Paramount Skydance Corp (NYSE:PSKY) escalated its battle with Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ:WBD) by filing a lawsuit on Monday, demanding that the HBO owner disclose financial details of its nearly $83 billion deal with Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:NFLX). Paramount CEO David Ellison is also launching a proxy fight to replace Warner Bros.’ board with directors who would negotiate with Paramount. Ellison expressed frustration in an open letter, questioning why Warner Bros. has not engaged in discussions: "We remain ...

Group 1 - Netflix has agreed to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $72 billion, which has sparked a competitive battle with Paramount Skydance aiming to disrupt the acquisition [1][2] - Netflix is considering amending its bid to an all-cash offer for Warner Bros.' studio and streaming assets, while spinning off legacy cable and broadcast television stations into a new entity called Discovery Global [2] - Under the original agreement, Warner Bros. shareholders would receive $23.25 in cash per share, Netflix shares worth approximately $4.47, and shares of the Discovery Global spin-off [3] Group 2 - Paramount CEO David Ellison has launched a hostile takeover bid, offering $30 per share directly to investors, criticizing Netflix's bid as "inferior" and claiming that Discovery Global ownership has "zero equity value" [4] - Recent developments suggest that the value of the cable channels may be underestimated, as Comcast's spin-off of Versant Media Group indicates higher potential valuations [6][8] - The potential all-cash offer from Netflix, combined with the perceived higher value of the cable channels, may influence undecided Warner Bros. shareholders to accept Netflix's offer [8]

Core Insights - Netflix is reportedly considering an all-cash offer to acquire Warner Brothers Discovery, shifting from its previous cash-and-stock bid, which directly challenges Paramount Skydance's rival proposal [1][8] - The news of Netflix's potential change follows Paramount Skydance's increased hostile bid for Warner Bros, simplifying the decision for shareholders between the two offers, although the exact cash amount from Netflix remains undisclosed [2][5] - Industry consolidation typically leads to higher prices for consumers, raising concerns about the implications of Warner Bros. Discovery being acquired by another company [3] Company Developments - Netflix's stock rose after reports of its revised acquisition terms, although it has since declined over 1%, reaching its lowest price since the initial agreement with Warner in December [4] - Paramount Skydance has publicly challenged Netflix's cash-and-stock offer, claiming its all-cash bid is superior, and has been actively campaigning for shareholder support while amending its proposal to address Warner's concerns [5][6] - If Netflix's all-cash offer is realized, Paramount may need to adjust its strategy to persuade shareholders, focusing on its faster timeline and greater certainty of closing [7] Market Reactions - Investors are responding positively to the competitive bidding situation, with some expressing satisfaction over the potential for increased cash offers and competition for Warner Bros [7]

Group 1 - Netflix shares have decreased by 1.6%, trading at $88.92, following a report of an all-cash offer for Warner Bros. Discovery valued at $83 million, which was previously deemed "inferior" by Warner Bros.' board [1] - Netflix stock has been on a downtrend since reaching a record high of $134.12 in late June, currently at its lowest level since April, despite a 7% increase over the last 12 months and only one weekly gain since December [2] - The options market shows a 10-day call/put volume ratio of 4.09, indicating a stronger appetite for bullish bets compared to bearish ones, higher than all other annual readings from the past year [3] Group 2 - Recent trading activity includes 129,000 calls and 33,000 puts, with the January 2026 92.5-strike call being the most popular contract, indicating new positions being opened [4] - The Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) for Netflix is at 44%, suggesting that near-term option traders are expecting relatively low volatility, as this level is higher than only 13% of readings from the past year [5]

市场反应方面，华纳兄弟探索股价周三一度上涨1%。分析人士认为，若奈飞转向全现金报价，不仅有 助于缩短监管与股东审批周期，也将加剧与派拉蒙天舞之间的竞购博弈，交易走向仍存不确定性。 此前报道称，奈飞正在评估将其每股27.75美元的现金加股票收购要约，调整为全现金。与此同时，竞 争对手派拉蒙天舞(PSKY.US)多次强调，其每股30美元的全现金报价优于奈飞的方案。派拉蒙天舞周一 已对华纳兄弟探索提起诉讼，并表示计划提名董事进入该娱乐巨头董事会。 记者David Faber周三在节目中表示，若奈飞最终改为全现金方案，华纳兄弟探索的股东投票最快可能在 2月下旬或3月初举行；若仍维持现金加股票结构，相关表决则可能推迟至6月初。 "这会让交易更干净、更迅速，"Faber称，"这能快很多，可能是以'月'为单位的差别。如果奈飞真的这 么做，股东投票最早或在2月下旬、3月初就能看到。" 知情人士透露，奈飞(NFLX.US)正评估将其对华纳兄弟探索公司(WBD.US)的收购方案由"现金加股 票"调整为全现金报价，此举有望显著提前交易的股东表决时间。 ...

Core Viewpoint - Netflix is reportedly preparing to make an all-cash acquisition offer to Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), which has led to a nearly 1% increase in Netflix's stock price during intraday trading [1] Company Summary - Warner Bros. Discovery owns key intellectual properties (IPs) such as HBO, CNN, and DC Comics [1] - As of the end of 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery's market value is estimated to be approximately $180 billion [1]

Core Viewpoint - Netflix is likely to amend its offer for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) to an all-cash bid, which could expedite the approval process from shareholders [1][2]. Group 1: Netflix's Offer - Netflix's current deal to acquire WBD's assets, including HBO Max and the Warner Bros. film studio, is valued at $27.75 per WBD share, translating to an equity value of $72 billion and a total enterprise value of approximately $82.7 billion [1]. - An all-cash offer would allow WBD shareholders to vote on the deal more quickly, potentially moving the vote up to late February or early March [2][3]. Group 2: Shareholder Voting Process - Under the existing agreement, the shareholder vote is expected to occur in the spring or early summer, with stock-based deals requiring more financial disclosures and time for approval [3]. - Transitioning to an all-cash offer would streamline the voting process, reducing the time and expense associated with the approval [3]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Paramount Skydance is actively pursuing a hostile acquisition of WBD, having filed a lawsuit to obtain information regarding WBD's board's rejection of its $30-per-share offer in favor of Netflix [4]. - Paramount argues that its offer is superior in value, particularly considering the estimated worth of WBD's TV networks, and has sought to strengthen its bid with support from Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison [5].

Group 1 - Pinduoduo's stock fell by 1.4%, while Fortinet's stock dropped by 2.8% due to a government directive for domestic companies to cease using security software related to the US and Israel [1] - Wells Fargo's stock declined by 2.7% as net interest income (NII) impacted Q4 revenue, and layoffs pressured annual profits [1] - Rivian's stock decreased by 3.3% following a recall of over 19,000 electric vehicles in the US [1] Group 2 - Netflix's stock rose by 1.4% as the company considers a cash-only acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery [1] - Trip.com Group's stock plummeted by 17.1% as market regulators launched an investigation into the travel website [1]

Core Viewpoint - Oakmark Fund's fourth-quarter 2025 investor letter highlights its strong performance, particularly focusing on Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. as a key investment opportunity due to its recent strategic moves and stock performance [1][3]. Performance Summary - The Oakmark Fund (investor class) achieved a return of 4.78% in the fourth quarter of 2025, outperforming the S&P 500 Index, which returned 2.66% [1]. - Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBD) experienced a one-month return of 2.30% and a remarkable 194.79% increase over the last 52 weeks, closing at $28.86 per share with a market capitalization of $71.558 billion on January 13, 2026 [2]. Company Developments - Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. was the top contributor to the Oakmark Fund's performance during the quarter, driven by multiple acquisition offers for the company [3]. - The company announced an agreement to sell its Streaming and Studios business to Netflix while spinning off its Global Networks business to shareholders [3]. - Paramount Skydance made a direct offer of $30 per share to shareholders for the entire company, indicating strong interest in acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery [3]. Hedge Fund Interest - At the end of the third quarter, 70 hedge fund portfolios held shares of Warner Bros. Discovery, an increase from 67 in the previous quarter, reflecting growing interest among institutional investors [4].

Market Overview - US stock index futures are all down, with Dow futures down 0.32%, S&P 500 futures down 0.42%, and Nasdaq futures down 0.63% [1] - The German DAX index is down 0.41%, while the UK FTSE 100 is up 0.26%, and the French CAC40 is up 0.03% [2][3] - WTI crude oil has increased by 1.19%, priced at $61.88 per barrel, and Brent crude oil has also risen by 1.19%, priced at $66.25 per barrel [3][4] Economic Insights - Expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts have shifted, with traders increasingly betting that the Fed will maintain rates throughout the year, influenced by recent labor market data and CPI indicating stable inflation [4] - A prominent investor predicts a potential 20% decline in the Dow Jones index by the end of the year, citing pressures on ordinary consumers due to high living costs [5] Debt Market Concerns - Morgan Stanley reports that the size of basis trading in US Treasuries has ballooned to approximately $1.5 trillion, necessitating close monitoring to avoid a repeat of market volatility seen in 2020 [6] Commodity Market Developments - Silver prices have surged nearly 4%, reaching $90.36 per ounce, with a peak at $91.56, driven by rising safe-haven demand amid geopolitical tensions [7] - LME tin prices have reached a historical high of $51,675 per ton, reflecting a significant increase driven by Chinese investor interest in commodities [7] Company Earnings Reports - Bank of America reported Q4 net revenue of $28.37 billion, exceeding market expectations of $27.76 billion, and net interest income of $15.75 billion, also above expectations [8] - Wells Fargo's Q4 revenue was $21.29 billion, falling short of the expected $21.64 billion, with net interest income of $12.33 billion, below the anticipated $12.43 billion [9] - Tesla is shifting its Full Self-Driving (FSD) sales model to a subscription service, effective February 14, significantly lowering the entry cost for consumers [9] - Netflix is exploring an all-cash acquisition of Warner Bros. to expedite the deal process amid competitive pressures [10] - Citigroup is set to lay off approximately 1,000 employees as part of a broader plan to reduce its workforce by 20,000 by the end of the year [10] Pharmaceutical Innovations - Amgen's experimental weight loss drug MariTide shows promise with a monthly injection regimen that helps patients maintain weight loss over two years, contrasting with the more frequent injections of existing weight loss medications [11]