Block shares gain after strong gross profit growth despite EPS miss

Investing.com -- Shares of Block Inc (NYSE:XYZ) surged 8% in after-hours trading Thursday after the payments firm reported robust gross profit growth in the second quarter, defying an earnings miss. Strong gains in Cash App and Square segments helped lift investor sentiment as the company boosted its full-year outlook.

Block posted adjusted earnings per share of $0.62, falling short of the $0.67 consensus estimate. However, gross profit rose 14% year over year to $2.54 billion, with Cash App contributing $1.5 billion, up 16%, and Square generating $1.03 billion, an 11% increase.

The company reported operating income of $484 million, with adjusted operating income hitting $550 million, representing a 22% margin. Adjusted EBITDA reached $891 million, supported by continued margin expansion and product velocity across both ecosystems.

"We’re back on offense," CEO Jack Dorsey wrote in the shareholder letter. "Our shipping velocity has accelerated and I’m confident in our ability to sustain strong growth at scale." He emphasized Cash App’s progress in building a comprehensive financial platform, saying, "We believe we’re the only company that can deliver a complete money hub to customers."

Core to Block’s strategy is the Cash App ecosystem, which saw gross profit per transacting active rise 15% to $87 amid steady 57 million monthly actives. Square reported 10% growth in gross payment volume to $64.2 billion, with international GPV expanding by 25% year over year, benefiting from product innovation and go-to-market investments.

Cash App Borrow originations hit a $18 billion annualized pace, while BNPL gross merchandise volume climbed 17% to $9.11 billion. Meanwhile, Cash App Pay volume doubled year over year, and Cash App Card actives grew to 26 million.

Block raised its fiscal 2025 guidance, expecting gross profit of $10.17 billion, up 14.4% year over year, with full-year adjusted operating income target of $2.03 billion at a 20% margin. For the third quarter, it forecasts gross profit of $2.60 billion and adjusted operating income of $460 million.

Despite falling short on EPS, the overall tone from management and strong traction across key metrics buoyed investor confidence. The company’s performance outpaced expectations on multiple profitability vectors, helping validate its position as a next-gen financial platform.

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