Welcome back to NextGen Investing. It's now time for FOMO and we are talking the latest with the Paramount Sky Dance and Warner Brothers Discovery potential merger. Joining us now is Marley Kaden, host for the Schwab Network to give us some details.And I have to say, first of all, these companies have become such like conglomerates. It's a mouthful to say their their full titles together because they've bought so many other companies and now the entities are like, you know, Warner Brothers, Discovery, Param ...

Investors betting on a Paramount Skydance Corp PSKY–Warner Bros Discovery Inc WBD tie-up aren't just buying into a flashy studio mash-up; they're staring down a high-stakes reshaping of Hollywood's balance of power. Thursday's price action was telling: WBD's 28% surge — its best day ever — signals Wall Street sees real M&A premium potential. In comparison, Paramount Skydance's 15% jump reflects investor faith in CEO David Ellison's acquisition strategy and deep capital backing from RedBird and Larry Ellison ...

Core Insights - The First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) is gaining significant investor interest, reflecting a shift towards the modernization of the energy sector, which is seen as a major megatrend for the next decade [2][4][10] Investment Performance - GRID has outperformed the broader market with a year-to-date return exceeding 20% in 2025, reaching a new 52-week high of $145.44, supported by high trading volumes [2][3] - The fund has attracted over $1.2 billion in net inflows over the past 24 months, indicating strong institutional interest and long-term investment strategies [3] Market Drivers - The need for grid modernization is driven by the inadequacy of the current electrical grid to meet 21st-century demands, creating a multi-decade investment super-cycle with projections of the global smart grid market exceeding $100 billion annually by the end of the decade [4][12] - Government policies, such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, are providing substantial funding for grid modernization, which de-risks private investments [5] Fund Composition - GRID consists of over 100 holdings, with approximately 26% of its assets in the U.S. and the rest in developed markets in Europe and Asia, focusing on companies essential for the grid overhaul [6][10] - Key holdings include major industrial players like Eaton (8.76%), Schneider Electric (7.82%), and ABB (8.34%), which provide critical hardware for the energy infrastructure [7][8] Future Outlook - The modernization of the energy grid is essential for supporting technological advancements, including artificial intelligence and the transition to a clean energy economy, making GRID a compelling investment opportunity [9][10]

Industry Outlook - US electricity demand is booming [1] - A growing shortage of transformers will hamper the delivery of more energy across the grid [1] Supply Chain - Transformer shortages are a growing concern for the energy sector [1] - Components necessary for energy delivery are facing supply constraints [1]

Berlin, Germany, and Zurich, Switzerland, July 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hitachi Energy, a global leader in electrification, today announces a new deal worth up to $700 million USD with E.ON to deliver transformers across the German energy grid to bolster energy security, resilience and affordability in the country. The deal is part of a new procurement initiative by E.ON for core grid expansion components. As part of the long-term agreement, Hitachi Energy will leverage its footprint, investments, and p ...

Group 1 - Paramount Global has received clearance to merge with Skydance Media after over a year of negotiations, aiming to revitalize its market presence [1][2] - The merger, valued at $8.4 billion, is a strategic move to compete against streaming giants and adapt to the changing media landscape [2] - David Ellison will become CEO of the new Paramount, with Jeff Shell overseeing daily operations as president [2] Group 2 - The merger's approval was delayed for more than 250 days, requiring a $16 million settlement with the FCC and commitments on programming diversity and unbiased reporting [3] - The deal signifies the end of the Redstone dynasty and the beginning of a new era under Ellison, following successful projects like Top Gun: Maverick [2][3] - Paramount and Skydance have a history of collaboration, having co-produced major film franchises [2]

Investment Rating - The report assigns an "Overweight" (OW) rating to Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and several Chinese power equipment players, indicating a positive outlook for these entities within the ASEAN Power Grid initiative [4]. Core Insights - The ASEAN Power Grid (APG) initiative is expected to gain momentum over the next 5-10 years, primarily driven by Singapore's goal to import approximately 6GW of electricity by 2035, positioning TNB as a key beneficiary [2][6]. - The report anticipates that annual grid capital expenditures (capex) will double from around $10 billion to $20 billion in the coming years, with projections of over $43 billion by 2050 [6][28]. - The APG aims to enhance energy security and efficiency across ASEAN countries by facilitating cross-border electricity trade and optimizing energy resource utilization [18][19]. Summary by Sections Investment Ratings for Thematic Stocks - TNB MK: OW, Price Target (PT) 16, Upside 12% - SG Gencos: SCI SP: OW, PT 7.6, Upside 11%; YTLP MK: UW, PT 3.0, Downside 23%; MER PM: OW, PT 620, Upside 16% - ASEAN Renewables: ADRO IJ: UW, PT 2000, Upside 12% - China Power Equipment: Sieyuan: OW, PT 86, Upside 19%; Huaming Equipment: OW, PT 19, Upside 14%; Orient Cables: OW, PT 68, Upside 35% [4]. Current Status and Future Projections - Currently, only about 3GW of the identified 25GW regional interconnections are operational, but pilot projects indicate renewed momentum for the APG [6][20]. - The report outlines that the APG could require a minimum investment of $100 billion in transmission lines by 2045 to fully integrate the power grids of Southeast Asian countries [19]. Country-Specific Grid Investment Targets - Malaysia: $9.5 billion capex from 2025-2027, with an annual grid capex of $3.2 billion [30]. - Thailand: $11.4 billion capex from 2024-2030, with an annual grid capex of $1.6 billion [30]. - Vietnam: $18.1 billion capex from 2026-2030, with an annual grid capex of $3.6 billion [30]. - Indonesia: $36 billion capex from 2025-2034, with an annual grid capex of $3.6 billion [30]. - Philippines: $19.3 billion capex from 2025-2034, with an annual grid capex of $1.9 billion [30]. Key Drivers for APG Development - Singapore's electricity import demand is a significant driver for the APG, with the country aiming to import low-carbon electricity despite high transmission costs [6][36]. - The report highlights that the APG could facilitate a transition to renewable energy sources, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and potentially lowering electricity costs [60]. Challenges to APG Implementation - The report identifies differing regulatory frameworks and market structures across ASEAN countries as major hurdles to the APG's success [73][80]. - Lack of grid infrastructure standardization and harmonization is also noted as a challenge, necessitating consistent investment in grid infrastructure to facilitate seamless cross-border power trading [80].

Market Overview - The Chinese toys market is projected to grow from US$ 30.68 billion in 2024 to US$ 52.19 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.08% from 2025 to 2033 [1][14]. Growth Drivers - Increasing disposable incomes and a growing middle class are significant factors driving the demand for higher quality, educational, and interactive toys [3][4]. - The emphasis on early childhood education has led to a rising demand for educational toys that promote cognitive skills and creativity [5]. - The expansion of the e-commerce sector has improved accessibility to toys, with 64% of e-commerce transactions in China completed via mobile devices [6]. Market Trends - There is a notable shift towards educational and interactive toys, with parents increasingly prioritizing products that support their children's mental and physical development [5]. - The popularity of international toy brands and innovative technology-driven products, such as smart toys and robots, is contributing to market growth [2]. Challenges - The Chinese toy market faces intense competition, with local manufacturers often offering lower-priced alternatives, making it challenging for premium brands to maintain market share [7][8]. - Stringent regulations and safety standards impose significant compliance costs on manufacturers, particularly affecting small and medium-sized businesses [9]. Competitive Landscape - Major players in the market include Mattel Inc., Hasbro Inc., LEGO, Spin Master Corp., and Vtech, among others [16]. - Recent collaborations, such as the multi-year licensing deals between Mattel and Hasbro, aim to combine popular toy brands and expand product offerings [11].