Intuit, H&R Block Rise Before Tax Deadline

Intuit has been the stronger stock, closing at $336.44 on Aug. 11 after a sharp rebound from the spring selloff. The shares remain well below the 200-day moving average, but recent gains have pushed the 50-day average back under the price and the relative strength index has climbed to 74.7, a level that suggests momentum is stretched but still firmly positive. The stock has also risen above the upper end of its recent Bollinger Band range, underscoring how quickly investors have rushed back into the name.

H&R Block has staged an even more dramatic recovery from earlier-year lows, finishing at $46.67 on Aug. 11. The shares are now above both the 50-day and 200-day moving averages, with RSI at 64.8 and MACD still positive, a sign that the market is rewarding any evidence that the company can defend its seasonal franchise even as taxpayers increasingly shift between do-it-yourself and assisted filing options.

The broader investment case is straightforward: tax software remains one of the most durable consumer-finance businesses in the market because it sits on top of a recurring, regulation-driven need. Unlike discretionary spending, tax compliance cannot be deferred forever. Every extension, deadline adjustment or late-payment window can change the timing, but not the obligation. That is why tax-prep names tend to respond quickly when the filing clock starts ticking.

For investors, the key question is whether this cycle becomes a simple deadline trade or something more durable. Intuit is still the cleaner long-term story because of its scale, product ecosystem and ability to cross-sell into small-business and accounting software. H&R Block, meanwhile, offers more operating leverage if demand for paid preparation services holds up into the final stretch.

The market may already be pricing in a strong seasonal finish, but that is exactly when these names can surprise. If filing volumes, refund flows or last-minute payment activity come in better than expected, investors should expect another leg higher in the tax software trade — and Intuit remains the highest-quality way to own it.