CARLSBAD, Calif. and ORLANDO, Fla. , Dec. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Upper Deck, the worldwide leader in sports and entertainment collectibles, today announced a new license agreement with TGL, the primetime team golf league. The collaboration will introduce the league’s first trading cards, providing fans even more ways to enjoy the action and connect with their favorite golfers through Upper Deck collectibles. As part of the agreement, Upper Deck will be the exclusive licensed producer of trading cards ...

Core Insights - Kalshi is expanding its business from political elections and sports events to the consumer goods sector, indicating a shift towards mainstream acceptance in the prediction market industry [1] - The company has partnered with StockX to launch event contracts based on resale prices of popular sneakers, trading cards, and collectible toys, allowing users to bet on whether certain products will exceed specific price thresholds [1][2] - This new business category targets the growing alternative asset market, including limited edition sneakers and trendy collectibles, which often resell for multiples of their retail prices [1][3] Event Contracts Covering Diverse Consumer Goods - Under the partnership, Kalshi will utilize StockX's data to create event contracts covering sneakers, trading cards, and collectibles, starting with high-demand products from major brands [2] - Initial contracts will include anticipated releases like Jordan sneakers, Supreme hoodies, and Labubu blind boxes, with trading on average resale prices beginning in November and December [2] - StockX's CEO highlighted this development as a natural evolution of a platform built on stock market mechanisms [2] Targeting the "Everything Exchange" Goal - Kalshi aims to create a "marketplace for everything," focusing on deep, liquid, and high-volume markets, aligning with the recent growth trends in alternative asset categories [3] - The expansion into sneakers and collectibles reflects the increasing interest in these markets, where resale prices can significantly exceed retail prices [3] Regulatory Uncertainty Persists - Despite the progress towards mainstream acceptance, the prediction market industry operates in a gray area between financial trading and gambling, facing regulatory uncertainties [4] - Kalshi's previous legal victory against U.S. regulators has led to explosive growth in the industry, with Kalshi and competitors like Polymarket Exchange actively seeking funding for expansion [4]

Core Insights - Funko, Inc. has launched a new artist-driven product line called Premium Blind Box, featuring two new series: Kiguzoomies and Funko Fun Squad [1] - The new product line builds on Funko's established success with blind box collectibles, emphasizing original artistry, bold creativity, and community engagement [1] - Future plans include expanding this vision through collaborations [1]

Core Insights - Funko's shares increased by 9.8% following the release of its third-quarter 2025 financial results, which showed a significant profit beat despite revenue falling short of expectations [1][2] Financial Performance - Net sales for Funko were reported at $250.9 million, a decline of 14.3% year-over-year, which missed analyst forecasts [2] - The company's adjusted earnings per share (EPS) were $0.06, exceeding the consensus estimate of a loss, indicating strong profitability [2] - Adjusted EBITDA reached $24.43 million, outperforming expectations by over 60%, reflecting effective cost management [2] Market Reaction - The stock closed at $3.33, marking a 10.3% increase from the previous close, indicating positive investor sentiment [3] - Funko's shares have shown extreme volatility, with 57 moves greater than 5% in the past year, suggesting that while today's movement is significant, it may not fundamentally alter market perception [4] Broader Market Context - The tech-heavy Nasdaq index fell approximately 1.4%, reflecting a wave of caution in the market, particularly affecting high-growth technology companies [5] - Leadership at Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley indicated a potential correction in equity markets over the next couple of years, viewing this cooling-off period as a healthy aspect of a long-term bull market [6]

Core Insights - Funko reported Q3 CY2025 revenue of $250.9 million, falling short of analyst expectations of $262 million, representing a 14.3% year-on-year decline [5] - The company achieved a non-GAAP profit of $0.06 per share, significantly exceeding analysts' consensus estimates of -$0.09 [5] Revenue Performance - Revenue of $250.9 million was a 14.3% decline year-on-year and a 4.2% miss against expectations [5] - Adjusted EBITDA was $24.43 million, beating estimates of $15 million, with a margin of 9.7% [5] Management Strategy - Management emphasized cost control and product strategy as key drivers for adjusted profitability, despite revenue shortfalls [3] - The CEO highlighted SKU rationalizations, reduced clearance sales, and price increases as effective measures to offset tariff pressures [3][4] Licensing and Partnerships - Funko secured multiyear licensing agreements with major studios like Warner Bros, NBC Universal, and Disney, enhancing its portfolio of over 900 active licenses [6] - These partnerships are viewed as critical for maintaining access to popular franchises and supporting future product launches [6] International Growth - Management noted strong double-digit growth in Europe, contrasting with a more subdued U.S. market [6] - Recent production shifts from China to Vietnam are expected to improve supply chain flexibility, despite minor delays [6] Product Innovation - New product formats, such as Bitty Pop! mini vinyl figures, have gained traction, with early success noted in Walmart's holiday campaign [6][7] - The company plans to leverage its speed-to-market advantage to capitalize on emerging pop culture trends [7] Direct-to-Consumer Strategy - Funko is enhancing its e-commerce experience and rolling out customization kiosks, including AI-powered builders and vending machine pilots [7] - These initiatives are seen as differentiators in a competitive collectibles market [7]

Q3 Supplemental Information NOVEMBER 2025 Funko, LLC © 2025 Cautionary Notes This presentation contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements contained in this presentation that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, industry dynamics, business strategy and plans and our objectives for fut ...

Product Update - NBA Top Shot marketplace receives major UI enhancements, including price history and trend visualization [1] - Advanced marketplace analytics are now available for VIPs and Nine Lives Lounge members [1] User Engagement - NBA Top Shot encourages users to reply with their username to gain access to the new features [1]

MESA, ARIZONA / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / Medical Care Technologies Inc. (OTC Pink:MDCE), a diversified holding company operating at the intersection of technology, wellness, and collectibles, is pleased to announce that it has been ranked #1 on the InvestorHub Breakout Boards, reflecting growing investor confidence and recognition of the company's continued progress. In recent weeks, Medical Care Technologies has achieved several important milestones, including official approval as both a Google ...

NFT Project Evolution - Many NFT projects have expanded beyond their initial scope [1] - NFT ecosystems that remain relevant have evolved into more than just "projects" [2] Doodles Case Study - Doodles has evolved into a brand active in music, fashion, and film through a Universal partnership [1] - Doodles is involved in collectibles and AI, powered by $DOOD [1]

Scarcity & Mint Reduction - NBA Top Shot is focusing on scarcity for the new NBA season [1] - Total possible new Rookie Moments are capped, exemplified by Cooper Flagg's max of 1,682 Moments this year, a 63% decrease from last year's 4,627 [1] - Common Moments reduced to 1,140, a 71% decrease from the previous 4,000 [1] - Rare Moments reduced to 492, a 45% decrease from the previous 897 [1] - Legendary Moments reduced to 35, a 72% decrease from the previous 125 [1] New Features & Updates - Introduction of autographs from 25+ rising stars [2] - New packs, boxes & cases are being introduced [2] - Burning mechanism is being implemented [2] - Parallels are being reimagined [2] - New and improved Fast Break [2]