Block rises after lifting annual profit forecast
** Shares of Block XYZ.N jump 8.7% to $82.4 in after-hours trading after the payments firm raised its full-year gross profit outlook
** Block now expects gross profit of $12.63 bln for 2026, representing 22% growth, compared with its prior forecast of $12.51 bln
** 39 of 48 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, nine "hold"; their median PT is $97
** As of last close, Block up 16.7% YTD