Latest news with #WW
Geek Feed
4 days ago
- Business
- Geek Feed
Sorry Marvel Fans, Black Panther Game Cancelled
It was back in 2023 when it was announced that a Black Panther game was in the works, but it looks like that won't be happening at EA anymore. According to IGN, a recent round of layoffs at EA has led to the cancellation of the Black Panther game, and the closing down of the studio that was working on it, Cliffhanger Games. Not much has been known about the game, but it does come from developers who had worked at Monolith Games while they were making the also-cancelled Wonder Woman game. I even speculated that they were retooling their WW title for BP , but it looks like both projects went down the drain. As far as we know, Black Panther was supposed to be a single-player, open-world, action game. Though this Panther may not be able to get his title, the character is playable in Marvel Rivals as well as the upcoming game Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra which is expected to come out sometime next year. Despite the closing of Cliffhanger, EA is still adamant that its partnership with Marvel will continue. Panther was one of a three-game deal which also includes Iron Man as well as another unannounced title. As far as their deal with Marvel goes, the e-mail from EA Entertainment president Laura Miele read, 'Our partnership with Marvel remains strong and our multi-title, long-term collaboration continues.' No specific release date has been announced for Rise of Hydra , but fans can expect it to come out sometime next year. Marvel Rivals is now playable for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PS5.
The Guardian
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
WeightWatchers scraps business model to team up with anti-obesity drugs provider
WeightWatchers is teaming up with a provider of weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, in a seismic shift for the brand away from a focus on dieting as it tries to turn around its struggling business. WeightWatchers, which has promoted a non-medical, points-based approach to food intake since its creation in the 1960s, has announced a strategic partnership in the UK with CheqUp, a provider of GLP-1 weight-loss medication and accompanying clinical support and health coaching. The partnership comes weeks after WeightWatchers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US, as it tries to cut its debt after the popularity of anti-obesity injections upended its model. All CheqUp members will be able to access a WeightWatchers app, which has been specifically designed for people on weight-loss injections, with guidance from experts on food recommendations to minimise the side effects of the medication, such as nausea, while supporting healthy weight loss. The two companies said the tie-up would help patients who are 'seeking sustainable weight loss through GLP-1 medication and behavioural support', with their 'complementary offerings' allowing patients to achieve better results than with medication alone. Known for its trademark points-based programme, WeightWatchers – which rebranded as WW in 2018 – has had millions of followers worldwide, who bought branded cookbooks and ready meals, used its food-tracking app and attended local meetings with weekly weigh-ins. But demand for its services has fallen in recent years, as people hoping to lose weight increasingly turning to injections such as Wegovy, which contains the drug semaglutide, and Mounjaro, which contains the drug tirzepatide. Trials showed the drugs can help people lose significant amounts of weight, with many seeking private prescriptions. US-listed WeightWatchers, which once boasted TV talkshow host Oprah Winfrey as one of its top shareholders, has seen its shares lose 82% of their value so far this year. Winfrey, who had been the public face for the diet company since 2015, announced in February last year she was leaving WW and giving away all her shares, shortly after she revealed that her recent weight-loss was due to taking anti-obesity drugs. Obesity experts have called on the NHS to accelerate the use of weight-loss jabs to tackle the obesity crisis, which is linked to numerous long-term conditions including cancer, heart disease, dementia and diabetes, and also puts a huge strain on the health service. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion However, WeightWatchers may be banking on other recent findings that have shown that people taking weight-loss drugs regain all the weight they have lost within a year of stopping the medication if they do not make any changes to their lifestyle. 'The data is clear – we see in the US, that our members on obesity medications who also participate in our nutritional and behavioural lifestyle programme, lose 11% more weight on average than those using the medication alone,' said Scott Honken, chief commercial officer at WeightWatchers. 'At WeightWatchers, we recognise the demand for GLP-1 medications in the UK is growing as more people seek effective weight management solutions,' he added. James Hunt, deputy chief executive of CheqUp said: 'There is no doubt that the addition of WeightWatchers' breakthrough GLP-1 companion programme will add enormously to our patients' ability to achieve sustainable weight loss through its science-backed and proven programmes, together with their global community of like-minded individuals.'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WW Q4 Earnings Call: Product Integration, Subscriber Challenges, and Strategic Reset
Personal wellness company WeightWatchers (NASDAQ:WW) reported Q4 CY2024 results topping the market's revenue expectations , but sales fell by 10.5% year on year to $184.4 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.32 per share was significantly above analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy WW? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $184.4 million vs analyst estimates of $175.7 million (10.5% year-on-year decline, 5% beat) Adjusted EPS: $0.32 vs analyst estimates of $0.07 (significant beat) Adjusted EBITDA: $49.74 million vs analyst estimates of $46.36 million (27% margin, 7.3% beat) Operating Margin: 19.6%, up from -2.9% in the same quarter last year Free Cash Flow Margin: 2.4%, down from 3.6% in the same quarter last year Members: 3.34 million, down 462,000 year on year Market Capitalization: $22.56 million WeightWatchers' Q4 results reflected the ongoing transformation in the weight management industry, as the company navigates both subscriber declines and rapid changes in consumer preferences. Management attributed the quarter's performance to continued headwinds in its traditional behavioral business, partially offset by robust growth in its clinical segment, which benefited from new offerings and improved access to weight loss medications. CEO Tara Comonte noted, 'We're focused on stabilizing and rebuilding for long-term sustainable growth,' highlighting recent product updates and operational changes as leading indicators of future momentum. Looking ahead, management's forward guidance centers on stabilizing the subscriber base, integrating clinical and behavioral programs, and addressing challenges related to medication supply and competitive marketing. The company emphasized the need for disciplined investment given high interest expenses and signaled that 2025 will be a year of resetting expectations. Comonte acknowledged, 'Transformations take time and they take investments,' while CFO Felicia DellaFortuna stated that ongoing cost controls and product enhancements are expected to help position WeightWatchers for gradual recovery. WeightWatchers' leadership focused on the dual challenge of declining traditional subscribers and growing clinical offerings. The company's fourth quarter was shaped by new product features, deeper integration of its clinical business, and ongoing cost restructuring as it adapts to a changing competitive landscape and evolving consumer demand. Clinical segment momentum: Clinical subscriber growth accelerated, driven by improved access to weight loss medication and the addition of generic and compounded options. Management highlighted that clinical members deliver higher lifetime value and retention rates, and that expanding this business remains a top priority. Product innovation deployment: Several new features were launched, including an AI-powered food scanner, a recipe importer, and macro nutrient tracking. Management reported these updates have led to higher member engagement and reactivation, particularly among previously inactive users. Behavioral business pressure: The traditional behavioral business continued to experience recruitment and retention challenges, with management citing ongoing competitive pressures and shifting consumer preferences toward medication-assisted solutions. Cost reduction efforts: The company has actioned the majority of its $100 million run-rate cost savings target, resulting in increased operating margins and a leaner cost structure. Further operational reviews and AI-driven automation are planned to unlock additional efficiencies. Capital structure constraints: High debt levels and annual interest obligations are limiting the ability to invest aggressively in growth initiatives. Management has engaged advisors to explore options for improving financial flexibility and noted that the balance sheet will remain a key constraint in the near term. Management's outlook for 2025 is centered on stabilizing the core business, expanding clinical offerings, and balancing growth investments with ongoing financial constraints amid a highly competitive environment. Integration of clinical and behavioral: Deeper integration of clinical (medication) and behavioral (lifestyle change) programs is expected to improve member outcomes and engagement, which management believes will support a gradual return to growth. Product experience enhancements: Ongoing product innovation—including AI-driven personalization and new digital tools—aims to increase engagement and retention, but immediate impacts on subscriber growth may be limited by market dynamics. Marketing and capital discipline: Continued high customer acquisition costs, combined with heavy debt obligations, require careful allocation of resources. Management plans to shift spending toward higher-impact initiatives while maintaining strict cost controls, but acknowledges this may limit near-term subscriber acquisition. Nathan Feather (Morgan Stanley): Asked about early signs of improved member acquisition and retention following product changes. Management cited higher activation rates but said it is too early to see direct financial impacts. Nathan Feather (Morgan Stanley): Inquired about the role of generic and compounded medications in clinic growth. Donna Boyer, Chief Product Officer, explained that broader access—especially through compounding—drove subscriber gains despite ongoing branded medication shortages. Michael Lasser (UBS): Pressed on how WeightWatchers can avoid a downward spiral of declining subscribers and constrained resources. CEO Tara Comonte emphasized leveraging the brand's legacy, ongoing product innovation, and careful capital allocation. Michael Lasser (UBS): Asked about the sustainability of clinical subscriber growth and the cash needed to service debt. CFO Felicia DellaFortuna stated that a higher mix of clinical subscribers supports stronger margins, but volume challenges remain in the behavioral segment. Alex Fuhrman (Craig-Hallum): Sought clarity on strategies if compounded medication access is lost. Management said it will pivot to branded and alternative medications where possible and closely monitor developments in supply and regulation. In the coming quarters, the StockStory team will watch (1) the pace of clinical subscriber growth and the impact of expanded medication access, (2) execution on integrating clinical and behavioral offerings to boost engagement and retention, and (3) management's ability to further reduce costs and improve capital flexibility. Developments in medication supply, regulatory changes, and the effectiveness of new digital features will also be important to track. WeightWatchers currently trades at a forward EV-to-EBITDA ratio of 0.2×. At this valuation, is it a buy or sell post earnings? Find out in our free research report. Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election sent major indices to all-time highs, but stocks have retraced as investors debate the health of the economy and the potential impact of tariffs. While this leaves much uncertainty around 2025, a few companies are poised for long-term gains regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate, like our Top 5 Strong Momentum Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 176% over the last five years. Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today. 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
Miami Herald
17-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Can Weight Watchers be saved? A look at the company as it files for bankruptcy
Stepping onto the scale is about as American as eating apple pie, watching baseball, and visiting the drive-thru at McDonald's. Since U.S. adult obesity rates have doubled since 1990 (from 21.2% in 1990 to 43.8% in 2022 for women, and 16.9% to 41.6% in 2022 for men), you'd think a weight-loss company like Weight Watchers would be thriving. But when Weight Watchers' parent company, WW International (WW), declared bankruptcy on May 6, 2025, it marked the end of an era for how Americans lose weight-as well as a massive reorganization for the dieting giant. At its peak in 2018, Weight Watchers had a $6 billion market cap, and its stock was trading at $100 per share. In 2020, it boasted 4.4 million members. But digital times change everything. Thanks to the rise of free weight-tracking apps and websites, as well as the introduction of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, Weight Watchers' membership programs, which counted calories and emphasized personal support groups, quickly became the dieting sphere's dinosaur. The May 2024 departure of celebrity spokesperson Oprah Winfrey, who had been candid with her weight loss struggles, did further damage. Oprah revealed that she had lost 40 pounds on Weight Watchers in 2016, but relied on an unnamed weight loss drug to lose even more. Her announcement sent WW shares tumbling 25%. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter In a 2023 CNN interview, Weight Watchers' former CEO, Sima Sistani, admitted that her company had made a "mistake" by not addressing the stigmas associated with failed diets, saying, "We were contributing to the shame some of our members felt if they did our program and it didn't work for them." One of her solutions was to incorporate a telehealth platform, Sequence, which connected members with doctors who could prescribe weight loss medications, but while the app posted 57% year-over-year growth in Q1 2025, it ultimately wasn't enough for stakeholders, and Sistani was ousted in September 2024. Between 2024 and 2025, the company experienced a 12% drop in members, and as of this article's publication, shares were trading at just 24 cents. So, can Weight Watchers be saved? Here's a look at the groundbreaking company's rise to success and decline into bankruptcy, as well as an examination of the possible path forward. Weight Watchers is a popular weight loss system that offers subscription-based memberships to help customers lose and maintain weight. The idea behind Weight Watchers began in the early 1960s with Jean Nidetch, a Queens, New York housewife who ate compulsively. Although she tried everything, from pills to "fad diets" and even hypnosis, she simply could not lose weight. In her 2015 obituary, The New York Times reported that she used to hide Mallomars in her hamper and binged on them at night in her bathroom. By age 38, she weighed 214 pounds and was miserable. So, she invited a group of overweight friends to join her on a diet-with one catch: They had to help talk each other through their "anxiety, doubt, and gnawing hunger." Related: Oprah's net worth in 2025: How the "Queen of Media" got so rich As it turned out, the program worked. Nidetch lost 72 pounds-and maintained her 150-lb "goal weight" for the rest of her life. In the process, she created a hugely successful business, as two of the people who had joined her program, entrepreneurs Felice and Albert Lippert, asked her to join forces and bring her program to the broader public. Weight Watchers officially launched in May 1963. The partners rented out space in public buildings and charged members a $2 weekly fee to attend meetings. 400 people showed up to their first official meeting, so they knew they were onto something. Within a year, Weight Watchers began franchising, keeping 10% of gross earnings. In just four years, the company had grown to 102 franchises across the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Israel, and Puerto Rico. By January 1968, it had one million members. Nidetch published her biography, The Memoir of a Successful Loser: The Story of Weight Watchers, and resigned from the company in 1973 but continued to work as a consultant, motivational speaker, and celebrity, often appearing on the Johnny Carson and Merv Griffin talk shows. Related: What happened to 7 Up? How 'The Uncola' faded into obscurity Through savvy marketing and product development, Weight Watchers continued to grow-not just by holding support groups but also by developing products, including a series of popular cookbooks, a magazine, and later, for working adults who were too tired to cook, a line of frozen dinners. In 1978, Heinz acquired Weight Watchers for $71.2 million. By the 1990s, weight loss had become a $32 billion industry, and Weight Watchers was its clear leader, commanding $300 million in annual sales. Oprah Winfrey was a key player even back then, with The New York Times chronicling her "ever-expanding-and-contracting" waistline as she attempted to lose weight from Optifast, maker of liquid diet products. (Spoiler alert: She didn't.) While it would take another 24 years for Winfrey to partner with Weight Watchers, the weight loss giant had its hands full from competition from other, upstart diet companies, like Jenny Craig, Slim-Fast, and Nutrisystem. To set itself apart-and ahead-of the competition, Weight Watchers introduced its "points" system, an algorithm that quantified a food based on its amount of carbohydrates, fat, and fiber content. More on success: Rihanna's net worth: Inside the superstar's business empireAnna Wintour's net worth: Does the Met Gala contribute to her wealth?Tina Knowles' net worth: Beyoncé's mother is a self-made millionaire Heinz sold Weight Watchers to a private equity firm, Artal Luxembourg, for $735 million in 1999, which took the company public on November 15, 2001, with an opening price of $25.91. In 2003, Weight Watchers went digital, launching its first website. In 2010, its "points" system was again overhauled: Fruits and veggies received zero points, while sugary and processed foods were given extra points. That decade, the company also started branching out from the dieting sphere by incorporating fitness and wellness into its memberships. It acquired the Wello and Hot 5 apps along with Weilos, an online community platform. It also forged partnerships with Fitbit and expanded into mindfulness through partnerships with Headspace. But the company's biggest deal was with Oprah herself. Her decades-long weight loss journey may have been ridiculed by the media, but millions of "everyday" people saw themselves in her struggles, and her endorsement helped foster a positive, trustworthy environment that affected the company's bottom line: By 2016, revenues had risen 28%, and the company had gained one million members. Not only did Oprah serve as Weight Watchers' spokesperson from 2015–2024; she also joined its Board of Directors and took a 10% ownership stake in WW, investing $43 million into the company. Shares skyrocketed 90% on the news, and over the course of her nine-year relationship with the brand, Oprah took home a reported $221 million. Masterful at reinvention, in 2018, in a continuing effort to be bigger than dieting, Weight Watchers rebranded itself as WW International. It also did away with its stated weight-loss requirement and renamed its support group meetings "wellness workshops." Later that year, the company also launched a controversial app aimed at helping children manage their weight, Kurbo by WW. However, Weight Watchers would pay a $1.5 million fine to the FTC in 2022 after it was found to be illegally collecting children's data. But it was the introduction of Ozempic (semaglutide) in 2017, first approved by the FDA to treat type 2 diabetes, that would precipitate Weight Watcher's demise-and trigger a seismic shift throughout the weight loss industry. The drug was originally formulated to help patients manage their blood glucose, but it had an interesting side effect: Patients experienced, on average, 14.9% weight loss. Related: The 5 most startling Chapter 11 retailer bankruptcies since 2020 Celebrities and Influencers began posting selfies showcasing their noticeably slimmer frames, while hashtags like #OzempicChallenge started trending on TikTok, amassing more than 250 million views. Its surge in popularity led to widespread Ozempic shortages, and in 2021, Novo Nordisk, the drug's manufacturer, introduced a new medication with an even higher dose of semaglutide, known as Wegovy. This drug was approved specifically to treat chronic weight management issues for adults with obesity. When Oprah stepped down from the board of Weight Watchers, she herself admitted that points and pep talks weren't solely responsible for the reported 50 pounds she lost in 2023: She had also taken a weight-loss drug. And, while she did not identify it specifically, she did explain on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that she wanted to "be able to talk about whatever I want to talk about" on the subject of weight loss without any conflicts of interest. So, Oprah created an hour-long ABC Primetime special titled "Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution," that aired on March 18, 2023. It featured a panel discussion by medical experts who discussed weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy with a live studio audience. Winfrey, meanwhile, donated her remaining shares of WW stock-valued at around $16 million at the time-to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, telling Jimmy Kimmel her reasons were "so nobody can say, 'Oh, she's doing that [ABC] special, she's making money, and promoting …' No, you cannot say that." Since its beginnings in 1963, Weight Watchers has focused on losing weight through diet plans and communal encouragement. Weekly meetings consist of "weigh-ins" and support groups, where neighbors and strangers provide praise when the scale registers lower-and encouragement when it does not. The Weight Watchers system, which assigns "points" to foods based on their nutritional value, has been updated to reflect each era's guidelines for "healthy" eating; in general, it included increased servings of fish, fruits, and vegetables, limited portions of bread and dairy, and even fewer sweets, fatty foods, and servings of alcohol. According to U.S. News and World Report, WW's current membership program consists of the option to meet online through its mobile app and website, receive coaching online or by phone, or attend in-person meetings. Related: An in-depth timeline of the GameStop short squeeze saga In a press release on May 6, 2025, WW International announced that it had entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, revealing plans for a massive reorganization effort in the hopes of shedding $1.15 billion of excess debt-as well as creating solutions for its customers' long-term health. That doesn't sound like WW is giving up. In fact, in a statement, new CEO Tara Comonte stated, "the decisive actions we're taking today, with the overwhelming support of our lenders and noteholders, will give us the flexibility to accelerate innovation, reinvest in our members, and lead with authority in a rapidly evolving weight management landscape." Weight Watchers has assured its members that it will remain "fully operational" through its reorganization, with a spokesperson telling USA Today, "there will be no impact to members or the plans they rely on to support their weight management goals," and no foreseeable changes to their membership, pricing, or prescriptions. Weight Watchers also plans to fast-track the expansion of its Sequence telehealth business as well as remain a publicly traded company. As of May, 2025, WW is considered a penny stock, with shares trading at low prices (typically under $5): On May 15, 2025, WW shares closed at just $0.24. Penny stocks are typically characterized by low liquidity and high volatility, which means that prices can fluctuate significantly and rapidly. Although penny stocks are usually found trading on over-the-counter (OTC) markets, WW continues to be listed on the Nasdaq exchange. Its reorganization strategy includes plans to further expand into the telehealth sphere, which could drive future growth; however, its $1.15 billion debt obligations present a substantial challenge for the company's recovery. All penny stocks have the opportunity for sizable gains-as well as steep losses-so care should be taken when considering it as an investment. Related: Veteran analyst sends urgent message on S&P 500 The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
New Statesman
16-05-2025
- Business
- New Statesman
The long shadow of WeightWatchers
In 2018, WeightWatchers tried to reimagine itself. The name was too on the nose, not least at a time when 'diets' had become quietly passé (this was the peak of 'body positivity' after all). And so, Weight Watchers became WW. The problem – for then chief executive Mindy Grossman, at least – is that not even this ambiguous initialism could conceal WW's provenance. A new logo and a tagline that promised 'Wellness that Works' couldn't save the soul of a company that was founded on weekly weigh-ins. Maybe the letters didn't stand for anything obvious anymore; but everyone knew that the organisation did. Perhaps this 2018 rebrand was the beginning of the end: on 7 May 2025, WW filed for bankruptcy. The company could no longer keep with the new weight-loss landscape created by fat-loss jabs like Ozempic and Mounjaro. At its cultural height, WeightWatchers offered more than a plan; it sold a moral structure. Eat less, move more, and face a slew of rewards: a lower number on the scale, the praise (and envy!) of your peers, and the inimitable hard-earned smugness that can only be derived by iron-fisted discipline. Jean Nidetch, who founded the company after being mistaken for being pregnant and became the woman who 'took the 'l' out of 'flab'', intuited that shame could be refashioned into hunger-induced solidarity. WeightWatchers became a church for dieters, a sermon on self-control that came with the warm absolution of shared suffering. But such rituals are slow and often ineffective, whereas weight-loss drugs like Ozempic work – and with remarkable efficiency. (One study showed that of the 175 people analysed, they lost an average of 12 per cent of their body weight over 28 weeks.) WeightWatchers tried to adapt, launching AI coaches and lifestyle programs, but the brand was outpaced by a changing cultural landscape. The company couldn't find its footing in a society that considered it outmoded; befalling the same fate as the fax machine once the iPhone took over. Or, as former chief executive Sima Sistani told the FT last year, situating WW in an era of weight-loss jabs is akin to Netflix moving from DVDs to streaming. In March 2023 WW shares hit an all-time low. And, as with many things, it really started with Oprah: she stepped down from the board in February last year after she revealed that she had lost 40lbs by using Ozempic. Within two months, WW's market value stood at $11.6m – diminutive compared to its $6.7bn peak; Novo Nordisk's, the Danish pharmaceutical company behind Ozempic, was $2.6trn, more than the Scandinavian country's economy. While Ozempic may have helped kill WW, it didn't kill diet culture. It merely re-fashioned it. The WW and Ozempic business model is largely similar: help women lose weight. The difference is that the customer doesn't necessarily care how the desired outcome is achieved anymore. They don't fuss about how they lose ten pounds, only that they do lose ten pounds. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Embracing body positivity in today's culture might be 'inspirational' but losing weight is aspirational. Because it's not just about weight: it's about status. These drugs, for now, are often expensive and inaccessible. It's believed that more than half a million people in the UK are using weight-loss medications, with the majority paying for it privately. Being slim on Ozempic says, 'I can afford this.' It's a body pharmacologically induced, not gym-sculpted or juice-cleansed. As the adage goes, you're not fat, you're poor. WeightWatchers was a cultural institution. It shaped generations of women (literally), and stipulated that smaller bodies could unlock better lives. Ozempic takes the mantle of the WeightWatchers ideology and repackages it in a way that seems more in step with the machinations of today's world. Where WeightWatchers told you how to live like a thin person, Ozempic can let you just be one. So long as you pay up. [See more: Modernity has killed the private life] Related
