Selling DirecTV With Rising Fears of Price Competition in Mature Video Cable/Satellite Business

All Northlake client positions in DirecTV (DTV), including those in my personal accounts, were sold this morning. DTV proved to be a very successful investment having been sold for a gain of 84% and held for just short of 14 months. The original purchase was Liberty Media Entertainment, which restructured, merged with DTV, and ultimately […]

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 […]

Liberty Media Entertainment Merger with DirecTV Closes

Last Thursday, shareholders of Liberty Media Entertainment (LMDIA) and DirecTV (DTV) formally approved the merger between the two companies. The merger closed Thursday night. Many Northlake clients owned shares in LMDIA. Each share of LMDIA is now one share of DTV. In addition, for every ten shares of LMDIA, shareholders received one share of Liberty […]

DirecTV Comes Through with Free Cash Flow as Prior Worries Recede

When I first read the DirecTV press release I was worried the stock would trade down. I saw the results as mixed with a few negatives offsetting plenty of positives. I sure was wrong. As the conference call concludes, the stock is up 6.1%. I think part of the gains relate to ongoing takeover speculation […]

DirecTV 3Q Earnings Preview

Northlake clients own DirecTV (DTV) through their position in Liberty Media Entertainment (LMDIA). LMDIA owns 54% of DTV. DTV will acquire LMDIA prior to year end in a transaction that has already received all necessary government approvals. LMDIA shares will convert into DTV shares. LMDIA shareholders will also receive shares in a new company called […]

Liberty Media Entertainment: New Long Position Provides Cheap Play on DirecTV and Other Goodies

I took a new position in Liberty Media Entertainment Group (LMDIA) today. LMDIA is being acquired by DirecTV (DTV). LMDIA owns 54% of DTV along with several billion dollars in other assets composed primarily of the Starz movie channels, three regional sports networks, and cash. When the deal closes near year end, each LMDIA will […]

The Backdoor Way to Play DirecTV

In February, following release of DirecTV’s (DTV) 4Q08 results, I wrote several favorable comments about DTV on RealMoney.com. I followed up by publishing the following commentary which discusses Liberty Media Entertainment (LMDIA) as an attractive backdoor play to purchase DTV at a substantial discount. With SeekingAlpha.com publishing an article from Bullish Bankers discussing Liberty Media […]

DirecTV Still Rolling And I Missed It

DirecTV reported another strong quarter. Overcoming potential headwinds from the economy, the housing recession, and the loss of AT&T marketing in former BellSouth territories, DTV produced an across the board beat in its 1Q08. EPS of 32 cents and revenues of $4.59 billion beat consensus estimates of 31 cents and $4.47 billion, respectively. EPS grew […]

Good Quarter For DirecTV — Upside Remains

Technical difficulties prevented me from listening to the DirecTV (DTV) 4Q06 conference call. The following comments are based upon the press release and initial analyst comments made before the call started. I expected a strong quarter from DTV but the numbers at the subscriber level, where it really matters for the stock price, were much […]

I Liked DirecTV’s Quarter But Market Did Not

I think the numbers from DirecTV (DTV) look pretty good. The results support the company’s new strategy to focus on profitable growth even if it means slightly slower subscriber growth. Gross adds did come in a little light at 919,000 vs. estimates of around 1 million. However, the focus on retaining and attracting better quality […]