Block to replace Hess Corp. in S&P 500 at open on 7/23
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jul 19 2025
0mins
S&P 500 Changes: Block (XYZ) will replace Hess Corp. (HES) in the S&P 500 effective July 23, following Chevron's acquisition of Hess Corp. that closed on July 18.
Impact of Acquisition: The transition reflects the ongoing consolidation in the energy sector, with Chevron expanding its portfolio through this acquisition.
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Analyst Views on XYZ
Wall Street analysts forecast XYZ stock price to rise
30 Analyst Rating
25 Buy
3 Hold
2 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 71.900
Low
55.00
Averages
86.51
High
108.00
Current: 71.900
Low
55.00
Averages
86.51
High
108.00
About XYZ
Block, Inc. builds technology to increase access to the global economy. The Company operates through two segments: Square and Cash App. The Square includes managed payment services, software solutions, hardware, and financial services offered to sellers, excluding those that involve Cash App. The Cash App segment includes the financial tools available to individuals within the mobile Cash App, including peer-to-peer payments, bitcoin and stock investments. The Cash App also includes Cash App Card, which is linked to customer stored balances that customers can use to pay for purchases or withdraw funds from an ATM. Cash App also includes the BNPL platform. Its Afterpay business is transforming the way customers manage their spending over time. Its TIDAL business is a music platform that empowers artists to thrive as entrepreneurs. Its Bitkey business is a simple self-custody wallet built for bitcoin. Proto business is a suite of bitcoin mining products and services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Investigation into Block, Inc. Shareholder Rights
- Shareholder Rights Investigation: Halper Sadeh LLC is investigating whether certain officers and directors of Block, Inc. breached their fiduciary duties, which could impact corporate governance and shareholder rights.
- Contingent Fee Arrangement: The law firm operates on a contingent fee basis, meaning shareholders will not incur out-of-pocket legal fees, thereby reducing the financial barrier to participation in the investigation and encouraging more shareholders to get involved.
- Enhancing Corporate Governance: Shareholder involvement may lead to improvements in company policies, practices, and oversight mechanisms, thereby increasing transparency and accountability, ultimately enhancing shareholder value.
- Global Investor Representation: Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors worldwide, focusing on securities fraud and corporate misconduct, having successfully implemented corporate reforms and recovered millions for defrauded investors, demonstrating its effectiveness in protecting investor rights.
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- Industry Outlook: Traders on Kalshi predict a 92% chance of more tech layoffs in 2026, reflecting widespread concern about an impending wave of job cuts in the technology sector, particularly within the information industry.
- Current State of Information Sector: As of March 2026, the U.S. information sector has reported 178,000 layoffs, marking a dramatic decline from the post-pandemic peak of over 3.1 million jobs, indicating severe challenges facing the industry.
- Broader Company Impact: Similar to Coinbase, companies like Blockcite and Meta Platforms have also executed large-scale layoffs due to AI investments and market pressures, demonstrating a structural adjustment across the tech industry.
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Coinbase Cuts 14% Workforce Amid Market Volatility
- Layoff Announcement: Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong stated that the company will reduce its workforce by approximately 14% to address market volatility and the rapid impact of AI on operations, aiming to position the firm for its 'next phase of growth.'
- Market Context: Armstrong highlighted the dual challenges of the current downturn in the crypto market and the fast-paced evolution of AI, asserting that while he remains bullish on crypto's future, the company must adjust its cost structure to navigate these changes.
- Industry Trends: This layoff aligns with a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies like Block and Pinterest have also announced job cuts due to increased AI investments, indicating a growing demand for efficient, smaller teams.
- Future Outlook: Armstrong reiterated his optimism about the future of cryptocurrency, suggesting that stablecoins, prediction markets, and tokenization will fuel the 'next wave of adoption,' even as the company must remain agile and efficient during market downturns.
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- Insurance Business Recovery: The growth in operating earnings was partly attributed to a rebound in the insurance sector, highlighting that insurance remains a crucial pillar for Berkshire, enhancing its overall profitability amid economic fluctuations.
- Lackluster Shareholder Meeting: Although CEO Greg Abel performed well at the annual meeting, the turnout for the 'Berkshire Bazaar of Bargains' was noticeably lower than in previous years, reflecting waning investor interest without Warren Buffett at the helm.
- Cautious Market Outlook: Buffett noted that the current investment environment is not ideal, yet Abel's leadership style mirrors Buffett's, which may continue to attract investor confidence in the future.
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Berkshire's New CEO Discusses Company Performance at First Meeting
- Berkshire's Leadership Transition: At Berkshire Hathaway's first annual meeting since Warren Buffett stepped down, CEO Greg Abel addressed company performance amidst an “not ideal” investing environment, with cash reserves hitting a record $397.4 billion in Q1, reflecting a rebound in its insurance business.
- Spirit Airlines Ceases Operations: Spirit Airlines halted operations after failing to secure a $500 million government bailout, resulting in 17,000 job losses and marking the end of an era in discount travel, while other airlines pledged to cap fares to assist stranded travelers.
- Oil Price Surge: President Trump announced efforts to “free” ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, with oil prices rising after reports of missile strikes near U.S. vessels, leading to a drop of over 200 points in Dow futures, exerting pressure on the stock market.
- Meta's Legal Challenges: Meta returns to court in New Mexico over a child safety case, with the state attorney general seeking approximately $3.7 billion in abatement costs, and a ruling against Meta could force significant product changes, highlighting increasing scrutiny on tech companies.
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Datadog and Block Earnings Outlook
- Earnings Season Continues: Next week, 121 companies in the S&P 500, including Datadog and Block, are set to report earnings, indicating strong market interest driven by earnings momentum.
- Datadog's Growth Potential: Datadog has seen earnings estimates revised up by over 10% in the past three and six months, with an analyst price target of $170 suggesting a 21% upside, highlighting its high-quality growth potential in the infrastructure software ecosystem.
- Lumentum's Stellar Performance: Lumentum's stock has surged 158% this year, and its upcoming earnings report is expected to further boost its stock price, with an analyst target of $1,270 indicating a 34% upside, reflecting its pivotal role in the optical supply chain and the expansion of AI data center capex.
- Market Confidence in Block: Block's shares have risen 10% this year, with Bank of America reiterating a buy rating and a price target of $100, implying a 39% upside, showcasing market confidence in its earnings execution and capital allocation.
See More
Investigation into Block, Inc. Shareholder Rights
- Shareholder Rights Investigation: Halper Sadeh LLC is investigating whether certain officers and directors of Block, Inc. breached their fiduciary duties, which could impact corporate governance and shareholder rights.
- Contingent Fee Arrangement: The law firm operates on a contingent fee basis, meaning shareholders will not incur out-of-pocket legal fees, thereby reducing the financial barrier to participation in the investigation and encouraging more shareholders to get involved.
- Enhancing Corporate Governance: Shareholder involvement may lead to improvements in company policies, practices, and oversight mechanisms, thereby increasing transparency and accountability, ultimately enhancing shareholder value.
- Global Investor Representation: Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors worldwide, focusing on securities fraud and corporate misconduct, having successfully implemented corporate reforms and recovered millions for defrauded investors, demonstrating its effectiveness in protecting investor rights.
See More
Coinbase Cuts 14% Workforce Amid AI Impact
- Layoff Announcement: Coinbase has announced a 14% workforce reduction, primarily due to the impact of artificial intelligence on operations, alongside a significant downturn in cryptocurrency prices, highlighting the company's vulnerability amid market fluctuations.
- Industry Outlook: Traders on Kalshi predict a 92% chance of more tech layoffs in 2026, reflecting widespread concern about an impending wave of job cuts in the technology sector, particularly within the information industry.
- Current State of Information Sector: As of March 2026, the U.S. information sector has reported 178,000 layoffs, marking a dramatic decline from the post-pandemic peak of over 3.1 million jobs, indicating severe challenges facing the industry.
- Broader Company Impact: Similar to Coinbase, companies like Blockcite and Meta Platforms have also executed large-scale layoffs due to AI investments and market pressures, demonstrating a structural adjustment across the tech industry.
See More
Coinbase Cuts 14% Workforce Amid Market Volatility
- Layoff Announcement: Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong stated that the company will reduce its workforce by approximately 14% to address market volatility and the rapid impact of AI on operations, aiming to position the firm for its 'next phase of growth.'
- Market Context: Armstrong highlighted the dual challenges of the current downturn in the crypto market and the fast-paced evolution of AI, asserting that while he remains bullish on crypto's future, the company must adjust its cost structure to navigate these changes.
- Industry Trends: This layoff aligns with a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies like Block and Pinterest have also announced job cuts due to increased AI investments, indicating a growing demand for efficient, smaller teams.
- Future Outlook: Armstrong reiterated his optimism about the future of cryptocurrency, suggesting that stablecoins, prediction markets, and tokenization will fuel the 'next wave of adoption,' even as the company must remain agile and efficient during market downturns.
See More
Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting Highlights
- Record Cash Reserves: Berkshire Hathaway's cash pile reached a record $397.4 billion in Q1, indicating the company's strong financial flexibility even in a less-than-ideal investment environment, thus laying the groundwork for future investment opportunities.
- Insurance Business Recovery: The growth in operating earnings was partly attributed to a rebound in the insurance sector, highlighting that insurance remains a crucial pillar for Berkshire, enhancing its overall profitability amid economic fluctuations.
- Lackluster Shareholder Meeting: Although CEO Greg Abel performed well at the annual meeting, the turnout for the 'Berkshire Bazaar of Bargains' was noticeably lower than in previous years, reflecting waning investor interest without Warren Buffett at the helm.
- Cautious Market Outlook: Buffett noted that the current investment environment is not ideal, yet Abel's leadership style mirrors Buffett's, which may continue to attract investor confidence in the future.
See More
Berkshire's New CEO Discusses Company Performance at First Meeting
- Berkshire's Leadership Transition: At Berkshire Hathaway's first annual meeting since Warren Buffett stepped down, CEO Greg Abel addressed company performance amidst an “not ideal” investing environment, with cash reserves hitting a record $397.4 billion in Q1, reflecting a rebound in its insurance business.
- Spirit Airlines Ceases Operations: Spirit Airlines halted operations after failing to secure a $500 million government bailout, resulting in 17,000 job losses and marking the end of an era in discount travel, while other airlines pledged to cap fares to assist stranded travelers.
- Oil Price Surge: President Trump announced efforts to “free” ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, with oil prices rising after reports of missile strikes near U.S. vessels, leading to a drop of over 200 points in Dow futures, exerting pressure on the stock market.
- Meta's Legal Challenges: Meta returns to court in New Mexico over a child safety case, with the state attorney general seeking approximately $3.7 billion in abatement costs, and a ruling against Meta could force significant product changes, highlighting increasing scrutiny on tech companies.
See More
Datadog and Block Earnings Outlook
- Earnings Season Continues: Next week, 121 companies in the S&P 500, including Datadog and Block, are set to report earnings, indicating strong market interest driven by earnings momentum.
- Datadog's Growth Potential: Datadog has seen earnings estimates revised up by over 10% in the past three and six months, with an analyst price target of $170 suggesting a 21% upside, highlighting its high-quality growth potential in the infrastructure software ecosystem.
- Lumentum's Stellar Performance: Lumentum's stock has surged 158% this year, and its upcoming earnings report is expected to further boost its stock price, with an analyst target of $1,270 indicating a 34% upside, reflecting its pivotal role in the optical supply chain and the expansion of AI data center capex.
- Market Confidence in Block: Block's shares have risen 10% this year, with Bank of America reiterating a buy rating and a price target of $100, implying a 39% upside, showcasing market confidence in its earnings execution and capital allocation.
See More
