Forbes·2026-02-27 14:15Core Viewpoint - Block's stock surged 19% in pre-market trading following a fourth-quarter earnings report that exceeded expectations and included significant layoffs, which the company attributes to the implementation of AI tools [2][4]. Financial Performance - For the fourth quarter, Block reported earnings per share of $0.65, meeting expectations, while revenue reached $6.25 billion, slightly surpassing consensus estimates. Gross profit increased by 24% to $2.87 billion [4]. - Block raised its 2026 guidance, projecting adjusted EPS of $3.66, which is $0.44 above consensus, and gross profit of $12.2 billion [5]. Layoffs and AI Implementation - The company announced 4,000 job cuts, approximately 40% of its workforce, which investors interpreted as a strategic move to reduce fixed costs rather than a sign of distress [6]. - CEO Jack Dorsey emphasized that AI tools have transformed the operational structure of the company, allowing a smaller team to achieve more [3][12]. - The layoffs are a combination of eliminating overlapping roles and utilizing a proprietary AI tool named Goose, which is designed to automate core activities [13][14]. Business Segments and Growth - Block's growth has been primarily driven by its consumer lending segment, which saw a three-fold increase in origination volume, with 9.3 million consumers using Cash App as their main banking service [7]. - However, the company also faced a 108% increase in transaction and loan losses, attributed to its expansion into higher-risk borrower segments [8]. Industry Context and Future Outlook - The layoffs at Block raise questions about the broader implications of AI on employment within the tech industry, with analysts predicting significant job losses due to AI adoption [9][10]. - Despite the potential for AI-driven layoffs, many companies have yet to effectively implement AI solutions, leading to operational gaps and the possibility of rehiring some laid-off workers [11]. - Dorsey believes that Block is ahead of its competitors in becoming an "intelligence-native company," which he argues will enhance its value and operational efficiency [15].