I finally got something right. Discovery Communications (DISCA) reported another positive surprise (EBITDA +23%, margins +700 basis points) and provided upbeat 2009 guidance. The stock responded by jumping 15%, leaving it within 10% of its mid-September, pre-crash level. 4Q08 benefited from continued strength in domestic and international advertising, ongoing growth in domestic and international distribution […]
https://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gif00Steve Birenberghttps://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gifSteve Birenberg2009-02-25 15:41:402026-03-17 16:56:52Discovery Communicaitons Provides Some Good News
Despite my hopes that Dreamworks Animation (DWA) had a good set up going into last night’s earnings reports, the stock is going to trade down sharply this morning. Adjusted for a one-time tax benefit, EPS missed estimates due to higher costs associated with new ventures to diversify revenue (TV, virtual worlds, Broadway) and an adjustment […]
Several of Northlake’s long positions report this week beginning tonight with Dreamworks Animation (DWA). DWA has been very weak as the collapse in DVD sales has crushed estimates and compacted long-term valuation. However, the stock may be a good setup for a rebound. Getting past the earnings report could allow investors to look forward where […]
Here’s the morning after Oscar edition of Monday Media Musings. The Bull Market Can Found at Your Local Theater The good news at the box office continues. Based on data form BoxOfficeMojo.com, the top 12 films were 33% this weekend. This leaves the 2009 winning streak intact with every weekend up year-over-year. Year-to-date, the box […]
https://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gif00Steve Birenberghttps://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gifSteve Birenberg2009-02-23 10:07:352026-03-17 16:57:10Monday Media Musings: February 23, 2009
Back in late November when Time Warner was trading just over $9, I wrote a column for Real Money explaining Why You Should Own the shares. Today the stock stands at $7.56, down about 16%, a bit worse than the S&P 500 which is down almost 13%. During this time, Disney (DIS) and News Corporation […]
https://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gif00Steve Birenberghttps://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gifSteve Birenberg2009-02-20 10:25:472026-03-17 16:57:10Time Warner Break Up Approved
Time for some Monday Media Musings on a Wednesday morning. Box Office Remains Strong with Time Warner running 1 and 2 The weekend box office was up 36% for the top 12 films keeping alive this year’s winning streak. So far 2009 is up 15% vs. 2008, a truly impressive performance. Time Warner (TWX) got […]
https://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gif00Steve Birenberghttps://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gifSteve Birenberg2009-02-18 10:05:202026-03-17 16:57:10Monday Media Musings on a Wednesday: February 18, 2009
Monday Media Musings is back despite battling a major technology crash at Northlake. Servers are back and all the backup systems functioned well. Box Office Booming in 2009 Americans continue to go to the movies. Whether it is a relatively cheap night, a desire to leave their troubles, or just a hot streak of good […]
https://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gif00Steve Birenberghttps://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gifSteve Birenberg2009-02-09 09:59:112026-03-17 16:57:10Monday Media Musings: February 9, 2009
Dreamworks is in the news. First, Dreamworks SKG, the privately held, live action movie studio that is home to Steven Spielberg, is changing plans and will use Disney (DIS) as a distribution partner as opposed to Universal Pictures (owned by GE). Second, Dreamworks Animation (DWA), the publicly held animation company, was the subject of a […]
https://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gif00Steve Birenberghttps://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gifSteve Birenberg2009-02-08 14:07:372026-03-17 16:57:10Both Dreamworks in the News
Given the circumstances, Time Warner (TWX) reported decent 4Q08 results and provided better than expected guidance. However, to be perfectly honest, there are so many charges and related future cost savings that it is very difficult to tell whether guidance for “about flat” results in 2009 fairly reflects underlying operating trends. I fear that guidance […]
https://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gif00Steve Birenberghttps://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gifSteve Birenberg2009-02-04 14:46:142026-03-17 16:57:10Time Warner: Relatively Good Earnings But Murky Outlook
Time Warner effectively preannounced 4Q08 results when it updated its guidance for 2008 last month. The guidance brought 2008 EBITDA to a gain of just 1% but several items were legitimately one-time so the headlines off the guidance update were more negative than management intended. Underlying growth in 2008 is probably closer to 3% which […]
Discovery Communicaitons Provides Some Good News
I finally got something right. Discovery Communications (DISCA) reported another positive surprise (EBITDA +23%, margins +700 basis points) and provided upbeat 2009 guidance. The stock responded by jumping 15%, leaving it within 10% of its mid-September, pre-crash level. 4Q08 benefited from continued strength in domestic and international advertising, ongoing growth in domestic and international distribution […]
Sold Dreamworks as Weak Quarter Raises Long-Term Issues
Despite my hopes that Dreamworks Animation (DWA) had a good set up going into last night’s earnings reports, the stock is going to trade down sharply this morning. Adjusted for a one-time tax benefit, EPS missed estimates due to higher costs associated with new ventures to diversify revenue (TV, virtual worlds, Broadway) and an adjustment […]
Dreamworks Animation Earnings Preview
Several of Northlake’s long positions report this week beginning tonight with Dreamworks Animation (DWA). DWA has been very weak as the collapse in DVD sales has crushed estimates and compacted long-term valuation. However, the stock may be a good setup for a rebound. Getting past the earnings report could allow investors to look forward where […]
Monday Media Musings: February 23, 2009
Here’s the morning after Oscar edition of Monday Media Musings. The Bull Market Can Found at Your Local Theater The good news at the box office continues. Based on data form BoxOfficeMojo.com, the top 12 films were 33% this weekend. This leaves the 2009 winning streak intact with every weekend up year-over-year. Year-to-date, the box […]
Time Warner Break Up Approved
Back in late November when Time Warner was trading just over $9, I wrote a column for Real Money explaining Why You Should Own the shares. Today the stock stands at $7.56, down about 16%, a bit worse than the S&P 500 which is down almost 13%. During this time, Disney (DIS) and News Corporation […]
Monday Media Musings on a Wednesday: February 18, 2009
Time for some Monday Media Musings on a Wednesday morning. Box Office Remains Strong with Time Warner running 1 and 2 The weekend box office was up 36% for the top 12 films keeping alive this year’s winning streak. So far 2009 is up 15% vs. 2008, a truly impressive performance. Time Warner (TWX) got […]
Monday Media Musings: February 9, 2009
Monday Media Musings is back despite battling a major technology crash at Northlake. Servers are back and all the backup systems functioned well. Box Office Booming in 2009 Americans continue to go to the movies. Whether it is a relatively cheap night, a desire to leave their troubles, or just a hot streak of good […]
Both Dreamworks in the News
Dreamworks is in the news. First, Dreamworks SKG, the privately held, live action movie studio that is home to Steven Spielberg, is changing plans and will use Disney (DIS) as a distribution partner as opposed to Universal Pictures (owned by GE). Second, Dreamworks Animation (DWA), the publicly held animation company, was the subject of a […]
Time Warner: Relatively Good Earnings But Murky Outlook
Given the circumstances, Time Warner (TWX) reported decent 4Q08 results and provided better than expected guidance. However, to be perfectly honest, there are so many charges and related future cost savings that it is very difficult to tell whether guidance for “about flat” results in 2009 fairly reflects underlying operating trends. I fear that guidance […]
Time Warner 4Q08 Earnings Preview
Time Warner effectively preannounced 4Q08 results when it updated its guidance for 2008 last month. The guidance brought 2008 EBITDA to a gain of just 1% but several items were legitimately one-time so the headlines off the guidance update were more negative than management intended. Underlying growth in 2008 is probably closer to 3% which […]