Latest news with #MGMStudios
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Bank of America Weighs in on Amazon Stock Amid Rising Robotics Potential
Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) has made several high-profile acquisitions in recent years, including the $13.7 billion purchase of Whole Foods in 2017 and the $8.45 billion acquisition of MGM Studios in 2022. Confident Investing Starts Here: But long before these deals, Amazon made a strategic bet that would quietly redefine its core operations. In 2012, it acquired Kiva Systems for $775 million – a move that laid the foundation for the company's massive push into automation. That early investment has since evolved into a robotics powerhouse, with Amazon now deploying more than 20 types of robots and operating a fleet of over 750,000 units. Although robots are already deeply integrated into Amazon's fulfillment centers, Bank of America's Justin Post, an analyst ranked in the top 1% of Wall Street stock experts, thinks the company is still in the early stages of broader robotics adoption, as evidenced by the late-2024 launch of its automated fulfillment center and the May announcement of eight new robots for delivery stations set to be deployed over the next two years. 'Robots will be instrumental in improving Amazon's long-term cost structure,' says Post, 'likely by: 1) reducing labor dependencies and impact of wage inflation; 2) reducing employee injury costs; 3) increasing order accuracy, and 4) driving higher warehouse utilization.' Post thinks Robotics could strengthen Amazon's 'competitive moats,' especially as increased transparency in an AI-driven retail landscape favors companies with lower costs and faster delivery. According to Amazon, recent AI advancements have brought a 'step change' in how automation can help its employees, opening the door for further logistical innovation. The development of spatially aware robots capable of sorting, picking, and packing represents a 'significant breakthrough' in fulfillment and delivery – one that Amazon is likely to embrace well ahead of rivals, thanks in part to its leadership in AI through AWS. The cost-saving potential of robots is not to be sniffed at. The new 12th-generation fulfillment centers – equipped with 10 times more robots – are expected to reduce peak period service costs by 25%. The multi-year rollout of these advanced centers and retrofitting of existing facilities is underway, after kicking off with the initial one last year. Amazon is also deploying more robots in delivery stations and piloting autonomous drone deliveries in Texas and Arizona. Based on estimated efficiency gains – 20% in new fulfillment centers, 15% in updated delivery stations, and 40% for drone deliveries on select packages – by 2032, Post reckons robotics could generate up to $ 16 billion in annual cost savings. Additionally, there's still a way to go in improving margins. The 2024 retail operating profit margin of 5.4% amounts to a big improvement vs. 2022, and Post thinks that over the long-term, there is potential for margins to reach 11%, based on assumptions of a 55% margin on advertising, 20% on third-party (3P) services, 5% on subscriptions, breakeven for 1P (first-party) retail, and $10 billion in annual investment spending. 'We think robots and drones will increase Amazon's shipping speed advantages, and could add another 2pts to Amazon's long-term retail margins, helping move 1P toward better profitability in a very price-transparent AI world,' Post further said. Conveying his confidence, Post assigns a Buy rating to AMZN shares and raises his price target from $230 to $248, suggesting the stock could gain ~21% in the months ahead. (To watch Post's track record, click here) That is just one of many bullish AMZN takes on Wall Street; the stock's Strong Buy consensus rating is based on a lopsided mix of 47 Buys and 1 Hold. Going by the $240.62 average price target, a year from now, the shares will be changing hands for a 17% premium. (See AMZN stock forecast) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks' Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks' equity insights.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Travis Kelce Reveals Shocking Announcement On Major Body Change
Travis Kelce - who a minute ago was rumored to be "fat'' - is indeed making a physical changes. And it has nothing to do with a baggy sweater. The Kansas City Chiefs iconic tight end and the boyfriend of pop star Taylor Swift has altered his body in a major way in preparation for the 2025 NFL season. ... Advertisement Which might be his last before the 35-year-old future Hall of Famer rides off into the sunset with his sweetheart. At a recent event sponsored by MGM Studios, Kelce shared that he has dropped 25 pounds. ... a complete flip from earlier rumors that he'd let himself go a bit during the offseason. Kelce is generally listed at being 6-5 and around 250 pounds. So ... A drop to all the way down to 225 pounds seems a bit drastic. It is quite possible that Kelce is doing a common thing among NFL players, which is simply tinkering with different weights to test the feel. We bet Kelce might end up wanting to put a bit of that weight back on before training camp and for when the new 2025 NFL season rolls around. Advertisement At the same time, as an athlete ages and loses a bit of his speed and agility? A weight loss can be a compensatory move for that. This much we know, in word and in deed: The Chiefs, led by the likes of Patrick Mahomes (who has also trimmed down this spring) and Kelce, are hungry to make another run at a Super Bowl ring. And they seem in shape to do just that. Related: Kelce Body-Shame Photo Going Viral Related: Mahomes Gets Incredible Honor And Gives Back in Texas
Geek Culture
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Culture
Prime Video's 'Fallout' Secures Early Season 3 Renewal Ahead Of Dec Premiere
Prime Video's Fallout series, based on the post-apocalyptic video game franchise by Bethesda Game Studios, has received an early season 3 renewal ahead of the premiere of its second season in December this year. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Prime Video announced the renewal during its presentation on season two's premiere. 'We are absolutely thrilled that our global Prime Video customers will be able to delve deeper into the wonderfully surreal and captivating world of Fallout ,' Amazon MGM Studios' global head of television, Vernon Sanders, added in a statement. 'Together with our amazing partners at Bethesda Games and Bethesda Softworks, we are delighted to announce a third season of Fallout , well ahead of the much-anticipated debut of season two.' The continuation of the series should come as no surprise, with Fallout breaking Prime Video records upon its release, becoming the biggest US opening in Amazon's history by amassing over 65 million viewers and cementing its position as one of the streamers top three series to date. Series co-showrunner Robertson-Dworet had also stated in a separate interview that the show is hoping to introduce more elements from the game in its second season, explaining that 'there were so many things that [they] were not able to put in the show that [they] really desperately wanted that are either brilliant ideas for characters, creatures, set pieces', and that moving forward, the series would bring in new elements from the Fallout mythology. The series stars Ella Purnell ( Arcane ), Aaron Moten ( Emancipation ), Walton Goggins ( Justified ), and Kyle MacLachlan ( Twin Peaks ) as Lucy, Maximus, Cooper Howard / The Ghoul, and Hank MacLean, respectively, who will all return for the second season alongside newcomers like Kumail Nanjiani ( Eternals ) as 'a high-ranking official within the Brotherhood of Steel' and Macaulay Culkin ( Home Alone ) as 'a crazy genius-type character'. Fallout season two is set to premiere on Prime Video in December 2025. Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise 'duds' like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3 . He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying. Amazon Fallout Prime Video
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Prime Video Ad Tier Surpasses 130 Million US Active Users
Prime Video's ad-supported tier has surpassed 130 million active users in the U.S., a 13% increase from the 115 million previously reported last year. The updated figures, which were revealed ahead of Amazon's upfront presentation to advertisers Monday, come nearly a year and a half after the offering was first launched as the default for subscribers. Viewers looking for an ad-free experience have the option to pay an additional monthly fee of $2.99. In addition to the U.S., Prime Video's ad tier is currently available in Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, the U.K. Amazon has also announced plans to expand the offering to Brazil, India, Japan, the Netherlands and New Zealand in 2025. Prime Video costs $8.99 per month as a standalone app, and is also available to Prime members who pay the company $14.99 per month (or $139 per year) to get free shipping on products and other perks. When combining Prime Video with Amazon's other owned and operated entertainment properties such as Twitch, MGM Studios, Wondery and Amazon Music, the tech giant's entertainment portfolio reaches an average monthly ad-supported audience of more than 275 million in the U.S. In addition to the updated user figures for Prime Video, Amazon revealed that 88% of the streaming service's viewers in the U.S. have shopped on the e-commerce giant's platform. The upfront presentation, which begins at 6:30 p.m. ET from the Beacon Theater in New York City, will also unveil AI-generated contextual pause ads; shoppable ads with real-time Amazon store information, such as product details, pricing, deals, reviews, inventory availability and Prime shipping details; and an expanded suite of interactive formats, including location-based messaging, lead generation like 'get a quote' and 'book an appointment,' and 'subscribe now' buttons. 'Our ad formats are proven to drive measurable action on and off Amazon,' said Amazon Advertising global ad sales vice president Alan Moss said in a statement. 'Starting this year, we are introducing a contextual advertising experience that dynamically aligns the ad message with the content viewers are watching—creating a natural and relevant connection. Based on Amazon's signals and fully addressable and authenticated audiences, we are uniquely positioned to offer viewers scene-aware ads as extensions of the entertainment experience, not interruptions.' The post Prime Video Ad Tier Surpasses 130 Million US Active Users appeared first on TheWrap.
Indianapolis Star
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Indianapolis Star
Retro Indy: Gentlemen, start your movie viewing. Hollywood has long loved the Indy 500
(Editor's note: This story originally appeared in 2017.) Fast cars, rivalries, race scenes, handsome drivers with grit and determination and beautiful women who stick by them. That's Hollywood's take on racing at the Indianapolis practice for the 109th running of the Indy 500 scheduled to start May 13, here's a sampling of some of the many films made over the years starring the race. Some were even filmed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "Speedway" (1929): Featured both silent and sound-synchronized sequences. Two-thirds of the scenes were filmed around Indianapolis and one can easily spot landmarks, such as Monument Circle. Fourteen cameras were used to shoot "time trials" and the race. This is the first feature film to focus on Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "The Crowd Roars" (1932): James Cagney and Joan Blondell star in this movie directed by Goshen native Howard Hawks. Cagney tries to keep his brother out of the racing business. Atmospheric and crash scenes were filmed in Indianapolis. Drivers Billy Arnold, who served as technical advisor to the film, Ralph Hepburn, Wilbur Shaw, Stubby Stubblefield and Harry Hartz were cast as themselves. "Straightaway" (1933): Tim McCoy stars as a racer bound for the Indy 500. McCoy's brother is framed for murder, and gangsters try to fix the "guilty" verdict if McCoy's brother wins the Indy 500. "Speed" (1936): Jimmy Stewart, Wendy Barrie and Una Merkel star in this 60-minute B-movie about an engineer and test driver who enter the 500-Mile Race to test the new carburetor design. "Speed to Spare" (1937): Charles Quigley stars as racer Tommy Morton, who tracks down his long-lost brother Larry 'Skids' Brannigan, who becomes his rival. "Road Demon" (1938): Henry Archer stars as a truck driver by day, dirt track racer at night who convinces his boss to back a race car. Race sequences filmed at the Indy 500. Bill "Bojangles" Robinson plays a tap-dancing junkyard owner. "Indianapolis Speedway" (1939): A remake of "The Crowd Roars," that stars Pat O'Brien, John Payne and Ann Sheridan. Extra footage from "The Crowd Roars" was used in this movie. "Sport Chumpions" (1941): A Warner Bros. classic cartoon that features the "Indianapolis Speed Classic." Brief but amusing."The Big Wheel" (1949): Mickey Rooney is the son of a race driver who tries to clear his name after running over a teammate in a California midget race. He makes his way to Indianapolis and, in Hollywood fashion, crosses the finish line with his car on fire, jumping from the racer just before it explodes. "To Please a Lady" (1950): Clark Gable stars as a ruthless midget racer whose reckless driving causes the death of another driver. Barbara Stanwyck plays a newspaper columnist who wants him banned from the sport of racing. A crew of 70 from MGM Studios set up shop at the Speedway to film and 14 cameras trained on the racing, crowd and action scenes. "Roar of the Crowd" (1953): Drivers Duke Nalon, Johnnie Parsons and Henry Banks play themselves. Howard Duff's character is the son of a racer, who makes a deal with his girlfriend that he will quit racing once he races in the Indianapolis 500. He's injured during qualifying and quits before she gives in and he finally qualifies. Stock footage of the race was used. "Winning" (1969): This movie features an all-star cast of Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, and Robert Wagner. Newman plays racer Frank Capua, who marries Woodward's character. Wagner portrays Luther Erding, Capua's rival, who sleeps with Woodward's character. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is featured and the Speedway Motel has a cameo.
