Virgin Media: Corner Turned, Upside Ahead

Virgin Media reported its best quarter in several years. Mid to upper single digit revenue and EBITDA growth comfortably exceeded estimates and translated to a big beat in free cash flow. Subscriber additions were also good across the board with positive surprises for high speed internet and wireless and wireline telephone. TV subscribers were in […]

Advertising Recovery Accelerating at CBS

CBS reported solid results with EPS, revenue, and EBITDA closely matching street estimates. The report did not provide the big positive surprise seen by News Corporation, with which it has a lot of overlap. This fact, plus some variances to estimates at the segment level, left investors wanting more. There was also some concern that […]

DirecTV: Solid Results and Guidance Reduces Worries on US Competition

DirecTV (DTV) reported solid 4Q09 financial results and mixed subscriber metrics. The company also announced a $3.5 billion share repurchases which exceeded the high end of estimates calling for $2-3 billion. Ahead of the conference call, on which, the company should provide some 2010 guidance commentary, the news is on balance positive and justifies the […]

Quarterly Media Earnings Good But Stocks Trade Lower

The following commentary summarizes recent media company earnings reports including Discovery Communications (DISCA), which remains widely held by Northlake clients. Since I wrote these comments, it was announced that DISCA will be added to the S&P 500. This provided about a 10% pop in the stock price. The past several weeks have witnessed a series […]

Back to Small Caps as Market Cap Model Volatility Continues

Northlake’s Market Cap model continues to show unusual volatility, reflecting the volatile economic and financial market environment. For February the model is sending a small cap signal. As a result, all Northlake model-driven, client positions in mid cap (MDY) have been sold and the proceeds have been reinvested in small cap (IWM). The Style model […]