Summary of News Corp Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: News Corp (NasdaqGS:NWS) - **Event**: Morgan Stanley TMT Conference - **Date**: March 02, 2026 Key Points Portfolio and Business Performance - News Corp has undergone significant changes since the split from Fox, focusing on refining its portfolio and enhancing digital growth, particularly in Dow Jones, digital real estate, and HarperCollins publishing [8][11] - The company has achieved 11 consecutive quarters of year-on-year EBITDA growth, with a record fiscal year profit of $1.4 billion, reflecting a 14% increase [8][11] - The outlook for the second half of the fiscal year is positive, with expectations for continued growth [9][11] AI Opportunities and Risks - The company views AI as presenting more opportunities than risks, positioning itself as an input provider rather than an output company [15][16] - News Corp has established significant partnerships with major AI companies like OpenAI and Bloomberg, focusing on acquiring content to enhance their operations [16][17] - The company emphasizes the importance of reliable data and news as critical inputs for AI applications, which are increasingly recognized as valuable [15][17][25] Digital Real Estate and REA Group - REA Group is highlighted as a strong asset, with a focus on creating a holistic real estate experience [44][45] - The average unique user engagement on Realtor.com is higher than competitors, indicating a strong position in the market [46] - The company is optimistic about the potential for growth in the real estate market as interest rates decline, which could lead to increased turnover and revenue [52][53] Dow Jones and Wall Street Journal - Dow Jones has seen a 20% year-on-year increase in risk and compliance revenue, bolstered by recent acquisitions [57] - Digital advertising revenue at Dow Jones reached a record high, up 12% year-on-year [58] - The Wall Street Journal's average revenue per user (ARPU) has slightly decreased due to more enterprise deals, but the long-term strategy focuses on dynamic pricing and individualizing the subscriber experience [61][62] Capital Allocation and Buyback Strategy - News Corp has increased its share buyback program by an additional $1 billion, indicating confidence in the company's undervalued stock [84][86] - The company is cautious about acquisitions, ensuring they do not overpay for assets while seeking intelligent adjacencies in various sectors [85][86] Miscellaneous - The California Post app has seen double the expected downloads, indicating strong interest and engagement [87] Conclusion News Corp is strategically refining its portfolio with a strong focus on digital growth and AI opportunities. The company is well-positioned in the digital real estate market and is optimistic about its future performance, particularly in its Dow Jones and publishing segments. The increased buyback program reflects confidence in the company's valuation and commitment to shareholder returns.

Core Insights - The company reported strong fiscal second-quarter 2026 results, with revenue increasing by 6% year-over-year to $2.4 billion and total segment EBITDA rising by 9% to $521 million, indicating accelerating growth in both revenue and profitability [4][6][5] - Management emphasized a strategic shift towards recurring revenue and accelerated share buybacks, with $172 million in shares repurchased during the quarter, significantly higher than the previous year [1][6] - The company is positioning its proprietary content as increasingly valuable in the age of AI, citing a $1.5 billion payout from Anthropic for the use of pirated books and ongoing negotiations for additional AI licensing agreements [5][8] Financial Performance - Total segment EBITDA growth has been consistent for eleven consecutive quarters, driven by three core growth pillars: Dow Jones, Digital Real Estate, and Book Publishing, which collectively accounted for 95% of profitability in the quarter [2][6] - Adjusted earnings per share increased to $0.40 from $0.33 in the prior quarter, while net income from continuing operations fell by 21% year-over-year to $242 million, attributed to the absence of a prior year's gain [4][6] Segment Highlights - Dow Jones reported record results with revenue of $648 million, up 8% year-over-year, and segment EBITDA of $191 million, up 10%, achieving a profit margin of 29.5% [10][11] - Digital Real Estate Services saw revenue rise by 10% to $511 million, driven by premium products and improved lead volume, while Book Publishing revenue grew by 6% to $633 million [14][17] - In News Media, revenue remained flat at $570 million, with EBITDA declining by 5% to $70 million due to challenges in the print advertising market [18] Strategic Initiatives - The company is focusing on enhancing its digital offerings and increasing engagement through enterprise partnerships, which have contributed to a 12% increase in digital volumes, reaching over six million subscriptions [13][11] - Management is optimistic about the second half of the fiscal year, expecting continued strong B2B growth at Dow Jones and addressing advertising challenges in News Media through cost efficiencies [19][19]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenues increased by 6% to $2.4 billion for the quarter, with total segment EBITDA expanding by 9% to $521 million, despite a one-time inventory-related charge at HarperCollins [4][20] - Net income from continuing operations was $242 million, a 21% decrease from the prior year, attributed to the absence of a favorable gain from the sale of PropertyGuru [4][21] - Adjusted EPS for the quarter was $0.40, compared to $0.33 in the prior quarter, with profitability margin rising from 21.4% to 22.1% [4][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - **Dow Jones**: Revenues rose by 8% to $648 million, with segment EBITDA increasing by 10% to $191 million, achieving a record profit margin of 29.5% [21][24] - **Digital Real Estate Services**: Revenues grew by 8% to $511 million, with segment EBITDA up 11% to $206 million [25][20] - **Book Publishing**: Revenues increased by 6% to $633 million, while segment EBITDA declined by 2% to $99 million due to a one-time write-off [29][20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the U.S. market, Realtor.com saw revenues grow by 10%, driven by premium products and improved lead volume [11][25] - In Australia, REA's revenues grew by 7%, benefiting from double-digit yield growth and improved listing volumes [12][20] - Digital advertising revenue at Dow Jones reached a record level of $87 million, rising by 12% [8][24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on transforming into a digital-first entity, increasing recurring revenues while reducing dependence on advertising [5][19] - There is a strong emphasis on operational efficiency and margin expansion, with a disciplined approach to capital expenditures [18][19] - The company is exploring AI partnerships to enhance its content offerings and is confident in its ability to monetize proprietary content [6][35] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism for the second half of the fiscal year, citing strong performance in core business segments and a robust balance sheet [4][16] - The evolving impact of AI on the industry was acknowledged, with management confident in the company's unique content and its ability to meet AI demands [35][39] - The company anticipates continued strong revenue growth in B2B and is focused on maximizing shareholder value through share buybacks [19][51] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $172 million in shares during the quarter, significantly higher than the previous year [20][51] - The launch of the California Post was highlighted as a strategic move to enhance the company's media presence [16][30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Market reaction to AI and its implications - Management clarified that AI's impact is often misunderstood, emphasizing the value of proprietary content and the company's strategy to monetize it [33][34] Question: Investment in Dow Jones and CapEx - Management confirmed confidence in Dow Jones and indicated that CapEx for Dow Jones would be modestly down this year, while overall free cash flow is expected to grow [38][41] Question: M&A strategy and areas of interest - Management stated that they are constantly looking for reasonable investment opportunities while also focusing on organic growth and share buybacks [49][50] Question: Simplifying the company structure - Management reiterated their focus on generating long-term value and expressed satisfaction with the progress of Realtor.com compared to competitors like Homes.com [55][56]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenues increased by 6% to $2.4 billion for the quarter, with total segment EBITDA expanding by 9% to $521 million, despite a one-time inventory-related charge at HarperCollins [4][20] - Net income from continuing operations was $242 million, a 21% decrease from the prior year, attributed to the absence of a favorable $87 million gain from the sale of PropertyGuru [4][21] - Adjusted EPS for the quarter was $0.40, compared to $0.33 in the prior quarter, with profitability margin rising from 21.4% to 22.1% [4][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - **Dow Jones**: Revenues rose by 8% to $648 million, with segment EBITDA increasing by 10% to $191 million, achieving a record profit margin of 29.5% [21][24] - **Digital Real Estate Services**: Segment revenues grew by 8% to $511 million, with segment EBITDA up 11% to $206 million [25][20] - **Book Publishing**: Revenues increased by 6% to $633 million, although segment EBITDA declined by 2% to $99 million due to a one-time write-off [29][20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the U.S. market, Realtor.com saw revenues grow by 10% to $143 million, driven by improved lead volume and premium products [11][26] - In Australia, REA's revenues grew by 7% to $368 million, benefiting from yield growth and improved listing volumes [12][25] - Digital advertising revenue at Dow Jones reached a record level of $87 million, rising 12% supported by demand from the financial services sector [8][24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on transforming into a digital-first entity, increasing recurring revenues while reducing dependence on advertising [5][19] - There is a strong emphasis on operational efficiency and margin expansion, with a disciplined approach to capital expenditures [18][19] - The company is exploring AI partnerships to enhance its content offerings and is confident in its ability to monetize proprietary content in the evolving AI landscape [6][35] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism for the second half of the fiscal year, citing strong performance in core business segments and a robust balance sheet [4][16] - The evolving impact of AI is acknowledged, with management confident in the company's unique content and its ability to meet the needs of AI companies [35][39] - The company anticipates continued strong revenue growth in B2B segments, particularly at Dow Jones, and is focused on maximizing shareholder value through share buybacks [19][51] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $172 million in shares during the quarter, significantly higher than the previous year [20][51] - The launch of the California Post is highlighted as a strategic move to enhance the company's media presence [15][16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Market reaction to AI and its implications for News Corp - Management clarified that AI's retrospective nature does not pose a significant threat, as the company produces contemporary, proprietary content that AI companies need to pay for [33][34] Question: Investment in Dow Jones and CapEx related to AI - Management expressed confidence in Dow Jones and indicated that CapEx for Dow Jones would be modestly down this year, while overall free cash flow is expected to grow [38][41] Question: M&A strategy and areas of interest - Management stated that they are constantly looking for reasonable investments but will prioritize organic growth and share buybacks [49][50] Question: Simplifying the company structure - Management emphasized a focus on generating long-term value and highlighted the positive trajectory of Realtor.com amidst competition [54][56] Question: Subscription revenue growth and pricing strategy at Dow Jones - Management noted that there is potential for price elasticity in subscriptions and highlighted the success in securing enterprise customers [63][66]

Core Insights - News Corporation (NWSA) reported first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings of 22 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 22.22%, and reflecting a 10% increase from the previous year's figure of 20 cents [1] - Revenues reached $2.14 billion, marking a 2% year-over-year increase and surpassing the consensus mark by 1.53%, driven by growth in the Digital Real Estate Services and Dow Jones segments [1] Financial Performance - Adjusted revenues increased by 2% year over year, while total segment EBITDA rose 5% to $340 million [2] - Net income from continuing operations was $150 million, slightly up from $149 million in the prior year, and free cash flow improved to $4 million from a negative $49 million [17] Segment Performance Digital Real Estate Services - Revenues in this segment grew 5% year over year to $479 million, with Move's revenues increasing by 9% to $152 million, the highest quarterly growth rate since Q2 fiscal 2022 [3][4] - REA Group revenues rose 3% year over year to $327 million, driven by residential yield increases and customer contract upgrades [5] Dow Jones - Revenues in the Dow Jones segment increased 6% year over year to $586 million, with digital revenues accounting for 84% of total revenues [6][8] - The professional information business saw a 10% revenue increase, with Risk & Compliance revenues growing 16% to $94 million [7] Book Publishing - The Book Publishing segment generated revenues of $534 million, down 2% year over year, with a significant decline in digital sales by 9% [11][12] News Media - Revenues in the News Media segment increased 1% year over year to $545 million, driven by higher circulation and subscription pricing [13] - Advertising revenues remained stable at $85 million, with digital advertising contributing 68% of total ad revenues [9] Strategic Developments - The company has accelerated its share buyback program, repurchasing shares at a rate of approximately $2.5 million per day, reflecting confidence in growth potential [18]

Core Viewpoint - News Corp's CEO Robert Thomson emphasized that artificial intelligence companies must compensate for the data and journalism they utilize, highlighting the importance of valuing creativity and content in the AI landscape [1][4][8] Financial Performance - News Corp reported a 2% increase in revenue for the quarter ending September 30, reaching $2.14 billion, surpassing analyst expectations [4] - Net income from continuing operations rose by 1% to $150 million [4] - The News Media segment, which includes notable publications, saw revenues increase by 1% to $545 million, driven by higher cover and subscription prices in the UK and Australia [5] - Segment EBITDA for News Corp increased by 5% to $340 million, while the News Media segment's EBITDA surged 67% to $30 million due to cost efficiencies [5] Business Segments - Revenue at Dow Jones, which encompasses The Wall Street Journal, grew by 6% to $586 million, supported by a 16% increase in its professional information unit and rising digital subscriptions [9] - Realtor.com's parent company, Move, reported a 9% revenue increase to $152 million, marking its strongest quarterly growth since early 2022 [10] Strategic Insights - Thomson noted a positive trend in the recognition of the value of creativity and content by both companies and courts, indicating a shift in the perception of intellectual property in the AI era [8][9] - News Corp's legal and licensing strategy with AI firms is progressing, with expectations of announcing further partnerships that could positively impact results [12][13]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 rose 2% year-over-year to $2.14 billion, while total segment EBITDA increased by 5% to $340 million [4][19] - Net income from continuing operations was $150 million, slightly up from $149 million last year, and adjusted EPS rose from $0.20 to $0.22 [4][20] - Total segment EBITDA was negatively impacted by a $13 million write-off related to a book distributor closure [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Dow Jones segment revenue increased by 6% to $586 million, with digital revenues accounting for 84% of total segment revenue [21][22] - Digital real estate services reported revenues of $479 million, up 5% year-over-year, with segment EBITDA rising 13% to $158 million [25] - Book publishing segment revenue declined by 2% to $534 million, with EBITDA down 28% to $58 million due to a $13 million write-off [29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Digital revenues have nearly doubled since fiscal 2018, now comprising 62% of total revenues [18] - Digital advertising accounted for 68% of total advertising revenues, a new record for the company [8][24] - The U.S. housing market is showing signs of recovery, with Realtor.com experiencing a 9% revenue boost year-on-year [9][26] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on maximizing shareholder value through accelerated share buybacks, with a current repurchase rate of approximately $2.5 million per day [5][17] - Strategic diversification across high-margin content licensing and digital revenues is emphasized, with a focus on risk and compliance services [18][22] - The company is pursuing partnerships in the AI space and addressing piracy issues through legal actions [6][7] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the recovery in the housing market and the potential for continued revenue growth in digital real estate and Dow Jones [9][30] - The book publishing segment is expected to benefit from improved trends in the coming months, with recent releases performing well [12][31] - Management remains confident in the company's growth potential and plans to continue share repurchases at an elevated rate [17][32] Other Important Information - The company has made strategic acquisitions, such as Eco-Movement, to enhance its data offerings in the professional information business [8][23] - The digital-only subscriptions for the Wall Street Journal surged by 11%, contributing to the overall growth in digital circulation revenues [8][24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Concerns about Realtor's revenue growth sustainability - Management highlighted the ongoing focus on growth areas such as seller, new homes, and rentals, indicating that the strategy is yielding positive results despite market challenges [34] Question: Share repurchase strategy and Wall Street Journal pricing - Management confirmed the accelerated buyback rate and indicated that there is potential for further increases, while also discussing the elasticity of subscription pricing for the Wall Street Journal [38][39] Question: Impact of Factiva dispute settlement on revenues - Management noted that while the settlement had a modest impact, overall performance in Dow Jones was strong, with significant growth in risk and compliance revenues [42][43] Question: Future simplification of the business structure - Management expressed openness to structural changes and emphasized the importance of maximizing shareholder returns through strategic decisions [49] Question: Growth potential in risk and compliance services - Management is optimistic about the growth trajectory in risk and compliance, citing regulatory pressures as a source of new business [52][53] Question: Trajectory of news media business - Management reported a slight revenue increase and significant improvements in EBITDA, driven by cost efficiencies and strong advertising performance at the New York Post [58][59]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 rose 2% year-over-year to $2.14 billion, while total segment EBITDA increased by 5% to $340 million [4][19] - Net income from continuing operations was $150 million, slightly up from $149 million last year, and adjusted EPS rose from $0.20 to $0.22 [4][20] - Total segment EBITDA was negatively impacted by a $13 million write-off related to a book distributor closure [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Dow Jones segment revenue grew 6% year-over-year to $586 million, with digital revenues accounting for 84% of this segment [20][21] - Digital real estate services reported revenues of $479 million, up 5% year-over-year, with segment EBITDA increasing by 13% [24] - Book publishing segment revenue declined 2% to $534 million, with EBITDA down 28% due to a $13 million write-off [27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Digital revenues have nearly doubled since fiscal 2018, now comprising 62% of total revenues [18] - Digital advertising accounted for 68% of total advertising revenues, a new record for the company [9][23] - The Australian residential market showed signs of recovery, with Realtor.com experiencing a 9% revenue boost year-over-year [10][25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on maximizing shareholder value through accelerated share buybacks, with a current rate of approximately $2.5 million per day [17][19] - Strategic diversification across high-margin content licensing and digital revenues is emphasized, with a significant reduction in reliance on advertising revenue [18] - The acquisition of EcoMovement enhances Dow Jones's offerings in the professional information business [9][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the recovery in the housing market and the potential for continued revenue growth in digital real estate [10][29] - The book publishing segment is expected to benefit from improved trends in October, with a stronger front list anticipated [29] - Management remains confident in the growth trajectory of Dow Jones and digital real estate services despite macroeconomic uncertainties [18][28] Other Important Information - The company is actively pursuing partnerships in the AI space and has seen positive trends in content licensing [5][7] - The digital real estate segment is targeting growth in new homes, rentals, and premium offerings, which collectively represent 22% of revenues [10][24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Concerns about sustaining double-digit revenue growth in Realtor - Management highlighted the focus on growth areas such as seller, new homes, and rentals, indicating that the strategy is yielding positive results despite a challenging housing market [32] Question: Inquiry about the accelerated share repurchase program - Management confirmed the potential to increase buybacks further, emphasizing a robust cash position and the importance of shareholder value [35] Question: Impact of the Factiva dispute settlement on revenues - Management noted that while the settlement had a modest impact, overall performance in the Dow Jones segment was strong, particularly in Risk and Compliance [40][42] Question: Future simplification of the business structure - Management indicated openness to structural changes, citing the recent sale of Foxtel as an example of their commitment to maximizing shareholder returns [46] Question: Growth potential in Risk and Compliance services - Management expressed optimism about continued growth in Risk and Compliance, driven by stringent regulations and new business opportunities [50]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 rose 2% year-over-year to $2.14 billion, while total segment EBITDA increased by 5% to $340 million [4][19] - Net income from continuing operations was $150 million, slightly up from $149 million last year, and adjusted EPS rose from $0.20 to $0.22 [4][20] - Total segment EBITDA was negatively impacted by a $13 million write-off related to a book distributor closure [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Dow Jones segment revenue increased by 6% to $586 million, with digital revenues accounting for 84% of this segment [20][21] - Digital real estate services reported revenues of $479 million, up 5% year-over-year, with segment EBITDA rising 13% to $158 million [25] - Book publishing segment revenue declined by 2% to $534 million, with EBITDA down 28% to $58 million, impacted by a $13 million write-off [28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Digital revenues have almost doubled to 62% of total revenues since fiscal 2018, with Dow Jones and digital real estate accounting for 49% of revenue and 84% of EBITDA in fiscal 2025 [18] - Digital advertising revenues represented 68% of total advertising revenues for the quarter, a new record [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on maximizing shareholder value through accelerated share buybacks, with a current repurchase rate of approximately $2.5 million per day [17] - The strategy includes expanding partnerships in AI and digital content, while also addressing piracy issues in the industry [6][5] - The company aims to enhance its digital offerings and maintain a strong position in the professional information business [9][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the recovery in the housing market, driven by lower interest rates, which is expected to boost revenues in digital real estate [10][31] - The book publishing segment is anticipated to improve in the coming months, with recent trends showing a rebound in orders [16][31] - Management remains confident in the growth potential of Dow Jones and digital real estate, despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties [18][30] Other Important Information - The company has made strategic acquisitions, such as EcoMovement, to enhance its data offerings in the professional information sector [9][22] - The digital real estate segment is targeting growth in new homes, rentals, and premium offerings, which collectively accounted for 22% of revenues this quarter [10][26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Concerns about sustaining double-digit revenue growth at Realtor - Management highlighted the focus on growth areas such as sellers, new homes, and rentals, indicating a positive outlook for revenue growth despite current market conditions [33] Question: On the accelerated share repurchase program - Management confirmed the buyback rate has increased significantly and expressed willingness to further increase it if deemed optimal [35] Question: Impact of the Factiva dispute settlement on revenues - Management noted improved performance in Dow Jones, with a 16% increase in Risk and Compliance revenues, and mentioned new customer acquisitions [37] Question: Future simplification of the business structure - Management indicated openness to structural changes and emphasized the importance of maximizing shareholder returns [39] Question: Growth potential in Risk and Compliance - Management expressed optimism about continued growth in Risk and Compliance, driven by regulatory demands and new business opportunities [41] Question: Trajectory of the news media business - Management noted slight revenue growth and significant improvements in EBITDA, driven by cost efficiencies and strong advertising performance at the New York Post [42]

Core Insights - News Corporation (NWSA) is expected to report first-quarter fiscal 2026 results on November 6, with revenues projected at $2.11 billion, reflecting an 18.06% decline year-over-year. Earnings per share are estimated to be 18 cents, indicating a 14.29% decrease from the previous year [1][7]. Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a mixed earnings surprise history for News Corp, with one earnings beat, one miss, and one match in the last four quarters, resulting in an average surprise of 5.18% [2]. - The company's current Earnings ESP is 0.00%, and it holds a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell), suggesting low odds for an earnings beat this time [6]. Segment Analysis - The News Media segment is anticipated to be negatively impacted by ongoing advertising softness, with a 4% revenue decline year-over-year in the previous quarter due to weaker ad demand and lower audience engagement [3]. - Factiva's customer disputes are expected to continue affecting performance, potentially limiting B2B growth and slowing subscription renewals, which could hurt profitability [4]. Positive Developments - The success of Move's product enhancements and pricing strategies is likely to have positively influenced News Corp's performance, with previous quarters showing revenue improvement driven by premium listing products and partnerships [5].