moving average with bullish signals from moving averages, indicating market confidence. Despite a 2.1% price dip over the past week, Nu’s share price remains well-supported at the $12.00 level, with 71% of moving average indicators showing bullish trends. The stock is trading in neutral RSI territory, avoiding overbought or oversold conditions, with after-hours price ticking up. This technical resilience and positive momentum are encouraging signals for ZA-based investors monitoring entry and exit points in high-volatility emerging market equities.

Analyst sentiment remains positive with a consensus “Buy” rating and a 26% average price target upside, supported by leading shareholders like Berkshire Hathaway. Nu Holdings benefits from strong institutional endorsement, most notably from Berkshire Hathaway and ARK Invest, and continues to attract favorable analyst coverage, with a consensus target price of $15.13. This optimism reflects market confidence in Nu’s profit growth, operational scalability, and strategic direction, reinforcing its appeal as a core holding for South African investors seeking international best-in-class fintech exposure via NYSE-listed securities or global EM ETFs.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.