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☆ Here are Monday's biggest analyst calls: Tesla, Netflix, Disney, Amazon, Alphabet, Nike, Costco & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

UBS reiterates Netflix as buy UBS said it's standing by its buy rating on shares of the streaming giant. Morgan Stanley reiterates Ambarella as overweight Morgan Stanley said it's bullish on shares of the semiconductor company heading into earnings this week. " UBS reiterates Disney as buy UBS said it's standing by its buy rating on shares of the entertainment giant. Morgan Stanley downgrades CrowdStrike to equal weight from overweight Morgan Stanley said it's cautious heading into earnings later this week. Morgan Stanley names LifeStance Health Group a top pick Morgan Stanley said shares of the behavioral health company are compelling.

Persons: Tesla, Canaccord, it's bullish, it's, Morgan Stanley, Ambarella, JMP, Piper Sandler, Piper, Bernstein, L3Harris, Evercore, Jefferies, Morgan Stanley downgrades CrowdStrike, Zimmer, BTIG, Wells, Dwight, Truist, Wolfe, Stifel, defensives Organizations: UBS, Netflix, Disney, Pagaya Technologies, MCW, OW, JetBlue, " Bank of America, Bank of America, Akero Therapeutics, RBC, Tetra Tech, Tech, Amazon, LifeStance Health, Mobility, UGI Corporation, TAM, Nike, NIKE, Endeavor Group, Media, Entertainment, Costco, AutoZone, Walmart Locations: China, Underperform, ORLY

☆ Fanatics and competitor Panini launch legal battle with a pair of lawsuits
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Ian Thomas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The dispute comes down to licensing rights for professional sports league and their associated trading cards: Panini currently has the league and player union licenses to produce trading cards for the NBA and NFL. It's held those exclusive rights since 2009 and 2016, respectively. In its antitrust suit against Fanatics, Panini alleged that "Fanatics positioned itself to drive Panini and other potential competitors out of the market, and erected barriers to entry blocking their return." Fanatics claims Panini "embarked on a protracted, unlawful, and deceitful campaign of unfair trade practices, strong-arm tactics, and tortious misconduct to hamper Fanatics Collectibles' nascent business, in the hopes that it could force Fanatics Collectibles to pay an extortionate amount for Panini to terminate its licenses early." The move also helped to terminate a SPAC merger for Topps after it lost the MLB rights.

Persons: Brandon Igdalsky, Panini, countersued, It's, Silver Organizations: NASCAR, Pocono, Sports, NBA, NFL, Panini, International Olympic, MLB, Topps, Endeavor Group, Insight Partners, CNBC Disruptor Locations: Long Pond, PA

☆ Vince McMahon subpoenaed in sexual misconduct investigation
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —Federal law enforcement agents executed a search warrant and subpoenaed World Wrestling Entertainment executive chairman Vince McMahon last month as part of an investigation into claims of sexual misconduct, the company announced this week. Following his departure, the WWE disclosed multiple expenses that McMahon hadn’t reported, totaling $19.6 million. Many of the payments are related to the company’s investigation of his alleged sexual misconduct, and the company’s board last year formed a special committee to investigate. The Wall Street Journal in July 2022 reported McMahon paid tens of millions of dollars to four women to cover up “allegations of sexual misconduct and infidelity.” McMahon has denied the allegations. So far, he has repaid the WWE $17.4 million, the company reported Wednesday.

Persons: Vince McMahon, McMahon, McMahon hadn’t, ” McMahon Organizations: New, New York CNN, Wrestling Entertainment, WWE, Street, Endeavor Group, UFC Locations: New York

☆ WWE boss Vince McMahon hit with federal grand jury subpoena and search warrant, company reveals
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. Chairman Vince McMahon appears in the ring during the WWE Monday Night Raw show at the Thomas & Mack Center August 24, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Federal law enforcement agents executed a search warrant on World Wrestling Entertainment boss Vince McMahon last month and served him with a federal grand jury subpoena, the company disclosed Wednesday. Reached for comment Wednesday, the company said they believe the subpoena and search warrant are "a continuation of the investigation that commenced last summer. WWE and Endeavor both expect the deal to close in the second half of this year, WWE said Wednesday. The search warrant and subpoena on July 17 came a year after news first broke that federal prosecutors and the SEC were investigating WWE and McMahon over his payments to women.

Persons: Vince McMahon, McMahon, McMahon's Organizations: Entertainment Inc, WWE, Thomas &, World Wrestling Entertainment, Securities and Exchange Commission, CNBC, UFC, Endeavor Group, Endeavor, SEC Locations: Las Vegas , Nevada

[1/10] Spectators watch a match at All Together Again Pro Wrestling event in Tokyo, Japan, June 9, 2023. AEW founder Tony Khan said 65,000 tickets have already been sold for the Wembley show, and "it would be a huge benefit to AEW if there is participation from New Japan Pro Wrestling and some of their top stars in the event." The scripted and often ridiculous spectacle of pro wrestling is a serious player in the entertainment sector. New Japan President Takami Ohbari said teaming with AEW would give the companies more of a fighting chance against a merged WWE and UFC operator Endeavor Group (EDR.N). "It's really mutually beneficial in terms of the global expansion for New Japan and also for AEW," Ohbari said.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Hoon TOKYO, Tony Khan, Khan, Brandon Thurston, Wrestlenomics, grappler, Antonio Inoki, Takami Ohbari, AEW, It's, Ohbari, Rocky Swift, Miyoung Kim, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, Elite, Wembley, World Wrestling Entertainment, WWE, UFC, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Reuters, New, Garden, Endeavor, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Jacksonville , Florida, New Japan, Toronto, U.S, New York's, Britain

☆ Veteran Morgan Stanley dealmaker Rob Kindler to join law firm
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 6 (Reuters) - Rob Kindler, a top executive at Morgan Stanley (MS.N), is leaving the investment bank after a 17-year stint to join a major law firm. The veteran dealmaker will join Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison as the global chair of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), the law firm said on Tuesday. A New Yorker, Kindler began his legal practice at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, another major law firm where he spent nearly two decades. "I am delighted to once again have him as my partner," said Barshay, who is the chair of the Paul, Weiss' corporate department. Kindler's return to legal practice coincides with a challenging period for the industry, which like investment banks, has been navigating a dreary environment for dealmaking.

Persons: Rob Kindler, Morgan Stanley, dealmaker, Paul, Weiss, Kindler, Moore, Kindler's, Scott Barshay, Barshay, Cooley, Goodwin Procter, Niket, Maju Samuel, Chris Reese Organizations: Garrison, Yorker, JPMorgan, Comcast, AT, T Broadband, Dow, IHS, Wall Street, Apollo Global, Arconic, WWE, Endeavor Group, UFC, Thomson Locations: Rifkind, Wharton, New York, Cravath, Bengaluru

☆ PGA Tour agrees to merge with Saudi-backed rival LIV Golf
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +13 min

The PGA Tour has agreed to merge with Saudi-backed rival LIV Golf in a deal that would see the competitors squash pending litigation and move forward as a larger golf enterprise. With LIV Golf in the midst of its second, groundbreaking season, the PGA TOUR, DP World Tour and PIF will work together to best feature and grow team golf going forward. PIF will initially be the exclusive investor in the new entity, alongside the PGA TOUR, LIV Golf and the DP World Tour. Separately, PGA TOUR Inc. will remain in place as a 501(c)(6) tax exempt organization and retains administrative oversight of events for those assets contributed by the PGA TOUR, including the sanctioning of events, the administration of the competition and rules, as well as all other "inside the ropes" responsibilities, with Jay Monahan as Commissioner and Ed Herlihy as PGA TOUR Policy Board Chairman. The DP World Tour and LIV Golf will retain similar administrative oversight of events on their respective Tours.

Persons: LIV, LIV didn't, Yasir Al, Rumayyan, Jay Monahan, PIF, CNBC'S David Faber, LIV Golf, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Monahan, Team Captain Brooks Koepka, Ricky Elliott, Osama Bin Laden, Donald Trump, nobody's, Trump, CNBC's David Faber, Jessica Golden, Kevin Durant, James Pitaro, LIV –, we've, Jay, Keith, Ed Herlihy, Herlihy, Jimmy Dunne, Keith Pelley Organizations: Nexstar, Nexstar Media Group, CW Network, CW, Wrestling, Endeavor Group, PGA Tour, CNBC, Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, PGA, European PGA, U.S, Team, Royal Greens, & Country Club, King Abdullah Economic, Saudi, CBS Sports, LIV, ESPN, Public Investment Fund, Al, Rumayyan, Strategic Alliance Locations: U.S, Saudi, Jeddah, King Abdullah, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia, Los Angeles, RIYADH, PONTE, BEACH , Florida

☆ The top Hollywood exec made $498 million in the last 5 years—384 times as much as the average writer
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Jennifer Liu | In Jljenniferliu | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

That's a staggering 384 times the average pay of a Hollywood writer. Overall, average pay for Hollywood's top execs climbed to $28 million in 2021, up 53% from 2018 (and roughly 108 times the average writer's pay) according to the analysis, which uses compensation data from the research firm Equilar and includes stock options, base salaries, bonuses and other perks. Meanwhile, average pay for Hollywood writers has remained virtually flat at about $260,000 as 2021, the Times reports. Hollywood executive pay dropped in 2022 due to stock market volatility and investor pressure to make streaming profitable. From 1978 to 2021, CEO pay grew by 1,460%, adjusted for inflation, versus just 18.1% for the typical worker.

Persons: David Zaslav, That's, Ari Emanuel, Reed Hastings, Bob Iger, Walt, Ted Sarandos, Rupert Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch, Brian Roberts, Joseph Ianniello, Patrick Whitesell, Kaitlin Fontana, Kelly Evans Organizations: Hollywood, Los Angeles Times, Warner Bros, Discovery Inc, Times, Writers Guild of America, Endeavor Group Holdings Inc, Netflix, Walt Disney Co, Fox Corp, Comcast Corp, Paramount Global, Endeavor, Paramount, Disney, Company, WGA, Alliance, Television Producers, LA Times, Economic, Comcast, CNBC Locations: U.S, California

☆ Keith Meister’s Corvex Management bets on Amazon, slashes other big tech holdings
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Keith Meister's Corvex Management scooped up shares of Amazon during the first quarter, while slashing its stakes in technology giants Alphabet and Microsoft . Meister also bought shares of Endeavor Group , a position worth $44.9 million at the end of the first quarter. Other new bets from Corvex included a $22.7 million position in Uber Technologies and a stake in Algonquin Power . Prior to launching Corvex, Meister worked closely with legendary activist investor Carl Icahn. At the end of the first quarter, Corvex managed about $2.9 billion in regulatory assets, according to securities filings.

☆ As earnings season winds down, investors turn to Tuesday's debt ceiling meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

With only a small fraction of the S & P 500 left to report quarterly earnings, investors are now turning their focus to another major hurdle for the markets and economy: the debt ceiling crisis. Earlier this week, we looked back to debt limit crisis of 2011 for potential lessons. The protracted fight ultimately ended in an agreement in early August of that year, but it was a choppy summertime ride for investors. Within the portfolio, Wynn Resorts will report Tuesday, after the closing bell, and Disney will report on Wednesday, after the closing bell. Estee Lauder (EL) and Emerson Electric (EMR) reported earnings before the opening bell.

☆ This Asian MMA promotion wants to crack the US market -- without the blood and trash-talking
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Andrew Mcnicol | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Could 2023 be the year mixed-martial arts (MMA) in the United States finally returns to its pure, humble beginnings nurtured in Asia nearly 5,000 years ago? “I can’t wait for the US fans to be exposed to true martial arts. Fighting on American soil, it’s amazing to be able to headline this landmark event,” said the former longtime UFC champion, who joined One in 2018. Courtesy Aaron Pan/ONE ChampionshipWhat “true martial arts” means in new-era combat sports is certainly up for interpretation. That’s more true to the spirit of martial arts and its traditional values.

May 3 (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs Group Inc (GS.N) has named Kim Posnett as the head of its global technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) investment banking group, according to an internal company memo. Posnett, who is currently the co-head of the One Goldman Sachs initiative at the bank, will continue to hold her existing responsibilities. The One Goldman Sachs initiative aims to integrate the bank's dealings with clients across teams. Posnett, who has also served as the global head of investment banking services at Goldman, is one of the few executives who spoke at the bank's investor day in February alongside its chief executive and finance head. In a separate memo sent out by Goldman's heads of global banking & markets, Ashok Varadhan, Dan Dees and Jim Esposito, Goldman also named Aasem Khalil as the new global head of its Investment Banking Services division.

☆ WWE taps Fanatics to sell merchandise at live events like WrestleMania, SummerSlam
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Ian Thomas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

That means Fanatics will now operate all of the on-site retail at the WWE's more than 300 events throughout the year, including its premier live events like WrestleMania and the Royale Rumble. Fanatics became WWE's global e-commerce partner in 2022, a deal that later grew to include licensed merchandise, memorabilia, trading cards and collectibles. WWE has seen its live-event merchandise business grow as the company has returned to a fuller slate of events and shows as the pandemic has waned. In 2022, WWE reported that it had $23.8 million in venue merchandise revenue across 231 live events in 2022, up from $10.1 million the previous year when the company only had 101 live events. Fanatics' existing relationships across sports could also further benefit WWE, Varga said.

☆ Lightning round: Pioneer over Exxon, it has a better yield
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailLightning round: Pioneer over Exxon, it has a better yieldMad Money host Jim Cramer weighs in on all manner of stocks, including AEHR, Solaredge, Exxon, Amprius, Goldman Sachs, Gaming and Leisure, Ready Capital Group, Ally Financial, McKesson Corp and Endeavor Group.

☆ The UFC-WWE deal could be the boost the M&A market needs to get back into gear
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Citigroup, JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America were among the banks advising on the deal. Earlier this year, some pegged the merger market getting back into the swing of things by mid-year. When you think about it, the WWE-UFC deal might be the best way to get the market going again. Fight for media rights: Both UFC and WWE have streaming deals with ESPN and NBCUniversal's Peacock, respectively. The crypto community is now pitching itself as playing a key role in AI development thanks to its decentralized nature.

☆ WWE to Combine With UFC Parent Endeavor
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Dean Seal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The deal to combine the companies is expected to close in the second half of 2023. World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. has reached a deal to combine with Endeavor Group Holdings Inc., the owner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The two companies said Monday that Endeavor will hold a 51% controlling interest in their newly formed, publicly traded entity, with WWE owning the remaining 49%.

☆ WWE Nears Sale to UFC’s Endeavor Group
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Lauren Thomas | Joe Flint | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The deal is expected to be announced Monday. World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. is nearing a deal to be sold to Endeavor Group Holdings Inc., which owns the Ultimate Fighting Championship, according to people familiar with the matter. As part of the deal, Endeavor’s UFC business and WWE will form a separate publicly traded entity, the people said, in which Endeavor shareholders would hold 51% and WWE shareholders would retain 49%.

☆ Endeavor to merge with WWE for a $21 billion dollar deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailEndeavor to merge with WWE for a $21 billion dollar dealVince McMahon's World Wrestling Entertainment has agreed to merge with UFC to form a new publicly traded company controlled by Endeavor Group , the companies announced Monday morning.

☆ WWE is combining with Endeavor Group's UFC to form a new company
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —World Wrestling Entertainment is merging with Endeavor Group, the parent company of competitor UFC, to form a new publicly traded company. The deal values the newly combined company at over $21 billion: UFC is worth $12.1 billion and WWE is valued at $9.3 billion. Endeavor shareholders will own 51% of the newly combined company, while WWE shareholders are getting 49%. Vince McMahon will retain his current WWE title of executive chairman at the new company, which doesn’t yet have name. Endeavor, which also owns Hollywood’s biggest talent agency William Morris Endeavor, became the outright owner of the UFC in 2021.

Shares of WWE fell in premarket trading, while Endeavor shares rose. Ari Emanuel will act as chief executive of both Endeavor and the new company, the companies said. McMahon, likewise, will be executive chairman, while Endeavor President and COO Mark Shapiro will also work in the same roles at the new company. Dana White will remain as president of UFC, and WWE CEO Nick Khan will stay on as president of the wrestling business. Stefanie Keenan | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty ImagesThe announcement confirmed an earlier CNBC report.

☆ UFC merger beefs up WWE's leverage in media rights negotiations
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Networks and streaming services need to get ready for a media rights smackdown. UFC should also benefit ahead of 2025, when its U.S. media rights deals come up, including with Disney's ESPN. "I think everything is up for grabs with these media rights deals. During his time with CAA, he had formed a relationship with McMahon during a recent round of TV rights negotiations for WWE. It will also work for UFC negotiations, he noted.

April 3 (Reuters) - World Wrestling Entertainment Inc (WWE.N) will combine with Endeavor Group-owned (EDR.N) mixed martial arts franchise UFC to form a new, publicly listed entertainment giant valued at about $21 billion, the companies said on Monday. Hollywood power broker and Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel will take the helm at the merged entity. In January, WWE said it would explore strategic options that could include a sale, shortly after long-time CEO McMahon's return to the company. McMahon had retired in July last year as the company's CEO and chair, following an investigation into his alleged misconduct. Co-CEO Stephanie McMahon, who single-handedly managed the mantle when her father exited, resigned a week after he returned in January.

☆ WWE sells itself to UFC
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The deal values the newly combined company at over $21 billion: UFC is worth $12.1 billion and WWE is valued at $9.3 billion. Endeavor shareholders will own 51% of the newly combined company, while WWE shareholders are getting 49%. Endeavor, which also owns Hollywood’s biggest talent agency William Morris Endeavor, became the outright owner of the UFC in 2021. Following his departure, WWE disclosed multiple expenses that Vince McMahon hadn’t previously reported, totaling $19.6 million. The WWE made more than $1.29 billion in revenue in 2022 and its shares up more than 30% for the year.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: Marathon Oil, Macy's, WWE and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Pia Singh | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A road is closed after an oil leak at Marathon Galveston Bay Refinery on October 6, 2021 in Texas City, Texas. Energy stocks — Energy stocks rose broadly Monday after OPEC surprised the market by announcing a production cut. Marathon Oil rose more than 7%, while Halliburton , APA and Occidental Petroleum each gained more than 6%. Extra Space Storage , Life Storage — Extra Space Storage said it would acquire Life Storage in an all-stock transaction for $145.82 per share, an 11.2% premium to where the stock closed Friday. Extra Space shares dropped 4.9% following the announcement; Life Storage shares climbed about 1.7%.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Tesla, Marathon Oil, WWE, UnitedHealth and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

UnitedHealth — Shares of the health insurance giant gained about 4% after the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Friday announced updated payment rates. The Wall Street firm said Marqueta is facing a "multitude of headwinds" without an ironed-out renewal deal with Block. Extra Space Storage , Life Storage — Shares of Extra Space Storage fell 5% after the company said it would acquire Life Storage in an all-stock transaction for $145.82 per share, an 11.2% premium to where Life Storage closed Friday. Shares of Life Storage shares rose 3%. Ovintiv – The oil and natural gas exploration and production company saw shares jump 10% after announcing it will acquire certain Midland Basin assets from EnCap Investments for about $4.3 billion.

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