Core Viewpoint - The consumer discretionary sector has shown moderate growth over the past year, but is currently experiencing a negative year-to-date performance, prompting the identification of five stocks with potential for investment despite the sector's recent slump [2][4]. Consumer Discretionary Sector Overview - The consumer discretionary sector is characterized as growth-oriented, with share prices expected to increase over the long term. This sector is sensitive to market interest rate movements and typically exhibits an inverse relationship with them [3]. Interest Rate Impact - The Federal Reserve's recent easy monetary policies, including significant cuts to the benchmark lending rate, have created uncertainty regarding interest rate trajectories for the current year. Additionally, concerns about AI's impact on corporate profits have affected growth-oriented stocks [4]. Selected Stocks for Investment - Five consumer discretionary stocks have been identified for investment based on their favorable Zacks Rank: Ralph Lauren Corp., Roku Inc., Airbnb Inc., FOX Corp., and Carnival Corporation & plc. Each stock carries a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), with potential for double-digit price upside in the short term [5]. Ralph Lauren Corp. (RL) - Ralph Lauren has a Zacks Rank of 2 and is benefiting from its "Next Great Chapter: Drive Plan," which emphasizes brand elevation and operational agility. The company expects revenue growth in the high-single to low-double digits for fiscal 2026, with gross margin increasing by 40-80 basis points and operating margin expanding by 100-140 basis points [6][7]. - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Ralph Lauren are 11.7% and 30.5%, respectively, for the current year, with a short-term average price target indicating an 11.8% increase from the last closing price of $369.18 [8]. Roku Inc. (ROKU) - Roku holds a Zacks Rank of 1, showcasing strong platform revenue growth driven by innovative advertising and streaming services. The company has achieved significant household penetration and improved profitability through strong free cash flow generation [9][10]. - Roku's expected revenue and earnings growth rates are 15.4% and over 100%, respectively, for the current year, with a short-term average price target suggesting a 35.7% increase from the last closing price of $90.06 [13]. Airbnb Inc. (ABNB) - Airbnb has a Zacks Rank of 2 and is experiencing growth in Nights and Experiences Booked, positively impacting its Gross Booking Value. The company benefits from increasing guest demand and a recovery in cross-border travel [14][15]. - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Airbnb are 10.8% and 18.1%, respectively, for the current year, with a short-term average price target indicating a 20.4% increase from the last closing price of $121.35 [16]. FOX Corp. (FOX) - FOX has a Zacks Rank of 1 and produces a variety of content, including news and sports. The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for FOX are -0.9% and -2.3%, respectively, for the current year, but the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has improved by 6.9% over the last 30 days [17]. - The short-term average price target for FOX suggests a 36.1% increase from the last closing price of $51.56 [18]. Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL) - Carnival has a Zacks Rank of 1 and is benefiting from strong demand, increased booking volumes, and a focus on marketing to attract new customers. The company emphasizes the role of digital marketing and AI in enhancing effectiveness [19][20]. - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Carnival are 4.6% and 12.9%, respectively, for the current year, with a short-term average price target indicating a 19.1% increase from the last closing price of $31.77 [21].

Core Insights - Fox Corporation (FOXA) is scheduled to report its first-quarter fiscal 2025 results on October 30, with earnings estimated at $1.06 per share, reflecting a 26.9% year-over-year decline, while revenues are projected at $3.58 billion, indicating a marginal growth of 0.4% from the previous year [1][9] Financial Performance - The company has consistently beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 30.29% [2] - FOXA entered the first quarter of fiscal 2026 with strong operational and financial momentum, benefiting from a diversified portfolio across news, sports, and digital entertainment [3] Revenue Drivers - The performance of FOX News and steady affiliate fee trends are expected to have positively impacted results, alongside investments to expand its direct-to-consumer offerings [3] - The launch of FOX One, a unified streaming platform priced at $19.99 per month, is a significant step in the company's digital evolution, although initial marketing and content integration costs may have affected profitability [4] Advertising Revenue - Advertising revenues are anticipated to have moderated due to the absence of $270 million in political advertising from the prior year, but strong engagement at FOX News likely provided some offset [5][9] - Key shows and events, including the return of NFL on FOX and college football, are expected to have boosted viewership and pricing power [5] Challenges - FOXA is likely facing near-term headwinds from increased programming and production costs, softer entertainment ad demand, and additional digital spending related to FOX One, which may limit margin expansion [6] Earnings Expectations - According to the Zacks model, FOXA has an Earnings ESP of -7.55% and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a lower likelihood of an earnings beat [7]

Core Insights - The article highlights Fox Corp (FOXA) as a strong investment opportunity due to its market leadership in cable broadcasting, particularly in live sports and news, which attract significant advertising revenue [3][8][12]. Business Segments - Fox operates two main segments: cable network programming and television, with cable network programming revenue projected to grow from $5.0 billion in fiscal 2018 to $6.9 billion in fiscal 2025, reflecting a 5% annual growth rate [4][5]. - The television segment, which includes the FOX broadcast network and Tubi, is expected to see revenue increase from $5.1 billion in fiscal 2018 to $9.3 billion in fiscal 2025, representing a 9% annual growth rate [6]. Market Position - Fox is the largest cable TV broadcaster in the U.S., with FOX News being the top-rated national cable news channel for over 20 years [9][11]. - In July 2025, FOX News averaged 2.4 million viewers in primetime, capturing 63% of the cable news share [17]. Live Sports and Events - Live sports events remain crucial for advertisers, with FOX holding rights to major events like the Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup, which attract massive viewership [12][13][14]. - The Super Bowl LVII in February 2023 had an estimated 113 million viewers, while Super Bowl LIX in February 2025 set a record with 128 million viewers [13]. Digital Distribution - Fox is expanding its digital offerings, including Tubi, which has 100 million monthly active users and a 2.2% market share of all television viewing [21]. - The recently launched FOX One service aims to attract "cordless" consumers by providing access to live events and entertainment without undercutting existing cable subscribers [22]. Financial Performance - Since fiscal 2020, Fox has achieved a 6% annual growth in revenue and a 5% growth in net operating profit after tax (NOPAT) [24]. - The company's NOPAT margin slightly decreased from 16% in 2020 to 15% in 2025, while its return on invested capital (ROIC) improved from 17% to 19% [25]. Shareholder Returns - Fox has returned $1.8 billion in dividends and repurchased $6.6 billion in shares since fiscal 2020, with a new authorization for an additional $5 billion in share repurchases [28][30]. - The combined yield from dividends and share repurchases could reach 4.7% [30]. Balance Sheet Strength - Fox reduced its total debt from $8.5 billion in fiscal 2020 to $7.6 billion in fiscal 2025, while increasing cash and equivalents from $4.6 billion to $5.4 billion [36]. - The adjusted debt net of cash fell from $3.5 billion to $1.4 billion over the same period, indicating a strong financial position [36]. Market Valuation - At a current price of $59/share, the market implies a permanent decline of 20% in NOPAT, which may be overly pessimistic given Fox's historical growth rates [41]. - If NOPAT grows at a modest rate of 1% annually, the stock could see a 39% upside to $82/share [43].

Company Overview - Fox Corporation (FOXA) has a market cap of $27 billion and is a leading U.S.-based media company delivering news, sports, and entertainment through brands like FOX News, FOX Sports, the FOX Network, and Tubi [1] - The company operates across four segments: Cable Network Programming, Television, Credible, and FOX Studio Lot, reaching audiences through broadcast, cable, digital platforms, and production services [1][2] Stock Performance - FOXA shares have declined marginally from a 52-week high of $62.69, but the stock has increased nearly 13% over the past three months, underperforming the Nasdaq Composite's 17.2% return [3] - Year-to-date, FOXA stock is up 28.5%, surpassing the Nasdaq's over 18% gain, and has climbed 55.2% over the past 52 weeks compared to the Nasdaq's over 28% surge [4] Financial Results - In Q4 2025, FOXA reported adjusted EPS of $1.27 and revenue of $3.29 billion, but shares fell 3.7% due to rising SG&A expenses, which increased 9.5% year-over-year, impacting margins [5] - Advertising growth is viewed as less durable due to tough year-over-year comparisons linked to the absence of UEFA and Copa América broadcasts [5] Analyst Sentiment - Analysts remain cautiously optimistic about FOXA, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from 20 analysts, and the stock is trading above the mean price target of $60.29 [6]

Core Insights - FOX One is a new streaming service priced at $19.99/month or $199.99/year, targeting over 65 million U.S. households outside traditional cable bundles [1][2] - The platform aims to provide a personalized viewing experience with live programming, news, sports, and entertainment, leveraging advanced technology and AI integrations [3][6][7] Pricing and Bundling Options - FOX One offers a 7-day free trial and the option to bundle with B1G+ or FOX Nation for added value [1][11] - Starting October 2, customers can bundle FOX One with ESPN DTC Unlimited for $39.99/month, providing access to a wide range of ESPN content [12] Technological Advancements - The platform builds on FOX's successful live-streaming technology, exemplified by the Super Bowl LIX broadcast, which reached 15.5 million peak concurrent viewers [5] - FOX One incorporates AI for personalized content delivery, enhanced search capabilities, and user-friendly features [6][16] Content Offerings - FOX One features a robust lineup of live sports, news, and entertainment, including 24/7 access to FOX News and major sporting events [8][9] - The service includes a variety of programming from FOX's extensive portfolio, catering to diverse audience interests [15] Accessibility and User Experience - FOX One is available on multiple platforms, including mobile, web, and connected TVs, ensuring ease of access for users [10] - The platform allows users to record live content without storage limits and offers features to catch up on missed highlights [8][10] Marketing Strategy - The launch campaign emphasizes FOX's strength in live programming and targets cord-cutters through digital-first strategies [14]

Core Viewpoint - Fox (FOXA) has demonstrated strong financial performance and growth potential, particularly in its Television and Cable Networking segments, making it an attractive investment opportunity for 2025 [2][8]. Financial Performance - In Q3 fiscal 2025, Fox reported a 27% increase in total revenues and achieved the highest free cash flow in its history, exceeding $1.9 billion [3]. - The Super Bowl broadcast contributed over $800 million in advertising revenues, marking it as the most-watched telecast in U.S. history [3]. Segment Performance - Tubi, Fox's free streaming platform, experienced a 35% year-over-year revenue increase, with rising engagement and view time [4]. - The cable segment benefited from a 26% increase in ad revenues, bolstered by Fox News being the most-watched cable channel [4]. Growth Strategy - Fox's growth strategy centers on live content from its core brands: FOX News, FOX Sports, and the FOX Network, capitalizing on the rising demand for live programming [5]. - The company anticipates steady growth in affiliate fees, which will support long-term revenue growth [5]. Market Position - FOX News ranks as the second most trusted and top-rated news channel in the U.S., with FOX Nation gaining traction through 700 hours of original content [6]. Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FOXA's 2025 earnings is $4.52 per share, reflecting a 31.78% year-over-year growth, with revenues projected at $16.11 billion, indicating a 15.24% increase [7]. - FOXA has consistently beaten earnings estimates over the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 25.97% [7]. Investment Outlook - Fox's strong fundamentals, record free cash flow, and momentum in streaming services position it well for continued growth and investor confidence in 2025 [8]. - The company currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) and a Growth Score of B, indicating a favorable investment opportunity [9].