Comcast Stock (NASDAQ:CMCSA) Gains Despite Unsettling New Peacock Plan
Elevate Your Investing Strategy:
Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence.
Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week.
Basically, Peacock is about to see its single biggest price hike ever, reports note, going up by $3 per month. This will take prices of the ad-supported plan up to $10.99 a month, and the ad-free plan will jump to $16.99 per month. The price hike hits soon, too, starting up this Wednesday, July 23. The biggest reason seems to be the rising cost of sports rights, a vital part of many streaming operations' strategy.
There is a bit of hope for household budgets that depend heavily on Peacock, though. A new plan, called Peacock Select, will be coming out on a test basis later on. The scaled-down version offers next-day access to NBC and Bravo series, as well as '…a broad assortment of library titles.' But the sports are out, as are Peacock originals like Twisted Metal, and streaming movie premieres are also out. The only real advantage here is the cost savings, which will likely be a slap in the face to some subscribers.
A Boost for the Internet Subscribers
This news is certainly not welcome to most subscribers, but Comcast Xfinity subscribers will likely be much happier. Recently, they heard about Xfinity's new plan to simplify its plans, and its further plans to drop all data caps. The bane of most internet users' existence, data caps once set limits on just how much data users could access without either having their account throttled down to near-uselessness or incurring further charges.
Now, Xfinity comes in four flavors, based on speed—your choice of 300 Mbps, 500 Mbps, 1 Gbps and 2 Gbps—and prices that are either guaranteed or not depending on the rate that is paid. Previous plans will also be grandfathered in, reports note. Comcast also recently rolled out its new 'ultra-low lag' technology that helps improve use on things like video conferencing tools.
Is Comcast Stock a Good Buy Right Now?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Moderate Buy consensus rating on CMCSA stock based on eight Buys, eight Holds and one Sell assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After a 12.62% loss in its share price over the past year, the average CMCSA price target of $39.97 per share implies 14.22% upside potential.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
21 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Marin-Sonoma rail corridor expansion faces ‘existential threat' from lawsuit
The long-planned expansion of a hiking and biking pathway parallel to the North Bay commuter rail is facing a legal challenge from landowners who aren't keen on the trail cutting through their backyards. Sonoma-Marin Area Regional Transit, or SMART, has already constructed more than 39 miles of trail alongside its commuter rail tracks. The agency's ultimate goal is a multi-use pathway that runs the 70-mile length of the entire SMART corridor, which winds north from Larkspur in Marin County. The train currently goes only as far north as Windsor; a station in Healdsburg is slated to open in 2028, followed later by Cloverdale, the planned end of the line. SMART says it provides a way for people to access its 14 stations without needing to use a car. When completed, the pathway would also form the southern leg of the Great Redwood Trail, which could someday connect San Francisco Bay and Humboldt Bay. More than 130 plaintiffs sued SMART in 2021, accusing the agency of building its pathway on their properties without permission, by overstepping a series of 19th century easement agreements which allowed predecessor railroads to use the land for 'railroad purposes' only. After a judge dismissed about 100 of those claims, SMART paid $612,000 to settle the lawsuit with the remaining plaintiffs early last year. Now, however, about 65 of the plaintiffs whose claims had been dismissed have moved to proceed with the litigation. These plaintiffs, who own land along planned or newly-constructed stretches of the trail, argue that they should be compensated as the pathway extends. SMART spokeswoman Julia Gonzalez said the agency was notified of the second lawsuit, which has not been previously reported, on May 27. 'That's a real kind of existential threat to the remaining path system for SMART going forward,' David Rabbitt, who sits on SMART's Board of Directors, said at a meeting of the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District's board last month. The plaintiffs are represented by a Sacramento attorney, as well as a Kansas City-based law firm that specializes in securing compensation for 'landowners whose property is taken for recreational trails.' Those cases often pertain to the National Trails System Act, which created a program to convert abandoned rail corridors into public trails in 1983. Under that process, known as 'railbanking,' the responsibility for compensating eligible landowners falls to the federal government. But SMART isn't interested in railbanking because its rail corridor isn't abandoned — it's an active line, and the agency says pedestrian pathways are key to its services. 'SMART's rail corridor remains fully active for passenger and freight rail service and has been in continuous use since the District began service in 2017,' Gonzalez said. 'The pathway, located within SMART's existing, active rail corridor, is a public transit asset that integrates with rail operations and supports rather than replaces rail service.' Thomas Stewart, an attorney with the Kansas City practice Stewart, Wald and Smith, said the agency was trying to 'have their cake and eat it too' by applying its easement to both train and pedestrian services. 'If you're not using (the corridor) for railroad purposes and you're putting a totally different use on top of that railroad purposes easement, then you have, in essence, changed the use,' Stewart said. 'That's a violation of the terms of the original easement and you're responsible for whatever damages there are.' Stewart said the case could go to trial in February unless the plaintiffs secure a settlement. If a judge rules against SMART, the agency would still be able to complete its pathway, he said, but only after paying landowners a 's—load of money.' SMART maintains that its pathway serves the 'railroad purpose' required by the easement agreement — it provides 'critical first- and last-mile connections' by helping walkers and bikers bridge the gaps between stations. 'We believe this lawsuit is less about protecting property rights and more about seeking settlements from public agencies — with taxpayers ultimately bearing the cost,' Gonzalez said. 'Although SMART believes it has the right to construct the pathway within its rail corridor, to resolve the issue and avoid prolonged legal costs, SMART has initiated a process to clarify (the new plaintiffs') property title and, where appropriate, offer fair compensation for pathway use within SMART's existing active rail corridor.' Gonzalez declined to comment further on the open litigation, but she stressed that the agency would continue to prioritize pathway construction. Advocates, however, have concerns about what a compensation policy could mean for the ambitious expansion SMART has planned. Warren Wells, the policy and planning director of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, wants to see the pathway completed promptly — and he worries that any strain on the project's funds could create additional delays. SMART's expansion has been cramped by cash constraints, especially after North Bay voters rejected a 2020 sales tax measure intended to give the agency a boost. The agency's reliance on grant funds has left gaps in the trail that frustrate bikers and pedestrians. 'Someone trying to get around by bicycle might have a stretch of really great multi-use path, and then all of a sudden you're riding on the shoulder of a busy four-lane road,' Wells said. 'Failure to deliver complete networks scares people out of riding bikes, pushes them into driving cars and adds more traffic. So I think SMART's goal of building a large and complete network is important.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
China's Ant Group says Bright Smart deal on track following report of delay
BEIJING/HONG KONG (Reuters) -China's Ant Group said relevant procedures regarding its acquisition of Bright Smart Securities & Commodities Group are moving forward as planned, in response to a report that said the deal may face higher regulatory scrutiny and could be delayed. Shares of Bright Smart dropped as much as 26.2% to HK$10.26 on Friday after the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that the deal could be delayed as more mainland Chinese regulators contemplate reviewing the proposal. Hong Kong-based Bright Smart also said in a filing on Friday that it had noticed media reports suggesting a possible delay of the acquisition and that the relevant procedures with regard to the deal with the relevant authorities were progressing as planned. Ant agreed to buy a 50.55% controlling stake in Bright Smart Securities for HK$2.81 billion ($359.37 million), according to a filing by the brokerage in April. Ant was founded by billionaire Jack Ma and is 33% controlled by Alibaba. It operates China's ubiquitous mobile payments app Alipay. Chinese authorities pulled the plug on Ant's $37 billion IPO in Shanghai and Hong Kong in 2020 and cracked down on Ma's business empire soon after a speech in Shanghai in October that year accusing financial watchdogs of stifling innovation. That subsequently led to a forced restructuring of Ant and a nearly $1 billion fine by Chinese regulators. Ant is in the process of securing a financial holding company licence, which, once obtained, could facilitate the revival of its IPO goal. ($1 = 7.8192 Hong Kong dollars)
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
LumenHaus Powers Bayer 04 Leverkusen as Official Premium Partner for 2025/26 Season
LEVERKUSEN, Germany, Aug. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LumenHaus, Germany's forefront innovator in smart home energy solutions, has officially signed as an Official Premium Partner of Bayer 04 Leverkusen for the 2025/26 season, marking the start of a collaboration that blends tradition, innovation, and sustainability. This partnership brings together LumenHaus' smart energy solutions with the dynamic spirit of one of the Bundesliga's most storied left to right: Adrian Bühler (LumenHaus Marketing Director), Dr. Dai Wang (LumenHaus CEO), Fernando Carro (Bayer 04 CEO), Markus Breglec (Bayer 04 CMO) The signing ceremony took place at the BayArena, attended by LumenHaus Co-Founder & CEO Dr. Dai Wang and German Marketing Director Adrian Bühler, alongside Fernando Carro (CEO, Bayer 04 Leverkusen) and Markus Breglec (CMO, Bayer 04 Leverkusen). Dr. Dai Wang, Co-Founder & CEO of LumenHaus:'Bayer 04 Leverkusen's century-long tradition of perseverance and pushing boundaries has made football a cultural emblem of the city and its fans. At LumenHaus, we share the same drive—delivering innovative, reliable smart energy solutions that enhance everyday life for households, communities, and future generations. Through this partnership, we aim to honor tradition while fulfilling our mission: to bring championship-level energy experiences to German homes.' Fernando Carro, CEO of Bayer 04 Leverkusen:'We warmly welcome LumenHaus to the Werkself family. Their forward-thinking approach to technology aligns perfectly with our values—energy, passion, innovation, and responsibility. This is more than a partnership between sport and energy technology; it is a commitment to sustainable development, injecting dependable green power into our new season.' With this partnership, Bayer 04 takes its next step toward sporting excellence and sustainability, while LumenHaus continues to bring trusted, future-ready energy solutions to more households—together fostering warmer, more connected, and more sustainable communities. About Bayer 04 LeverkusenFounded in 1904, Bayer 04 Leverkusen—known as the 'Werkself' (Factory Team)—is one of Germany's most tradition-rich and innovation-driven football clubs. Since joining the Bundesliga in 1979, the team has been a consistent top-flight contender, celebrated for its competitive excellence, fighting spirit, and deep community ties. In the 2023/24 season, Bayer 04 secured both the Bundesliga championship and the DFB-Pokal title, marking a historic double triumph. About LumenHausLumenHaus is an innovation-driven German company transforming the home energy landscape through AI-powered solutions. With a Direct-to-Consumer model at its core, the company integrates artificial intelligence with solar generation, battery storage, home EV charging, and heat management systems—empowering households to optimize energy use, reduce costs, and accelerate the transition to a sustainable future. A video accompanying this announcement is available at A photo accompanying this announcement is available at CONTACT: Suri Song Email:
