Why is the Block share price tumbling 5% on Wednesday?

Block shares are erasing this week's gains…

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Key points
  • Block shares slump 5.54% to $117.20 following a broader decline on the ASX tech sector
  • The company's shares have reversed their strong gains made earlier in the week
  • Investors are bracing for the US July inflation report due tomorrow

The Block Inc (ASX: SQ2) share price is heading south today despite no new announcements from the company.

At the time of writing, the mobile payment provider's shares are down 5.54% to $117.20.

A man holds up a block from falling in a row of dominos.

Image source: Getty Images

Why are Block shares in reverse today?

Investors are offloading the Block share price following a fall across the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX).

After the US-based Nasdaq shed 1.15% overnight, the Aussie tech sector is feeling the wrath with a 2.37% decline today.

This makes it the second worst performing sector on the ASX today, behind the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ), down 3.77%.

It appears investors are bracing for the crucial United States July inflation report that is due to come out tomorrow.

Economists are predicting that the consumer price index has lifted by 0.2% in the past month – compared to the 1.3% jump in June.

Without doubt, the US Federal Reserve will closely look at the report and decide whether to lift the interest rate come mid-September.

This has also put a squeeze on buy now, pay later shares such as Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) and Openpay Group Ltd (ASX: OPY). They are both down 1.20% and 1.67%, respectively.

Block share price snapshot

Listing on the ASX boards in January 2022, the Block share price has tumbled by 33% over the period.

The company's shares touched an all-time low of $80.37 on 17 June following a broader market sell-off.

Since then, the share has gradually climbed back up to around the $120 mark.

Based on today's price, Block presides a market capitalisation of around $4.77 billion.

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Block, Inc. and ZIPCOLTD FPO. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Block, Inc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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