Lionsgate Finally Reports A Good, Clean Quarter

Lionsgate (LGF) reported a good quarter. EPs of 19 cents matched estimates, while revenues of $255 million did not fall materially short of the $258 million consensus. Free cash flow of $50 million was very strong. Management opened the conference call by stating it was raising guidance to revenues of $950 million and free cash […]

Tribune: Earnings Stabilizing But No Growth

Tribune (TRB) reported slightly better than expected 4Q06 earnings with adjusted EPS coming in at 65 cents against a consensus estimate of 61 cents. Revenues also come in ahead of expectations at $1.47 billion vs. a consensus estimate of $1.43. 4Q06 contained an extra week compared to 4Q05 so it is possible some of the […]

Disney: Strong 1Q07 Earnings Support Higher Target Price

Disney (DIS) reported much better than expected 1Q07 earnings with EPS coming in at 50 cents against a consensus estimate of 39 cents. Revenues were also better than expected at $9.7 billion vs. an estimate of $9.5 billion. I don’t see any unusual items that would impact the 50 cent figure so this looks like […]

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 […]

Regal Entertainment 4Q06 Preview

Box office comparisons should ease this coming weekend with the fourth installment in the very popular Hannibal Lecter series but the big news this week for Regal Entertainment (RGC) will be the company’s 4Q06 earnings report and the likely IPO of its 41% owned joint venture, National Cinemedia (NCMI). Year to date the box office […]

Comcast: Capital Spending Should Not Be Penalized

Comcast (CMCSA/CMCSK) reported 4Q06 results that were very close to extremely high expectations. Guidance for 2007 is also very close to current analyst expectations with the notable exception that 2007 free cash flow is forecast the same as 2006 due to an increase in projected capital expenditures as Comcast expects to sign up more customers […]

Time Warner 4Q06 Good Enough

Time Warner (TWX) reported 4Q06 results that were very close to analyst estimates across the board. There don’t appear to be any surprises in the overall results or at the segment level. On first glance, it appears that AOL and Cable performed at least well as expected, possibly with a little upside. TWX also provided […]

Scripps Guidance Ignites Questions; Too Soon To Buy

E.W. Scripps (SSP) shares are deservedly down sharply following poor 1Q07 guidance issued in association with its 4Q06 earnings report. A re-evaluation of the prospects and valuation for the company’s Interactive division is also hurting the shares. Finally, management backed away from comments made at a conference earlier this month that it might have interest […]

A Look at Apple’s Valuation

After reading through a lot of analyst comments about Apple’s earnings, I think I captured the general consensus well with my follow-up piece. Most analysts agree with my bullish view and the fact that numerous catalysts exist over the balance of 2007, particularly as the June and September quarters become the focus of investor attention. […]

A Potential Headwind For Comcast

Keep on eye out for some negative publicity that could hit Comcast (CMCSA/K) in the next few weeks. Sinclair Broadcast Group (SBGI) and Comcast are getting close to the drop dead date over their negotiations for payment of retransmission fees by Comcast to Sinclair so that Comcast can continue to carry the TV broadcast signals […]