Strong Growth and Expense Discipline Continue at Facebook

Facebook (FB) reported better than expected sales with profits significantly ahead of expectations. The strong results reflect expense discipline even as FB continues to invest for future growth. Looking ahead to the rest of this year, FB narrowed full year expense growth guidance from 40-50% to 40-45%. EPS easily beat Wall Street estimates even after […]

Comcast Continues to Overcome Cord Cutting Fears

Despite lots of discussion of cord cutting and cord shaving and merger rumors, Comcast continues to produce good financial and operating results.  Furthermore, management is careful with the balance sheet by keeping debt levels low and appears to be cautious about the need for a big acquisition.  We like the steady growth and low risk […]

Investing for Long Term Growth at Alphabet

Alphabet (GOOG/GOOGL) shares seem likely to take a breather following the company’s 2Q17 earnings report.  Overall, we would give the report a solid “B” but with the shares having soared 26% this year before the report an “A” was probably required to sustain the momentum.  The report showed remarkable growth in Google’s mobile search, YouTube, […]

Liberty Global Lowers Growth Guidance

Liberty Global (LBTYK) remains a troubled stock after reporting mixed 1Q17 results and lowering full year guidance for growth in operating cash flow.  The shares performed poorly last year but bounced back strongly to start this year.  Unfortunately, the sharp down move post the 1Q17 earnings report last week lost all of the year to […]

Liberty Media: On Track at F1 and Sirius

Formula One (FWONA/K) and Liberty Sirius (LSXMA/K) are tracking stocks of Liberty Media.  FWON owns the Formula One racing circuit and LSXM owns a controlling interest in SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SIRI) representing approximately 70% of the shares outstanding.  Consequently, when Liberty reports earnings and hosts a conference call the discussion is on these separate businesses. […]

Activision Blizzard Making Progress on E-Sports and Digital Advertising

Activision Blizzard (ATVI) reported a strong quarter, beating consensus sales and profit expectations. Full year guidance was increased from prior levels but remained below consensus. In past quarters, ATVI has tended to offer conservative guidance leading to upside surprises when they report actual results. Investors focused on strength in the Blizzard and KING segments, while […]

Disney: ESPN vs Theme Parks and Studio

Disney (DIS) reported first quarter earnings of $1.50, up 10% from a year ago, and ahead of Wall Street estimates of $1.41.  Revenues grew just 3% and operating income just 5% as EPS benefited from a lower than expected tax rate and share repurchases.  DIS shares have reacted negatively to the report, falling -2% to […]

CBS Tracking Above Long Term Guidance

Amid a tough quarter for media earnings, CBS was a bright spot.  We have long liked CBS for two reasons and both were on display in 1Q17.  First, management continues to execute quite well as evidenced by better than peer trends in national and local advertising and subscription fees.  Second, and related to effective management, […]

Facebook Targeting Video Advertising Budgets

Facebook (FB) reported a strong quarter, pacing ahead of expectations both for financial results and user engagement. Sales grew 51% from last year despite the widely expected decrease in ad load growth. Disciplined cost control limited expense growth to only 40%, below expectations. Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and Whatsapp each continued to accelerate user growth above […]

Sinclair Reports Mixed 1Q17, Reiterates Long Term Guidance

Sinclair Broadcasting (SBGI) reported 1Q17 earnings in line with analyst estimates.  Guidance for the second quarter appears a little light although management reiterated all guidance for 2017 and 2018 suggesting it is mostly timing issues.  The stock is responding poorly to the earnings report and was falling heading into the report.  The timing of Northlake’s […]