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 […]

Cablevison: Cable Good But Strategy A Mess

Cablevision reported better than expected results driven by its core Cable operations and Madison Square Garden. Revenues grew 11% to $1.84 billion ahead of consensus of $1.78 billion. EBITDA grew 20% to $610 million, ahead of estimates for $560 million. Financial and subscriber metrics at the Cable systems were better than expected. Revenues rose 8.6%, […]

Another Great Quarter For Disney

Disney easily beat estimates with EPS of 58 cents coming in well ahead of the 51 cents consensus estimate. Here are the comments I posted on the quarter on RealMoney.com before and during the conference call. Alos, please find the earnings summary produced by Gary Dvorchak, my colleague at Real Money. 03:14 CST: Based on […]

Time Warner: So Bad It Might Be Getting Good

Time Warner (TWX) reported another mediocre quarter even after adjusting for some items that cause the reported numbers to understate the results. Revenue grew just 2% and adjusted EBITDA grew just 3%. The revenue figure matched estimates while the adjusted EBITDA is a bit ahead. EBITDA strength came from cost controls at AOL that kept […]