Growth Strategy

At its first investor day since 2022, Block projected mid-teens annual gross profit growth over the next three years, targeting $15.8 billion by 2028. This aims to reassure investors after a 30% stock decline in 2025. Block forecasts adjusted operating income exceeding $4.6B and adjusted EPS reaching $5.50 by 2028. With diversified offerings and AI integration, the company emphasizes operational efficiency, a “rule of 40” investment framework, and a $5 billion share repurchase program.

Instacart (CART) reported strong Q3 results, exceeding expectations with adjusted EPS of 51 cents and revenue of $939 million, a 10% year-over-year increase. Gross Transaction Value (GTV) also rose by 10%. CEO Chris Rogers highlighted affordability and enterprise solutions as key strategies. Instacart projects continued growth in the current quarter with GTV between $9.45B-$9.6B and EBITDA of $285M-$295M. While facing competition from Amazon and DoorDash, Instacart is investing in AI and has authorized a $1.5 billion share buyback program.

Lithia & Driveway (LAD) has climbed to #124 on the 2025 Fortune 500 list, up 16 spots. Since debuting at #482 in 2015, LAD’s revenue has surged from $7.9 billion to $36.2 billion in 2024. This growth, making them the leading automotive retailer for a second year, stems from a long-term growth strategy, disciplined execution, and operational excellence championed by CEO Bryan DeBoer, encompassing organic expansion, acquisitions, and digital innovation.