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WWE and UFC Agreed On $21 Billion Deal

Scott Peters
03 Apr, 2023
New York City

Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc the media and entertainment ,company, agreed to spin off its Ultimate Fighting Championship unit and merge it with World Wrestling Entertainment Inc in a deal worth $21 billion.

The newly merged company would be 51% controlled by Endeavor and 49% by WWE shareholders.

The transaction values UFC at an enterprise value of $12.1 billion and WWE for $9.3 billion.

In 2022, WWE generated $1.3 billion in revenue and $195 million net income or diluted earnings per share of $2.29.

Merged companies are estimated to deliver cost synergies between $50 million and $100 million a year, leveraging media rights, ticket sales and yield management.

Culturally two media companies are similar, while WWE fights are scripted the UFC fights are "not fake" according to athletic commission and often end with a submission or a knockout which is not staged.

Under the terms of the transaction, existing WWE shareholders will roll all existing equity into the new entity that will be the parent company of UFC and WWE.

Ari Emanuel will act chief executive of both Endeavor and the newly merged company and Vince McMahon will be executive chairman.

The board of directors will consist of 11 members, six will be appointed by Endeavor and five by WWE.

The new company will be named later and intends to list on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol TKO.

The proposed transaction has been approved by the board of directors of both companies, including certain regulatory approvals.

The deal between the two companies is expected to be completed in the second half of 2023.

Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs are serving as financial advisors to Endeavor, and Latham & Watkins is serving as legal advisor to Endeavor.

The Raine Group is acting as lead financial advisor to WWE.

J.P. Morgan and Moelis & Company are also acting as financial advisors to WWE.

Movers: Endeavor Group, Extra Space Storage, Life Storage, McDonald's, Tesla, WWE

Scott Peters
03 Apr, 2023
New York City

Energy stocks rallied after OPEC+ member nations surprised markets with production cuts.

Energy producing eight nations announced voluntary production cuts totaling to 1.16 million barrels per day in addition to 2 million barrels a day production cut announced by the alliance in last October.

Russia previously announced its production cut of 500,000 barrels a day from February.

Crude oil prices soared as much as 5% in New York and London trading.

Exxon Mobil Corp jumped 3.8% to $113.90, Chevron advanced 4.0% to $170.0, Halliburton Company advanced 6.2% to $33.65 and Marathon Oil Corp jumped 7.3% to $25.80.

Life Storage Inc increased 1.9% to $133.65 after the company agreed to be acquired by Extra Space Storage Inc for $145.82 a share or $36 billion equity market capitalization.

The transaction is expected to be closed in the second half of 2023.

Extra Space Storage dropped 6.3% to $153.0.

Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc increased 2.1% to $24.44 after the media and entertainment company agreed to spin off its Ultimate Fighting Championship unit and merge it with World Wrestling Entertainment Inc in a deal worth $21 billion.

The newly merged company would be 51% controlled by Endeavor and 49% by WWE shareholders.

The transaction values UFC at an enterprise value of $12.1 billion and WWE for $9.3 billion.

McDonald's Corp increased 0.7% to $279.61 and a report suggested that the company temporarily closed its headquarter offices ahead of layoff announcements.

The news was first reported by the Wall Street Journal and independently confirmed by Ticker.com

Tesla Inc declined 1.7% to $204.0 after the electric vehicle maker reported quarterly production data.

Tesla said in the first quarter of 2023 vehicle production increased 5% to 440,808 from 422,875 in the previous year.

The production of model 3/Y advanced 5% to 421,375 from 412,180 and model 5/X jumped 10% to 19,437 from 10.695 a year ago.

Tesla's production in the December quarter increased 4% to 439,701 from 405,278 a year ago.

U.S. Averages Wobble After 8 OPEC+ Members Announced Production Cuts

Barry Adams
03 Apr, 2023
New York City

Stock futures on Wall Street traded mixed with a downward bias after eight member nations linked to OPEC+ announced a surprise production cut.

Eight OPEC+ producer nations - led by Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait - announced to remove 1.16 million barrels per day starting May until the end of the year.

The product cut announced on Sunday was designed to separate the alliance from international pressure.

Previously Russia had announced its production cut target of 500,000 barrels per day starting this month, increasing the total production cut by 1.66 million barrels a day.

The Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee's meeting on Monday acknowledged the voluntary production cuts, but did not announce its own policy change.

U.S. Indexes & Yields

The S&P 500 index fell 0.4% to 4,110.38 and the Nasdaq Composite index decreased 0.2% to 12,171.63.

The yield on 2-year Treasury notes edged higher to 4.1%, 10-year Treasury notes inched up 3 basis points to 3.51% and the 30-year Treasury bonds was nearly unchanged at 3.7%.

Crude oil jumped $3.91 to $79.55 a barrel and natural gas futures declined 13 cents to $2.07 a thermal unit.

U.S. Movers

Tesla Inc declined 1.7% to $204.0 after the electric vehicle maker reported quarterly production data.

Tesla said in the first quarter of 2023 vehicle production increased 5% to 440,808 from 422,875 in the previous year.

The production of model 3/Y advanced 5% to 421,375 from 412,180 and model 5/X jumped 10% to 19,437 from 10.695 a year ago.

Tesla's production in the December quarter increased 4% to 439,701 from 405,278 a year ago.

McDonald's Corp increased 0.7% to $279.61 and a report suggested that the company temporarily closed its headquarter offices ahead of layoff announcements.

European Markets Turned Mixed After Surprise OPEC+ Production Cut

Bridgette Randall
03 Apr, 2023
Frankfurt

European markets traded lower after inflation worries resurfaced following a surprise production cut by 8 member nations linked to OPEC+.

The surprise production cut is expected to be in force from May 1 and last till the end of the year.

Saudi Arabia led the voluntary production cuts with 500,000 barrels per day.

Iraq said it plans to cut its production by 211,000, UAE by 144,000, Kuwait by 128,000, Kazakhstan by 78,000, Algeria by 48,000, Oman by 40,000 and Gabon by 8,000.

The Sunday's product cuts are in addition to Russia's 500,000 barrels per day cut announced in February.

Collectively, these production cuts will remove about 1.66 million barrels per day from the world markets in addition to 2 million barrels per day cuts announced at the previous OPEC+ meeting in October 2022.

The latest oil production cut complicates the complex calculation of inflation and interest rates and is likely to dash hopes of rate-pause by some investors.

Asian markets were on the defensive as well after China's manufacturing growth stalled in March but India's manufacturing advanced to a 3-month peak.

Swiss Inflation Weakened In March

The annual inflation rate in Switzerland weakened to 2.9% in March from 3.4% February, the Swiss Federal Statistics Office reported Monday.

The annual inflation rate was the lowest since June 2022 after the prices of food, beverages and housing and energy rose at a slower pace.

Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, rose 2.2% in March, slower than 2.4% in February.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.2% in March slower than 0.7% in February.

Separately, Portugal's inflation eased in March after energy prices rose at a slower pace, the Statistics Portugal said Friday.

Consumer prices inflation eased to 7.4% in March from 8.2% in February and core inflation eased to 7.0% from 7.2% respectively.

Europe Indexes & Yields

The DAX index increased 0.17% to 15,655.14, the CAC-40 index added 0.5% to 7,361.75 and the FTSE 100 index rose 0.7% to 7,685.56.

The yield on 10-year German Bunds rose to 2.35%, French bonds advanced to 2.85%, the UK gilts to 3.55% and Italian bonds to increased to 4.17%.

The euro inched higher to $1.08, the British pound advanced to $1.23 and the Swiss franc to 91.75 cents.

Brent crude oil increased 4.4% or $5.55 to $84.39 a barrel and the Dutch TTF natural gas futures increased 56 cents to Є48.40 per MWh.

Europe Stock Movers

TotalEnergies SE increased 4.4% to €56.60, BP Plc advanced 4.03% to 531.40 and Shell PLC added 3.9% to €27.51.

Banks were in focus after inflation worries resurfaced.

UBS Group AG declined 1.5% to Sfr 19.0, Deutsche Bank increased 2.3% to €9.57 and HSBC Holdings Plc increased 2.2% to 561.70 pence. UniCredit SpA advanced 2.3% to €17.83.

PCE Price Index Eased In February, Personal Income Inched Higher

Brian Turner
31 Mar, 2023
New York City

The personal consumption price index increased 0.3% in February, slower than 0.6% in January when measured on a monthly basis, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported Friday.

Core PCE price index, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.3%, slowest in five months and matched the rate in October 2022.

The watered down measure of inflation, the preferred inflation gauge by the Federal Reserve, increased 5.0% when measured on an annual basis in February.

The PCE Price index rose at the slowest pace since September 2021.

Core PCE price index, which excludes food and energy, slowed to 4.6% from 4.7% in January.

The PCE price index is the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation, but the gauge also understated price increases by a large margin for most urban households.

The personal income increased $72.9 billion or 0.3% in February, disposable personal income advanced $89.9 billion or 0.5% and personal consumption expenditure rose $27.9 billion or 0.2%.

Personal outlays increased $40.7 billion in February, personal saving was $915.8 billion and the personal saving rate (personal saving as a percentage of disposable personal income) was 4.6%.

Wall Street Stocks Advanced After a Weak Measure of Inflation Cooled

Barry Adams
31 Mar, 2023
New York City

Stocks accelerated gains for the week, month and quarter after investors hoped that the ongoing regional bank crisis has stabilized.

Regional bank stocks rebounded after worries of more bad news in the sector eased.

Market sentiment also improved after an alternative measure of inflation showed a slower pace of inflation.

In the first quarter, the S&P 500 index added 7.0% and the Nasdaq Composite index increased 16.8%.

The Nasdaq Composite index registered its best quarterly return since the second quarter 2020 when the tech heavy index advanced 30.6%.

PCE Price Index Eased In February

The personal consumption price index increased 0.3% in February, slower than 0.6% in January when measured on a monthly basis, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported Friday.

Core PCE price index, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.3%, slowest in five months and matched the rate in October 2022.

The watered down measure of inflation, the preferred inflation gauge by the Federal Reserve, increased 5.0% when measured on an annual basis in February.

The PCE Price index rose at the slowest pace since September 2021.

Core PCE price index, which excludes food and energy, slowed to 4.6% from 4.7% in January.

The PCE price index is the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation, but the gauge also understated price increases by a large margin for most urban households.

Indexes & Yields

The S&P 500 index advanced 0.9% to 4,088.64 and the Nasdaq Composite index added 1.3% to 12,165.55.

The yield on 2-year Treasury notes was nearly unchanged at 4.1%, 10-year Treasury notes traded at 3.51% and the 30-year Treasury bonds fetched 3.70%.

Crude oil increased $1.14 to $75.10 a barrel and natural gas prices edged up 10 cents to $2.21 a thermal unit.

U.S. Stock Movers

Nikola Corp decreased 11.1% to $1.25 after the electric-truck maker announced a secondary stock offering of $100 million priced at a 20% discount to Thursday's closed price.

Digital World Acquisition Corp increased 6.8% to $13.97. The SPAC linked to former President Donald Trump rose after the New York City Grand Jury formally indicted according to a report by NBC.

Donald Trump is expected to be arraigned as early Tuesday..

Virgin Orbit Holdings Inc plunged 36.8% to 22 cents after the space technology company said it plans to stop all operations immediately and lay off about 90% of its staff.

BlackBerry Ltd increased 14.1% to $4.57 after the company reported lower-than-expected revenue and a smaller loss per share in its latest quarter.

Investors Refocus On Tech and Semiconductor Stocks, Global Markets Advanced

Barry Adams
30 Mar, 2023
New York City

Benchmark indexes spent most of the session in the plus territory after investors warmed up to tech stocks.

With no new bad news from regional banks and stable treasury yields also strengthened interest in growth stocks - mid and large caps.

Major averages jumped as much as 0.7% in the early trading but steadily lost ground, however market sentiment improved in late afternoon and benchmark indexes rebounded to the intra-day highs.

Tech stocks led the gainers and mega cap tech leaders including Meta Platforms, Apple Inc, Netflix Inc, Amazon.com Inc and Tesla Inc advanced between 1% and 2%.

Investors also reviewed the latest downward revision of the fourth quarter real GDP growth but noticed the core PCE Price Index remained elevated.

Weekly Jobless Claims Advanced

Weekly jobless claims increased by 7,000 to 198,000 for the week ending March 25, the U.S Department of Labor reported Thursday.

The initial claims declined from the previous week's unrevised level of 191,000.

The 4-week moving average increased 2,000 to 198,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 196,250.

Real GDP Estimate Revised Lower In Fourth Quarter

Real gross domestic product growth for the final quarter of 2022 was revised lower, according to the third and final estimate released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Thursday.

The U.S. economy expanded at an annual pace of 2.6% in the December quarter, slower than the previous estimate of 2.7% and 3.2% in the third quarter.

Consumer spending increase was revised lower to 1.0% from the previous estimate of 1.4% and international

Real GDP increased 2.1% in 2022, compared with an increase of 5.9% in 2021.

The increase in real GDP in 2022 primarily reflected increases in consumer spending, exports, private inventory investment, and nonresidential fixed investment that were partly offset by decreases in residential fixed investment and federal government spending.

Despite the cooling of energy prices and slowing of goods inflation, elevated inflation remains well anchored in the economy.

The price index for gross domestic purchases increased 6.8% in 2022, compared with an increase of 4.2% in 2021.

The PCE price index, a preferred measure of inflation by policy makers, increased 6.3%, compared with an increase of 4.0%.

Excluding volatile food and energy prices, the core PCE price index increased 5.0%, compared with an increase of 3.5%.

The Federal Reserve has vowed to bring down inflation to 2% but despite the nine-rate hikes, prices are still rising at a faster pace than the Fed's preferred level.

U.S. Indexes & Yields

The S&P 500 index increased 0.6% to 4,050.83 and the Nasdaq Composite index rose 0.7% to 12,013.47.

For the month, the S&P 500 index is up 2.5% and the Nasdaq Composite index 5.6%.

The yield on 2-year Treasury notes increased 3 basis points to 4.11%, 10-year Treasury notes advanced 2 basis points to 3.55% and 30-yearTreasury bonds edged down 4 basis point to 3.74%.

Crude oil advanced $1.21 to $74.18 a barrel and natural gas fell 7 cents to $2.11 a thermal unit.

US Movers

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc dropped 23.3% to 61 cents after the struggling home goods retailer filed to raise $300 million in stock offering but also raised the prospect of a bankruptcy filing.

Evgo Inc soared 24.5% to $7.16 after the electric vehicle charging network company reported a surge in fourth quarter revenue and a rise in network throughput.

AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc edged down 0.4% to $4.98 after surging more than 13% in the last three days of trading on a speculation that Amazon.com Inc may acquire the network of movie theater operators.

Zebra Technologies Corp increased 3.1% to $305.33 after the mobile computing and scanning solutions provider announced a leadership change.

The company appointed Joe White as new Chief Product & Solutions Officer, replacing Bill Burns who became the company's CEO earlier this month.

Investors' enthusiasm for electronics production services providers lifted select stocks to record highs.

Cirrus Logic, the maker of fabless semiconductors and integrated circuits closed at a new high of $109.56 and Jabil Inc advanced to a record high of $86.74.

Both Cirrus and Jabil are making new highs for the last three months in a row.

Graphic Packaging closed at a new record high of $25.26 and the stock extended its monthly gains for the third month in a row.

European Markets Approached 3-week Highs After Inflation and Bank Worries Eased

European markets advanced for the third day in a row after investors looked beyond the recent banking crisis in the U.S. and Switzerland.

Market indexes advanced on the hopes that the decline in energy prices will continue to weaken goods price inflation and policymakers may slow interest rate hikes.

Spain's inflation fell sharply in March after electricity and fuel prices declined and the UK's automobile production rebounded after parts shortages eased.

Italy's jobless rate held at 7.0% in February, matching the rate in January, the statistical office ISTAT said Thursday.

Spain's Inflation Weakened In March

Consumer price inflation in Spain slowed at a slower pace in March after energy and fuel price fell, the statistical office INE reported Thursday.

Consumer price inflation on an annual basis in March rose at 3.3%, slower than 6.0% in February and the prices rose at the slowest pace since August 2021.

Core inflation, which excludes non-processed food and energy. eased slightly to 7.5% from 7.6% in February.

On a monthly basis, overall consumer prices rose 0.4%, slower than 0.9% increase in February.

The Bank of Spain has estimated EU harmonized inflation rate in Spain to drop to 3.7% in 2023 and weaken to 3.6% in 2024.

UK Automobile Production Rebounded In February

The UK automobile production in February rose 13.1% to 69.707 units after electronic chips and components shortages eased, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported Thursday.

Passenger car production for the home market increased 20.3% to 13,073 units and exports rose 11.5% to 56,634 units.

Exports to international markets accounted for 81.2% of total production.

Europe Indexes & Yields

The DAX index increased 1.1% to 15,499.89, the CAC-40 index advanced 1.2% to 7,273.02 and the FTSE 100 index added 0.8% to 7,624.49.

The yield on 10-year German Bunds rose to 2.32%, French bonds traded at 2.82%, the UK gilts at 3.46% and Italian bonds hovered near 4.14%.

The euro advanced to $1.086, the British pound to $1.234 and the Swiss franc to 91.51 cents.

Brent crude oil added 55 cents to $78.84 a barrel and the Dutch natural gas added 77 cents to Є43.57 a MWh.

Europe Movers

Resource stocks led the gainers after crude oil, copper and iron ore prices advanced.

Shell Plc, BP Plc, Glencore, Antofagasta, and Anglo American increased between 1% and 3%.

Vestas Wind Systems A/S added 5.0% to DKK 197.92 after the Danish wind turbine maker won a 1.31 GW onshore order in Brazil.

Casa dos Ventos Energias Renovaveis S/A placed an order for 756 MW wind turbine order for Rio Grande do Norte (Serra do Tigre) and 554 MW Bahia (Babilônia Centro) orders to be commissioned by 2025.

H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB surged 16.3% to DKK 142.88 after the apparel retailer reported a surprise operating profit in the quarter ending in February.

Revenue in the fiscal first quarter increased 12% to SEK 54.8 billion and operating profit rose to SEK 725 million from SEK 458 million a year ago.

Sellpy, the second-hand platform and an associated company is consolidated into the H&M group from the first quarter resulting in a one-time gain SEK 999 million.

After-tax net income in the fiscal first quarter increased to SEK 540 million compared to SEK 217 million and earnings per share rose to SEK 0.33 from SEK 0.13 a year ago.

Moonpig Group Plc soared 14.7% to 130.30 pence after the online greeting card and gifting platform in the UK and the Netherlands reiterated its annual revenue and adjusted earnings outlook.

The company estimated annual revenue for the financial year ending April remain "unchanged" at around £320 million.

The company added adjusted operating earnings guidance for the year also "remain unchanged."

Real gross domestic product growth for the final quarter of 2022 was revised lower, according to the third and final estimate released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Thursday.

The U.S. economy expanded at an annual pace of 2.6% in the December quarter, slower than the previous estimate of 2.7% and 3.2% in the third quarter.

Consumer spending increase was revised lower to 1.0% from the previous estimate of 1.4% and international

Real GDP increased 2.1% in 2022, compared with an increase of 5.9% in 2021.

30 Mar, 2023

EVgo Inc, the electric vehicle charging network company, reported a surge in fourth quarter revenue and a rise in network throughput.

Revenue in the fourth quarter increased 283% to $27.3 million from $7.1 million and net loss fell to $17.0 million from $46.3 million and diluted loss per share fell to 6 cents from 18 cents a year ago.

For the full-year 2022, revenue soared 146% to $54.6 million from $22.2 million and net loss expanded to $27.6 million from $5.9 million and diluted loss per share rose to 40 cents from 9 cents a year ago.

The company guided 2023 revenue in the range of $105 million to $150 million and adjusted operating earnings between $78 million and $60 million.

Additionally, at year-end 2023, EVgo expects to have between 3,400 and 4,000 DC fast charging stalls in operation or under construction.

30 Mar, 2023

Movers: AMC Entertainment, Bed Bath & Beyond, EVgo, Zebra Technologies

Scott Peters
30 Mar, 2023
New York City

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc dropped 23.3% to 61 cents after the struggling home goods retailer filed to raise $300 million in stock offering but also raised the prospect of a bankruptcy filing.

EVgo Inc soared 24.5% to $7.16 after the electric vehicle charging network company reported a surge in fourth quarter revenue and a rise in network throughput.

Revenue in the fourth quarter increased 283% to $27.3 million from $7.1 million and net loss fell to $17.0 million from $46.3 million and diluted loss per share fell to 6 cents from 18 cents a year ago.

For the full-year 2022, revenue soared 146% to $54.6 million from $22.2 million and net loss expanded to $27.6 million from $5.9 million and diluted loss per share rose to 40 cents from 9 cents a year ago.

The company guided 2023 revenue in the range of $105 million to $150 million and adjusted operating earnings between $78 million and $60 million.

Additionally, at year-end 2023, EVgo expects to have between 3,400 and 4,000 DC fast charging stalls in operation or under construction.

AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc edged down 0.4% to $4.98 after surging more than 13% in the last three days of trading on a speculation that Amazon.com Inc may acquire the network of movie theater operators.

Zebra Technologies Corp increased 3.1% to $305.33 after the mobile computing and scanning solutions provider announced a leadership change.

The company appointed Joe White as new Chief Product & Solutions Officer, replacing Bill Burns who became the company's CEO earlier this month.

Initial Weekly Jobless Claims Advanced 7,000

Brian Turner
30 Mar, 2023
New York City

Weekly jobless claims increased by 7,000 to 198,000 for the week ending March 25, the U.S Department of Labor reported Thursday.

The initial claims declined from the previous week's unrevised level of 191,000.

The 4-week moving average increased 2,000 to 198,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 196,250.

The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending March 18 was 1,689,000, a rise of 4,000 from the previous week's revised level.

The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending March 11 were in New Jersey 2.6%, Rhode Island 2.4%, California and Massachusetts 2.3%, Minnesota 2.2%, Illinois 2.0%, Alaska 1.9%, Montana and New York 1.9%, and Connecticut 1.8%.

Optimism Returned to Wall Street as Investors Look Beyond Regional Bank Crisis

Barry Adams
30 Mar, 2023
New York City

Stocks opened higher as optimism returned to Wall Street and investors surmised that the worst of the regional banking crisis may be over.

Major averages jumped as much as 1% in the early trading but steadily lost ground and treasury yields edged lower.