For more on where Disney goes from here, we are joined by Le Lightshed Partners co-founder and analyst Rich Greenfield. Rich, great to have you with us. You're smiling.You heard what Laura said. I mean, I think the point here, >> literally the absurdity that comes out of her mouth, it just makes me laugh. I'm sorry, but like >> should Disney spin off.>> I think the point is that you want to escape the the purview of the FCC here. >> Sure. Look, and we've been arguing literally since Bob Chapik, even before ...

you were out with a very compelling case late last week around uh Disney's ABC asset and that rather than sell it, they should just shut it down. I'm curious if you could just walk through some of those mechanics and some of your thinking around um you know around that that property. >> Yeah, sure.So, um we basically published this note today saying that they should just shut down the TV broadcast company called ABC. Not sell it, just shut it down. And our logic was that because of the comments of FCC chair ...

you were out with a very compelling case late last week around uh Disney's ABC asset and that rather than sell it, they should just shut it down. I'm curious if you could just walk through some of those mechanics and some of your thinking around um you know around that that property. >> Yeah, sure.So, um we basically published this note today saying that they should just shut down the TV broadcast company called ABC. Not sell it, just shut it down. And our logic was that because of the comments of FCC chair ...

work. Needam's Laura Martin says Disney should consider simoc casting ABC's broadcast content on less regulated platforms like Hulu instead. She says that would help generate faster revenue growth for Disney and unlock more shareholder value.She has a buy rating on the stock and a $125 price target. And she joins us now. Uh welcome, Laura.It's good to have you make your case here. Not every day a company, you know, kind of shuts down a a business that still is producing cash flow, has a big audience. So why ...

Walt Disney should shut down the ABC network rather than sell it and transfer the channel’s content to its streaming platforms to lower regulatory risks and unlock higher valuation, brokerage Needham wrote in a client note on Tuesday.The recent “FCC intervention has made owning broadcasting licenses too expensive and too volatile for DIS shareholders, in our view,” the brokerage said.Disney’s decision to take Kimmel’s show off the air last week added fuel to the debate of free speech in America amid conserv ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Record Fee Related Earnings (FRE) of $627 million, a 22% year-over-year increase [6][54] - Management fee growth of 21% year-over-year [6] - Record Asset Under Management (AUM) of $840 billion, a 22% year-over-year increase [54] - Strong inflows of $61 billion across the firm, with record AUM [7][49] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Credit business performed well with core opportunistic credit returning 9% over the latest twelve months and 23% quarter-over-quarter [8] - Private equity business showed strong performance with Fund 10 net IRR at 23% and Fund 9 at 16.6% [9][10] - Retirement Services saw $21 billion of inflows, marking the second strongest organic quarter [14][58] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Significant demand for retirement services products driven by demographic trends [14][22] - Inflows from Athene reached $21 billion, with strong performance in fixed index annuities [52] - The annuity market has expanded significantly compared to previous years [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Focus on origination and maintaining high-quality spread in a competitive environment [17][33] - Expansion into European markets with strategic investments and partnerships [24][43] - Emphasis on innovation in product offerings to meet evolving market demands [35][98] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the business's health and future growth potential despite current market challenges [66][68] - Anticipation of regulatory changes that could enhance market opportunities, particularly in the UK [81] - Management highlighted the importance of adapting to market conditions and innovating to maintain competitive advantage [67][68] Other Important Information - The company is on track to exceed its 2025 goals with strong momentum across all metrics [54][56] - The acquisition of Bridge Investment Group is expected to close in early September, with anticipated contributions to FRE in 2026 [59] Q&A Session Summary Question: Credit spread dynamics and impact on insurance business - Management noted that while credit spreads have tightened, they are successfully pivoting origination to maintain spreads and profitability [62][64] - The business is healthy, and as previous high-profit business runs off, a meaningful increase in SRE is expected [65][66] Question: Potential FRE impacts from Athora PIC acquisition - Management expects the transaction to be accretive to Athora's valuation and FRE over time, creating a significant origination ecosystem in the UK [76][78] Question: Scalability of ABC following ADS success - Management indicated strong early approvals and a clear path for ABC to follow ADS's success, leveraging their origination capabilities [84][86] Question: Drivers of recent earnings power and throughput - The integrated toolbox approach and increased leverage in direct lending have significantly accelerated origination capabilities [88][90] Question: Outlook for inflows in Retirement Services - Management is focusing on developing capabilities in stable value products, which are expected to drive growth in the future [94][96]