Latest news with #Block
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Should You Hold Onto XYZ Stock in 2025 Beyond Its 19% QTD Growth?
Block 's (XYZ) solid 19.8% quarter-to-date (QTD) return has left many investors questioning whether it remains attractively valued or if a better entry opportunity lies ahead. XYZ stock has not only outpaced its peers, such as PayPal Holdings, Inc. PYPL and Shopify Inc. SHOP, but also outperformed the S&P 500 composite over the same time frame. QTD, PayPal shares have gained 12.1%, while Shopify shares have appreciated 17%. There has been a spate of positive news of late for Block, including the launch of Square Handheld in the United Kingdom, the official partnership of Square and Live Nation Canada for extension of seamless commerce to Rogers Stadium and beyond, teaming up of Cash App and WNBA All-Star Angel Reese as well as its partnership with Bambu Dessert Drinks to streamline and centralize operations. However, the question arises whether these developments are sufficient to keep the momentum, or a challenging macroeconomic environment can jeopardize XYZ's growth tempo. So, here we make a detailed analysis of XYZ to conclude whether it will be prudent enough to hold the stock for now, or accumulate more shares, or discard and book profits. What's Driving Block Stock's Performance? Block is building a powerful fintech ecosystem through its dual growth engines, Square and Cash App. These platforms offer comprehensive solutions that span payments, commerce, banking, and lending, positioning Block as a one-stop provider for both consumers and businesses. The latest innovations like the Square Point of Sale app and the rollout of 'Cash App Afterpay' showcase its commitment to user-centric design and revenue diversification. Square is steadily reclaiming market share, supported by a 9% year-over-year increase in gross profit and an 8.2% rise in gross payment volume on a constant currency basis. These gains highlight Block's successful execution on product innovation and its targeted go-to-market approach, which includes expanding field sales, onboarding larger sellers, and deepening strategic partnerships. Despite shifting spending patterns, Cash App is poised for meaningful network expansion. Block is prioritizing user growth among teens and families, while accelerating the rollout of Cash App Borrow following FDIC approval for nationwide lending — a move that's expected to significantly expand eligibility and enhance unit economics beginning in the third quarter of 2025. At the same time, Block is tapping into new revenue opportunities. The 'Cash App Afterpay,' a retroactive buy-now-pay-later product, launched earlier this year, is already showing strong early adoption. Additionally, Block's Proto division is preparing to enter the Bitcoin mining space, with plans to release custom chips and systems in the second half of 2025, a strategic push into the broader digital asset infrastructure market. What Hinders Block's Progress? Although Block continues to roll out new features and expand its ecosystem, it faces several challenges. Economic headwinds, such as trade tariffs and subdued discretionary spending in areas like travel and media, are dampening activity on the Cash App Card. Its gross profit is forecasted to improve later in the year, but the near-term softness is noticeable. Moreover, the company is contending with stiff competition from established players like PayPal and Shopify, as well as a growing wave of fintech disruptors. Despite its broad-based growth and diverse revenue streams, Block's performance remains vulnerable to macroeconomic fluctuations and changes in consumer spending patterns. As a result, external forces may play a larger role than internal execution in shaping its trajectory in 2025. XYZ's Earnings Estimates Revision Trends Southward The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Block's 2025 sales and EPS implies year-over-year growth of 3.5% and a decline of 27%, respectively. EPS estimates for 2025 and 2026 have been southbound over the past 30 days. (Find the latest EPS estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.) XYZ Shares Trade at a Premium Block shares are overvalued, as suggested by the Value Score of D. In terms of forward 12-month Price/Earnings (P/E), Block is trading at 22.17X compared with PayPal's 13.66X. Final Take on Block Block continues to strengthen its position as a leading fintech innovator through its expanding Square and Cash App ecosystems. Recent partnerships, product rollouts, and innovation across Square and Cash App highlight the company's strong execution and growing ecosystem. Initiatives like Cash App Borrow, Afterpay integration, and expansion into Bitcoin mining signal long-term potential. While macroeconomic uncertainty and premium valuation raise caution, Block's diversified revenue base, user growth strategies, and continued momentum justify holding the stock. For now, maintaining a position in XYZ seems prudent as it navigates challenges while unlocking new growth avenues. At present, Block carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Zacks' Research Chief Picks Stock Most Likely to "At Least Double" Our experts have revealed their Top 5 recommendations with money-doubling potential – and Director of Research Sheraz Mian believes one is superior to the others. Of course, all our picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier recommendations like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%. See Our Top Stock to Double (Plus 4 Runners Up) >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Block, Inc. (XYZ): Free Stock Analysis Report PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL): Free Stock Analysis Report Shopify Inc. (SHOP): Free Stock Analysis Report
Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Morton Grove optometrist points to patch-wearing ‘Elio' in the Disney/Pixar movie to focus on kids' eye health
The new Disney/Pixar film 'Elio'— where the youthful title character dons a bright blue eyepatch — has presented a ripe opportunity for a Morton Groove optometry professor and blindness prevention advocate to call attention to children's eye health. In the animated film, which debuted in theaters June 20 and took third place at the box office with its $21 million opening, Elio is a space fanatic with an active imagination and a huge alien obsession. But he also wears a protective patch after being accidentally poked in the eye. Morton Grove resident Sandra Block, doctor of optometry, said she appreciates the fact that the film calls attention to eye challenges that children could face. 'The good thing is it's highlighting that vision is important in daily life,' Block told Pioneer Press. 'People don't think of vision as a problem. This might bring it to the forefront.' And for kids who may need an eyepatch but refuse to wear it, seeing this fun movie character could help take away the stigma. Block, who is professor emeritus at the Illinois College of Optometry, president of the World Council of Optometry and emeritus member of the Prevent Blindness Board of Directors, shared her knowledge of eye issues that children can face. Among them, Block reported that between 2% and 4% of children are diagnosed with amblyopia, more commonly known as lazy eye. 'Many types of amblyopia are not very visible,' Block said. She said the ones that are obvious can be recognized either when the child is in preschool or by the parent when their child is between 3 and 5 years old, although a large number of them are identified between the ages of birth and 12 months. Block said some kids with amblyopia are frequently told to wear an eyepatch. They wear it over the healthier eye in an attempt 'to get the 'lazy' eye to start to use vision more — forcing it to be used when it hasn't been used for some time,' Block said. The doctor noted that some children refuse to wear the eyepatch. But families can draw inspiration from Elio, who is mistakenly identified as Earth's leader and finds himself on a cosmic misadventure where he must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms — wearing a blue eyepatch. Other issues of concern regarding children's eye health include nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Block said that a lot of research is being done on these issues and some conclusions have been reached. 'We need to identify it early,' Block said. 'We need to get kids outside because the more time they spend outside the better it is. We need to educate the families and the pediatricians to know who's at risk. And try to keep the screen time down.' Perhaps Elio can be an inspiration.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Block (NYSE:XYZ) Seals Exclusive Payment Partnership With Live Nation Canada
Recent developments at Block, including an expanded partnership with Live Nation Canada, have highlighted the company's commitment to enhancing customer experiences through strategic technology applications. Despite a decrease in revenue and net income for Q1 2025, the company's share price rose by nearly 15% over the last quarter, potentially influenced by these positive collaborations and product innovations like the new Square Handheld device. The company's initiatives may have supported broader market trends, where the market has risen 1.9% in the past week and 12% over the year, indicating a solid recovery momentum. We've identified 1 weakness for Block that you should be aware of. This technology could replace computers: discover the 25 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality. The recent partnership between Block and Live Nation Canada is poised to bolster Block's diverse ecosystem, potentially enhancing customer experiences and engagement. This initiative aligns with Block's narrative of leveraging strategic collaborations and product innovations, like the Square Handheld device. These moves might have contributed to the company's 15% share price increase over the last quarter, despite a decrease in both revenue and earnings for Q1 2025. Additionally, Block's shares saw a total return of 3.24% over the past year, which, when juxtaposed with the broader market's 12.2% rise in the same timeframe, denotes underperformance. Comparatively, the US Diversified Financial industry experienced a 21.6% increase, highlighting Block's relative lag to its peers over the past year. The developments could potentially stimulate future revenue and earnings growth, with Block's emphasis on expanding Cash App features and Bitcoin initiatives expected to raise user engagement. Analyst forecasts see revenue growing by 11% annually over the next three years, with earnings expected to rise substantially. However, regulatory and economic challenges pose risks that could impact these forecasts. Current analyst consensus sets Block's price target at US$96.99, which is 9.6% above the current share price of US$87.68, indicating room for growth if the company's strategic initiatives bear fruit. Evaluate Block's prospects by accessing our earnings growth report. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include NYSE:XYZ. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
Pixar just had its worst opening weekend ever with 'Elio.' Are original movies dead?
'Elio' brought in $21 million domestically over its opening weekend — Pixar's worst showing ever. Pixar's last original movie, "Elemental," was previously its worst opening. Despite the poor opening, one theater executive thinks "Elio" could have legs this summer. Hollywood, we have a problem. Pixar Animation Studios, one of its most reliable cash cows over the last 30 years, has been sputtering lately when it comes to original movies. The latest example is "Elio," a sci-fi-fueled tearjerker about a young boy who is obsessed with being abducted by aliens. It didn't just underperform at the box office this weekend; it wound up being Pixar's worst opening weekend ever, taking in $21 million domestically and $14 million overseas for a paltry $35 million globally. The beloved animation house under the Disney umbrella was given all the tools for "Elio" to find success: a healthy $150 million budget and a release on over 3,700 screens. But by Sunday, it had landed in a disappointing third place at the box office, with Sony's zombie horror " 28 Years Later" coming in second and Universal's live-action remake "How to Train Your Dragon" coming in first for the second weekend straight. "The truth is, Pixar has had a difficult time launching original films lately, as sequels have been all the rage," Jeff Bock, the senior box-office analyst at Exhibitor Relations, told Business Insider. Pixar was in the same spot around this time two years ago, when its original title, "Elemental," bombed at the box office, opening in June 2023 to $29.6 million domestically, then the lowest opening ever for Pixar. That film's poor performance was blamed on audiences being programmed to stay home to see Pixar titles, as previous releases like " Luca" and " Turning Red" went straight to Disney+ instead of theaters. That's no longer the chatter these days, as Pixar's big release last year, " Inside Out 2," wasn't just a colossal box office sensation — it took in over $1 billion globally during its theatrical run — but showed that what audiences really want from Pixar are sequels to their beloved legacy IP. "Expect many more Roman numerals in the near future from Pixar, as nostalgia has never been more lucrative for studios," Block said. It's looking like Pixar will oblige, as the Disney release calendar already has "Toy Story 5" coming in 2026 and "Incredibles 3" in the works. But all isn't lost for original releases like "Elio." "From my perspective, 'Elio' performed in line with our expectations this weekend," Russell Vannorsdel, president of the Iowa-based chain Fridley Theatres, told Business Insider. "Pixar titles often have legs at the box office," he continued. "Even if the opening weekend isn't massive, these films tend to build momentum over time and finish with impressive final grosses. 'Elemental' is a great recent example." Despite the low opening for "Elemental," it held strong through the summer of 2023, grossing close to $500 million worldwide by the end of its theatrical run. Vannorsdel said he won't be surprised if word of mouth and loyalty to the Pixar brand will lead "Elio" on a similar trajectory this summer. And Pixar isn't stopping with the original films. Its next release is "Hoppers," which will be released in March. The film follows a young girl who transfers her consciousness into a robot beaver to go undercover in the animal kingdom. At least it's not set in space, which seems to be Disney/Pixar's Achilles' heel of late. Before "Elio," both "Strange World" and "Lightyear" fell flat with audiences when they were released in 2022. "Expect Disney to abort all future launches," Bock said of Disney/Pixar's plans for films in the sci-fi genre. "Unless it's a sequel to 'WALL-E,' of course."
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
Pixar just had its worst opening weekend ever. Box office analysts say it's not over yet for 'Elio.'
'Elio' brought in $21 million domestically over its opening weekend — Pixar's worst showing ever. Pixar's last original movie, "Elemental," was previously its worst opening. Despite the poor opening, one theater executive thinks "Elio" could have legs this summer. Hollywood, we have a problem. Pixar Animation Studios, one of its most reliable cash cows over the last 30 years, has been sputtering lately when it comes to original movies. The latest example is "Elio," a sci-fi-fueled tearjerker about a young boy who is obsessed with being abducted by aliens. It didn't just underperform at the box office this weekend; it wound up being Pixar's worst opening weekend ever, taking in $21 million domestically and $14 million overseas for a paltry $35 million globally. The beloved animation house under the Disney umbrella was given all the tools for "Elio" to find success: a healthy $150 million budget and a release on over 3,700 screens. But by Sunday, it had landed in a disappointing third place at the box office, with Sony's zombie horror " 28 Years Later" coming in second and Universal's live-action remake "How to Train Your Dragon" coming in first for the second weekend straight. "The truth is, Pixar has had a difficult time launching original films lately, as sequels have been all the rage," Jeff Bock, the senior box-office analyst at Exhibitor Relations, told Business Insider. Pixar was in the same spot around this time two years ago, when its original title, "Elemental," bombed at the box office, opening in June 2023 to $29.6 million domestically, then the lowest opening ever for Pixar. That film's poor performance was blamed on audiences being programmed to stay home to see Pixar titles, as previous releases like " Luca" and " Turning Red" went straight to Disney+ instead of theaters. That's no longer the chatter these days, as Pixar's big release last year, " Inside Out 2," wasn't just a colossal box office sensation — it took in over $1 billion globally during its theatrical run — but showed that what audiences really want from Pixar are sequels to their beloved legacy IP. "Expect many more Roman numerals in the near future from Pixar, as nostalgia has never been more lucrative for studios," Block said. It's looking like Pixar will oblige, as the Disney release calendar already has "Toy Story 5" coming in 2026 and "Incredibles 3" in the works. But all isn't lost for original releases like "Elio." "From my perspective, 'Elio' performed in line with our expectations this weekend," Russell Vannorsdel, president of the Iowa-based chain Fridley Theatres, told Business Insider. "Pixar titles often have legs at the box office," he continued. "Even if the opening weekend isn't massive, these films tend to build momentum over time and finish with impressive final grosses. 'Elemental' is a great recent example." Despite the low opening for "Elemental," it held strong through the summer of 2023, grossing close to $500 million worldwide by the end of its theatrical run. Vannorsdel said he won't be surprised if word of mouth and loyalty to the Pixar brand will lead "Elio" on a similar trajectory this summer. And Pixar isn't stopping with the original films. Its next release is "Hoppers," which will be released in March. The film follows a young girl who transfers her consciousness into a robot beaver to go undercover in the animal kingdom. At least it's not set in space, which seems to be Disney/Pixar's Achilles' heel of late. Before "Elio," both "Strange World" and "Lightyear" fell flat with audiences when they were released in 2022. "Expect Disney to abort all future launches," Bock said of Disney/Pixar's plans for films in the sci-fi genre. "Unless it's a sequel to 'WALL-E,' of course."
