I'm starting with Warner Brothers. This guy. Okay, w bd their shares have been up nearly 2%, so it's feeling the second round of bids right from Netflix.Paramount Skydance's Comcast that includes a mostly cash offer from Netflix. Paramount's offer reportedly includes debt financing from Apollo. Sources are saying Middle East funds also contributing to that.But you had bankers from Paramount, you know Netflix, they were all busy over Thanksgiving. You know, the long weekend sources saying an auction could wr ...

About this content About Angela Harmantas Angela Harmantas is an Editor at Proactive. She has over 15 years of experience covering the equity markets in North America, with a particular focus on junior resource stocks. Angela has reported from numerous countries around the world, including Canada, the US, Australia, Brazil, Ghana, and South Africa for leading trade publications. Previously, she worked in investor relations and led the foreign direct investment program in Canada for the Swedish government ...

Core Insights - Concerns about inflation and recession due to tariffs have been overstated, as the U.S. economy continues to grow despite the implementation of significant tariffs [1] - Actual tariff revenue is expected to be significantly lower than initial forecasts, indicating that the impact of tariffs on businesses and consumers is less severe than anticipated [1][2] Group 1: Tariff Impact on Economy - The inflation rate in September was 3%, which, while above the Federal Reserve's 2% target, reflects a moderate impact from tariffs primarily affecting furniture and clothing prices [1] - The U.S. Treasury's customs and excise tax revenue is projected to reach $34 billion in October, leading to an annual estimate of $400 billion, which is much lower than the $500 billion to $1 trillion forecasted by the Treasury Secretary [1][2] Group 2: Corporate Strategies - Companies are diversifying their production lines to countries with lower tariffs, such as Vietnam, Mexico, and Turkey, which has contributed to a lower effective tax rate of approximately 12.5% compared to the nominal rate of 17% [2] - Businesses are stockpiling inventory before tariffs take effect to mitigate costs, with some companies utilizing bonded warehouses to defer tax payments [2] Group 3: Consumer Cost Absorption - U.S. consumers are currently bearing 50%-70% of the tariff costs, with companies absorbing the remainder due to higher profit margins post-pandemic [3] - Retailers can maintain profit margins at 2010s levels even if they absorb 30% of the tariff costs, indicating resilience in pricing strategies [4] Group 4: Industry-Specific Insights - In the automotive sector, manufacturers are estimated to absorb about 80% of the tariff costs, passing only 20% onto consumers, which reflects a cautious approach to pricing amid rising costs [4] - Apparel brands like Aritzia are facing significant tariffs but still maintain sufficient profitability to manage the impact, with pricing strategies not solely based on tariff costs [5]

Core Insights - Despite initial fears of inflation and recession due to tariffs, the actual impact has been less severe than anticipated, with the U.S. economy continuing to grow [1] - Tariff revenues collected by the U.S. Treasury are significantly lower than predicted, indicating that the expected benefits of tariffs have not materialized [1] Tariff Revenue and Effective Tax Rates - The effective average tax rate paid by companies is approximately 12.5%, which is lower than the estimated 17% statutory rate due to loopholes and exemptions [2] - Many companies have shifted production to countries with lower tariffs, such as Vietnam, Mexico, and Turkey, further reducing the effective tax rate [2] Corporate Strategies to Mitigate Tariff Costs - Companies are stockpiling inventory before tariffs take effect and utilizing bonded warehouses to minimize tariff costs [2] - U.S. companies have only passed a portion of the tariff costs onto consumers, with estimates suggesting that consumers have absorbed 50%-70% of the costs [3] Industry-Specific Insights - In the automotive sector, manufacturers are estimated to have absorbed about 80% of the tariff costs, only passing 20% onto consumers, due to higher profit margins post-pandemic [4] - Retailers, such as Aritzia, have shown resilience against tariff impacts, maintaining profitability despite facing high tariffs on imports [4] Consumer Behavior and Economic Outlook - Consumer spending remains robust, supported by a strong stock market and low unemployment, despite initial concerns about reduced consumer confidence [5] - Economists caution that the long-term effects of tariffs may still lead to increased costs for consumers as companies gradually raise prices [5]

Core Insights - The U.S. diamond jewelry industry is experiencing significant market shifts due to two major events: Taylor Swift's 10-carat engagement ring sparking a surge in demand for natural diamonds, and the U.S. imposing a 50% tariff on diamonds from India, leading to increased global diamond processing costs [1][2]. Market Trends - The tariff on Indian diamonds has resulted in a 30%-50% increase in the cost of natural diamonds in the U.S., as India handles 90% of the global diamond cutting and polishing [2]. - The global production of natural diamonds is expected to decline by 40% from its peak in 2013, with estimates for 2025 ranging between 20-23 million carats [2]. - The engagement ring worn by Taylor Swift, valued at approximately $1 million, has significantly influenced consumer interest, with a 45% year-on-year increase in inquiries for natural diamonds over 5 carats in high-end jewelry stores [2][4]. Pricing Dynamics - The natural diamond price index rose by 2.8% in Q3 2025, with a 5.3% increase for round diamonds over 1 carat, while the average price of lab-grown diamonds has dropped by 25% to $1,500 [4]. - The market is witnessing a revaluation of "scarcity," with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) changing its grading system for lab-grown diamonds, further diminishing their comparability to natural diamonds [4]. Purchasing Strategies - Rule 1: Prioritize diamonds over 2 carats with a clarity of VS2 or higher, which have shown an annualized return of 8.7% over the past decade, outperforming gold and the S&P 500 [5]. - Rule 2: Ensure diamonds come with authoritative certification and blockchain traceability to avoid market pitfalls [5]. - Rule 3: Consider brand premium and cultural value, as branded natural diamonds typically command a 30%-50% higher price at auctions compared to non-branded ones [5]. Conclusion - The natural diamond market is evolving from a consumer product to a hard asset, driven by scarcity and brand value, with strategic purchasing becoming essential for long-term investment [5].

Group 1 - Taylor Swift announced her engagement to NFL star Travis Kelce, which garnered significant attention from investors and the public [1][3] - The engagement ring, estimated to be around 10 carats and valued at nearly $1 million, was designed by Kindred Lubeck from Artifex Fine Jewelry [3] - Following the announcement, Signet Jewelers' stock price surged over 3%, reflecting investor optimism about increased demand for unique engagement rings among Swift's fanbase [3][5] Group 2 - The engagement news led to a rapid sellout of the $320 Ralph Lauren dress worn in the engagement photo, indicating Swift's strong influence on consumer behavior [5] - Swift's previous "Eras" tour has been noted for its economic impact, boosting local economies through increased hotel and tourism spending [6] - Major brands and companies, including Walmart and Netflix, have capitalized on Swift's popularity by launching orange-themed marketing campaigns, further demonstrating her market influence [8]

Core Insights - Taylor Swift announced her engagement to Travis Kelce, which has significant implications for the jewelry industry, particularly for Signet Jewelers [2] - The announcement led to an immediate spike in Signet Jewelers' stock price, reflecting investor optimism regarding increased demand for engagement rings [2][3] Company Impact - Signet Jewelers experienced a stock price increase of approximately 2% following the engagement announcement, indicating a potential influx of customers seeking unique engagement rings [3] - The engagement ring featured in the announcement is described as "cushion cut," which may influence consumer preferences and trends in the jewelry market [2] Social Media Influence - The social media post announcing the engagement garnered significant attention, with 11 million likes and 240,000 reshares, showcasing the power of celebrity influence on consumer behavior [2]