CETV Closes Ukraine

Yesterday, I noted that Zenith Optimedia raised its global ad forecast for 2008 due to strength in developing markets. Central and Eastern Europe was one of the regions with particularly good growth for 2008, with a forecast of 17%. With growth in CEE markets holding steady despite some initial impacts from the global credit and […]

Dreamworks Estimates Begin To Rise

Dreamworks Animation (DWA) shares popped yesterday afternoon. I presume it was due to a report from Jessica Reif of Merrill Lynch which I received after the close. Jessica raised her 2Q08 and 2008 EPS estimates from below to above consensus on the basis of the strength in the Kung Fu Panda box office. She noted […]

Finally Some Good News at American Apparel

APP reached agreement on a new amended credit agreement with its lead bank. Back in early June the stock took a dive on the day the company announced that negotiations were ongoing but that the first deadline had been missed. Not surprisingly the shares are rallying nicely today, up 6.5% right now. Volume is decently […]

No Worries As Dreamworks Catches A Downgrade

An analyst I know well, Michael Morris of UBS, downgraded Dreamworks Animation (DWA) this morning driving the shares down more than 7%. I added a little to some smaller client positions on the weakness. The downgrade is based on Morris’ belief that even after after raising his outlook for Kung Fu Panda the shares are […]

Buying Dreamworks Animation

I purchased Dreamworks Animation (DWA) across client and personal accounts near the open of trading on Monday. The purchase is intended as a “trading buy” which means I am expecting to be out of the position in less than one year. The holding period may be even shorter if the stock attains my target of […]

Kung Fu Panda and the Upfront

A few brief items in the media world for this morning: Kung Fu Panda opens today. The film has received good reviews and there has not been a major child focused film in theatres since Horton Hears A Who. A strong marketing campaign, good tracking data, and the usual optimism about funny talking animals has […]

Selling Disney and News Corporation

On Friday, I sold all Northlake client positions in Disney and News Corporation. This is a big deal fro me as media stocks are my area of expertise and I believe that these are the two best managed, fast growing companies with the most optimistic long-term competitive positioning. I’ve owned Disney for more than three […]

Encouraging Action in American Apparel

I am quite encouraged by the action in American Apparel (APP). After getting whacked again on Wednesday off a confusing earnings report and conference call, the stock has bounced back strongly. The initial post earnings trades held above the April lows and unlike in April a rebound got underway quickly. Also, volume spiked for one […]

American Apparel: Controversy Continues Amid Stellar Growth

Controversial and rapidly growing retailer American Apparel reported 1Q08 results last night after the close. While there are many extremely positive numbers in the results, I believe that several confusing items will cause the shares to trade lower today, possibly much lower. That said, I think the trends in core retail business look better than […]

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 […]