Cantor Fitzgerald Opens Coverage on Block (XYZ) with Bullish Rating and 30% Upside Target

On January 27, 2026, investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald launched coverage on Block (NYSE: XYZ) with an Overweight recommendation, marking a significant analyst endorsement for the payment solutions company. The move reflects growing institutional confidence in Block’s business fundamentals and growth trajectory. As the analyst community expands its focus on Block, investors are beginning to reassess the stock’s valuation potential.

Analyst Outlook and Price Target Analysis

The research team has established a one-year average price target of $85.88 per share for Block, which represents a 30.31% upside from the latest closing price of $65.90. Analyst forecasts span a substantial range, with conservative estimates at $45.45 per share and bullish calls reaching $110.25—highlighting the diverse perspectives on the company’s future performance. This upside potential is underpinned by projected annual non-GAAP EPS of 5.61, suggesting improved earnings power ahead.

The 30% upside forecast positions Block among the more compelling opportunities in its sector, though the wide forecast range also signals meaningful debate among analysts about the magnitude of future growth.

Institutional Conviction Building Behind Block

Fund sentiment around Block demonstrates strong and accelerating institutional interest. Currently, 1,542 funds and institutions maintain positions in the company, though this represents a net decrease of 110 owners (6.66%) from the prior quarter. Despite the reduction in holder count, however, portfolio commitment to Block has deepened: the average fund allocation to XYZ stands at 0.28% of assets—an increase of 11.52% quarter-over-quarter.

More tellingly, total institutional share ownership increased 2.45% to 469,629K shares in the last three months, indicating that remaining shareholders are substantially increasing their stakes. The put/call ratio of 0.62 reflects a decidedly bullish market sentiment.

Major Holders Accelerate Block Positions

Several of the world’s largest asset managers have meaningfully increased their investments in Block, suggesting coordinated confidence in the company’s outlook:

T Rowe Associates now holds 48,031K shares (8.85% ownership), up from 47,318K in the prior period—a 1.48% increase. The firm expanded its portfolio weighting in XYZ by 1.99% over the quarter.

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund holds 17,860K shares (3.29% ownership) after owning 17,704K shares previously, representing a 0.87% increase. Notably, the fund’s allocation to XYZ jumped 12.54% over three months.

Geode Capital Management posted the most aggressive expansion, now holding 14,339K shares (2.64%) versus 9,375K shares prior—a remarkable 34.62% increase in position size. The firm’s portfolio weighting in Block surged 47.98% quarter-over-quarter.

Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund holds 12,249K shares (2.26% ownership), representing a 1.64% increase from 12,048K shares. Its allocation to XYZ expanded 16.00% in the most recent quarter.

Sands Capital Management holds 11,603K shares (2.14%) after previously owning 10,341K—a 10.88% increase, with portfolio allocation growing 14.71% over the period.

The synchronized expansion across these major institutional players underscores broad conviction that Block merits increased capital deployment, even as the overall fund holder count declined marginally.

What This Means for Block Investors

Cantor Fitzgerald’s decision to cover Block with an Overweight stance, combined with substantial institutional buying and a compelling 30% price target, creates a convergence of positive signals. The fact that leading asset managers continue to build positions despite tighter market conditions suggests they view current valuations as compelling for long-term holders. For investors monitoring Block, the analyst initiation provides a credible third-party validation of the company’s strategic positioning and earning power potential.