What's Driving Block Inc's Surprising 15% Stock Rally?

Block Inc (SQ, Financial), a prominent player in the software industry, has experienced a notable fluctuation in its stock price recently. With a current market capitalization of $48.94 billion, the company's stock is trading at $79.69. Over the past week, Block Inc has seen a slight decline of 2.19%. However, looking at a broader timeframe, the stock has gained an impressive 15.15% over the past three months. According to GuruFocus's valuation metrics, the current GF Value of Block Inc is $88.5, which is higher than its past GF Value of $109.54. This indicates that the stock is currently modestly undervalued, a shift from its previous status of being significantly undervalued.

Introduction to Block Inc

Block Inc, formerly known as Square, is a company that has revolutionized payment services for merchants and individuals alike. Since its inception in 2009, Block has expanded its offerings to include Cash App, a widely-used person-to-person payment network. In 2022, the company reported a payment volume of just over $200 million, showcasing its significant presence in the financial technology sector. 1761047500489388032.png

Assessing Block Inc's Profitability

When it comes to profitability, Block Inc holds a Profitability Rank of 5/10. Its operating margin stands at -1.32%, which is better than 40.75% of companies in a pool of 2,788. The company's return on equity (ROE) is -1.63%, surpassing 40.89% of 2,668 companies, while its return on assets (ROA) at -0.91% is better than 44.57% of 2,852 companies. Block's return on invested capital (ROIC) is -1.93%, which is more favorable than 41.24% of 2,847 companies. Over the past decade, Block has been profitable for three years, which is better than 28.2% of 2,252 companies. 1761047518659112960.png

Block Inc's Growth Trajectory

Block Inc's growth has been remarkable, earning it a Growth Rank of 9/10. The company's 3-year revenue growth rate per share is an impressive 44.10%, outperforming 91.05% of 2,402 companies. Its 5-year revenue growth rate per share is even higher at 46.20%, which is better than 95.92% of 1,886 companies. Looking ahead, the estimated total revenue growth rate for the next 3 to 5 years is 12.36%, surpassing 58.25% of 491 companies. The 3-year EPS without NRI growth rate is 7.70%, which is better than 45.91% of 1,995 companies, and the 5-year rate is a robust 31.60%, outpacing 82.33% of 1,211 companies. The estimated EPS growth rate for the next 3 to 5 years is a strong 27.61%, better than 76.03% of 121 companies. 1761047535536992256.png

Key Shareholders in Block Inc

Block Inc's shareholder base includes notable investors such as Frank Sands (Trades, Portfolio), who holds 13,748,994 shares, representing a 2.24% share percentage. Catherine Wood (Trades, Portfolio) follows closely with 11,887,628 shares, accounting for 1.94% of the company's shares. Steve Mandel (Trades, Portfolio) also has a significant stake, with 6,606,269 shares, or 1.08% of the company's shares.

Competitive Landscape

In comparison to its competitors, Block Inc stands strong with a market cap of $48.94 billion. Its closest competitors in the software industry include MongoDB Inc (MDB, Financial) with a market cap of $33.02 billion, Zscaler Inc (ZS, Financial) with a market cap of $34.34 billion, and Splunk Inc (SPLK, Financial) with a market cap of $26.23 billion. These figures highlight Block Inc's competitive position within the industry.

Conclusion

In summary, Block Inc's recent stock performance reflects a company that is modestly undervalued according to GuruFocus's GF Value, with a significant gain over the past three months. The company's profitability metrics, while not stellar, are competitive within the industry. Block Inc's growth trajectory is particularly strong, with high growth ranks and promising future revenue and EPS estimates. The company's significant shareholders, including Frank Sands (Trades, Portfolio), Catherine Wood (Trades, Portfolio), and Steve Mandel (Trades, Portfolio), demonstrate confidence in its potential. When compared to its competitors, Block Inc maintains a solid market position, suggesting a robust outlook for the company's future.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

Disclosures

I/We may personally own shares in some of the companies mentioned above. However, those positions are not material to either the company or to my/our portfolios.