Block Inc Stock Price, News & Analysis

Cash App Afterpay has announced a significant expansion of its merchant network, adding notable brands including StitchFix, Mejuri, PetMeds, Aviator Nation, Brandon Blackwood, and others. The expansion comes as 63% of Gen Z are shifting away from traditional credit cards to Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solutions due to concerns over hidden fees and high interest rates.

According to Block's Q4 2024 data, 98% of Afterpay purchases had no late fees, and 95% of installments were paid on time. The expansion covers various categories including lifestyle, home, experiences, wellness, and fashion, aiming to provide consumers with more flexible payment options during economic uncertainty.

Square has launched Square Releases, a new biannual product launch initiative that bundles new features and tools for businesses. The centerpiece is the new Square Handheld, a powerful portable point-of-sale device featuring a 6.2" Gorilla Glass touchscreen, barcode scanner, camera, and all-day battery life.

The company introduced a unified Square Point of Sale software with seven industry-specific modes, alongside targeted innovations for different sectors: Food & Beverage (bar tab preauthorization, fractional splitting), Retail (improved inventory management), Services (invoicing up to $1M), and Health & Beauty (automated wait lists, commission tracking).

Square also announced enhanced partnerships, including becoming a preferred POS partner with WooCommerce, and deeper integrations with DoorDash and Uber Eats. New Square sellers will now automatically receive Square Checking accounts, streamlining their banking experience.

Cash App has announced a strategic partnership with Domino's to integrate Cash App Pay as a payment option on the Domino's app. This marks Cash App Pay's first nationwide pizza restaurant partnership, enabling customers to pay directly using their Cash App balance when ordering pizzas and other menu items.

The integration aims to capture the growing digital payment preferences of younger consumers, with statistics showing that 79% of Gen Z and 85% of Millennials use mobile apps for fast-food orders. This partnership allows Domino's to tap into Cash App's young user base while providing enhanced payment flexibility and convenience at checkout.

Block (NYSE: XYZ) has announced the release of its financial results for the first quarter of 2025. The company has made these results available on the Financials section of its Investor Relations website at investors.block.xyz. Block will be hosting a conference call and earnings webcast to discuss these financial results on May 1, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time/5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Interested participants can register for the conference call through the Events & Presentations section of Block's Investor Relations website.

Square has launched "The Way Up," a new video series hosted by award-winning podcaster Guy Raz, showcasing innovative local businesses across America. The series features six successful Square-powered businesses, including James Beard Award-winning Nixta Taqueria, Charles Pan-Fried Chicken, The Sports Bra, Vala's Pumpkin Patch, Green Apple Books, and Rustler Hat Co.

Each episode explores how these businesses overcome challenges, implement solutions, and scale operations using Square's technology. The series will be distributed across multiple platforms, including Square's YouTube channel and Raz's "Wisdom From the Top" podcast. The featured businesses represent diverse industries, from restaurants and retail to entertainment and agriculture, demonstrating the transformative impact of technology on local business growth.

Square has expanded its banking services with enhanced features for Square Banking, offering sellers instant access to cash flow management tools. The platform now allows business owners to simultaneously sign up for Square Payments and Square Checking through a streamlined application process.

Key highlights:

• Sellers spent $3.6 billion via Square Checking debit cards in 2024, up 29% from 2023
• Square Savings now features personalized savings recommendations based on cash flow data
• Businesses save average of 44 hours monthly by avoiding traditional bank transfer delays
• Customer satisfaction score of 86%, exceeding traditional banking institutions by 20%
• Over $300 million stored in Square Savings accounts by end of 2024

The service includes instant access to sales revenue, no monthly fees, free transfers, and competitive 1.00% APY on savings. Additional features include cash deposits at 70,000+ retail locations, mobile check deposits, and seamless integration with Square's ecosystem.