Block "Oversold and Underestimated:" ABCs Backing XYZ Bull Case

Core Insights - Block's shares are experiencing a rise ahead of results, but the company has underperformed this year compared to its rivals [1][2] - Consumer sentiment towards Block is positive, contrasting with investor sentiment, which is bearish [18][19] Company Performance - Block operates two main segments: Square and Cash App, with Cash App showing significant growth in user engagement and revenue per user [3][5] - Cash App's profit per monthly active user has increased by 25%, reaching $94, indicating strong user engagement [6][31] - Square is outperforming PayPal but is still trailing behind Shopify in terms of overall consumer sentiment and market presence [4][8][23] Market Position and Competition - Shopify is the dominant player in the market, with Block facing pressure from its growth and consumer satisfaction metrics [3][8] - Despite the competition, Block is seeing a recent uptick in consumer interest, which may not yet be reflected in stock performance [9][10] Future Outlook - The upcoming report is expected to provide guidance that reflects the recent positive trends in user engagement and revenue growth, despite potential challenges from Bitcoin's performance [10][29] - Block aims to improve its gross profit growth and margins, targeting a combined score of over 40, currently around 35 [21][22] - The company is leveraging AI to enhance efficiency in R&D, which could lead to reduced costs and improved profitability [26] Consumer Engagement - Cash App is increasingly viewed as a primary banking service for younger users, contributing to its growing popularity [7][31] - The Afterpay feature is gaining traction, allowing users to make payments in installments, which is appealing to consumers [27][30]