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Globe and Mail
4 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
NFLX vs. WBD: Which Entertainment Stock Has an Edge Right Now?
The streaming landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with Netflix NFLX and Warner Bros. Discovery WBD representing two distinct approaches to entertainment distribution. Netflix has established itself as the global streaming leader with more than 700 million viewers worldwide, while Warner Bros. Discovery combines traditional media assets with streaming ambitions through its Max platform and extensive content library. Both companies face similar challenges in an increasingly competitive market, including content costs, subscriber acquisition, and the need to balance growth with profitability. Their recent quarterly results and strategic announcements provide valuable insights into their respective trajectories and investment potential. Let's delve deep and closely compare the fundamentals of the two stocks to determine which one is a better investment now. The Case for NFLX Stock Netflix delivered impressive first-quarter results that reinforce its position as the streaming industry's dominant force. The company reported 13% revenue growth to $10.54 billion, with operating income surging 27% year over year, demonstrating strong operational leverage. The company has set an ambitious target to double its revenues by 2030 and achieve a $1 trillion market capitalization. Netflix's growth strategy includes expanding its content library, developing live programming options, enhancing its gaming division, and building its advertising business. The company's advertising tier has emerged as a significant growth driver, with management projecting advertising revenues to double in 2025. The recent launch of Netflix's proprietary Ad Suite in the United States marks a crucial step toward monetization independence and enhanced targeting capabilities. Over 55% of new subscribers in ad-supported markets are choosing this option, indicating strong consumer acceptance of the value proposition. Content remains Netflix's core strength, with a robust slate including live events, original series, and films across multiple genres and languages. The company's investment in local content production across 50 countries creates a sustainable competitive advantage while building cultural relevance in key markets. Recent successes like WWE programming and upcoming boxing matches demonstrate Netflix's ability to expand beyond traditional streaming content. Looking ahead, Netflix's guidance projects 15.4% revenue growth for the second quarter, with operating margins expected to improve to 33%. The company maintains its full-year revenue guidance of $43.5-$44.5 billion while targeting $8 billion in free cash flow, reflecting strong cash generation capabilities that support continued content investment and shareholder returns. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings is pegged at $25.42 per share, indicating 28.19% growth year over year. Find the latest earnings estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar. The Case for WBD Stock Warner Bros. Discovery faces a more complex strategic landscape as it navigates the separation into two distinct entities, namely Streaming & Studios and Global Linear Networks. This restructuring, expected to complete by mid-2026, aims to unlock shareholder value by allowing each business to focus on its core strengths and pursue targeted growth strategies. The company's streaming segment, centered around Max, showed resilience with 122.3 million subscribers and positive momentum in content performance. Recent successes include popular series and strong international expansion, with Max now available in 77 markets. The platform benefits from HBO's premium content reputation and Warner Bros. Discovery's extensive film library, providing a differentiated value proposition. However, WBD's financial profile presents challenges. First-quarter revenues declined 10% to $9 billion, reflecting ongoing pressures in traditional linear television and the company's transition to streaming-first operations. The company carries a significant debt burden of $38 billion, though management has been actively reducing leverage through debt repayments and refinancing activities. The planned separation strategy could create value by allowing the streaming business to operate with greater flexibility while the linear networks business focuses on cash generation. Global Linear Networks continues to generate substantial cash flow, providing financial stability during the transition period. The combined entity's vast content library and production capabilities across multiple studios represent long-term assets that could drive future growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings is pegged at a loss of 4 cents per share, narrower than loss of $4.62 per share reported in the year-ago period. Valuation and Price Performance Netflix trades at a significant premium with a forward price-to-sales ratio of 11.33x, reflecting investor confidence in its growth trajectory and streaming dominance. In contrast, WBD trades at a discounted 0.77x forward price-to-sales ratio, indicating market skepticism about its restructuring strategy and debt burden. This valuation gap underscores different investor perceptions of each company's future prospects. NFLX vs. WBD: P/S F12M Ratio Netflix's superior stock performance reinforces this sentiment, with shares surging 41.6% year to date compared with WBD's more modest 13.6% gain and the Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector's 10.2% rise. The premium valuation for Netflix appears justified given its consistent execution, while WBD's discounted multiple reflects ongoing transformation risks and financial complexities. NFLX Outperforms WBD in YTD Conclusion Netflix demonstrates superior fundamental strength through consistent revenue growth, expanding margins, and strong cash generation capabilities. The company's global streaming leadership, successful advertising tier launch, and robust content pipeline position it for continued outperformance. WBD's strategic restructuring, while potentially value-creating, introduces execution risks and timeline uncertainties that may limit near-term upside. Netflix's clearer path to profitability growth, combined with its proven ability to adapt to market changes, makes it a more attractive investment opportunity. Investors should buy Netflix stock to capitalize on its streaming dominance and improving financial metrics, while holding or waiting for better entry points on WBD until the separation strategy shows clearer progress. NFLX currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), whereas WBD has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops." Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.5% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. See them now >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Netflix, Inc. (NFLX): Free Stock Analysis Report Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD): Free Stock Analysis Report
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Henry Golding Expects ‘Crazy Rich Asians' TV Show To Begin Production Soon
Henry Golding is ready to return to the upper crust life of Nick Young as a Crazy Rich Asians series adaptation approaches production. After starring as the romantic lead in Jon M. Chu's 2018 adaptation of the Kevin Kwan novel, the actor recently shared a 'promising' update on the upcoming HBO Max series expansion. More from Deadline Henry Golding Shares 'Crazy Rich Asians' TV Series Update: 'Everybody's Excited' 'Crazy Rich Asians' TV Series From Adele Lim, Jon M. Chu & Kevin Kwan Gains Momentum At Max With Development Room Henry Golding Explains Why James Bond Role Is "Every Actor's Kind Of Nightmare" 'Something's being made. I think we're actually going to do a series. That's what they're trying to give us,' he said on Watch What Happens Live. 'Aiming for like first quarter, even, next year.' Golding told host Andy Cohen, 'There are scripts hanging around but they haven't been passed on yet. I haven't read anything, but I hear it's promising.' The Warner Bros. TV series previously opened a development room led by executive producer and showrunner Adele Lim, who penned the movie with Peter Chiarelli. Chu and Kwan also serve as executive producers on the show. As of February, the original cast was in unofficial chats about returning. A source told Deadline the series will not replace the long-awaited sequel of the 2018 film, but will be based on the same book series. Nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy, Crazy Rich Asians grossed more than $239 million globally, breaking several box office records. The movie stars Constance Wu as Rachel Chu, an NYU professor who accompanies her longtime boyfriend Nick (Golding) to his best friend's wedding in Singapore, where she learns he's from an extremely wealthy family and considered the country's most eligible bachelor. Best of Deadline 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More
Glasgow Times
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
HBO: First look at new Harry Potter as production starts
HBO previously confirmed they would be working on a series based on the books that were previously made into a film franchise starring the likes of Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson. The new show will be more "book-driven", with each series telling the story of one year at the magical school, Hogwarts. As production of the new Harry Potter series kicks off, HBO has released the first look at the new series. HBO releases first look at new Harry Potter series Confirming the start of production, HBO shared a picture of young actor Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter. The actor was holding a clipboard, wearing the character's glasses, Hogwarts robes and with the scar on his forehead. New cast members have also been announced. (Image: HBO) Along with the first look at McLaughlin as Harry Potter, HBO shared several new castmates. Recommended reading: This includes Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander. Previously sharing what fans can expect from the new Harry Potter series, HBO said: "Each season will be authentic to the original books and bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and beloved films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally.' The series is expected to debut on the HBO, Max and Warner Bros Discovery streaming services in 2027. Production is taking place at Warner Bros Studios Leavesden in Hertfordshire.
Business Wire
11 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Trusty Raises $1 Million Pre-Seed to Bring Clarity to Estate Planning with Modern Letter of Wishes
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Trusty, the AI-powered estate platform helping families manage, assign, and protect their wealth across generations, today announced the close of $1 million in pre-seed funding, co-led by Relay Ventures and Graphite Ventures, with participation from Mistral Venture Partners and strategic angel investors. The investment will accelerate Trusty's product development and go-to-market expansion across Canada and the U.S., with a focus on advancing its AI asset detection wizard, in-app AI assistant, and growing its proprietary workflows with partnered wealth and estate professionals. After co-founding and scaling Uberflip into a leading marketing platform, Randy Frisch is now applying his product and go-to-market expertise to a deeply personal mission: reimagining the way families plan for and talk about their legacy. With over $84 trillion expected to transfer between generations in the coming decades, coined 'The Great Wealth Transfer,' the need for a modern wealth transfer tool is critical. Estate plans, including wills, focus on the legal and tax side of planning, leaving a gap when it comes to personal assets and intentions. Today, people rely on handwritten Letters of Wishes, a paper-based workaround that's easy to lose and lacks the context and clarity heirs and executors need. Founded in 2024 and rebranded to Trusty in 2025, the company is on a mission to bring families a trusted platform to share their wishes; both legal and personal. Trusty brings clarity and ease to life's toughest moments so families can better understand their wills, track personal items, and pass down meaningful keepsakes. Using modern AI for image recognition, document analysis, and a conversational assistant named 'Max,' Trusty helps users digitize their valuables, make sense of legal documents, and record personal video messages for loved ones. 'I realized the need for Trusty after my grandmother passed away at 104, and I saw firsthand how emotionally and logistically complicated managing an estate can be, even in well-prepared families who have a will,' said Randy Frisch, Founder & CEO of Trusty. 'My own drawers were overflowing with important receipts, appraisals, and outdated estate documents that many of us forget we have. Wills don't tell the whole story, and the gaps from misplaced assets and unclear intent create confusion and conflict. Trusty makes it easy to share your wishes clearly and securely, so families are brought together, not apart.' 'I've been an executor myself, and I've seen the toll it takes when families are left without clarity,' said Aaron Bast, Managing Director, General Partner at Graphite Ventures. 'The legal documents are there, but the context is often missing—what's valuable, who it's for, where to find it. That's where Trusty comes in. It's designed to be the connective tissue that families and advisors have long needed.' 'We love backing category-defining technologies and leaders, and Randy is doing just that in estate tech with Trusty,' added Alex Baker, Managing Partner at Relay Ventures. 'Randy's blend of vision, founder experience, and product intuition makes this an easy bet for us and any family or advisor.' Trusty is designed to complement the relationships formed with wealth advisors, making it easier for families to share key information and intentions with the people they trust most. Already piloted with consumers, Trusty is now forming commercial distribution partnerships. Among the first is Purpose Unlimited, the financial services firm founded by Som Seif, which is exploring distribution of Trusty in alignment with its vision of 'shaping the future of finance by equipping financial advisors with transformative solutions.' Trusty is also partnering with banks, wealth teams, insurance providers, and estate planning professionals to integrate its platform into everyday advisory workflows. While Trusty is a consumer-first app, where individuals control their own data and choose what to share, it's also designed to become a core tool for advisors who want a clearer and collaborative view of their clients' estates. To join Trusty's mission to make estate planning clear, visit or download to trial or purchase the app on the Apple App Store or Google Play. About Trusty Trusty is the AI-powered platform helping families track assets, assign heirs, and preserve their legacy. Built for today's wealth holders and tomorrow's inheritors, Trusty works alongside traditional estate plans, including your will, to provide emotional context, clarity, and coordination across generations. Learn more at About Graphite Ventures Trusted by founders, Graphite Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital firm that invests in early-stage B2B software and capital-efficient hardware companies. Graphite is one of Canada's most active and consistent VC firms, and the team has invested in more than 200 companies over the past decade. Graphite launched the $120M Graphite Fund IV in 2021 with a focus on seed stage opportunities across Canada. About Relay Ventures Relay Ventures, founded in 2008, is one of Canada's leading independent VC fund managers. The Firm is presently investing out of its fifth fund, which commenced in 2022. It has invested in more than 130 companies and successfully exited more than half through M&A and IPO. The Firm has a team of 20 professionals with offices in Toronto and Calgary.
Daily Record
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
BBC EastEnders Oscar Branning actor's real age leaves fans gobsmacked
EastEnders fans were left stunned after discovering the true age of the actor who plays Oscar Branning, who returned to the BBC soap earlier this week. EastEnders fans were left stunned after learning the real age of actor Pierre Moullier, who plays Oscar Branning on the BBC soap. Oscar was introduced as the third child of Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Tanya Cross (Jo Joyner). The character was born in 2007 amid his dad's affair with daughter-in-law Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner). He was last seen in the Square back in 2017 after visiting Max briefly on Father's Day and has since been living away from Walford with Tanya, following her split from Max. However, this week marked the return of Oscar to the soap, now played by actor Pierre Moullier. The character made his reappearance in Monday's episode where he rang sister Lauren Branning after finding himself in a bit of trouble. The return of Oscar was announced last month, with new executive producer Ben Wadey revealing that "there's going to be plenty of drama in store this summer", according to Plymouth Live. Pierre described joining the soap as "pretty surreal" and hinted that "the audience should be prepared for the unexpected as he's a complex guy". Prior to his stint in EastEnders, Pierre features in Channel 4 series Cast Offs back in 2009. He also had a more minor role in Netflix's Fate: The Winx Saga. However, it's the actors age which has caused many fans to be left stunned. While Oscar is 17 years old on the BBC One soap, actor Pierre Moullier himself is around 24 or 25. On an EastEnders Facebook fan page, viewers expressed their surprise that Pierre is actually in his mid-twenties, as they quickly racked up comments. EastEnders fans were left gobsmacked after finding out the news. One person wrote, "The new actor who plays Oscar Branning is 24 or 25! Wth," one viewer couldn't hide their surprise. Another fan was equally astonished, as they quipped, "No way is he 25." A third chimed in, expressing their disbelief: "What? ! I thought he was like 18!". The Branning family is set for further drama as it's not just Oscar making a return to EastEnders. Max Branning, Oscar's dad, is also set to make a comeback to Albert Square as we reported previously. Jake Wood, the actor famed for portraying Max, shared his enthusiasm about rejoining the cast. He said, "I'm over the moon to be coming home to Walford. Max has got lots of unresolved drama with many characters, so I'm sure he'll be busy." He continued, hinting at an eventful storyline ahead: "I'm excited to see what he's been up to, and what is next for the character, but if his last 15 years in the Square are anything to go by, I'm sure there will be plenty of chaos."
