Latest news with #PeterJackson
Irish Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Flutter weighs Illinois tax impact
Paddy Power owner Flutter is weighing how it will react to a betting tax imposed by state legislators in Illinois in the US. The US state's budget includes a 25 cents tax on every individual bet taken up to the first 20 million wagers, and 50 cents each past that point. Dublin-based Flutter's biggest subsidiary is Fanduel in the US, which has been expanding as individual states legalise sports betting. Speaking after its annual general meeting in Dublin on Thursday, Peter Jackson, chief executive, said that it would 'figure out' how to react and whether to pass the charge on to customers. READ MORE He noted that betting was not the only industry affected. Analysts speculate that it could cost Flutter tens of millions of dollars. Maryland is increasing its betting tax to 20 per cent from 15 per cent this month while other states are also considering raising their levies. The company moved its primary listing to the New York Stock Exchange last year, exiting the Dublin Euronext market at the same time. Mr Jackson said that the group was very pleased with the outcome despite reports that the volatility sparked by president Donald Trump's frequent policy shifts had put some investors off the US market. He added that there had been a 'step up' in liquidity there. Mr Jackson did not comment on the Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission's recent announcement that it had begun an investigation of the betting industry. That move included dawn raids on business offices by commission staff, accompanied by Gardaí. Flutter last month cautioned that a run of sports results favouring customers could affect US profits this year. Mr Jackson stressed that Flutter was comfortable with the odds it offered customers, which ultimately determine its risk. 'We're very confident in our pricing,' he said. Flutter has businesses in the Republic, UK, Europe, the Americas and Australia.
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Netflix 'work of art' war film from legendary director a 'must-watch'
Director Peter Jackson set out to pay tribute to his late grandfather, who fought in the war, by creating an immersive experience of life at war, rather than a retelling of events The war documentary directed by Peter Jackson, renowned for the Lord of The Rings trilogy, has been hailed as a "work of art" with its focus on soldiers' experiences rather than a historical recounting. They Shall Not Grow Old was created by Peter Jackson as a homage to his late grandfather who served in the war, prompting him to create an immersive portrayal of wartime life. The film, released in 2018, offers a fresh perspective by using colourised and restored unseen footage from the First World War, intending to show the true nature of life for soldiers. It fittingly premiered on the centenary of the Armistice on 11 November 1918. A Rotten Tomatoes said: "I've never seen such an artistic approach to a documentary. Peter Jackson uses his extraordinary vision to capture the tragedy of the Great War. "The transitions of the black and white/small screen to colour full screen encapsulate an eerie clarity that comes with war, capturing the ignorance of the horrors of modern warfare, both before the war ramped up and after the war ended. This film is a work of art.", reports the Express. Upon examining the footage, sourced from the BBC and IWM archives, the director opted for a creative approach by using audio excerpts of the actual soldiers instead of a conventional narration. This decision shifted the focus onto the soldiers rather than the war itself, resulting in very few dates or locations being disclosed throughout the film. Discussing the creation of the film, Jackson told Flix: "We also edited out any references to dates and places because I didn't want the movie to be about this day here or that day there. There's hundreds of books about all that stuff. I wanted the film to be a human experience and be agnostic in that way." They Shall Not Grow Old has received an impressive 99% overall score on the review site, with countless glowing reviews praising its 'true' retelling of these soldiers' stories. One review said: "Amazing window to see the true happenings of the First World War. The commentary from the soldiers was amazing to get to see their point of view and their experiences. There's nothing like it." Another review added: "A must-see film depicting the horrors of war by the ones who fought and survived. The revamped footage, along with commentary sharing individual stories of their experiences, makes for a compelling movie on the Great War." When discussing his choice to colourise archival footage, Jackson stated that the soldiers who fought in the conflict didn't perceive it in black and white, thus he felt compelled to present it as they experienced it. The director undertook this project out of sheer enthusiasm, without any financial compensation, after his team restored all 100 hours of the material. One viewer said: "Incredible cinematic work to breathe new life into old footage and pay respect to a generation's sacrifice." Another shared their thoughts, saying: "I'm not the largest fan of documentaries; however, this documentary is not only emotional, entertaining, and informative to watch, but it is also revolutionary and an absolute must-see for any history fans and those just looking for a powerful and fresh look at the horrors of WWI." The impactful documentary, They Shall Not Grow Old, is available for viewing now on Amazon Prime.
NZ Herald
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Hobbiton Movie Set receives Guinness World Record for largest purpose-built film set
' Visitors to Hobbiton Movie Set are often blown away by the scale of the movie set and the detail they kept in the gardens and Hobbit holes nestled into the hillsides of The Shire, so to be recognised for this is fantastic'. The set was originally created in 1999 over nine months after Sir Peter Jackson's team of location scouts fell in love with the Alexander family's sheep and beef farm in the rolling green hills of the Waikato countryside a year earlier. The set was built with the help of the New Zealand Army, and soon 39 Hobbit Holes were taking shape. Filming for the Lord of the Rings trilogy started in December 1999 and took about 15 months. After filming wrapped up, the set was meant to be demolished, however, before the entire set could be taken down, the Alexander family intervened and 17 bare plywood facades remained. In 2009, Jackson returned to film the trilogy of The Hobbit movies and he left behind the set visitors see today, including 44 permanently reconstructed Hobbit Holes. Since then, the set has grown further to include the cafe The Green Dragon Inn in 2012 and two interior Hobbit Holes in 2023. WingNut Films chief executive and representative from Sir Peter Jackson's office Carlos Ramirez Laloli said they were 'thrilled' to hear about the record. 'This achievement is a testament to the care and dedication that Russell [Alexander], Shayne [Forrest], and the entire Hobbiton team demonstrate in their custodianship over the property,' Laloli said. 'We hope that this well-deserved recognition will lead to many more people taking their own unexpected journey's to experience the magic of Hobbiton.' A spokesperson for Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said the world record was great news. 'This is great recognition for an iconic New Zealand tourism attraction, and one we're very proud to have in the Waikato. 'We know people love it, the effort which goes into maintaining the set, and of course the creative energy behind the movies themselves.' On her social media page, Upston said it was a 'very cool' recognition. 'Great recognition for one of New Zealand's most iconic attractions. Hobbiton brings in over half a million visitors a year, helping boost tourism and grow our economy.' Matamata-Piako Mayor Adrienne Wilcock said the record confirmation was 'awesome news' for the local community and the wider Waikato. 'Hobbiton is already a magical place nestled in the heart of Matamata farmland, and being named the largest movie set in the world is just the icing on the cake. It's a huge credit to the team at Hobbiton — their passion, hard work, and vision have turned a film set into one of New Zealand's most iconic destinations," Wilcock said. 'It's the kind of recognition that draws even more visitors to experience the magic of The Shire, and with Jetstar starting international flights into Hamilton in June, the timing couldn't be better. I'm sure the benefits will be felt across our local economy and through the whole Waikato region.' Hamilton and Waikato Tourism chief executive Nicola Greenwell congratulated the Hobbiton team on the achievement. 'While Guinness World Record have acknowledged Hobbiton Movie Set for being the largest, in our opinion, it is also the most magical,' she said. 'The team at Hobbiton Movie Set are masters at providing exceptional visitor experiences ... It doesn't matter if you have been to Hobbiton Movie Set before or if you are a new visitor, the magic continues.' Waikato Herald. She joined NZME in 2021 and is based in Hamilton.
NZ Herald
15-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Nicola Willis announces $577m film investment at Peter Jackson's film studio
The Government will top up the screen production grant, a subsidy to the film industry, by $577m this Budget. The announcement was made during a tour of Peter Jackson's studio in Wellington. The scheme has brought billions of dollars of film investment to New Zealand. New Zealand's film subsidy regime will survive the latest round of budget cuts, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced this morning. Willis announced she was tipping $577 million into the scheme at the Budget in order to reflect the higher-than-expected demand on the subsidy. This means the rebate will total $1.09 billion over the four-year forecast period. Willis announced the investment during a visit to Peter Jackson's Stone Street Studios on Friday morning as part of a pre-Budget tour. The studio, in the Wellington suburb of Miramar, has seen film shoots for The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbi t, King Kong, and Avatar.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BLDR Q1 Earnings Call: Management Lowers Guidance Amid Housing Market Headwinds
Building materials company Builders FirstSource (NYSE:BLDR) met Wall Street's revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, but sales fell by 6% year on year to $3.66 billion. On the other hand, the company's full-year revenue guidance of $16.55 billion at the midpoint came in 0.9% below analysts' estimates. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.51 per share was 6.4% above analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy BLDR? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $3.66 billion vs analyst estimates of $3.67 billion (6% year-on-year decline, in line) Adjusted EPS: $1.51 vs analyst estimates of $1.42 (6.4% beat) Adjusted EBITDA: $369.2 million vs analyst estimates of $377.5 million (10.1% margin, 2.2% miss) The company dropped its revenue guidance for the full year to $16.55 billion at the midpoint from $17 billion, a 2.6% decrease EBITDA guidance for the full year is $1.9 billion at the midpoint, below analyst estimates of $2.04 billion Operating Margin: 5%, down from 9.6% in the same quarter last year Free Cash Flow Margin: 0.9%, down from 5.8% in the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $13.21 billion Builders FirstSource's first quarter results reflected persistent challenges across the housing construction market, as discussed by CEO Peter Jackson. Management attributed the year-on-year revenue decline to softer single-family and multifamily housing starts, lower average home values, and ongoing affordability issues for homebuyers. CFO Pete Beckmann highlighted operational adjustments, such as capacity realignment and expense controls, to offset the impact of reduced demand. Jackson emphasized continued investments in digital tools and value-added offerings, aiming to strengthen customer relationships and improve productivity, even as overall sales volumes declined. Discussing the company's outlook, management cited ongoing uncertainty in both the macroeconomic and industry environments. Beckmann explained that the reduced full-year revenue and EBITDA guidance was driven by weaker expectations for single-family housing starts, moderating multifamily activity, and anticipated tariff impacts on imported raw materials. Jackson admitted, 'We're not expecting a recovery in the broader market or from key customers,' and stressed that guidance assumes no substantial rebound in demand during the remainder of the year. Management described the outlook as largely seasonal, with growth in the second half dependent on acquisition contributions rather than a market recovery. Builders FirstSource's leadership discussed several operational and strategic themes impacting first quarter performance and future positioning. While headline revenue and margins fell, management focused on factors within their control and highlighted continued investments in core capabilities. Operational cost management: Management reported $17 million in productivity savings for the quarter, attributed to targeted supply chain initiatives, truss manufacturing efficiency, and improved fleet management. These efforts are intended to maintain flexibility and profitability in a subdued demand environment. Digital tools adoption: The company's BFS digital platform continued to gain traction among smaller builders, generating $19 million in incremental sales for the quarter. Management expects digital sales adoption to accelerate, aiming for $200 million in additional sales for the full year as the platform expands. Acquisition activity: Builders FirstSource completed two acquisitions in the quarter—Alpine Lumber and O.C. Cluss—expanding its presence in Colorado, New Mexico, and parts of the Northeast. Management described these deals as consistent with the company's strategy to grow value-added offerings and geographic reach. Product and market mix trends: Value-added product sales, particularly in multifamily, faced notable declines as activity normalized from prior-year highs. Management noted ongoing shifts toward smaller, simpler homes and lower-cost product categories in response to affordability pressures, affecting both volume and margin mix. Tariff and commodity headwinds: Leadership outlined expected annual tariff cost impacts of $175 million to $250 million, primarily on imported raw materials. While some costs are expected to be passed through to customers, management cautioned that the precise market impact remains uncertain and is not fully reflected in current guidance. Looking ahead, Builders FirstSource's management expects ongoing housing market softness, efforts to boost operational efficiency, and the impact of tariffs to shape performance for the remainder of the year. Housing demand uncertainty: Guidance assumes continued below-normal single-family starts and persistent weakness in multifamily activity, with management anticipating no significant rebound in new construction volumes during 2025. Operational efficiency and cost control: The company aims to deliver $70 million to $90 million in productivity savings for the year, relying on process optimization, technology investments (such as ERP rollout), and disciplined expense management to support margins amid lower volumes. Tariff and commodity cost pressures: Management anticipates tariffs on imported raw materials will create additional cost headwinds, and while some price increases may be passed to customers, there is uncertainty around the extent and timing of cost recovery, particularly as commodity prices fluctuate and builder affordability remains constrained. Matthew Bouley (Barclays): Asked about the company's approach to balancing market share versus gross margin in a declining housing market. Management stated they aim to defend share while maintaining disciplined pricing, expecting margins to drift lower but remain above most competitors. Michael Dahl (RBC Capital Markets): Questioned the sustainability of aggressive capital allocation given lower cash flows and higher leverage. Beckmann responded that the company will prioritize balance sheet strength and maintain its year-end leverage target, with M&A and buybacks evaluated opportunistically. Charles Perron-Piche (Goldman Sachs): Sought clarity on the impact of higher lumber prices and digital tool adoption targets. Management explained the product mix effect of commodity price changes and reiterated confidence in digital adoption via improved customer experience and targeted rollout. Trey Grooms (Stephens): Inquired about the company's appetite for further acquisitions and potential for network streamlining. Management said M&A activity will be limited to strategic opportunities and confirmed ongoing efforts to optimize the branch footprint in response to local market demand. Phil Ng (Jefferies): Asked about the company's ability to pass tariff-related cost increases to customers and the timeline for such impacts. Leadership responded that most tariffs should be passed through over time, but the exact market reaction and timing remain uncertain due to inventory dynamics and evolving policy. In the quarters ahead, the StockStory team will watch (1) trends in housing starts and builder sentiment as indicators for potential demand stabilization, (2) the pace and effectiveness of digital tool adoption among both smaller and larger builders, and (3) management's delivery of targeted productivity savings and cost containment in the face of continued market headwinds. The handling of tariff-related costs and the integration of recent acquisitions will also be important factors in tracking Builders FirstSource's execution. Builders FirstSource currently trades at a forward P/E ratio of 12.3×. In the wake of earnings, is it a buy or sell? 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