Latest news with #SpongebobSquarepants
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Paramount's (NASDAQ:PARA) Q2 Earnings Results: Revenue In Line With Expectations
Multinational media and entertainment corporation Paramount (NASDAQ:PARA) met Wall Street's revenue expectations in Q2 CY2025, but sales were flat year on year at $6.85 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.46 per share was 24.6% above analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy Paramount? Find out in our full research report. Paramount (PARA) Q2 CY2025 Highlights: Revenue: $6.85 billion vs analyst estimates of $6.86 billion (flat year on year, in line) Adjusted EPS: $0.46 vs analyst estimates of $0.37 (24.6% beat) Adjusted EBITDA: $824 million vs analyst estimates of $749.8 million (12% margin, 9.9% beat) Operating Margin: 5.8%, up from -78.1% in the same quarter last year Free Cash Flow Margin: 1.7%, up from 0.1% in the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $8.74 billion Company Overview Owner of Spongebob Squarepants and formerly known as ViacomCBS, Paramount Global (NASDAQ:PARA) is a major media conglomerate offering television, film production, and digital content across various global platforms. Revenue Growth A company's long-term sales performance can indicate its overall quality. Even a bad business can shine for one or two quarters, but a top-tier one grows for years. Unfortunately, Paramount's 2.3% annualized revenue growth over the last five years was weak. This was below our standards and is a rough starting point for our analysis. Long-term growth is the most important, but within consumer discretionary, product cycles are short and revenue can be hit-driven due to rapidly changing trends and consumer preferences. Paramount's performance shows it grew in the past but relinquished its gains over the last two years, as its revenue fell by 2% annually. We can better understand the company's revenue dynamics by analyzing its three most important segments: TV Media, Direct-to-Consumer, and Filmed Entertainment, which are 58.6%, 31.5%, and 10.1% of revenue. Over the last two years, Paramount's TV Media revenue (broadcasting) averaged year-on-year declines of 8.1%. On the other hand, its Direct-to-Consumer revenue (streaming) averaged year-on-year growth of 0.8% while its Direct-to-Consumer revenue (streaming) was flat. This quarter, Paramount's $6.85 billion of revenue was flat year on year and in line with Wall Street's estimates. Looking ahead, sell-side analysts expect revenue to decline by 1.7% over the next 12 months, similar to its two-year rate. This projection doesn't excite us and suggests its newer products and services will not accelerate its top-line performance yet. Unless you've been living under a rock, it should be obvious by now that generative AI is going to have a huge impact on how large corporations do business. While Nvidia and AMD are trading close to all-time highs, we prefer a lesser-known (but still profitable) stock benefiting from the rise of AI. Click here to access our free report one of our favorites growth stories. Operating Margin Paramount's operating margin has risen over the last 12 months, but it still averaged negative 5.7% over the last two years. This is due to its large expense base and inefficient cost structure. In Q2, Paramount generated an operating margin profit margin of 5.8%, up 83.9 percentage points year on year. This increase was a welcome development and shows it was more efficient. Earnings Per Share We track the long-term change in earnings per share (EPS) for the same reason as long-term revenue growth. Compared to revenue, however, EPS highlights whether a company's growth is profitable. Sadly for Paramount, its EPS declined by 23.5% annually over the last five years while its revenue grew by 2.3%. This tells us the company became less profitable on a per-share basis as it expanded. In Q2, Paramount reported adjusted EPS at $0.46, down from $0.54 in the same quarter last year. Despite falling year on year, this print easily cleared analysts' estimates. Over the next 12 months, Wall Street expects Paramount's full-year EPS of $1.13 to grow 19.2%. Key Takeaways from Paramount's Q2 Results We enjoyed seeing Paramount beat analysts' EPS expectations this quarter. We were also happy its EBITDA outperformed Wall Street's estimates. On the other hand, its Direct-to-Consumer revenue missed. Overall, we think this was still a solid quarter with some key areas of upside. The stock remained flat at $12.50 immediately following the results. So should you invest in Paramount right now? We think that the latest quarter is just one piece of the longer-term business quality puzzle. Quality, when combined with valuation, can help determine if the stock is a buy. We cover that in our actionable full research report which you can read here, it's free. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pete Davidson Admits He Was Concerned About Not Being a 'Very Good' Comedian After Getting Sober
Pete Davidson worried his comedic chops weren't up to snuff after getting sober. When asked if there difference in performing standing since getting sober on the July 22 episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the Saturday Night Live alum, 31, was quick to respond, 'Oh, yeah.' 'That's what I was nervous about because I was like maybe I'm not very good, or maybe I was so high, I thought I was good,' he admitted. Host Jimmy Fallon teased, 'You were like, 'I want to see if I really did this?' I have pictures, but I don't know.' The comedian — who stars in the new movie, — revealed his concerns were unfounded. 'I'm weirdly sharper and more aware, so it's more fun,' he shared. 'Enjoying it more,' Fallon added, to which Davidson said, 'Yeah, when people laugh, you feel it as opposed to just sitting… so high, sitting there.' In January, a source told PEOPLE that Davidson had 'been sober since September [2024], and gained twenty pounds.' 'Things are going really well for him,' the insider said, adding, 'Things are heading in the right direction.' Davidson previously checked into a wellness facility in July 2024 after also seeking treatment to address issues related to PTSD and borderline personality disorder in 2023. The source added Davidson has spent $200,000 to undergo the process of having his multiple tattoos removed from his body as part of his transformation. 'He just woke up one day and wanted them gone, and it's been a years-long process,' the source said of the procedure. During an appearance on Today the same month, Davidson — who started the long-term journey of removing his tattoos in 2020 — explained that his decision to get sober fueled his desire to change his appearance. "I got sober and I saw myself in the mirror and I was like, 'Nah. Who that?' I was like, 'I got to change it up a little bit.'" Davidson and his girlfriend Elsie Hewitt announced another major change coming in their lives: the pair are expecting their first child. Hewitt shared a series of snapshots on Instagram, including a couple of shots of her with the 31-year-old comedian, a sonogram snap and memes from Love Island USA's latest season and Spongebob Squarepants. She also included a clip of the moment the couple saw their little one. "Welp now everyone knows we had sex," she joked. A source previously confirmed to PEOPLE that the pair were dating in March after they were spotted together in Palm Beach, Florida. In photos of their beach date, the couple was seen swimming in the ocean and sharing a smooch in the water. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Two months later, an insider told PEOPLE that the couple moved in together. "Pete and Elsie have been living together in New York for the past few months," the source revealed in May. "They're splitting their time between Pete's house in upstate New York and a brownstone they recently started renting in Brooklyn." "They're so happy together and doing great," the insider added. Read the original article on People
The Hill
13-07-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Stamps just got more expensive: How much sending mail costs now
(NEXSTAR) — The United States Postal Service has, again, raised prices on first-class mail, marking just the latest cost increase in recent years. Back in April, the U.S. Postal Service requested a price increase in order to help it achieve financial stability — the same reasoning it has used for previous rate hikes. The increase, which took effect Sunday, marks a 7.4 percent bump on first-class mail stamps alone. Now, a Forever stamp — which includes new designs for 'Spongebob Squarepants,' the USPS's 250th anniversary, and former first lady Barbara Bush — will cost you 78 cents, up from the previous rate of 73 cents. If you prefer sending postcards, that will now cost you 61 cents a piece, up from 56 cents. Postcards and letters traveling internationally will cost $1.70, up from $1.65. 'USPS prices remain among the most affordable in the world,' the agency said in April. While the USPS decided against raising prices in January, we've seen several cost increases in recent years. Since 2012, Forever stamps, which cost 45 cents back then, have gotten more expensive nearly every year. There were no price increases in 2015 and 2020, but there were two in 2023 and 2024, data from the USPS shows. Last summer, the price of a Forever stamp jumped from 68 cents to 73 cents, marking the largest increase since 2019. More price hikes could be on the horizon. Last September, the USPS proposed raising the price of stamps five times over the next three years, starting this July. Additional increases could happen every January and July through the end of 2027. At the time, the agency said these adjustments are necessary for it to meet its 'legal obligation to be financially self-sufficient.' It's unclear whether that plan, brought forth during President Joe Biden's administration, will remain in effect under the Trump administration. President Donald Trump said earlier this year that major adjustments could come to USPS. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy resigned a month later. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sonic the Hedgehog x Magic the Gathering collab coming soon; Here's everything you need to know
Magic the Gathering (MTG) is adding to its Secret Lair releases with a Sonic the Hedgehog collaboration. The Secret Lair series refers to the trading card game's limited-time releases that feature special artwork and can only be purchased directly from Wizards of the Coast, in contrast to most randomized card packs that are available at local game retailers. Sonic the Hedgehog's collaboration with MTG comes on the heels of several other high-profile Secret Lair drops, including crossovers with Final Fantasy, Spongebob Squarepants and Deadpool. Among the Sonic the Hedgehog collaboration packs is the Turbo Gear, and it will consist of seven preexisting MTG cards, which will be redrawn with Sonic the Hedgehog artwork. The Sonic the Hedgehog cards will be exclusive to Secret Lair's website We're incredibly excited to announce that Sonic the Hedgehog is coming to Magic: The Gathering in the new @MTGSecretLair x Sonic Superdrop!Three unique drops beginning July 14th. Stay tuned! The Sonic the Hedgehog cards can only be purchased via MTG's Secret Lair website. The Turbo Gear drop is expected to occur on July 14, at 9 am PT. The Secret Lair cards are of limited quantity, and will cost $29.99 for the non-foil version, and $39.99 for the foil version. The Turbo Gear drop isn't the only collaboration MTG is doing with Sonic, but, all the drops are meant to complement each other. The Turbo Gear cards are confirmed to be Sonic-themed redraws of seven MTG cards that are as follows: Sonic's Biplane (Weatherlight), Knuckes's Gloves (The Reaver Cleaver), Air Shoes (Swiftfoot boots), Egg Hammer (Myr Battlesphere), Piko Piko Hammer (Hammer of Nazalm), Power Sneakers (Lightning Greaves), Egg Pawn (Myr). Magic the Gathering has done several high-profile collabs Seven more cards from Secret Lair x Sonic! 🌀💨#MTGSecretLair Star City Games (@StarCityGames) June 27, 2025 Seven more cards from Secret Lair x Sonic! 🌀💨#MTGSecretLair Magic the Gathering's Secret Lair series was first introduced in 2020 in an effort to boost direct sales from Wizards of the Coast's own websites. From 2020 to 2023, these Secret Lair releases were print-on-demand, meaning that they had no preexisting inventory and were instead produced as per player demand. Starting in 2024, Secret Lair has shifted to the limited-print model, thus paving the way for several high-profile collaborations with renowned IPs. Among their most ambitious collabs has been with Final Fantasy, where the drops consisted of an entire draftable set of MTG cards.
Business of Fashion
23-06-2025
- Business
- Business of Fashion
Unilever to Acquire Men's Personal Care Brand Dr. Squatch
Unilever will acquire Dr. Squatch from growth equity firm Summit Partners, the company announced on Monday. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, though Dr. Squatch's sales are thought to be in excess of $400 million, according to a person with knowledge of the company. Originally founded in 2013 in San Diego, Dr. Squatch is known for its playful branding, collaborations with television shows such as 'Spongebob Squarepants', and sometimes outlandish marketing campaigns — in May, it unveiled a limited edition soap it claimed was made with the bathwater of the actress and brand ambassador Sydney Sweeney. Its products, such as its $7 soaps and $13 deodorants have an emphasis on natural ingredients and are sold on its e-commerce website, as well as in retailers such as Walmart, Target, and the UK's Boots. In a statement, Fabian Garcia, president of Unilever personal care said the brand has built a solid foundation with its digital engagement strategies in the US, and that the conglomerate would work to scale the brand internationally. The acquisition follows another landmark deal for Unilever, which acquired the British refillable deodorant brand Wild in April. In the statement, Dr. Squatch's chief executive Josh Friedman said the brand would utilise Unilever's infrastructure. 'We're thrilled to… positively connect with more consumers seeking high-quality, natural products around the world,' he said. Sign up to The Business of Beauty newsletter, your complimentary, must-read source for the day's most important beauty and wellness news and analysis. Learn more: Unilever Acquires Refillable Deodorant Brand Wild Rumours had swirled since February that the personal care giant was on track to purchase the British start-up for £230 million.
