Artisan Partners, an investment management company, released its fourth-quarter 2025 investor letter for “Artisan Mid Cap Fund”.  A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The Fund seeks to invest in companies that possess franchise characteristics, with strong earnings trajectories, and are trading at a discount to the estimated private market value. US equities ended a record year with robust fourth-quarter gains. The Fund’s Investor Class, ARTMX, delivered -0.44%, the Advisor Class, APDMX, delivered - ...

Core Insights - Spotify Technology S.A. is set to introduce music videos for premium subscribers in the US and Canada by the end of December, aiming to compete with YouTube for market share [1][3] - The addition of video content is expected to enhance user engagement and attract more advertisers, following a beta launch in nearly 100 markets in 2024 [2] - The initial video catalog will include content from popular artists, and data shows that users are significantly more likely to engage with songs that have music videos [3] Company Developments - Spotify's Wrapped feature engaged over 200 million users within 24 hours, marking a 19% year-over-year increase in user engagement [3] - The company plans to increase subscription prices in the US in the first quarter of 2026, following a price hike for premium plans in over 150 markets [3] - Spotify is recognized as a leading audio streaming subscription service, providing access to songs, podcasts, and audiobooks [4]

Core Insights - Spotify's stock has doubled in the past year, driven by growth in premium subscriptions, improved margins, and content initiatives [1][4] - The upcoming earnings report on November 4 will be crucial in determining if this growth trend continues [1][2] Company Overview - Spotify is the leading audio streaming service globally, with over 700 million users across 180 countries and a market value of approximately $130 billion [3] - The company operates on a freemium model alongside a premium subscription service, contributing to its large user base [3] Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, Spotify's total revenues increased by 10% to €4.2 billion, while monthly active users (MAUs) grew by 11% to 696 million [7] - Premium subscribers rose by 12% to 276 million, marking one of the largest addition periods in the company's history [7] - The stock price has seen significant growth, moving from a 52-week low of $376.04 to a peak of $785.00, currently trading at approximately $664.26 [4] Valuation Metrics - Spotify's forward price-earnings ratio stands at 119.6, with a price-to-sales ratio of 7.89 [5] - The company has a return on equity of 13.7% and a profit margin of 7.3%, with a debt-free balance sheet [5] Market Position - The tech and entertainment industry remains stable, with increasing demand for digital content and AI-driven personalization benefiting Spotify [2] - Spotify's size and first-party data provide a competitive advantage as it integrates music, podcasts, and audiobooks into a single platform [2]