Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance is maintaining its $30-a-share, all-cash bid for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and is arguing that its $78 billion offer is superior to WBD's current deal with Netflix [1][6]. Group 1: Bid Details - Paramount Skydance's owners, David and Larry Ellison, along with RedBird Capital, plan to assure shareholders that they will cover the $2.8 billion breakup fee, which equates to about $1 per share, if enough investors support their bid by the January 8 deadline [2]. - Paramount Skydance is confident in its financing, claiming to have secured credit lines from Bank of America and Apollo, with Larry Ellison contributing $12 billion in cash and Gulf State funds providing another $24 billion in equity [7][8]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - There is speculation of a bidding war as WBD is expected to formally urge investors to reject Paramount Skydance's hostile bid, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding the financing of Paramount's offer [4][10]. - Notable media investor Mario Gabelli has expressed his intention to support Paramount's all-cash bid over Netflix's deal, which involves stock and complex financing [5][10]. Group 3: Regulatory Considerations - Paramount Skydance argues that its deal presents regulatory certainty compared to Netflix's offer, which may trigger a lengthy antitrust investigation due to the combination of streaming assets [8]. - WBD and Netflix counter that regulatory concerns are overstated, citing the reliance of consumers on social media and YouTube for programming rather than streaming services [10]. Group 4: Financial Backing and Concerns - Larry Ellison's commitment to backstop the deal is under scrutiny, as his wealth is primarily tied to Oracle shares, which have lost significant value since the bidding began [11]. - Critics argue that Ellison's backing is not personal but comes from a revocable trust, although Paramount Skydance defends the trust as a legitimate source of his wealth for deal-making [12].

US stocks fell on Wednesday as investors weighed what the latest data and Federal Reserve comments mean for interest rate cuts, with tech stocks under pressure as Oracle (ORCL) stock slid. The Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) sank over 1%, while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) fell around 0.8%, with both backing off slight opening gains as tech weakness returned. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) lost 0.3%, after US stocks finished mixed in Tuesday's session.  After weeks in a data vacuum, Wall Street is trying to fi ...

US stocks traded mixed on Wednesday as investors weighed what the latest data and Federal Reserve comments mean for interest-rate cuts, with techs under pressure as Oracle (ORCL) stock slid. The Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) slipped 0.3%, while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) traded flat, with both backing off slight opening gains as tech weakness returned. But the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) added 0.5%, after US stocks finished mixed in Tuesday's session.  After weeks in a data vacuum, Wall Street is trying to ...

Jared Kushner, the founder of Affinity Partners, was seen as a pivotal figure in helping Paramount clinch the takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery - Fabian Sommer/dpa via AP Jared Kushner has withdrawn from the $100bn (£75bn) bid battle to buy Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). Mr Kushner’s private equity firm, Affinity Partners, on Tuesday said it would no longer be backing a hostile takeover offer for Warner Bros by Paramount, the Hollywood studio owned by the billionaire Ellison family. Miami-headquartered ...

Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. plans to reject Paramount Skydance Corp.'s hostile takeover bid due to concerns over financing and other terms [1][2]. Group 1: Warner Bros. Response - Warner Bros.' board will urge shareholders to reject Paramount's tender offer, believing that their existing agreement with Netflix offers greater value and certainty [2]. - The response to Paramount's offer could be filed as early as Wednesday, but no final decision has been made yet [3]. - Concerns about the financing proposed by Paramount, particularly the revocable trust backing it, are significant for Warner Bros. [4]. Group 2: Paramount's Bid and Adjustments - Paramount's offer is $30 per share, valuing Warner Bros. at over $108 billion, including debt [9]. - Paramount has indicated that its $30-a-share offer is not its "best and final," suggesting potential for a higher bid [10]. - Adjustments to the bid have been made in response to Warner Bros.' concerns, including the withdrawal of $1 billion in financing from Tencent due to national security concerns [7]. Group 3: Regulatory and Business Concerns - Warner Bros. is worried about the ability to conduct business during the lengthy regulatory approval process for a sale [6]. - Paramount's offer does not provide enough flexibility for Warner Bros. to manage its business or balance sheet effectively [6]. - Warner Bros. has an agreement with Netflix that restricts soliciting other proposals but allows for consideration of incoming offers [11].

Core Viewpoint - Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners has decided to withdraw from the project to purchase Warner Brothers Discovery, citing significant changes in the investment dynamics since their initial involvement in October [1][2]. Group 1: Company Actions - Affinity Partners, a private equity firm associated with Jared Kushner, has officially exited the bidding for Warner Brothers Discovery, which was previously considered alongside a Paramount offer [1][2]. - A spokesperson from Infinity Partners indicated that the firm believes there is still a strong strategic rationale for Paramount's offer despite their withdrawal [2]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - The term "dynamics" in the statement from Affinity Partners suggests that the competitive landscape and investment conditions have shifted considerably, although specific details were not disclosed [2][3]. - The implications of this withdrawal may affect the likelihood of Paramount's success in acquiring Warner Brothers Discovery, prompting speculation among market analysts [3].

Group 1 - Jared Kushner's private equity firm, Affinity Partners, has withdrawn from efforts to take over Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) amid scrutiny of Kushner's involvement [1][4] - Affinity Partners was a key backer of a $108.4 billion hostile bid by Paramount Skydance for control of WBD, which includes significant assets like Warner Bros movie studios and HBO Max [1][2] - WBD is currently reviewing an unsolicited $82.7 billion offer from Paramount to sell its assets, with a public response expected soon [2][4] Group 2 - The hostile bid from Paramount is supported by the Ellison family and RedBird Capital, with additional funding from Affinity, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, and the Qatar Investment Authority [3] - Affinity stated that despite stepping back, they believe there is a strong strategic rationale for Paramount's offer [4] - The involvement of Kushner has raised concerns, particularly as former President Trump has indicated he expects to be involved in regulatory scrutiny of any deal for WBD [4]

[music] Investors are sorting through a mixed picture of updates on the labor market, but our next guest still optimistic on the road ahead for the economy and markets. Bank of America senior investment strategist Lauren Sanfalippo joins me here now to discuss. Lauren, it is good to see you.Let's start in the macro. Lauren, uh, you're all calling for real GDP growth to accelerate nominal over 5%. What gives you the confidence to make that call.>> Well, I think we'll find out more on Thursday on the inflatio ...

Core Viewpoint - Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSGE) is a significant entity in the entertainment sector, recognized for its renowned venues and live events, competing with other major players in a dynamic market [1] Group 1: Stock Performance and Ratings - On December 16, 2025, Seaport Global upgraded MSGE to a "Buy" rating, increasing the price target from $51 to $62, indicating optimism about the company's future performance [2][6] - Currently, MSGE is priced at $52.07, showing a slight decrease of approximately 1.20%, with a trading range today between $51.97 and $53.22 [5] Group 2: Institutional Investor Activity - AWH Capital L.P. increased its stake in MSGE by 15.8%, now holding 110,000 shares valued at approximately $4.4 million, reflecting confidence in MSGE's growth potential [3][6] - Other institutional investors have also shown interest, with BI Asset Management initiating a new position valued at around $40,000, and CWM LLC significantly increasing its stake by 623.8% [4][6]

Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros. Discovery's board is expected to recommend shareholders vote against Paramount Skydance's $108.4 billion takeover bid, with a decision potentially announced as early as Wednesday [1][4]. Group 1: Takeover Bids - Paramount Skydance has made a $108.4 billion bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, which includes a $30-a-share, all-cash offer directed at Warner Bros. shareholders [5][7]. - Netflix previously made a $27 cash-and-stock bid for Warner Bros.' non-cable assets, which has been accepted [2][4]. Group 2: Financing and Regulatory Aspects - Paramount's bid is financed by $41 billion in new equity backed by the Ellison family and RedBird Capital, along with $54 billion in debt commitments from Bank of America, Citi, and Apollo [6]. - Paramount claims its offer is superior to Netflix's and would face a clearer path to regulatory approval [6]. Group 3: Strategic Implications - The winner of the bidding war will gain a significant advantage in the streaming market by acquiring a vast content library, which includes iconic films and popular series [2][4].