Core Viewpoint - Activist investor Ancora Capital has acquired a stake in Warner Bros Discovery and intends to challenge the company's agreement with Netflix regarding its studios and streaming assets [1] Group 1: Stake Acquisition - Ancora Capital has built a significant stake in Warner Bros Discovery, indicating a strategic investment in the media company [1] Group 2: Opposition to Netflix Deal - The activist investor plans to oppose Warner Bros Discovery's deal with Netflix, highlighting potential concerns over the media company's strategic direction [1]

By Aditya Soni Feb 11 (Reuters) - Activist investor Ancora Holdings has built a stake in Warner Bros Discovery and plans to oppose the media company's deal with Netflix for its studios and streaming assets, in the latest twist to the heated Hollywood takeover battle. Ancora, which has a stake ‌worth nearly $200 million, said on Wednesday that Warner Bros' board did not adequately engage in talks with Paramount Skydance over a rival offer for ‌the whole company, including cable assets such as CNN and TNT. ...

World shares were mixed in cautious trading on Wednesday ahead of an update on US employment that is expected to highlight a sluggish jobs market. Prices of gold, silver and oil advanced. Bitcoin was lower.Germany's DAX lost 0.5 per cent to 24,872.61, and the CAC 40 in Paris also shed 0.5 per cent, to 8,281.72. Britain's FTSE 100 edged 0.2 per cent higher. The future for the S&P 500 was up less than 0.1 per cent, while that for the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.2 per cent. Markets in Japan were clos ...

Core Viewpoint - Netflix's stock has declined significantly, down 12% year-to-date and 19% over the past year, raising concerns about its planned $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. [1][2] Financial Performance - Netflix's current stock price is $82.18, with a market capitalization of $347 billion. The stock has a 52-week range of $79.22 to $134.12 and a gross margin of 48.59% [2]. - Despite revenue and earnings growth, there are fears that the acquisition could burden Netflix's balance sheet, as it has reportedly secured a $59 billion loan for the purchase [2]. Acquisition Concerns - Historically, 70%-75% of acquisitions fail to enhance sales growth or maintain stock prices, with reasons including overpayment and integration challenges [5]. - The Warner Bros. acquisition's hefty price tag raises concerns about Netflix potentially overpaying, which could hinder the deal's value creation [5]. Potential Benefits of the Acquisition - The business models of Netflix and Warner Bros. are synergistic, focusing on creating and monetizing content, which may simplify integration [7]. - The acquisition includes valuable intellectual property, such as popular franchises like Harry Potter and Game of Thrones, which could enhance Netflix's content library and user retention [8][9]. Market Sentiment and Valuation - The recent sell-off in Netflix stock may be exaggerated, but it still trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of about 26, indicating a slight premium over the market average [10]. - There are uncertainties regarding the acquisition's approval, with investigations into potential anticompetitive practices by the Department of Justice [11].

Core Viewpoint - The market remains skeptical about Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, leading to a significant decline in Netflix's stock price despite its strong financial performance and potential for growth [1][8]. Financial Performance - Netflix ended 2025 with a robust balance sheet, featuring $4.4 billion in long-term debt net of cash, $13.3 billion in operating income, and $11 billion in net income from $45.2 billion in revenue, resulting in an operating margin of 29.4% and a net profit margin of 24.3% [3][4]. - The company's earnings per share reached a record $2.53 in 2025, indicating strong profitability [4]. Valuation Changes - At its peak, Netflix traded at over 60 times trailing earnings and over 50 times forward earnings, but the recent sell-off has reduced its price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio to 32.5 and forward P/E to 26.3, making it less expensive compared to the S&P 500's forward P/E of 23.6 [5][7]. - The transition from a high-growth stock to a more reasonably priced asset has raised questions about investor confidence [7]. Acquisition Details - Netflix announced the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery for $27.75 per share, with an enterprise value of $82.7 billion, which includes $10.7 billion in net debt [9]. - The acquisition will increase Netflix's leverage as Warner Bros. carries more debt, and Netflix's decision to amend the deal to an all-cash transaction will require taking on additional debt [10]. Strategic Implications - The acquisition is expected to enhance Netflix's intellectual property and content library, potentially stabilizing HBO and HBO Max as streaming services [11]. - While the deal could lead to faster earnings growth, it poses risks to Netflix's historically high-margin, low-leverage business model, prompting some investors to consider selling [12]. Investment Perspective - For investors who believe in the strategic rationale behind the acquisition and Netflix's ability to manage the new debt, the current valuation presents a compelling buying opportunity [13]. - However, uncertainty surrounding the acquisition's impact on Netflix's business model may keep the stock under pressure until more clarity is provided [13].

Core Insights - Paramount has enhanced its hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) by introducing a "ticking fee" and a $2.8 billion termination fee to Netflix, aiming to provide shareholders with more value and certainty [1][4] - The revised offer is fully financed with $43.6 billion in equity commitments and $54 billion in debt commitments, indicating strong backing for the acquisition [5] - WBD's market value is nearly $70 billion, with Ancora holding a stake of less than 1% but planning to continue purchasing shares [3] Bid Details - Paramount's all-cash offer remains at $30 per share, with a "ticking fee" of 25 cents per share, potentially totaling $650 million each quarter if the deal is delayed past December 31 [4] - Paramount aims to eliminate WBD's $1.5 billion financing cost related to its debt exchange offer, further enhancing the attractiveness of its bid [4] Corporate Dynamics - The acquisition would merge the largest streaming company with Warner Bros. studio and HBO, intensifying competition in the media industry [7] - Netflix previously agreed to acquire Warner Bros' studios and HBO Max assets for $27.75 per share, setting the stage for a corporate showdown [7][8] - WBD has stated it will "carefully review and consider" the revised bid from Paramount, indicating ongoing negotiations [6]

Core Viewpoint - The acquisition landscape in Hollywood is experiencing significant changes, with activist investor Ancora Holdings Group taking a stake in Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD.US) and opposing its recent acquisition deal with Netflix (NFLX.US) [1][3]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - Warner Bros. has agreed to sell its film and television production studios, along with HBO Max, to Netflix for $27.75 per share, part of a total deal valued at $82.7 billion, including debt [2]. - Paramount Skydance Corp., led by David Ellison, has made a competing offer of $30 per share, representing an enterprise value of approximately $108.4 billion, seeking to acquire the entire Warner Bros. company [2]. Group 2: Activist Investor's Role - Ancora Holdings Group has reportedly established a significant position in Warner Bros. and plans to oppose the management's acquisition agreement with Netflix, potentially leading to a proxy fight [1][6]. - The activist investor's involvement is seen as a move to increase the likelihood of a higher bid or better terms from Paramount Skydance, thereby enhancing shareholder value [6]. Group 3: Implications for Netflix - If the acquisition of Warner Bros. is successful, Netflix would gain a vast library of intellectual properties (IPs), transitioning from a pure streaming platform to an integrated giant with top-tier production capabilities [7]. - The acquisition would significantly enhance Netflix's content library, including popular franchises such as Harry Potter, DC Universe, and HBO's acclaimed series like Game of Thrones, thereby strengthening its competitive position in the streaming wars [8].

有媒体援引知情人士透露的消息报道称，激进维权投资机构Ancora Holdings Group 已在好莱坞流媒体与 影视制作领军者华纳兄弟探索公司(WBD.US)迅速建立股票投资仓位。根据媒体报道，该持仓细节以及 Ancora 的计划目前无法立即获悉，Ancora 与华纳兄弟的代表未立即回应置评请求。 此前，在诺福克南方核心竞争对手之一的美国铁路运输巨头Union Pacific Corp宣布将与诺福克南方 (Norfolk Southern Corp)进行合并后，Ancora 曾主张铁路运输巨头CSX Corp.推进并购，公开施压CSX尽 快推进并购/探索合并，但并没有出现"按 Ancora 主张落地的CSX并购交易。 去年，Ancora 发起行动，试图迫使美国钢铁公司放弃日本钢铁巨头新日铁(Nippon Steel)发起的收购要 约。但是几个月后，这家激进投资者最终放弃了这场争夺，而美国钢铁公司最终完成了该项收购交易。 这场好莱坞世纪大收购又一次迎接重大变数 最新进展显示，这场好莱坞世纪大收购又迎来变数，华纳兄弟多次拒绝派拉蒙天舞管理层的示好并且公 开表示将积极推进与奈飞的合并计划，然而，派拉蒙天舞方面已 ...

Shares were moderately higher in Asia on Wednesday after US stocks drifted to a mixed finish following a discouraging report on how much money US retailers made during the holidays. US futures edged higher and prices of gold, silver and oil also advanced. Markets were closed in Japan for a holiday. Chinese markets crept higher, with the Hang Seng in Hong Kong up 0.3 per cent at 27,265.52. The Shanghai Composite index added 0.3 per cent to 4,139.56. In South Korea, the Kospi extended its gains, risig to ...

Core Viewpoint - The aggressive activist investor Ancora Holdings Group has rapidly established a stock position in Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD.US) and plans to oppose the management's recent acquisition deal with Netflix (NFLX.US) [1][5] Group 1: Acquisition Dynamics - Warner Bros. has agreed to sell its film and television production studios along with HBO Max to Netflix for $27.75 per share, part of a total deal valued at $82.7 billion including debt [2] - Paramount Skydance Corp., led by David Ellison, has made a competing offer of $30 per share, representing a higher enterprise value of approximately $108.4 billion [2] - Warner Bros. management is pushing forward with the Netflix deal while publicly advising shareholders to reject the Paramount Skydance offer [3] Group 2: Activist Investor Strategy - Ancora Holdings has reportedly built a position of approximately $200 million and is inclined to oppose the Netflix acquisition, pushing for a more serious consideration of the Paramount Skydance offer [6] - The entry of Ancora is seen as a signal to increase the intensity of the offer negotiations and potentially raise the likelihood of a better deal for shareholders [5][6] Group 3: Implications for Netflix - If successful in acquiring Warner Bros., Netflix would gain a vast library of intellectual property (IP), transitioning from a pure streaming platform to an integrated giant with top-tier production capabilities [7] - The acquisition would enhance Netflix's content library significantly, including popular franchises like Harry Potter, DC Universe, and HBO's acclaimed series such as Game of Thrones [8]