HBO

Search documents
Paramount Skydance talking to Apollo, buyout firms to join possible $60B Warner Bros. Discovery bid: sources
New York Post· 2025-10-08 16:10
Paramount Skydance chief David Ellison is in talks with major private equity firms to join his possible bid to buy Warner Bros. Discovery – a megadeal that could cost upwards of $60 billion, The Post has learned.Potential investors weighing the WBD deal include Apollo Global Management – the buyout giant that in spring 2024 had made a $26 billion, debt-fueled offer for Paramount before ultimately losing that race to Skydance, people with direct knowledge of the situation said.Led by billionaire CEO Marc Row ...
These Were the 3 Top-Performing Stocks in the S&P 500 in September 2025 -- and One Popped 68%!
The Motley Fool· 2025-10-03 09:22
The S&P 500 index had a great month, surging 3.5%. But these stocks soared much more.The S&P 500 index of 500 of America's biggest companies gained a solid 3.5% in September -- its fifth consecutive monthly gain. If 3.5% doesn't seem like a lot, remember that it's just a month's gain. (For comparison, it gained 1.9% in August.) If it were to rise 3.5% every month, that would compound to an incredible 51% annual gain.The top-performing stocks of the month were Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD -0.62%), AppLovin ...
Paramount Skydance eyes takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery as high as $24 a share: report
New York Post· 2025-09-19 15:28
Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance is preparing a significant bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, potentially valuing the company at up to $24 per share, with a proposed deal structure of 70% to 80% cash and the remainder in stock [1][3][4]. Group 1: Bid Details - The bid is expected to be in the range of $22 to $24 per share, significantly above Warner Bros. Discovery's current trading price of around $19 [1][4]. - The backing for the bid includes major cash support from Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, who is the father of Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison [1][9]. - Warner Bros. Discovery's stock saw a nearly 30% surge following the news of the planned bid, indicating strong market interest [5][11]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav is reportedly seeking a bidding war to increase the company's valuation, aiming for a price target of $40 per share [4][5]. - The company has been burdened with debt since its 2022 merger and is struggling to compete with major streaming services like Netflix [12]. - The potential merger would create a powerful entity in the media landscape, combining assets such as HBO, CNN, and Warner Bros. Pictures with Paramount's existing portfolio [10][11]. Group 3: Market Context - The bid reflects the increasing pressure on legacy media firms as traditional cable subscriptions decline and streaming growth slows [11]. - Warner Bros. Discovery is considering splitting its operations into two publicly traded entities if its valuation expectations are not met [5][10]. - The proposed merger would require approval from regulatory bodies, including the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice, with anticipated antitrust scrutiny [14].
Is Warner Bros. Discovery Stock Outperforming the S&P 500?
Yahoo Finance· 2025-09-18 14:56
With a market cap of $44.5 billion, Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD) is a global media and entertainment company, delivering a diverse portfolio of content across television, film, streaming, and gaming. The company operates through three core segments: Studios; Networks; and Direct-to-Consumer (DTC), with leading brands such as HBO, Max, CNN, Discovery Channel, Warner Bros. Pictures, DC, HGTV, and Cartoon Network. Companies valued $10 billion or more are generally considered “large-cap” stocks, and War ...
Disney's Streaming Base Expands: Can Subscriber Growth Drive Gains?
ZACKS· 2025-09-17 17:20
Group 1: Streaming Growth and Strategy - Disney's streaming base is expanding rapidly, with combined Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions reaching 183 million, an increase of 2.6 million sequentially in Q3 of fiscal 2025 [1][9] - The company is focusing on boosting Average Monthly Revenue Per Paid Subscriber (ARPU) and profitability through recent price increases, ad-supported tiers, and Hulu's integration into Disney+ [3][9] - Management anticipates over 10 million net new subscriptions in Q4 of fiscal 2025, primarily driven by Hulu's expanded Charter deal, projecting the combined streaming base to rise to 185.4 million [4][9] Group 2: Content and Competitive Positioning - Disney's content strategy includes a strong slate of upcoming releases such as Marvel Zombies, Tron: Ares, and Zootopia 2, which are expected to enhance viewership and attract new subscribers [2] - The company is building a balanced streaming portfolio by leveraging personalization, pricing strategies, and ESPN's sports content to sustain growth [2] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is emerging as a significant competitor, with 125.7 million subscribers and a 9% year-over-year revenue increase in Q2 2025, aiming for 150 million subscribers by 2026 [5] - Netflix remains Disney's strongest rival, boasting over 300 million subscribers and continuing to enhance its competitive edge through strong original content and disciplined investment [6] Group 4: Financial Performance and Valuation - Disney shares have increased by 3.5% year-to-date, underperforming the Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector and Zacks Media Conglomerates industry [7] - The stock is trading at a forward 12-month price/earnings ratio of 17.88X, compared to the industry's 20.47X, indicating a relatively favorable valuation [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Disney's fiscal 2025 earnings is $5.86 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 17.91% [13]
Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD): A Bull Case Theory
Yahoo Finance· 2025-09-17 15:43
Core Thesis - Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD) has reported its first positive net result in Q2 2025 after a challenging restructuring period post-2022 merger, with a significant corporate split planned by mid-2026 to unlock value [2][3][4] Financial Performance - WBD's share price was $16.17 as of September 11th, with trailing and forward P/E ratios of 52.16 and 39.06 respectively [1] - Q2 results showed strong performance in the Streaming & Studios segment, with 3.4 million net subscriber additions, reaching nearly 126 million subscribers, generating $3.8 billion in revenue and $863 million in EBITDA [3] - Linear Networks experienced a 9% revenue decline to $4.8 billion, with EBITDA falling 24% due to increasing cord-cutting trends [4] - Despite a GAAP profit of $1.6 billion, free cash flow decreased to $702 million, impacted by taxes, interest, and separation costs [4] Corporate Strategy - The upcoming split will create two distinct entities: Warner Bros. "Streaming & Studios" and Discovery Global, aimed at isolating high-growth assets from declining linear TV operations [2][3] - The split is structured to be tax-free, with Discovery Global retaining a 20% stake in Warner Bros. for debt reduction purposes [3] - Strategic partnerships, such as HBO Max's deal in Southeast Asia, highlight WBD's focus on global expansion [3] Market Positioning - The separation is expected to provide clearer valuation comparisons, positioning Warner Bros. alongside competitors like Netflix and Disney, while Discovery Global will be compared to Fox, AMC, and Comcast [4] - The sum-of-the-parts valuation approach may lead to significant rerating of WBD as the market begins to value its high-growth and legacy businesses separately [4] Historical Context - The stock price of WBD has appreciated approximately 45% since previous bullish coverage in February 2025, which emphasized the company's debt burden and potential divestiture of linear assets to enhance streaming growth [5]
Billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller Dumped His Fund's Stake in Tesla and Is Piling Into a Stock That Rallied 56% Last Week Amid Buyout Rumors
The Motley Fool· 2025-09-15 07:06
Group 1: Earnings Season and Institutional Filings - Earnings season is a critical period for investors, providing insights into the health of the U.S. economy as S&P 500 companies report their results [1] - Institutional investors with over $100 million in assets must file Form 13F, offering a snapshot of stock transactions by prominent investors [2] Group 2: Stanley Druckenmiller's Investment Moves - Stanley Druckenmiller, head of Duquesne Family Office, is recognized for achieving high returns and identifying undervalued opportunities [3] - In the second quarter, Druckenmiller made significant changes, including purchasing 35 new securities and reducing stakes in 18 stocks, notably selling all shares of Tesla [5][6] Group 3: Tesla's Performance and Challenges - Tesla's automotive revenue fell by 16% year-over-year, with inventory levels increasing by 33% to 24 days, indicating waning demand [9] - The loss of U.S. automotive regulatory tax credits poses a risk, as Tesla has relied on these credits for over half of its pre-tax income [10] - Tesla's valuation is concerning, trading at 234 times forecast EPS for 2025, while most auto stocks trade around 10 times [13] Group 4: Warner Bros. Discovery's Investment Appeal - Druckenmiller acquired 6,537,160 shares of Warner Bros. Discovery, which saw a 56% increase in value, potentially adding over $44 million to his position [16] - Speculation around a potential acquisition by Paramount Skydance has generated interest, with expectations of a cash offer [17] - Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming segment has shown improved operating results, with international subscribers increasing by 34% to 67.9 million [20]
Warner Bros. Discovery shares spike as CEO David Zaslav shops media group around — setting up bidding war for Paramount Skydance
New York Post· 2025-09-14 02:56
Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is experiencing a surge in interest from potential buyers, particularly due to a reported $50 billion cash offer from Paramount Skydance, leading to a significant increase in WBD's stock price [1][4]. Group 1: Company Developments - WBD shares rose 17% to $18.87 following reports of a potential bid from Paramount Skydance [1]. - CEO David Zaslav is actively seeking to engage other media and tech companies, including Amazon, Apple, and Netflix, to explore potential acquisition opportunities [3]. - Zaslav aims to increase WBD's stock price to $40 per share and is considering using the rising share price to acquire more content if no suitable offers materialize [4]. Group 2: Market Context - The interest in WBD and its assets has intensified, attributed to the relaxed antitrust enforcement policies during the Trump administration [4]. - Media executive Jay Penske has shown interest in acquiring CNN, which is part of WBD's portfolio [5].
Very close to a Paramount bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, says Moffett Nathanson's Fishman
Youtube· 2025-09-12 19:31
Group 1 - Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) is seen as a potential acquisition target, with stock prices increasing by approximately 75% since March [1] - The company has been addressing its debt situation, which has been a significant concern, and is now focusing on monetizing its premium assets, including Warner Brothers Studio and HBO [2][4] - Streaming is identified as a key strategy for transforming WBD, with expectations of a real bid emerging soon [3] Group 2 - The debt burden has historically held back the company's value, but recent improvements in debt management are noted [5] - The backing from David Ellison is considered crucial for the potential acquisition, with indications that a cash bid could be on the table [6] - Paramount is also facing its own debt challenges, indicating a broader trend of financial restructuring within the industry [7] Group 3 - The media landscape is undergoing significant changes, with potential for further consolidation among companies [8][9] - The upcoming spin-off of certain assets into a new company called Versented is expected to impact the media sector [7]
Warner Bros Discovery Soars 9% After Hours: Here Is Why The Stock Is Trending - Bank of America (NYSE:BAC), Paramount Skydance (NASDAQ:PSKY)
Benzinga· 2025-09-12 02:47
Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. (WBD) stock experienced a significant surge following news of a potential acquisition by Paramount Skydance Corp., marking its largest one-day increase ever [2][3]. Group 1: Stock Performance - WBD stock jumped 28.95% on Thursday and continued to rise by 9.77% after market close, reaching $17.75 [2]. - The market capitalization of WBD increased to $40.03 billion, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 53.63 [5]. - WBD shares have gained 52.98% in 2025 and 133% over the past year, with a trading volume of 296 million shares, significantly above the average of 50.91 million [5]. Group 2: Acquisition Details - Paramount Skydance is preparing an all-cash offer to acquire WBD entirely before its planned business split in April 2026 [3]. - The merger would create a significant player in the entertainment industry, combining assets from both companies, including major broadcasting rights [3]. Group 3: Market Metrics and Analyst Opinions - Paramount Skydance recently completed an $8 billion merger and is working with investment banks on the acquisition offer [4]. - Bank of America analyst Jessica Reif Ehrlich rates Paramount Skydance as "Underperform," citing execution risks [4]. - WBD is currently ranked in the 87th percentile for stock momentum, indicating strong upward trends across all time periods [6].