Core Viewpoint - Block is reportedly considering layoffs that could impact 10% of its workforce as part of a broader business overhaul aimed at achieving a $12 billion gross profit target for the year [1][4]. Group 1: Layoffs and Business Overhaul - The company has been informing hundreds of employees about potential job eliminations during annual performance reviews, indicating a significant restructuring effort [2]. - As of late November, Block had under 11,000 employees and has been revamping its staffing and business model since 2024, focusing on integrating Cash App with Square and expanding into AI and crypto [3]. - Job cuts have been occurring across various teams during the performance review period, which extends through the latter part of the month [4]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Credit Services - Block's recent earnings performance has been inconsistent, with its stock experiencing a substantial decline over the past year, and the company is set to report earnings on February 26 [4]. - The company has provided over $200 billion in credit to customers through its Cash App Borrow, Afterpay, and Square Loans products, targeting borrowers often excluded from traditional credit systems [5]. - Block emphasizes that with the right technology, inclusive lending and responsible risk management can coexist, forming the basis for sustainable credit for future generations [5]. Group 3: Credit Underwriting System - Block's Chief Risk Officer highlighted the limitations of the current credit underwriting system, which is outdated and struggles to keep pace with modern financial behaviors [6]. - Nearly 100 million Americans are reportedly blocked from affordable credit due to scoring models that rely on outdated data, rather than current financial behavior [7]. - A shift towards near real-time data could enhance understanding of consumer money management and creditworthiness, addressing the gaps in the current system [7].

Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ) is one of Cathie Wood’s 10 stock picks with huge upside potential. Block (XYZ) Retains Strong Analyst Sentiment Amid Improving Momentum in Fintech Sector As of February 2, 2026, Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ) enjoys the confidence of 70% of analysts who remain bullish on the stock, with consensus indicating a 40.70% upside potential. The most recent analyst opinion was from Cantor Fitzgerald on January 27, 2026, when the firm initiated coverage of Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ). The investment fi ...

In this piece, we will cover Cathie Wood’s 10 Stock Picks with Huge Upside Potential.In a CNBC Squawk Box Interview on January 16, 2026, Cathie Wood outlined her outlook for 2026, a year in which she sees a concentrated set of stocks with significant upside potential.The ARK Invest CEO looked back at 2025, discussing sharp volatility, trade turmoil in April, and the government shutdown. Despite macroeconomic headwinds, ARK Invest funds ranked among Morningstar’s top performers.The firm’s investment strategy ...

Core Viewpoint - The fintech stock Block is currently trading 77% below its all-time high established in August 2021, indicating a potential investment opportunity as it may surge before Wall Street takes notice [2]. Valuation - Block's shares are trading at an attractive EV-to-EBIT ratio of 15.1, making it a compelling valuation in a market where valuation is a significant concern [3]. - A lower valuation multiple provides a margin of safety for investors, minimizing downside risk if future performance expectations are overly optimistic [4]. Business Performance - Block is experiencing growth and profitability, with the Square segment showing a 9% year-over-year gross profit growth in Q3, while Cash App's gross profit rose by 24% during the same period [5]. - The company's operating income has been increasing significantly [5]. Bitcoin Focus - Block's Bitcoin initiatives are often overlooked, but they present underappreciated upside potential [6]. - CEO Jack Dorsey has been a proponent of Bitcoin since 2021, believing it could serve as a native currency for the internet due to its digital, decentralized, and scarce nature [7]. - Block's Bitcoin projects include a self-custody wallet called Bitkey, cryptocurrency mining equipment under the Proto brand, Bitcoin trading for Cash App users, and the ability for Square sellers to accept Bitcoin payments [8].

This story was originally published on Payments Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Payments Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Digital payment provider Block announced the opening of an office in Dublin, Ireland, intended to expand the company's European footprint. In addition to workspaces, the new location will include a product demo lab where Block can show off its products to potential customers, a Thursday news release on the company's website said. "We're here to dr ...

Key Takeaways Square renewed its Corner Store lease at 1100 Valencia Street, expanding BIGFACE Coffee residency.Square processed over 20,000 daily transactions in the Mission in 2025.BIGFACE lifted Mission sales 11% in two weeks, prompting an extended residency through April 12.Block’s (XYZ) merchant-facing arm, Square, announced the return of its Corner Store in San Francisco's Mission District by renewing its lease at 1100 Valencia Street. Square is also launching with a new slate of programming, starting ...

Key Takeaways SoFi will report Q4 results Jan. 30, with earnings seen at 12 cents and revenue near $982 million.SOFI's Financial Services, Lending and Technology Platform segments are all expected to show strength.SoFi shares are up 60.5% year over year but down 14% in three months as valuation concerns linger.SoFi Technologies, Inc. (SOFI) will report its fourth-quarter 2025 results on Jan. 30, before the bell.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in the to-be-reported quarter stands at 12 cents, indic ...

Core Insights - The 'One Big Beautiful Bill' introduces significant tax changes affecting 2025 returns, with the IRS starting to accept these returns on Monday [1] - Key changes for self-employed workers include an increased threshold for 1099-K forms and a new "no tax on tips" deduction [1][10] Tax Changes for Self-Employed Workers - The threshold for issuing 1099-K forms has been reverted to the previous limit, requiring a 1099-K only if a worker has more than 200 transactions and earns over $20,000 [6] - The 1099-K form is essential for self-employed individuals receiving payments through third-party platforms like PayPal and Square, with no threshold for payment card transactions [7][8] - Some states may have stricter reporting requirements, potentially requiring 1099-K reporting for transactions as low as $600 [9] New Deductions - The "no tax on tips" deduction applies to self-employed workers in fields where tipping is customary, allowing deductions of up to $25,000 for married couples and $12,000 for singles [12][13] - This deduction only affects federal income tax and does not reduce Medicare or Social Security taxes owed on tips [13] Recommendations for Self-Employed Workers - It is advisable for self-employed individuals to maintain regular bookkeeping to accurately track income and expenses, facilitating more precise quarterly tax payments [14][15] - Utilizing online tax calculators can help self-employed workers estimate their tax liabilities [15]

Core Viewpoint - The innovative company Block is focusing on projects related to Bitcoin, which could lead to a significant increase in its share value over time Group 1: Company Overview - Block operates two ecosystems: Cash App for individual consumers and Square for small businesses [1] - The stock is currently trading 77% below its all-time high from August 2021, indicating potential for growth [1] Group 2: Bitcoin Initiatives - Block has been actively involved in Bitcoin since 2018, allowing Bitcoin trading on Cash App and selling Bitcoin hardware wallets and mining equipment [2] - Square has recently enabled its 4 million merchants to accept Bitcoin payments, showcasing the potential for widespread adoption [3] Group 3: Market Potential - The market capitalization of Block is $40 billion, with a current stock price of $65.99 [4] - The stock has a gross margin of 40.31%, indicating healthy profitability [5] Group 4: Future Projections - Michael Saylor predicts Bitcoin's price could rise to $21 million per unit in the next two decades, suggesting that Block's stock could potentially increase 20-fold if its Bitcoin initiatives succeed [6] - Investors optimistic about Bitcoin's long-term potential may view Block's growth prospects favorably [7]

Core Insights - Nu Holdings' most compelling differentiator is its improving revenue durability, transforming a vast customer base into recurring income streams less exposed to macroeconomic swings [1] - The company added over 4 million new users in Q3 2025, expanding its customer base to 127 million while maintaining an activity rate above 83% [1][8] - Revenue growth is driven by deepening monetization across various financial services, with a 39% year-over-year increase in currency-neutral revenues to $4.2 billion in Q3 [2][8] Revenue and Customer Growth - The evolution from rapid customer acquisition to monetization across payments, credit, savings, and insurance positions Nu Holdings for resilient performance amid tightening credit conditions [2] - The disciplined product strategy emphasizes high-engagement financial products, enhancing average revenue per active user and smoothing quarterly variability [3] Cost Structure and Competitive Advantage - Nu Holdings' technology-first platform allows for effective operating leverage, avoiding the heavy infrastructure costs of traditional banks [4] - The growing revenue durability provides a strategic advantage that can justify premium valuation multiples and support consistent shareholder returns [4] Peer Comparisons - Block serves as a relevant comparison, showcasing a multi-product financial platform that grows wallet share as users adopt more services [5] - SoFi Technologies demonstrates how cross-selling can convert a fast-growing user base into a stable revenue engine, highlighting the benefits of diversified product expansion [6] Valuation and Market Performance - Nu Holdings' stock has surged 57% over the past year, outperforming the industry's 54% growth [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 20.73X, significantly above the industry's 11.1X [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NU's 2025 earnings has been rising, with the stock currently holding a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [11]