Netflix's Performance and Market Impact - Netflix added 19 million subscribers in the fourth quarter, contributing to a total of over 300 million members by the end of the year [1][2] - The company raised subscription prices, including increasing the ad-supported plan from $6.99 to $7.99 in the US, which is expected to drive revenue growth with minimal pushback [1][4] - Netflix's stock surged nearly 10% to an all-time high of $953.99 following the announcement, leading gains on the S&P 500 [3][4] Analyst Expectations and Price Targets - JPMorgan and Wedbush maintained "buy" or equivalent ratings and raised their price targets to $1,150, while Bank of America increased its target to $1,175 [3] - Analysts anticipate that price increases will drive revenue growth in 2025, with the ad-supported tier expected to further boost revenue in 2026 [4] Ad-Supported Tier Performance - Netflix's ad-supported tier accounted for 55% of all fourth-quarter signups in markets where the plan was available, highlighting its growing popularity [2]

Telephone and Data Systems Preferred Shares (NYSE: TDS.PR.U ) are currently trading below par and still offer an interesting yield for income investors. As I’ve covered in previous articles , I see TDS’ preferred shares as a good way to be exposedLabutes IR is a Fund Manager/Analyst specialized in the financial sector, with more than 18 years of experience in the financial markets. I have worked at several type of institutions in the industry, always at the buy side and related to portfolio management. Asso ...

Microsoft and OpenAI Relationship Dynamics - Microsoft is no longer the exclusive cloud provider for OpenAI as part of OpenAI's $500 billion data center project called Stargate, which involves partnerships with SoftBank and Oracle [1] - Microsoft invested $1 billion in OpenAI in 2019, but OpenAI's growth and need for more data center capacity have led to the end of their exclusive agreement [2] - Tensions between Microsoft and OpenAI have been building since mid-2023, particularly after OpenAI released its own enterprise product, and employees from both companies have expressed dissatisfaction with working together [3] Leadership and Strategic Moves - Microsoft hired DeepMind and Inflection co-founder Mustafa Suleyman to lead Microsoft AI, signaling a potential shift away from reliance on OpenAI [4] - Microsoft is reportedly working on its own large language model (LLM) called MAI-1, and a new AI group led by Jay Parikh was announced without mentioning OpenAI [4] - Mustafa Suleyman has publicly dismissed Sam Altman's vision around AGI and acknowledged "little tensions" in the OpenAI partnership [5] Industry Implications - Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff views the rift between Microsoft and OpenAI as positive, as Salesforce uses OpenAI's enterprise models and is an investor in OpenAI rival Anthropic [5] - OpenAI's move to diversify its cloud partnerships and its potential to become a tech giant could reshape the competitive landscape in the AI industry [2][5]

About this content About Emily Jarvie Emily began her career as a political journalist for Australian Community Media in Hobart, Tasmania. After she relocated to Toronto, Canada, she reported on business, legal, and scientific developments in the emerging psychedelics sector before joining Proactive in 2022. She brings a strong journalism background with her work featured in newspapers, magazines, and digital publications across Australia, Europe, and North America, including The Examiner, The Advocate, ...

Industry Overview - Canadian telecommunications companies, including TELUS Corporation (TSX: T:CA), have faced significant pressure over the past year [1] - Telecom stocks are often considered bond proxies due to their stable dividend yields, but their share prices have been under pressure [1] Company Focus: TELUS Corporation - TELUS Corporation is part of the Canadian telecom sector, which has been experiencing challenges [1] - The company's stock performance has been impacted by broader industry pressures [1] Investment Philosophy - The author emphasizes investing in high-quality stocks and great businesses, particularly those led by disciplined capital allocators [1] - Preferred businesses are those that earn exceptional returns on capital and can compound invested capital over long periods [1]

WILMINGTON, N.C., Jan. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Live Oak Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE: LOB) (“Live Oak” or “the Company”) today reported fourth quarter of 2024 net income attributable to the Company of $9.9 million, or $0.22 per diluted share. Net income attributable to the Company for the year ended December 31, 2024, totaled $77.5 million, or $1.69 per diluted share. Live Oak’s performance in 2024, includes these notable items: Record year of $5.16 billion of loan production accompanied by strong deposit gr ...

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Jan. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vertex, Inc. (NASDAQ:VERX), a leading global technology provider of indirect tax solutions, today announced that it will release fourth quarter 2024 financial results before the market opens on Thursday, February 27, 2025. A conference call to discuss the results will be held at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time that same day. Those wishing to participate may do so by dialing 1-412-317-6026 approximately ten minutes prior to start time. A listen-only webcast of t ...

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Macerich Company (NYSE: MAC) today announced the tax treatment for dividend distributions taxable in 2024 on its Common Stock. During the calendar year ended December 31, 2024, Macerich paid dividends of $.68 per share. The 2024 dividends are classified for income tax purposes as follows for The Macerich Company, Common Stock, CUSIP # 554382101: Record DatePayable DateRate per Share2024 Taxable Ordinary Dividends2024 Section 199A Dividends*2024 Qua ...

DUBLIN, IRELAND , Jan. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STERIS plc (NYSE: STE) (“STERIS” or the “Company”) announced today that it will host a conference call to discuss its fiscal 2025 third quarter financial results at 9:00 a.m. ET on February 6, 2025. The conference call can be heard live at www.steris-ir.com or via phone by dialing 1-833-535-2199 in the United States or 1-412-902-6776 internationally, then asking to join the conference call for STERIS plc. A press release detailing financial results will be ...

The stage is set for the first 2024 presidential debate between U.S. President Joe Biden and former U.S. President Donald Trump, in Atlanta on June 26, 2024.Warner Bros. Discovery's CNN plans to lay off hundreds of employees Thursday as it refocuses the business around a global digital audience, according to people familiar with the matter.The layoffs come as CNN is rearranging its linear TV lineup and building out digital subscription products. The cuts will help CNN lower production costs and consolidate ...