Company Overview - Outfront Media is a leading North American out-of-home advertising company, specializing in billboard, transit, and mobile advertising assets. The company operates a real estate investment trust (REIT) model, generating revenue primarily through outdoor advertising services [9][10] - As of January 20, Outfront Media reported a revenue of $1.81 billion and a net income of $124.20 million, with a dividend yield of 4.8% [5] Recent Transaction - GraniteShares Advisors disclosed that it sold all 171,052 shares of Outfront Media, liquidating the position for an estimated $3.13 million. This transaction represented a 1.9% shift in the fund's reportable assets under management (AUM) [2][7] - The sale marks a full exit from Outfront Media, indicating a strategic reallocation of capital towards larger, faster-growing holdings [11] Stock Performance - As of January 20, shares of Outfront Media were priced at $24.61, reflecting a 40.1% increase over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's approximate 14% gain during the same period [4][12] - The stock's recent rally suggests that much of the recovery may already be priced in, leading to a potential shift in investment strategy for funds prioritizing liquidity and scale [13] Business Fundamentals - In the third quarter, Outfront Media reported revenue of $467.5 million, a 3.5% year-over-year increase, with adjusted OIBDA rising 17% to $137.2 million. The transit advertising segment saw a notable revenue increase of nearly 24%, driven by strong performance in New York City [12][14] - The recent sale by GraniteShares does not indicate a weakening of Outfront's business but rather a tactical rotation away from a cyclical, cash-generative REIT after a significant rebound [14]

Company Overview - Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings is a major player in the outdoor advertising industry, providing services through billboards, street furniture displays, transit displays, and other out-of-home advertising formats, operating solely within the United States [1][4] - The company has transitioned to a U.S. pureplay, enhancing its focus and potential value from a multiple perspective, making it easier for potential acquirers [8] Activist Involvement - Anson Funds, which holds a 3.65% stake in Clear Channel Outdoor, has initiated a campaign calling for the sale of the company, marking a strategic shift for the fund [2][3][7] - The activist strategy is led by Sagar Gupta, who previously worked with Legion Partners during their campaign for Clear Channel Outdoor, indicating a long-term interest in the company [2][7] Financial Performance and Valuation - Clear Channel Outdoor has faced challenges with its two business lines in the Americas and Europe, with the U.S. operations trading at approximately 13-15 times EBITDA, while European operations traded around 8 times EBITDA [5][6] - Despite recent divestitures and a focus on digital transformation, the company's stock has declined by 26.56% since Legion's activist filing and over 90% from its IPO price [6] Strategic Moves and Market Position - The company has executed several divestitures, including selling its European and Latin American businesses, which has allowed it to focus on the U.S. market and reduce debt [6] - Potential acquirers for Clear Channel Outdoor include JCDecaux and Lamar, both of which have shown interest in the outdoor advertising sector [8][9] Digital Transformation - Clear Channel Outdoor's digital billboard segment has grown to only 5% of its portfolio, despite accounting for over a third of its revenue, highlighting the slow pace of digital transformation due to regulatory approvals [11] - The slow rollout of digital ads poses challenges for the company, particularly in meeting quarterly reporting expectations as a public entity [11]