JFrog stock rises as Cantor Fitzgerald maintains Overweight rating after strong Q2
On Monday, Mizuho (NYSE:MFG) Securities adjusted its outlook on Block Inc. (NYSE:XYZ), reducing the price target on the company’s shares to $86.00 from the previous $110.00, while keeping an Outperform rating on the stock. The adjustment followed a significant drop in the company’s share value last Friday, which saw a 16% decline compared to the S&P 500 index.
The stagnation in Monthly Active Users (MAU) growth for Block’s Cash App was identified as a primary concern among investors, marking the fourth consecutive quarter without an uptick. This trend raises alarms about a potentially saturated Total (EPA:TTEF) Addressable Market (TAM) for users. Additionally, the final quarter of the previous year saw an increase in consumer receivable losses, which could be associated with the rapid expansion of Cash App’s lending feature, Borrow. Despite these challenges, Borrow scaled its originations to nearly $9 billion in 2024. The company maintains strong financial health with a current ratio of 2.33 and sufficient liquid assets to cover short-term obligations.
Nevertheless, Mizuho remains optimistic about Block Inc.’s prospects. The firm believes Cash App’s efforts to broaden its user base, such as targeting individuals in households earning up to $150,000, are still in the early stages. Furthermore, the focus on enhancing monetization, especially by increasing the number of direct deposit actives who reportedly spend six times more using the Cash Card compared to non-depositors, is expected to contribute positively to the company’s performance.
In addition to these strategies, Block Inc. has integrated Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) capabilities with the Cash App Card as of February. This move is anticipated to further boost Gross Profit (GP) growth for the company. Despite the reduced price target, Mizuho’s analysis suggests a continued constructive stance on the company’s ability to navigate its current challenges and capitalize on new opportunities.
In other recent news, Block Inc. has been the subject of various analyst updates and financial projections. BMO Capital Markets upgraded Block’s stock rating from Market Perform to Outperform, though they reduced the price target to $89.00, citing a more balanced market sentiment and achievable profit growth in Block’s Square and Cash App segments. UBS maintained a Buy rating on Block while slightly lowering the price target to $97.00, reflecting optimism about the company’s gross profit growth for 2025. TD Cowen reiterated a Buy rating with a $115.00 price target, acknowledging a slower start to the year but expressing confidence in Block’s growth in the latter half of 2025.
RBC Capital Markets also maintained an Outperform rating with a $110.00 price target, focusing on product innovation and market expansion as key drivers for Block’s performance. Their analysis highlighted the launch of a new Afterpay-enabled Cash App Card as a potential growth catalyst. Meanwhile, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods adjusted their price target to $87.00, maintaining a Market Perform rating after revising Block’s earnings per share estimates for 2025. Despite some near-term challenges, including weaker first-quarter guidance, Block’s management remains optimistic about growth acceleration throughout the year.
These developments are accompanied by strategic initiatives such as expanding the sales force for Square and increasing marketing efforts for Cash App, which are expected to drive gross profit growth. Block’s management and analysts alike are focusing on the company’s ability to navigate current market conditions and leverage product innovations to enhance financial performance.
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