Welcome to our dedicated page for Block news (Ticker: SQ), a resource for investors and traders seeking the latest updates and insights on Block stock.
News and press releases related to Square and the historical ticker symbol SQ focus on how the company develops and expands its integrated ecosystem of commerce and financial tools. As part of Block, Inc., Square appears frequently in announcements about product launches, partnerships, research, and marketing campaigns that affect restaurants, retailers, and other consumer-facing businesses.
Readers following SQ-related news will see updates on new hardware and software, such as the introduction of Square Releases, a biannual product launch format that bundles features and tools for sellers, and the debut of Square Handheld, a portable point-of-sale device designed for fast-moving businesses. News also covers enhancements to Square Point of Sale, restaurant-specific capabilities, retail inventory management, and tools for services and health and beauty providers.
Company announcements highlight partnerships that extend Square’s reach, including collaborations with restaurant chains like Bambu Dessert Drinks and strategic relationships with organizations such as Sysco and WooCommerce. These stories describe how Square’s technology is implemented across franchise networks, integrated with delivery platforms, and promoted through partner programs to help sellers manage operations and cash flow.
Other news items feature research and campaigns that showcase Square’s role in local economies. The Future of Commerce report provides data on how restaurants, retailers, and beauty businesses plan to use automation, loyalty programs, and technology, while marketing campaigns like “Running a Restaurant Is No Joke” spotlight restaurant owners and their experiences using Square. Seasonal updates, such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday transaction data across Block’s brands, illustrate how sellers using Square, Afterpay, and Cash App perform during major shopping periods.
Investors and observers can use the SQ news archive to understand how Square’s product roadmap, partnerships, and research initiatives evolve over time, and how these developments relate to Block’s broader ecosystem and the announced ticker symbol change from SQ to XYZ.
Square announced plans to offer approximately $2.0 billion in senior notes through a private placement, targeting qualified institutional buyers and non-U.S. persons. The details regarding interest rates, redemption provisions, and maturity will be negotiated with initial purchasers. The funds raised will be utilized for general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions, strategic transactions, and capital expenditures. This offering will not be registered under the Securities Act and aims to adhere to applicable exemptions.
Square announced new developer tools at its annual partner conference, Square Unboxed, including the Snippets API for Square Online, aimed at enhancing online seller engagement. The Snippets API allows for plugin creation, fostering trust through customer interaction notifications. Square reported over 2x growth in active online sellers each quarter since early 2020. Other tools announced include the Web Payments SDK and Loyalty API, focusing on enhancing eCommerce experiences. Both APIs aim to optimize online sales and support larger sellers as Square's partner ecosystem grows.
Square, Inc. (NYSE: SQ) has released its first-quarter 2021 financial results, now accessible on their Investor Relations website. A conference call is scheduled for today at 2:00 p.m. PT/5:00 p.m. ET to discuss these results, with a replay available afterward. Square continues to empower businesses and consumers through tools that facilitate online and in-person transactions, as well as financial management via Cash App. The company maintains a global presence with offices across various countries including the U.S., Canada, Japan, and the UK.
Square has introduced an on-demand alcohol delivery feature for sellers using Square Online, enabling restaurants, bars, and retailers to sell alcohol through their websites. This new offering can generate a lucrative revenue stream without the expense of a delivery fleet. Sellers pay only a $1.50 flat fee per order to Square, with no marketplace commission, while benefiting from tracking and age verification through a partnership with DoorDash. This initiative aims to help businesses monetize existing inventory and improve customer relationships through marketing tools.
Square will host its fifth annual partner and developer conference, Square Unboxed, on May 13, 2021. The virtual event will include a fireside chat with co-founders Jack Dorsey and Jim McKelvey, alongside new product announcements and partnerships. Keynote speaker Simone Giertz and remarks from team members will highlight the importance of partners in supporting sellers during challenging times. Over the past five years, Square's open platform has expanded to meet diverse business needs, emphasizing solutions that foster connections among sellers, developers, and customers.
Square has launched new inventory management features for Square for Retail, designed to help sellers automate and enhance inventory processes. Key features include Easy Item Create, Quick Inventory Counting, and Smart Stock Alerts, which streamline stock management. A recent survey indicated that nearly 90% of retailers are now selling online, underscoring the importance of these tools. Square aims to assist businesses in adjusting to new consumer habits and improving operational efficiency as they prepare for future market changes.
Square has partnered with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to support the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), a $28.6 billion program aimed at aiding food and beverage businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible restaurants can access RRF awards through Square's dashboard if they processed payments with Square in 2019 and 2020. Bruce Bell, head of Square for Restaurants, emphasized the need for tools and support for sellers as they prepare to reopen.
Square will announce its financial results for Q1 2021 on May 6, 2021, after market close. The company will also host a conference call and earnings webcast at 2:00 p.m. PT/5:00 p.m. ET to discuss these results. Interested participants can register for the conference call via Square's Investor Relations website. Square, listed on NYSE under the symbol SQ, has transformed payments since its inception in 2009, providing tools for businesses and individuals to thrive in the economy.
Square, Inc. (SQ) released a report examining the impact of COVID-19 on global commerce, highlighting a significant rise in cashless transactions. From February 2020 to February 2021, cashless businesses in the U.S. doubled from 6.3% to 14%, while cash transactions fell from 37.4% to 30.5%. By February 2021, 45% of U.S. Square sellers accepted online payments, up from 30%, and 74% accepted contactless payments. Despite the trend, 73% of American consumers believe the U.S. will never be entirely cashless.
Square published its 2020 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report, highlighting its commitment to sustainability and inclusivity amid pandemic challenges. The report outlines goals like achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030 and investing $100 million in minority communities. Key initiatives include a $10 million investment in clean energy for Bitcoin mining and facilitating over $850 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans for small businesses. Square also reported increased diversity within its workforce and emphasized strong corporate governance practices.