$PSKY

Update: Market Chatter: Bankers Prepare Paramount's $49 Billion Debt Sale to Back Warner Bros. Takeover

(Update with Paramount's response to a request for comment.)Bankers are expected to launch a premarketing process as soon as the next couple of weeks to sell $49 billion of debt to back Paramount Skydance's (PSKY) acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), Bloomberg reported Tuesday, citing people familiar with the deal.Paramount is looking to use bonds and loans to refinance its existing bridge loan into longer-term debt, a critical step in its takeover of Warner Bros., the report said.Paramount declined to comment to.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)Price: $9.82, Change: $-0.01, Percent Change: -0.05%

Market Chatter: Bankers Prepare Paramount's $49 Billion Debt Sale to Back Warner Bros. Takeover

Bankers are expected to launch a premarketing process as soon as the next couple of weeks to sell $49 billion of debt to back Paramount Skydance's (PSKY) acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), Bloomberg reported Tuesday, citing people familiar with the deal.Paramount is looking to use bonds and loans to refinance its existing bridge loan into longer-term debt, a critical step in its takeover of Warner Bros., the report said.Paramount didn't immediately reply to a request for comment from.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)Price: $9.82, Change: $-0.01, Percent Change: -0.05%

Bankers Prepare Paramount's $49 Billion Debt Sale to Back Warner Bros. Takeover, Bloomberg Reports

Bankers Prepare Paramount's $49 Billion Debt Sale to Back Warner Bros. Takeover, Bloomberg Reports

Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Advance Late Afternoon

Consumer stocks were higher late Thursday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) increasing 0.2% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) up 0.1%.In corporate news, Yeti (YETI) lifted its full-year earnings outlook on Thursday as the outdoor products company recorded better-than-expected fiscal Q1 results. Its shares climbed 5%.DraftKings (DKNG) faces a positive catalyst path from the FIFA World Cup driving incremental wagers during a low period over the next few months, Morgan Stanley said in a note. DraftKings shares rose nearly 1%.Tesla (TSLA) Chief Executive Elon Musk's SpaceX is facing opposition from leaders of three major US public pension systems over what they described as the company's "extreme" governance structure ahead of its planned initial public offering, Reuters reported. Tesla shares were down 0.3%.Paramount Skydance's (PSKY) acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) will be carefully scrutinized by European regulators, CNBC reported Thursday, citing a letter sent to Paramount Skydance Chief Executive David Ellison from a group of US and European lawmakers it viewed. Paramount shares fell 3.1%, and Warner Bros. was decreasing 0.5%.

Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Rise in Afternoon Trading

Consumer stocks were higher Thursday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) increasing 0.5% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) up 0.4%.In corporate news, Yeti (YETI) lifted its full-year earnings outlook on Thursday as the outdoor products company recorded better-than-expected fiscal Q1 results. Its shares climbed past 6%.Tesla (TSLA) Chief Executive Elon Musk's SpaceX is facing opposition from leaders of three major US public pension systems over what they described as the company's "extreme" governance structure ahead of its planned initial public offering, Reuters reported. Tesla shares were up 0.3%.Paramount Skydance's (PSKY) acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) will be carefully scrutinized by European regulators, CNBC reported Thursday, citing a letter sent to Paramount Skydance Chief Executive David Ellison from a group of US and European lawmakers it viewed. Paramount shares fell 1.5%, and Warner Bros. was down 0.4%.

Update: Market Chatter: Paramount's Warner Bros. Acquisition to Draw EU Scrutiny

(Update with Paramount Skydance's response to a request for comment.)Paramount Skydance's (PSKY) acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) will be carefully scrutinized by European regulators, CNBC reported Thursday, citing a letter sent to Paramount Skydance Chief Executive David Ellison from a group of US and European lawmakers it viewed."Paramount has been engaging constructively and proactively with regulatory agencies which are rigorously reviewing the transaction," a Paramount spokesperson toldvia email. "We have proactively made clear output-enhancing commitments: to increase output to an annual 30 high-quality films released in theatres, to continue licensing content, and to preserve iconic brands with independent creative leadership."(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)Price: $10.44, Change: $-0.04, Percent Change: -0.33%

Paramount, Warner Music to Partner on Theatrical Films

Paramount Skydance's (PSKY) Paramount Pictures and Warner Music Group (WMG) are partnering on theatrical films that will draw on the lives and music of Warner's roster of artists and songwriters, the companies said Thursday in a release.Warner and Unigram, its production partner, will work with Paramount to develop each project in collaboration with the songwriters and artists or their estates, the companies said.Price: $10.79, Change: $-0.11, Percent Change: -0.99%

Paramount Pictures, Warner Music Group to Partner on Theatrical Films

Paramount Pictures, Warner Music Group to Partner on Theatrical Films

Research Alert: CFRA Maintains Hold Opinion On Shares Of Paramount Skydance Corporation

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:We lower our target by $1 to $12 using a forward TEV/EBITDA of 6.6x that bears M&A and execution risk. Our target is supported by a conservative view vs. the five-year historical average at 9.4x. We think our target is justified given uncertainties about whether PSKY will close Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD 27 ***). We do have concerns that the WBD acquisition could be challenging with excessive debt. The $31/share all-cash offer for WBD, backed by $57.5B in debt financing, represents an existential risk to PSKY's financial stability. If the deal closes in Q3 2026, the combined entity's total debt would exceed $70B (PSKY's current $13.65B plus WBD's existing debt plus new acquisition financing), creating a leverage ratio that would result in junk credit ratings, significantly higher borrowing costs, and need to drive $6B in cost synergy savings. Any regulatory delays beyond the Q3 2026 target would increase costs and prolong uncertainty, potentially leading to talent attrition or missed market opportunities.

Research Alert: Paramount Skydance Corp. Delivers Mixed Results In Q1 2026

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:PSKY delivered mixed Q1 2026 results with revenue of $8.35B (+2% Y/Y) versus consensus at $7.19B, while adj. EBITDA surged 59% Y/Y to $1,161M with margins expanding to 15.8% from 10.2%. GAAP diluted EPS was $0.15, matching the consensus, demonstrating operational momentum under new management. We like the DTC segment's continued strength, with Paramount+ revenue growing 17% Y/Y to $2.0B and reaching 79.6M global subscribers, while achieving profitability with 10% margins and 10% ARPU growth. Management is modernizing customer-facing technology and implemented price increases across tiers in January. TV Media faced structural headwinds with revenue declining 6% Y/Y to $3.7B, but maintained strong profitability with adj. EBITDA margins expanding to 29% from 24% through cost discipline. Studios revenue increased 11% Y/Y due to Skydance consolidation, with management committing to release a minimum of 30 films across Paramount and Warner Bros. with full theatrical releases and 45-day windows to support theaters.

Paramount Skydance Shares Rise After Morgan Stanley Upgrade

Paramount Skydance (PSKY) shares rose 8.7% in late Friday trading after Morgan Stanley upgraded the stock to overweight from underweight and raised its price target to $14 from $11.Trading volume stood at nearly 9.2 million shares, compared with a daily average of about 13.1 million.Price: $11.12, Change: $+0.88, Percent Change: +8.61%

Live Entertainment Poised to Capture Value in AI-Driven Content Surge, Morgan Stanley Says

Generative artificial intelligence is likely to commoditize content while live experiences, especially sports, are set to capture attention and generate the most value, Morgan Stanley said in a note emailed Friday.The firm sees Formula One (FWONK), TKO Group (TKO), Live Nation Entertainment (LYV), Walt Disney (DIS) and Sphere Entertainment (SPHR) as particularly resilient, "anti-fragile" entertainment assets in an AI-driven world.In a more fragmented and distracted world, "nothing captures viewer attention more than sports and live events, which carry urgency, unpredictability, and a sense of communal participation that reflect and shape the culture," the firm said, adding that these events' scarcity gives them stronger monetization and pricing power.The firm said Live Nation and Sphere Entertainment are the clearest examples of this trend. Disney's Parks and Resorts use well-known global intellectual property to create in-person experiences with strong pricing power. Formula One and TKO Group provide exposure to highly strategic trophy assets, with strong cash flows and attractive entry points, according to the note.Morgan Stanley adjusted price targets on Liberty Formula One from $120 to $117, Sphere Entertainment from $135 to $158, and TKO Group from $215 to $225, while TKO was also upgraded from equalweight to overweight. Paramount Skydance (PSKY) was upgraded from underweight to overweight and its price target was raised from $11 to $14.Price: $103.82, Change: $+0.07, Percent Change: +0.07%

Morgan Stanley Upgrades Paramount Skydance to Overweight From Underweight, Lifts Price Target to $14 From $11

Paramount Skydance (PSKY) has an average rating of hold and mean price target of $12.38 according to analysts polled by FactSet.(covers equity, commodity and economic research from major banks and research firms in North America, Asia and Europe. Research providers may contact us here: https://finwires.com/en/contact)

Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Mixed Late Afternoon

Consumer stocks were mixed late Thursday afternoon with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) rising 1.8% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) falling 1.1%.In corporate news, Comcast (CMCSA) reported higher-than-expected Q1 results as the company benefited from the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics and Super Bowl LX. The shares rose 7.9%.Tesla (TSLA) shares fell 3.7% after the company issued higher-than-expected 2026 capital-expenditure guidance.Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) shareholders approved the buyout by Paramount Skydance (PSKY). Warner shares fell 1.4%, and Paramount fell 5.2%.Vail Resorts (MTN) reported that skier visits from the start of the season through April 19 fell 15% from the same period a year earlier. The shares dropped 5.5%.

Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Mixed Thursday Afternoon

Consumer stocks were mixed Thursday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) rising 1.5% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) shedding 0.6%.In corporate news, Tesla (TSLA) shares fell 3.7% after it issued higher-than-expected 2026 capital expenditure guidance. TechCrunch reported the company is planning to spend $25 billion this year, compared with $8.5 billion in 2025.Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) said Thursday its shareholders voted to approve the adoption of the merger agreement with Paramount Skydance (PSKY). Warner shares were down 0.8%, and Paramount fell 5.8%.Vail Resorts (MTN) reported Thursday that skier visits from the start of the ski season through April 19 were down 14.9%, compared with the same period a year ago. Shares fell 5.8%.

Top Midday Stories: Tesla Shares Fall Despite Q1 Beats; ServiceNow Says Iran War Weighed on Q1 Subscription Revenue

All three major US stock indexes were down slightly in late-morning trading Thursday, as investors continued to monitor developments in the Strait of Hormuz.In company news, Tesla (TSLA) reported Q1 adjusted EPS late Wednesday of $0.41, up from $0.27 a year ago and above the FactSet consensus analyst estimate of $0.36. First-quarter revenue was $22.39 billion, up from $19.34 billion a year ago and above the FactSet consensus of $22.1 billion. The company said it intends to use Intel's (INTC) upcoming 14A process to make chips at its Terafab advanced AI project in Austin, Texas, Reuters reported late Wednesday, citing Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Chief Financial Officer Vaibhav Taneja said late Wednesday that Tesla has delayed the rollout of its most advanced driver-assistance features in China due to regulatory issues. Lastly, the firm is creating 1,000 new jobs at its Gruenheide gigafactory in Germany by the end of June to raise weekly production by roughly 20% from Q3, Reuters reported Thursday, citing a company spokesperson. Tesla shares were about 1.8% lower.ServiceNow (NOW) reported Q1 non-GAAP earnings late Wednesday of $0.97 per diluted share, up from $0.81 a year earlier and matching the FactSet consensus estimate. First-quarter revenue was $3.77 billion, up from $3.09 billion a year ago and above the FactSet consensus of $3.75 billion. ServiceNow said Q1 subscription revenue growth saw about a "75 basis point headwind from delayed closings of several large on-premise deals in the Middle East, due to the ongoing conflict in the region." For Q2, the company said it expects subscription revenue of $3.815 billion to $3.820 billion, above the FactSet consensus of $3.751 billion. For full-year 2026, it expects subscription revenue of $15.74 billion to $15.78 billion, above the FactSet consensus of $15.55 billion. ServiceNow shares were down 17.2%.Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) reported fiscal Q1 adjusted earnings Thursday of $5.44 per share, up from $5.15 a year earlier and above the FactSet consensus of $5.25. Fiscal Q1 revenue was $11.01 billion, up from $10.36 billion a year ago and above the FactSet consensus of $10.86 billion. Thermo Fisher shares were down 10.4%.Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) said Thursday its shareholders voted to approve the adoption of the merger agreement with Paramount Skydance (PSKY). The deal is expected to close in Q3, the company said. Warner Bros. shares were down 0.4%, while Paramount shares were down 5.4%.Texas Instruments (TXN) reported Q1 earnings late Wednesday of $1.68 per diluted share, up from $1.28 a year earlier and above the FactSet consensus of $1.36. First-quarter revenue was $4.83 billion, up from $.07 billion a year ago and above the FactSet consensus of $4.53 billion. For Q2, the company said it expects EPS of $1.77 to $2.05 on revenue of $5 billion to $5.40 billion. Analysts polled by FactSet expect $1.57 and $4.86 billion, respectively. Texas Instrument shares were up 18.5%.Avis Budget Group (CAR) has seen its stock fall by over 62% in just two days after rising nearly 600% since late March, Bloomberg reported Thursday, citing data from S3 Partners. Avis short sellers pocketed $2.8 billion during Wednesday's rout, countering the $2.7 billion they lost the prior three days, the report said, citing S3 Partners. Avis shares were down 47.1%.Price: $378.26, Change: $-9.25, Percent Change: -2.39%

Warner Bros. Discovery Shareholders Approve Sale to Paramount Skydance

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) said Thursday its shareholders voted to approve the adoption of the merger agreement with Paramount Skydance (PSKY).The deal is expected to close in Q3, Warner Bros. said.Price: $27.34, Change: $+0.01, Percent Change: +0.02%

Correction: --Warner Bros. Discovery Shareholders Approve $110 Billion Sale to Paramount Skydance, Bloomberg Reports

Warner Bros. Discovery Shareholders Approve $110 Billion Sale to Paramount-Skydance, Bloomberg Reports

Warner Bros. Discovery Shareholders Approve $110 Billion Sale to Paramount-Skydance, Bloomberg Reports