Today is Friday, May 8, 2026.
The Early Bird Index today is 85.77.
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Did Block's AI Layoffs Work? 🤔
Block’s $XYZ ( ▼ 0.97% ) use of artificial intelligence appears to be paying off. The fintech company reported good financial earnings results on Thursday, sending the stock up 7.93% in after-hours trading.
Financials: Block reported earnings of 85 cents per share in the past quarter and revenue of $6.05 billion. Both were better than expected.
Powering the Story: The company bragged about its use of AI during its earnings release on Thursday. This is the first earnings since Block laid off 40% of its staff in February, citing AI gains.
Early Bird’s Nest Egg Gains: Block has shown that AI can help a company cut headcount and reorganize work, but that is not the same as proving AI can broadly replace people.
The company’s AI works on select tasks and functions, not whole jobs or most workers.
Final Thoughts: Block’s stock gained more ground on Thursday than it had previously in 2026.
PRESENTED BY MASTERWORKS
Where to Invest $100,000 Right Now, According to Experts
Investors face a dilemma. When the S&P 500 finished its worst quarter since 2022 last month, diversifiers like bonds and bitcoin fell too.
Even with the turnaround in mid-April, analysts at Goldman Sachs and Vanguard have projected low-single-digit annualized returns from 2024-2034.
Bloomberg asked where experts would personally invest $100,000 for their March monthly edition.
One answer that surfaced for a second time? Art.
It's what billionaires like Bezos and the Rockefellers have privately used to diversify for decades.
Why?
Appreciation. The ArtPrice100 Index outpaced the S&P 500 overall from 2000 to 2025
Low-correlation. The postwar contemporary segment has moved independently of traditional investments like stocks since ‘95.*
Resilience. A scarce, physical, and global asset class with decades of demonstrated demand.
Thanks to the world's premier art investing platform, now anyone can invest in works featuring legends like Banksy, Basquiat, and Picasso, without needing millions.
Shares in new offerings can sell quickly but...
According to Masterworks data. Investing involves risk. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. See important Reg A disclosures at masterworks.com/cd.
Notables
Notable Earnings Today: Wendy's (Nasdaq: WEN), Dauch (NYSE: DCH), Enbridge (NYSE: ENB), Algonquin Power & Utilities (NYSE: AQN), AMC Networks (Nasdaq: AMCX), 1Stdibs.Com (Nasdaq: DIBS), Airsculpt Technologies (Nasdaq: AIRS), Alpha Metallurgical Resources (NYSE: AMR), ANI Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ANIP), Arbor Realty Trust (NYSE: ABR), Array Digital Infrastructure (NYSE: AD), Calumet (Nasdaq: CLMT), Construction Partners (Nasdaq: ROAD), Essent Group (NYSE: ESNT), Fidelity National Information Services (NYSE: FIS), Fluor (NYSE: FLR), Interface (Nasdaq:TILE), Koppers Holdings (NYSE: KOP), Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), Plains All American (Nasdaq: PAA), PPL (NYSE: PPL), Starwood Property Trust (NYSE: STWD), Sylvamo (NYSE: SLVM), Terawulf (WULF).
Notable IPOs Today: Enhanced Group Inc. (NYSE: ENHA), Starlink AI Acquisition Corporation (NYSE: OTAI).
Notable Equity Crowdfunding Campaigns Ending Today: N/A.
Notable Economic Events Today: Unemployment Rate (8:30 a.m. ET), Average Hourly Earnings (8:30 a.m. ET), Nonfarm Payrolls (8:30 a.m. ET), Private Nonfarm Payrolls (8:30 a.m. ET), Michigan Consumer Expectations / Sentiment (10:00 a.m. ET).
Trade Desk's Bad 2026 Continues
The Trade Desk $TTD ( ▼ 2.17% ) plummeted 15.50% in after-hours trading on Thursday after posting mixed financial earnings results.
Financials: The Trade Desk reported earnings of 28 cents per share in the past quarter, which were lower than expected. Revenue was $689 million, which was better than expected.
Details: The company’s sales outlook for the current quarter was also lower than expected.
Final Thoughts: Shares of The Trade Desk were already down 37.66% in 2026.
CoreWeave’s Backlog Ignored
Although CoreWeave $CRWV ( ▼ 6.62% ) touted a large revenue backlog on Thursday, its mixed financial results sent the stock down 9.27% in after-hours trading.
Financials: CoreWeave reported a loss of $1.40 per share in the past quarter, which was lower than expected. Revenue was $2 billion, which was better than expected.
Details: The company’s revenue outlook was also lower than expected.
Final Thoughts: Shares of the stock were up over 60% this year.
Trends to Watch
Losing Coins: Coinbase Swings to a Loss While Posting Another Revenue Drop (Bloomberg)
Year-End Goal: Bitcoin bulls target $115K by December: Does data back the expectation? (Cointelegraph)
Plunge: Cloudflare stock sinks 18% after earnings as company cuts 1,100 employees due to AI changes (CNBC)
Not Lovin’ It: McDonald's sees weak start to Q2 as high gas prices dent consumer sentiment (Reuters)
Travel Pains: Expedia Stock Falls, Airbnb Wavers After Q1 Results. Here's How The Travel Sites Fared. (Investor’s Business Daily)
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The contents of Early Bird are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute trade or investment recommendations, and they are not financial or legal advice. Readers are encouraged to consult licensed professionals for personalized guidance regarding their financial or legal situations.
