
Square joins S&P 500
0
Block shares jumped nearly 10% in pre-market trading on Monday on news that it will replace oil company Hess Corp in the S&P 500 on 23 July.
Founded in 2009 as Square, Block is best known for its Cash App mobile payments offering and the Square POS unit, which recently added real-time bitcoin transactions.
Block is the second fintech to join the S&P 500 this year, following crypto exchange Coinbase, which replaced Discover Financial Services in May.
In a statement on the S&P move, Square says: "It's a milestone that reflects the strength of our business and the work of thousands of people building tools to increase access to the economy, across our brands including Square, Cash App, Afterpay, Tidal, Proto, and Bitkey."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Geeky Gadgets
26 minutes ago
- Geeky Gadgets
macOS 15.6 Sequoia Is Out: What's New and Why You Should Update
MacOS 15.6 Sequoia delivers a combination of essential updates, bug fixes, and security enhancements, making sure your Mac remains stable, secure, and optimized for daily use. While this release does not introduce a wealth of new features, it underscores Apple's strategic focus on preparing for the highly anticipated macOS 26 Tahoe. Below is a comprehensive look at what this update offers and how it impacts your Mac experience in a new video from Half Man Half Tech Watch this video on YouTube. Key Features and Updates macOS 15.6 Sequoia is a substantial update with a download size of 15.6 GB and build number 24G84. It introduces critical updates to maintain compatibility with Xcode 16.4, making sure developers can continue building and testing applications without interruptions. Beyond developer-focused improvements, this release addresses several user-reported issues and enhances overall system performance. Notable updates include: Improved compatibility with Xcode 16.4, ensuring seamless app development and testing. System-wide performance optimizations for better responsiveness and reliability. Enhanced stability for core applications like Finder and Safari. These updates aim to provide a smoother and more efficient experience for all users, whether you rely on your Mac for professional tasks or everyday activities. Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements macOS 15.6 addresses several critical bugs and introduces performance optimizations that enhance the overall user experience. These fixes are particularly beneficial for developers, professionals, and casual users alike. Key improvements include: Enhanced reliability for Apple Configurator and Finder when restoring devices in DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode. Optimized Xcode simulators to reduce excessive CPU usage, improving performance during app testing. Safari updated to version 18.6, resolving video playback issues and improving scrolling on content-heavy websites. These fixes ensure a more seamless and efficient workflow, particularly for users who depend on MacOS for productivity and development tasks. Continuity and Handoff Challenges Continuity and Handoff, two hallmark features designed to enable seamless transitions between Apple devices, face notable compatibility challenges in MacOS 15.6. Devices running this version may encounter difficulties connecting with those operating on the forthcoming MacOS 26 Tahoe. This limitation highlights the transitional nature of this update, as Apple shifts its focus toward the next major release. What this means for users: If you rely heavily on Continuity and Handoff for tasks like transferring calls, emails, or documents between devices, you may experience disruptions when interacting with devices running newer software versions. This serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of Apple's ecosystem and the adjustments required during major transitions. Apple Pay Expansion macOS 15.6 expands the availability of Apple Pay to five additional countries: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and North Macedonia. This expansion represents a significant step in Apple's global strategy, allowing more users to access secure and convenient payment options. Key benefits of this expansion: Broader access to Apple's secure payment ecosystem for users in newly supported regions. Increased convenience for international travelers who rely on Apple Pay for transactions. Strengthened global presence for Apple's financial services. This move underscores Apple's commitment to making its services accessible to a wider audience while maintaining its focus on security and user convenience. Security Enhancements Security remains a cornerstone of macOS updates, and version 15.6 reinforces Apple's dedication to protecting user data and privacy. This release includes numerous patches addressing vulnerabilities identified through CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) entries. Key security updates include: Patches for vulnerabilities that could potentially allow unauthorized access to sensitive data. Improvements to system-level encryption protocols, ensuring robust data protection. Enhanced safeguards against malware and other cyber threats. These updates provide peace of mind for users, making sure their devices remain secure against emerging threats. Minor Additions While the primary focus of macOS 15.6 is on stability and security, it retains several previously introduced features that continue to enhance the user experience. Notable features include: New emojis to add variety and creativity to your digital communication. Memory movies in the Photos app allow users to relive cherished moments through curated video compilations. Apple Intelligence sketch tools offer innovative options for note-taking and design projects. These features, though not new, contribute to the overall richness of the macOS ecosystem, making sure users have access to tools that enhance both productivity and creativity. Apple's Development Strategy macOS 15.6 Sequoia reflects Apple's evolving development priorities. With its limited introduction of new features, this update signals a clear focus on the upcoming macOS 26 Tahoe. Future updates for Sequoia are expected to concentrate on security patches and minor refinements, ensuring stability as Apple transitions to its next major release. What this means for users: MacOS 15.6 serves as a bridge between the current functionality and the innovations promised in MacOS 26 Tahoe. By prioritizing stability and security, Apple ensures that users and developers alike can rely on a solid foundation as the company prepares for its next phase of software evolution. Take a look at other insightful guides from our broad collection that might capture your interest in macOS 15.6 Sequoia. Source & Image Credit: HalfManHalfTech Filed Under: Apple, Laptops, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.


The Independent
27 minutes ago
- The Independent
Next hikes outlook after sales boosted by weather and M&S woes
Next has upped its annual sales and profit outlook once again after better-than-expected trading thanks to hot weather and disruption at cyber attack struck rival Marks & Spencer. The womenswear and homewares chain posted a 10.5% rise in full-price sales for the second quarter to July 26, with growth of 10.9% for the half-year as a whole. In the UK, sales jumped by 7.8% in the second quarter as the group said it was boosted by 'better than expected weather and trading disruption at a major competitor'. M&S had to suspend online trading for nearly two months from mid-April after it was hit by a major hack. Next said the recent performance and forecasts for better-than-forecast second half trading means it now expects full-year sales to rise by 7.5% and for profits to increase by 9.3% to £1.11 billion. It had previously pencilled in sales growth of 6% and for profits to lift by 6.8%. The upgrade marks the group's third in just five months. But Next said it 'remains cautious for the second half', stressing that the improved outlook is for its international arm over the next six months. It said: 'In the UK, we believe we exceeded expectations in the second quarter as a result of better summer weather and trading disruption at a major competitor. 'We do not expect either of these factors to have a material effect in the second half, and so we are not increasing our guidance for UK sales in the second half.' It believes sales growth in the UK will slow sharply to 1.9% as the jobs market starts to falter following the Government's move to hike National Insurance contributions for employers, at the same time as rising the minimum wage. Next said: 'We expect UK employment opportunities to continue to diminish as we enter the second half, with the effects of April's National Insurance changes continuing to filter through into the economy as the year progresses. 'We believe that this will increasingly dampen consumer spending as the year progresses.' But an online marketing push for its international arm is bearing fruit, helping drive sales 28.1% higher in the first half and with growth of 19.4% now expected in the final six months. The results come after Next announced late on Wednesday that it had bought Seraphine – the maternity fashion firm, whose clothes were worn by the Princess of Wales during her pregnancies – after it recently collapsed into administration. Next paid £600,000 for the brand and announced it was bringing back Seraphine's founder Cecile Reinaud as an adviser to help relaunch the fashion label.


Reuters
27 minutes ago
- Reuters
Unilever's sales growth beats estimates as North America, Europe shines
July 31 (Reuters) - Dove soap maker Unilever (ULVR.L), opens new tab beat market expectations for second-quarter underlying sales growth on Thursday due to robust demand in North America and Europe, and kept its sales expectations for the full year. Unilever has made several organisational and operational changes over the past year to address underperformance and boost margins, including the planned spin-off of its ice cream business which makes Ben & Jerry's and Magnum, job cuts and the ouster of former CEO Hein Schumacher in February. The ice cream business, called The Magnum Ice Cream Company, is on track for a demerger in mid-November, the company said. "Looking ahead, our priorities are clear: more Beauty & Wellbeing and Personal Care; disproportionate investment in the U.S. and India; and, a sharper focus on premium segments and digital commerce," CEO Fernando Fernandez said in a statement. While the company maintained its 2025 sales forecast and highlighted areas of growth, a 50% drop in free cash flow from last year to 1.1 billion euros in the first half raises concerns about the financial strain caused by supply chain changes, tariff uncertainties, and costs associated with spinning off its ice cream division. The owner of brands such as Vaseline and Liquid I.V. electrolytes said the second half is expected to grow ahead of the first, with resilience in the North American and European markets and with India, China and Indonesia expected to improve. Unilever has previously said that the impact of U.S. tariffs was expected to be limited and manageable. The consumer goods company reported underlying sales growth of 3.8% for the three months ended June 30, compared with 3.6% expected by analysts in a company-compiled poll. It reported an underlying operating profit of 5.8 billion euros for the half-year, slightly ahead of market expectations of 5.7 billion euros.