One week ahead of its March 2nd 4Q05 earnings report, Central European Media Enterprises (CETV) announced an increase in its ownership of its operations in Romania. In a negotiated agreement with its partner, CETV is paying $27.2 million for an additional 5% stake in Pro TV. CETV will now own 90% of Pro TV. The […]
The market has reacted coolly to the settlement between Time Warner (TWX) and Carl Icahn as TWX shares given up all their gains since the company reported earnings and the Icahn-Lazard report was released. I think the additional debt funding a larger share buyback is incrementally positive for TWX shares, especially if visibility for upper-single […]
Clear Channel (CCU) shares have given back most the gains which followed the solid 1Q06 guidance the company provided with its 4Q05 earnings report. In my summary of the earnings, I said a brief rally in CCU shares could occur. I didn’t think it would quite this brief. Three issues continue to trouble the shares. […]
Clear Channel (CCU) reported slightly worse than expected 4Q05 earnings with EPS and revenues just short of estimates. However, everyone was expecting a weak 4Q05 so that is not news. The real news is that the company confirmed 1Q06 pacings at 2.9%, better than feared following recent revelations by other operators about 1Q06 guidance. The […]
One week ahead of its March 2nd 4Q05 earnings report, Central European Media Enterprises (CETV) announced an increase in its ownership of its operations in Romania. In a negotiated agreement with its partner, CETV is paying $27.2 million for an additional 5% stake in Pro TV. CETV will now own 90% of Pro TV. The […]
Based on news reports, it appears that Univision (UVN) wants to sell itself for $13 billion. Along with about $1.5 billion in debt that would work out to 18 times projected 2006 EBITDA of $800 million. It is a rich price, especially given that major media companies generally trade at 8-10 times EBITDA. UVN is […]
One stock I’ve had my eye on as a possible long is Warner Music Group (WMG). The company reported yesterday and the shares fell slightly in response against a strong market. My working thesis has been that the transition from physical to digital music sales would turn out more favorably than the Street expected. I […]
I continue to think that the big entertainment conglomerates which own movie studios could benefit from a positive shift in sentiment this year if the box office returns to growth. Disney, News Corporation, Time Warner, and Viacom would be the beneficiaries. Improved box office alone isn’t enough to rescue these stocks, but with sentiment quite […]
The Chicago Tribune took another shot at Sears Holdings (SHLD) this weekend with an article (free registration required) recapping a contractual dispute between the retailer and long-time Sears spokesperson Bob Vila. Noting that SHLD is in “demolition mode,” the article recaps CEO Eddie Lampert’s strategy to de-emphasize celebrity endorsers, focusing on the company’s attempt to […]
Lionsgate (LGF) shares are holding up much better than I expected following the company’s disappointing 3Q06 performance and reduction in FY06 guidance. Therefore, I am selling the shares I own for my clients and in my personal accounts. As I stated in my pre-conference call post, I want some distance as I re-analyze the situation […]
Office
20 N 3rd Street
Bayfield, WI 54814
Mail
PO Box 1165
Bayfield, WI 54814
tim@northlakecapital.com
847-226-9713
