Core Viewpoint - Paramount's $78 billion all-cash bid for Warner Bros. Discovery has passed the US antitrust waiting period, indicating no immediate statutory barriers to the acquisition, although the Department of Justice (DOJ) continues its review [1][2][5] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The expiration of the 10-day waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act allows Paramount to proceed, but does not conclude the DOJ's investigation [1][5] - Paramount does not have a definitive agreement with Warner Bros., which is currently engaged in a deal with Netflix for $73 billion, or $27.75 per share [3] Group 2: Regulatory Scrutiny - The DOJ retains the authority to investigate further, request additional information, and potentially block the transaction before it is finalized [2] - The Netflix deal for Warner Bros. Discovery will also undergo significant scrutiny from US and European competition authorities to evaluate its impact on competition and consumer choice [4]

BUT NOT IN THE CLEAR. THE EX-ROYAL, RELEASED HOURS AFTER HIS ARREST ON SUSPICION OF MISCONDUCT WHILE IN PUBLIC OFFICE. NOW THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO HIS FRIENDSHIP WITH THE LATE CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER JEFFREY EPSTEIN.REACTION FROM ANDREWS BROTHER, KING CHARLES, WHO SAYS THE LAW MUST TAKE ITS COURSE. AND FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP. >> IT'S A SHAME. I THINK IT'S A VERY SAD. I THINK IT'S SO BAD FOR THE ROYAL FAMILY.IT'S REALLY INTERESTING BECAUSE NOBODY USED TO SPEAK ABOUT EPSTEIN WHEN HE WAS ALIVE. BUT NOW T ...

DANI: THE LONG WEEKEND IS OVER. DECLINES. 30 MINUTES UNTIL THE START OF CASH EQUITY TRADING.MATT MILLER IS OFF THIS WEEK. "BLOOMBERG OPEN INTEREST" STARTS RIGHT NOW. COMING UP, WARNER BROS.REOPENS TALKS WITH PARAMOUNT, A MOVE THAT COULD SET THE STAGE FOR ANOTHER BIDDING WAR WITH NETFLIX. ACTIVIST ACTION. STARBOARD TARGETS TRIP ADVISOR, A MAJOR STAKE IN NORWEGIAN, AND CHANGE AT PFIZER.ANTHROPIC AND PENTAGON HIT A SNAG IN CONTRACT TALKS OVER MASS SURVEILLANCE AND SECURITY CONCERNS. SOME STOCKS WE HAVE OUR EYE ...

Warner Bros. Discovery to Report Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results on Thursday, February 26 [Accessibility Statement] Skip NavigationNEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (the "Company") (Nasdaq: WBD) today announced that it will report its fourth quarter and full year 2025 results on Thursday, February 26, 2026 before the market opens. Links to the live webcast of the conference call as well as the earnings materials will be available in the "Investor Relations" secti ...

Core Viewpoint - Netflix has shown strong operational performance in Q4 2025, surpassing earnings estimates and achieving significant subscriber growth, despite facing challenges such as foreign exchange fluctuations and acquisition costs [2][3][4]. Financial Performance - Q4 2025 earnings were reported at 56 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.82% and reflecting a 30.2% increase year-over-year [2]. - Revenues for the quarter reached $12.05 billion, an 18% year-over-year increase, driven by membership growth, higher subscription pricing, and increased advertising revenues [2][3]. - Operating income was $2.96 billion, up 30% year-over-year, with an operating margin of 24.5%, slightly above forecasts [4]. Subscriber Growth - Netflix crossed the milestone of 325 million paid memberships during Q4 2025, contributing to a global audience nearing one billion [3][7]. - The second half of 2025 saw members watching 96 billion hours of content, a 2% increase year-over-year, driven by original programming [7]. Content Performance - The final season of "Stranger Things" generated 120 million views, significantly boosting engagement [8]. - Other successful releases included "Nobody Wants This S2" (31 million views) and "Emily in Paris S5" (41 million views) [9]. Advertising Revenue - Advertising revenues grew more than 2.5 times compared to 2024, exceeding $1.5 billion in 2025 [15]. - Netflix is enhancing its advertising technology capabilities, including testing AI tools for custom ad creation [16]. Acquisition Strategy - Netflix announced plans to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery for an all-cash transaction valued at $27.75 per share, with an increased bridge facility commitment of $42.2 billion to support the acquisition [20][21]. - The acquisition is expected to enhance Netflix's content library and provide more personalized subscription options [22]. Financial Outlook - For Q1 2026, Netflix expects revenues of $12.16 billion, indicating a 15.3% year-over-year growth [24]. - Full-year 2026 revenue is projected between $50.7 billion and $51.7 billion, representing 12% to 14% growth [25]. - The company anticipates generating free cash flow of approximately $11 billion in 2026 [27]. Market Sentiment - Estimates for Netflix have trended downward recently, with a consensus estimate shift of -5.04% [28]. - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating an expectation of in-line returns in the coming months [30].

Core Viewpoint - The Justice Department is investigating the potential impact of a sale of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) to Netflix on the film industry, particularly regarding fewer new film releases and the implications for moviegoers [1][4]. Group 1: Investigation and Concerns - Federal antitrust lawyers are in discussions with major movie theater chains to assess the implications of the potential sale [2][11]. - The investigation is focused on whether a merger between Netflix and HBO Max would create a monopoly in the streaming industry [4]. - Concerns have been raised that a Netflix acquisition could negatively affect Hollywood, as Netflix typically does not release its original films in theaters [5]. Group 2: Competitive Bidding and Industry Reactions - Warner Bros. has resumed negotiations with Paramount Skydance after they improved their offer for WBD, which includes cable assets [5][14]. - Paramount has expressed that a sale to Netflix would not enhance competition but rather diminish it, citing concerns over the financial burden it would face post-acquisition [6]. - Industry figures, including James Cameron, have warned that a Netflix deal could be detrimental to cinemas [7]. Group 3: Netflix's Position and Promises - Netflix has criticized Paramount's actions as distractions and claims that its acquisition would provide more choices and value to audiences [8]. - Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has promised to release all WBD films in theaters exclusively for 45 days, attempting to alleviate industry concerns [10]. - Some theater executives remain skeptical about Netflix's commitment to theatrical releases, seeking more concrete assurances [12]. Group 4: Investor and Regulatory Dynamics - Confidence is growing within Paramount that WBD may abandon the Netflix deal due to potential regulatory challenges [13]. - Activist investor Ancora Holdings, with a nearly $200 million stake in WBD, plans to oppose the Netflix deal, arguing that the board did not adequately engage with Paramount [13].

THIS IS "THE CLOSE." ROMAINE: STOCKS GETTING SOME OF THEIR MOJO BACK. I'M ROMAINE BOSTICK. >> I'M KATIE GREIFELD.WE ARE KICKING OFF TO THE CLOSING BELL. SOME MOJO. THAT IS HIGHER THAN WHERE WE FINISH THE DAY.CONSIDER WE WERE A LITTLE BIT HIGHER SO IT LITTLE BIT OF AN ENTHUSIASM DRAIN, LEADING THE WAY. IT IS HIGHER BY ABOUT TWO BASIS POINTS. IT WAS A LITTLE BIT MORE HAWKISH THAN SOMEWHERE EXPECTING.AND BITCOIN BITCOIN DOWN ABOUT 2%. ROMAINE: WE WILL TALK ABOUT WHY WE ARE SEEING WEAKNESS IN STOCKS. A MAJOR DR ...

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. Justice Department is engaging with major theater chains regarding the potential implications of a sale of Warner Bros Discovery [1] Group 1 - The discussions are private and focus on the impact that the sale could have on the theater industry [1] - Major theater chains are being summoned, indicating the significance of the potential sale in the market [1]

The US Justice Department has summoned some of the country’s largest theater chains to private conversations about the potential impact of a sale of Warner Bros. Discovery, according to people familiar with the matter https://t.co/usgowNrpA2 ...

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that Netflix is expected to emerge victorious in the ongoing bidding contest, with potential for its shares to rebound towards $100, a level last seen on December 5 [1] - Netflix has agreed to acquire Warner Bros. studio assets and HBO Max for $27.75 per share, contingent on the planned spin-off of its cable networks [1][2] - Investor sentiment is negatively impacted by regulatory concerns, as the Justice Department is investigating potential anticompetitive practices by Netflix [3] Group 2 - Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings indicate that Netflix has a weak price trend across short, medium, and long-term periods, with a momentum ranking in the 7th percentile and a quality ranking in the 78th percentile [4] - Year-to-date, Netflix shares have declined by 15.34%, closing at $77.03, which reflects a slight increase of 0.21% on the latest trading day [4]