U.S. equities finished lower for the second straight week as the S&P 500 declined 2.04%, narrowly escaping its worst week of the year. A specific catalyst behind the pullback was not identified by us or market analysts. Media reports focused on the tapering debate, shareholder activism and the emergence of the Eurozone from a record long recession. Increased violence in Egypt did not appear to be a major factor in the decline; however, crude oil prices gained almost 2% for the week and precious metals rallied. U.S. bond yields backed up again, which depressed equities in the U.S. but did not impact the rest of the world. Emerging market equities were up 0.78% for the week.
Given the U.S. Treasury yield rise of more than 100 basis points since the start of the year despite lower inflation, lower growth and accelerated quantitative (QE) buying around the world, a possible explanation includes an imminent end of easy money that is forcing unwinding of fixed income holdings. Obviously this asset class has been the primary beneficiary of loose global monetary policy over the last five years.
Initial unemployment claims dropped to a new low for the expansion, decreasing 15,000 to 320,000. Over the last three months, unemployment has moved largely sideways. As claims decline, this increases the odds increase that the Fed will taper QE in September, and second half economic growth may improve somewhat.
Top 5 Heal Care Companies To Own For 2015: News Corporation(NWSA)
News Corporation operates as a diversified media company worldwide. Its Cable Network Programming segment produces and licenses news, business news, sports, general entertainment, and movie programming for distribution through cable television systems and direct broadcast satellite operators primarily in the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. The company?s Filmed Entertainment segment produces and acquires live-action and animated motion pictures for distribution and licensing in entertainment media, as well as produces and licenses television programming worldwide. Its Television segment operates 27 broadcast television stations in the United States. The company?s Direct Broadcast Satellite Television segment distributes programming services via satellite and broadband directly to subscribers in Italy. Its Publishing segment provides newspapers and information services, such as publishing national newspapers in the United Kingdom, approximately 146 newspapers in Australia, and a metropolitan and a national newspaper in the United States; book publishing services, including the publishing of English language books worldwide; and integrated marketing services comprising the publishing of free-standing inserts, which are marketing booklets containing coupons, rebates, and other consumer offers, as well as provides in-store marketing products and services, primarily to consumer packaged goods manufacturers in the United States and Canada. The company also sells advertising, sponsorships, and subscription services on the company?s various digital media properties and outdoor advertising space on various media primarily in Russia and eastern Europe; and provides data systems and professional services that enable teachers to use data to assess student progress and deliver individualized instructions. News Corporation was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Corey Rosenbloom]
We’ll skip News Corp. (NWSA) and focus on the other names for candidates.
Specifically, Newmont Mining (NEM) has formed an interesting retracement to compress again between the 20- and 50-day EMAs:
Best Media Companies To Own For 2014: Comcast Corporation(CMCSA)
Comcast Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides entertainment, information, and communications products and services in the United States and internationally. Its Cable Communications segment provides video, high-speed Internet, and phone services to residential and business customers. As of June 30, 2011, its cable systems served approximately 22.5 million video customers, 17.5 million high-speed Internet customers, and 9.1 million phone customers. The company?s Cable Networks segment operates cable entertainment networks, such as USA Network, Syfy, E!, Bravo, Oxygen, Style, G4, Chiller, Sleuth, and Universal HD; news and information networks, including CNBC, MSNBC, and CNBC World; cable sports networks comprising Golf Channel and VERSUS; regional sports and news networks; international entertainment, and news and information networks, such as CNBC Europe, CNBC Asia, and Universal Networks International portfolio of networks; cable television production oper ations; and digital media properties consisting primarily of brand-aligned Websites and other Websites, such as DailyCandy, Fandango, and iVillage. Its Broadcast Television segment operates the U.S. broadcast networks, NBC and Telemundo; 10 NBC and 15 Telemundo owned local television stations; broadcast television productions; and related digital media properties. The company?s Filmed Entertainment segment operates Universal Pictures, which produces, acquires, markets, and distributes filmed entertainment and stage plays worldwide in various media formats for theatrical, home entertainment, television, and other distribution platforms. Its Theme Parks segment operates Universal Studios Hollywood park and Wet ?n Wild water park, as well as licenses intellectual properties and provides services to third parties that own and operate Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Singapore. Comcast Corporation was founded in 1963 and is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Associated Press]
With 29.2 million U.S. subscribers -- far more than the 21.9 million TV subscribers that leading cable provider Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA ) has -- Netflix has already reshaped home entertainment.
- [By Quick Pen]
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Justice (DoJ) do not want the number of players in the telecom sector to shrink below four ��Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. To this Sprint�� Son argues that the industry already has four players ��Verizon that purchased Vodafone�� stake in it, AT&T which plans to acquire DirecTV (DTV), and Comcast (CMCSA); Sprint would be the fourth one. But these antitrust issues have been a challenge for Sprint.
Best Media Companies To Own For 2014: DISH Network Corporation(DISH)
DISH Network Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides direct broadcast satellite (DBS) subscription television services in the United States. It offers programming that includes approximately 280 basic video channels, 60 Sirius satellite radio music channels, 30 premium movie channels, 35 regional and specialty sports channels, 2,800 local channels, 250 Latino and international channels, and 55 channels of pay-per-view content. The company also offers local HD channels in approximately 160 markets and 215 national HD channels; and receiver systems, including a small satellite dish, digital set-top receivers, and remote controls. In addition, it provides DISHOnline.com, which enables DISH Network subscribers to watch 150,000 movies, television shows, clips, and trailers; DISH Remote Access that enables subscribers to remotely manage their DVRs using compatible mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops through their broadband-connected receiver; and Go ogle TV that enables DISH Network subscribers to search the Internet, check email, interact with social media, and find additional online programming content while simultaneously watching television. As of March 31, 2011, the company had approximately 14.191 million customers. DISH Network provides receiver systems and programming through direct sales channels; and independent third parties, such as small satellite retailers, direct marketing groups, local and regional consumer electronics stores, nationwide retailers, and telecommunications companies. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Michael Lewis]
DISH Network (NASDAQ: DISH ) investors were likely too preoccupied with the continued M&A battle brewing among the company, Sprint (NYSE: S ) , Clearwire (NASDAQ: CLWR ) , and SoftBank. Depending on what happens in the next couple of weeks, investors may have even more offers to look over and analyze, as the company's chief shows no shyness in his willingness to partner with major telecoms or even sell the company. There is more, though, going on at DISH than just supporting investment banks, as the company recently announced its first-quarter earnings. Here's the highlights, and advice for investors going forward.
Best Media Companies To Own For 2014: Time Warner Inc.(TWX)
Time Warner Inc. operates as a media and entertainment company in the United States and internationally. It operates in three segments: Networks, Filmed Entertainment, and Publishing. The Networks segment provides domestic and international networks, premium pay and basic tier television programming services, and digital media properties, which primarily consist of brand-aligned Websites. Its premium pay television services consist of the multi-channel HBO and Cinemax premium pay television services. This segment provides programming to cable system operators, satellite service distributors, telephone companies, and other distributors; sells advertising; and licenses original programming to domestic and international television networks. The Filmed Entertainment segment produces and distributes feature films, television and other programming, and videogames; distributes home video products; and licenses rights to its feature films, television programming, and characters. T he Publishing segment publishes magazines and books; and operates various Websites, as well as engages in marketing services and direct-marketing businesses. This segment publishes magazines on style and entertainment, lifestyle, news, and sports. The company?s brands include TNT, TBS, CNN, HBO, Cinemax, Warner Bros., New Line Cinema, People, Sports Illustrated, and Time. Time Warner Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Mike Deane]
Time Warner (TWX)�reported its second quarter results before the opening bell on Wednesday morning,�with earnings and revenues coming in higher than last year’s Q2.
TWX’s�Earnings in Brief
Time Warner�reported second quarter revenues of $6.79 billion, up from last year’s Q2 revenues of $6.61 billion. Total adjusted operating income came in at $1.62 billion, an increase from last year’s Q2 figure of $1.39 billion. The company�� adjusted EPS for the quarter was 98 cents, marking a solid uptick from last year’s Q2 EPS of 76 cents. Time Warner beat analysts’ EPS estimates of 84 cents, but revenues came in slightly below the $6.87 billion expectation. In addition to releasing its Q2 earnings, TWC also reaffirmed its 2014 EPS outlook, and still sees percentage growth in the low-teens.CEO Commentary
TWX Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bewkes released the following comments:���e had another strong quarter, reflecting the strength of our businesses and our potential for continued growth as we deliver on our strategic plan to be the world�� leading video content company. Adjusted Operating Income increased 17%, while Adjusted EPS rose 29%, and over the first half of the year we generated $2 billion of Free Cash Flow, up 16% year-over-year. We achieved these results in a milestone quarter during which we spun off Time Inc. as an independent, publicly-traded company, further unlocking value for our shareholders and giving Time Warner even more operational focus.”
TWX’s�Dividend and Buyback
Time Warner paid its last dividend on June 6. We expect the company to declare its next quarterly payout of 32 cents in the coming days. In its earnings report, the company announced that the board of directors have authorized and additional $5 billion in stock repurchases.
Stock Performance
TWX stock was down $10.94, or 12.84%, in pre-market trading. YTD, the stock is
- [By Rick Munarriz]
Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX ) and Time Warner's (NYSE: TWX ) HBO squared off with original content last week. Orange Is the New Black debuted on Netflix's streaming platform on Thursday. The second season of HBO's celebrated Newsroom kicked off on Sunday.
- [By Rick Munarriz]
Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter -- a notorious bear who's been burned with his $65 price target on Netflix that he recently raised to $80 -- argued on Yahoo!'s Breakout last week that Netflix isn't a fitting rival to Time Warner's (NYSE: TWX ) HBO because it doesn't own its original programming the way HBO does with Game of Thrones or The Sopranos.
Best Media Companies To Own For 2014: Thomson Reuters Corp(TRI)
Thomson Reuters Corporation provides intelligent information for businesses and professionals worldwide. The company allows market participants to connect, access content, and trade in a secure environment through Thomson Reuters Eikon desktop, Thomson Reuters Elektron network, content integration and management technology, content feeds and databases, and transactions infrastructure solutions that support buy- and sell-side customers to trade in foreign exchange, fixed income and derivatives, equities, exchange-traded instruments, and commodities and energy markets. It also offers information, analytics, workflow, and technology solutions to buy-side and off-trading floor customers; access to liquidity in over-the-counter markets, trade execution, and connections for market participants and financial professionals? communities; and a suite of solutions offering informed outcomes to regulated industries and law firms. In addition, the company provides critical information , decision support tools, and software and services to legal, investigation, business, and government professionals; integrated tax compliance and accounting software and services for accounting and law firms, corporations, and government professionals; intellectual property and scientific resources that enable its customers to discover, develop, and deliver innovations; and data analytics, and performance benchmarking solutions and services to healthcare sector. Further, it offers coverage of global, regional, and national news in 20 languages covering politics, business, finance, entertainment, lifestyle, technology, health, science, and sports; and engages in advertising-supported direct-to-consumer publishing activities of Reuters.com and its network of Websites, mobile applications, and electronic out-of-home displays. The company was formerly known as The Thomson Corporation and changed its name to Thomson Reuters Corporation in April 2008. The company is headquartered in New York, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rich Smith]
Thomson Reuters (NYSE: TRI ) has acquired Canadian trademark search, monitoring, and screening firm Onscope, Thomson announced Tuesday.
- [By Jonas Elmerraji]
It's been a solid year for Thompson Reuters (TRI); since the calendar flipped over to January, this $30 billion financial media firm has rallied more than 22%. But don't worry if you've missed out on the move -- TRI looks well-positioned for higher levels thanks to the pattern that's been setting up in shares.
Thompson Reuters is currently forming an ascending triangle pattern, a bullish setup that's formed by horizontal resistance above shares at the $35.50 level and uptrending support to the downside. Basically, as TRI bounces in between those two technically-important price levels, it's getting squeezed closer and closer to a confirmed breakout above that $35.50 price level. When the breakout happens, it's time to be a buyer.
TRI closed above the $35.50 level in yesterday's session, but it's a little early to call it a breakout just yet. If shares can hold above that breakout level all through today's session, then the buy signal is worth heeding.
Best Media Companies To Own For 2014: Charter Communications Inc.(CHTR)
Charter Communications, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides entertainment, information, and communications solutions to residential and commercial customers in the United States. The company offers cable video programming services, such as basic and digital video, premium channels, OnDemand, pay-per-view, high definition television, digital video recorder, and online video services; Internet services; Charter.net, which provides multiple e-mail addresses, as well as various entertainment, games, news, and sports content; and telephone services. It also provides broadband communications solutions, such as Internet access, data networking, fiber connectivity to cellular towers and office buildings, video entertainment services, and business telephone services under the Charter Business brand name to business and carrier organizations. As of December 31, 2011, the company served approximately 4.1 million video customers; approximately 3.5 million Internet customers; appr oximately 1.7 million telephone customers; and approximately 476,200 commercial primary service units. Charter Communications, Inc. was founded in 1999 and is based in St. Louis, Missouri.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Paul Ausick]
Although Maffei did not say as much, swallowing Sirius gives Liberty access to the satellite radio provider�� free cash flow of about $625 million to use in pursuit of Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC). Charter Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR), in which Liberty holds a 27% stake, has been trying to put together the financing to make an offer for much larger Time Warner. For its part, Time Warner, the nation�� second largest cable provider, is trying to put together a deal with the nation�� largest cable provider, Comcast Corp. (NASDAQ: CMCSA), that would shut Liberty out.
- [By Michael Lewis]
Other highlights beyond the financial statements include the company's new 27.3% stake in cable operator Charter Communications (NASDAQ: CHTR ) . Liberty now represents four board seats at Charter and it is likely that Liberty will continue to build ownership of the company.
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