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☆ FTSE 100 up as oil stocks rise; Cineworld slumps
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SummarySummary Companies FTSE 100 up 0.5%, FTSE 250 flatApril 3 (Reuters) - UK's FTSE 100 hit a three-week high on Monday, lifted by oil giants as crude prices rallied following a surprise output cut by OPEC+, while theatre chain Cineworld neared record lows as it failed to find a buyer for its U.S., UK and Ireland businesses. Energy heavyweights Shell Plc (SHEL.L) and BP Plc (BP.L) advanced over 4% each as crude oil prices jumped more than 5% following an unexpected output cut over the weekend by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries(OPEC) and its allies. The broader energy sector (.FTNMX601010) was up 4.3%, on course for its biggest daily gain in more than four months. The export-oriented FTSE 100 (.FTSE) rose 0.5%, kicking off the new quarter with gains, as the pound slipped. Reporting by Johann M Cherian in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonia CheemaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Cineworld looks to raise $2.26 billion to emerge from bankruptcy
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 2 (Reuters) - Cineworld Group Plc (CINE.L) is planning to raise $2.26 billion, according to a court filing on Sunday, as the theater chain aims to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the first half of 2023. The fundraising will consist of a first lien senior secured debt credit facility of $1.46 billion and issuance of new common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $800 million, according the filing with the U.S. bankruptcy court in the Southern District of Texas. Cineworld filed for U.S. bankruptcy protection in September to try to restructure its debt after being hit by the pandemic and a lack of blockbuster movies. The proceeds of the capital raising will be used to meet costs and expenses relating to the restructuring, and also to pay fees, other expenses and provide working capital to reorganized debtors, according to the filing. Reporting by Maria Ponnezhath in Bengaluru; Editing by Kenneth MaxwellOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Cineworld lenders looking to oust CEO in management shake-up - FT
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 31 (Reuters) - The ex-CFO of Regal Cinemas is the leading candidate to replace Cineworld Group Plc (CINE.L) CEO Mooky Greidinger as lenders of the ailing cinema chain plot a management shake-up following bankruptcy proceedings, the Financial Times reported on Friday. A potential management reshuffle would probably mean Greidinger, Cineworld's CEO since 2014, would be forced to relinquish control of his third-generation family business, the report said, citing several people close to the company's top management. David Ownby was Regal's CFO for nine years until 2018 when the company was bought by Cineworld. He has been serving as an adviser to Cineworld's highest priority creditors, which are steering the bankruptcy process, the report said. Reporting by Aby Jose Koilparambil and Anchal Rana in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini GanguliOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Cineworld creditors plan management shuffle amid takeover interest - Bloomberg News
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 27 (Reuters) - Creditors of British cinema operator Cineworld Group PLC (CINE.L) are outlining plans for a new board and executive team after nine years under CEO Mooky Greidinger and his deputy Israel Greidinger, Bloomberg News reported on Monday. The Greidinger brothers are set to be replaced, but creditors have considered providing them compensation and a transitional role during the handover period, the report added, citing people familiar with the matter. Earlier in the day, Sky News reported that private equity firm CVC Capital Partners had proposed a takeover of parts of Cineworld, within days of a similar offer from activist investor Elliott Management. Cineworld said in February it may emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the first half of this year. ($1 = 0.8148 pounds)Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal and Sinchita Mitra in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika SyamnathOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Elliott plans bid for parts of embattled Cineworld, Sky News reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 25 (Reuters) - Activist investor Elliott Management is planning a takeover of parts of the embattled British cinema operator Cineworld Group (CINE.L) , Sky News reported on Saturday. Elliott has tabled a bid to buy Cineworld's operations outside Britain and the United States, and is understood to have explored a bid for the whole of the London-based group, the report said. Elliott is interested in acquiring Cineworld's operations in eastern Europe and Israel, Sky said. Cineworld, which is currently under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Cineworld said in February it may emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the first half of this year.

☆ 'Triangle of Sadness' director Ostlund named Cannes Film Festival jury president
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Swedish director Ruben Ostlund, two-times winner of the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, has been named jury president for this year's competition. “I am happy, proud, and humbled to be trusted with the honor of Jury president for this year’s Competition at the Festival de Cannes,” said Ostlund in a statement. He also won the prize in 2017, for his movie "The Square", a satire about the art world. The festival last year returned to its traditional calendar after several years of COVID-19 disruptions. French actor Vincent Lindon presided over last year’s festival, which was the 75th anniversary edition.

☆ Cineworld gets no offer for whole company, warns on shareholders' equity
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Yadarisa Shabong | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

It said it had received initial proposals from a number of counterparties but none offered an all-cash bid for the entire company. Cineworld said talks with certain stakeholders about a possible plan of reorganisation were ongoing in parallel with a potential sale of assets, but neither path would see shareholders recover their equity interest. Cineworld had a net debt of $8.81 billion as of June 30, 2022, including lease liabilities, while its cash reserves had dwindled to $131 million. Larger rival AMC Entertainment Holdings (AMC.N) in December had said its talks to buy some theatres owned by Cineworld had fallen through. Sky News reported earlier this month that London-based cinema operator Vue International, with support from two funds, would be among the bidders for Cineworld.

☆ Regal Cinemas owner Cineworld says shareholders will be wiped out
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Olesya Dmitracova | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

London CNN —Regal Cinemas owner Cineworld, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last year, said Friday that it expected shareholders to be wiped out entirely, meaning they should not expect to recover any funds from a restructuring or sale of the business. “Based on the proposals received to date, it is not expected that any sale transaction will provide any recovery for the holders of the company’s equity interests,” it said. The British company continues to operate its theaters around the world as usual, it reiterated in its statement on Friday. Last month, Cineworld announced it was closing 39 more movie theaters in the United States. The pandemic forced movie theaters around the globe to close, dealing a devastating blow to Cineworld and others in the industry, and is still affecting visitor numbers.

☆ Regal Cinemas owner says shareholders could be wiped out after a lack of successful takeover offers
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Carla Mozée | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Cineworld, the owner of Regal Cinemas, said Friday its shareholders may be wiped out. The warning comes as the company hasn't landed an all-cash bid to take over the entire business. Shares of Cineworld sank on Friday in UK and US trading. On Friday, shares of Cineworld sank 43% to £2.25 ($2.69) in trade on the London Stock Exchange on Friday. Regal Cinemas had about 500 locations in the US.

☆ Cineworld shares dive on reports of no bidders for UK, U.S. assets
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 22 (Reuters) - Shares of Cineworld (CINE.L) slumped as much as 22% on Wednesday after media reports said the world's second-largest cinema operator had received 40 non-binding bids, but none for its UK and U.S. assets or nearing its $6 billion secured debt load. When requested by Reuters, Cineworld did not immediately confirm details of the update it provided to the court. The reports also said the company was proposing an April 10 deadline for final bids, with an auction, if necessary, to follow on April 17. A vote on restructuring has been set for May 21, with a court confirmation hearing tentatively set for May 30. Last month, Bloomberg News reported that Cineworld has shuttered 23 theatre sites since filing for bankruptcy protection and was planning more closures.

☆ AMC Theatres shouldn't be charging more for the best seats — it should be getting rid of the empty ones
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-11 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AMC Theatres announced this week that it would charge more for the best seats in its auditoriums. Here's what it looks like on the AMC Theatres website for a screening at a New York City location:What the new seat pricing looks like on the AMC Theatres website. "This new initiative by AMC Theatres would essentially penalize people for lower income and reward for higher income." AMC's seat-pricing plan isn't going to help the theatrical business. Patrick Corcoran, spokesman for the National Association of Theatre Owners, told Insider in September.

☆ Movie theaters get creative with food and drink as they struggle to fill seats
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

At many movie theaters, popcorn and soda appear alongside flatbreads, lobster grilled cheese and elaborate cocktails. "It is things like concessions and how that fits into a broader movie theater experience that really are things that movie theaters need to focus on and hammer in," Gallinari said. AMC Entertainment , the world's largest movie theater chain, exited its third quarter with more than $5.3 billion in debt. According to data from research firm EntTelligence, the average medium popcorn at domestic movie theaters is $8.14, while a medium drink runs for $6.20. "With movie theaters and concessions already having a reputation for being overpriced, being subject to the wills of the market in that way can really work against the movie theater's favor," Gallinari said.

☆ Sundance Movies: Brett Kavanaugh and Steph Curry Docs, "Cat Person"
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Alison Brower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The Sundance Film Festival was back in person for the first time since 2020. In five days I saw eight films, and while I'm not a critic, I can affirm that not one of them was a clunker. Asked about the film's aspect ratio in an audience Q&A, Jalali said, "It was prettier that way." The bulk of the films I saw were more commercial, and four of them centered on relationships. And then there was "Cat Person," based on a 2017 New Yorker story about dating by Kristen Roupenian.

☆ Analysis: AMC sets unusual shareholder vote for meme stock sale approval
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Anirban Sen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

loadingNow, AMC is asking shareholders for authorization to further increase its common stock count tenfold. Holders of the preferred stock will be allowed to vote on the matter alongside holders of common stock. "This increases the odds of (the new common stock authorization) passing this time," said Jacob Thomas, a professor of accounting and finance at Yale School of Management. "Given that meme stock speculators can drive prices far from fundamentals, it makes sense for a company like AMC to issue stock when management believes its own stock is overvalued," Harvey said. AMC said in the Jan. 26 filing that it is proposing the conversion of preferred stock to common stock to eliminate the trading discount.

☆ The Sundance Film Festival stirs buzz, draws A-list stars, and screens movies that get you talking, but it can't hide the crisis facing independent filmmakers.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-29 | by ( Alison Brower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The Sundance Film Festival was back in person for the first time since 2020. A-list stars like Anne Hathaway and Jason Momoa were present to promote their buzzy films. It was impossible not to feel optimistic about the state of independent film at the opening weekend of the Sundance Film Festival. In five days I saw eight films, and while I'm not a critic, I can affirm that not one of them was a clunker. At an event like Sundance, even amid some hand-wringing over the future, the excitement is contagious.

☆ Your local Regal theater could be saved, as the company looks for a buyer amid bankruptcy
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Cineworld is looking to sell its remaining US-based Regal locations, it said in a filing this week. The company has reached out to 30 potential buyers, including many competitors. Locations that have already been closed will not be part of the sale, a Cineworld lawyer told Insider. Those assets include US-based Regal theater locations. Cineworld said in the filing that it has reached out to 30 potential buyers, including "many" of its competitors.

☆ 39 more Regal theaters are closing in the US amid bankruptcy. See the full list.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Travis Clark | Sindhu Sundar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Over three dozen Regal Cinemas locations in the US are expected to close. Cineworld detailed the plan to reject the leases starting February 15 in a new bankruptcy filing on Tuesday. Regal is the second-largest cinema chain in the US, behind AMC, with over 500 theaters. The company's plan to close locations during its bankruptcy is fairly routine. Cineworld filed for bankruptcy at a time when the larger theatrical industry is struggling to fully rebound from the pandemic.

☆ Cineworld Grapples With Box-Office Slump as It Seeks a Sale in Bankruptcy
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Akiko Matsuda | Alexander Gladstone | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Bankrupt movie-theater chain Cineworld Group PLC said it continues to miss its box-office projections due to challenging market conditions as it gears up to sell itself out of chapter 11. Joshua Sussberg, a lawyer for U.K.-based Cineworld, owner of Regal Cinemas, told Judge Marvin Isgur of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Houston, Texas, on Wednesday that the company’s restructuring effort since its bankruptcy filing in September has been hindered by the lackluster box-office performance.

☆ Oil stocks lift London shares on first trading day of 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SummarySummary Companies FTSE 100 up 1.4%, FTSE 250 adds 1.3%Jan 3 (Reuters) - UK's exporter-heavy FTSE 100 jumped 1.4% on Tuesday, marking a strong start to the New Year, as energy stocks rallied and investors waited for manufacturing data due later in the day. The blue chip FTSE 100 (.FTSE) rose 1.4% by 0820 GMT after far outperforming regional peers with a 0.9% rise in 2022. The more domestically-focused FTSE 250 midcaps (.FTMC) rose 1.1%, while the broader pan-European STOXX 600 (.STOXX) gained 0.7%. As crude prices rose, oil majors Shell (SHEL.L) and BP (BP.L) gained in early trading, pushing the broader energy sector (.FTNMX601010) up 4.2%. Rolls-Royce (RR.L) rose 4.9% to top the FTSE 100, after Jefferies raised the airplane engine maker to "buy" from "hold".

☆ UK's Cineworld to not sell assets individually, denies talks with AMC
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Jan 3 (Reuters) - Cineworld (CINE.L), the British cinema operator in bankruptcy proceedings, said on Tuesday it would not sell any of its assets individually, and that it had not held discussions with AMC Entertainment (AMC.N) about the sale of any of its theatres. Cineworld said on Tuesday it had not held discussions with AMC about the sale of any of its cinema assets, in response to media reports, and that talks about a reorganisation of its U.S. operations were ongoing. In October, Cineworld, the world's second-largest cinema chain operator, announced a bankruptcy settlement with its landlords and lenders, clearing the way for the company to borrow funds and make a $1 billion debt repayment. AMC last month said it was no longer in talks to buy some theatres owned by Cineworld following initial talks with some lenders. Reporting by Aby Jose Koilparambil in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty and Nivedita BhattacharjeeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ AMC CEO asks for salary freeze in 2023 as shares slump
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 27 (Reuters) - AMC Entertainment Holdings (AMC.N) Chief Executive Officer Adam Aron on Tuesday asked the theater chain operator's board to freeze his compensation next year because of a sharp drop in the company's shares. "I do not want 'more' when our shareholders are hurting," Aron, who earned $18.9 million in 2021, said in a series of tweets urging other top AMC executives to also forego their hikes. AMC has tried to ride out the pressure by raising cash and taking advantage of the retail interest it got during last year's meme stock rally. Earlier this month, the company said it would raise $110 million in new equity capital through the sale of its preferred stock and proposed a reverse stock split. read moreReporting by Tiyashi Datta in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika SyamnathOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

FedEx Corp (FDX.N), which sparked a market selloff in September after pulling financial forecasts, provided financial guidance and announced plans for $1 billion cost cuts. Also, U.S. consumer confidence rose to an eight-month high in December as inflation retreated and the labor market remained strong while 12-month inflation expectations fell to 6.7%, the lowest since September 2021. It's been helped by upbeat corporate commentary and an improvement in consumer confidence," said Angelo Kourkafas, investment strategist at Edward Jones in St. Louis referring to Nike and FedEx. Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., December 7, 2022. On U.S. exchanges 9.81 billion shares changed hands, compared with the 11.16 billion average for the last 20 sessions.

FedEx Corp (FDX.N), which sparked a market selloff in September after pulling financial forecasts, provided financial guidance and announced plans for $1 billion cost cuts. U.S. consumer confidence rose to an eight-month high in December as inflation retreated and the labor market remained strong while 12-month inflation expectations fell to 6.7%, the lowest since September 2021. It's been helped by upbeat corporate commentary and an improvement in consumer confidence," said Angelo Kourkafas, investment strategist at Edward Jones in St Louis referring to Nike and FedEx. The smallest gainer among the sectors was consumer staples (.SPLRCS) but it was still up 1%. The S&P 500 posted 5 new 52-week highs and 3 new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 49 new highs and 211 new lows.

☆ AMC abandons talks to acquire bankrupt Cineworld's theaters
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Dec 21 (Reuters) - Cinema chain AMC Entertainment Holdings (AMC.N) said on Wednesday it was no longer in talks to acquire some theaters owned by now bankrupt Cineworld Group (CINE.L) following initial discussions with some lenders. AMC in August announced its preferred share APE as a special dividend for shareholders and a means to raise capital in the future. Shares of AMC rose nearly 2% in trading before the bell, while its preferred shares were up more than 3%. Cineworld shares fell 5%. During the discussions, AMC said Cineworld did not provide any confidential or non-public information, analyses, compilations, forecasts, among other documents to the lenders.

☆ AMC Held Talks About Acquiring Theaters From Bankrupt Cineworld
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Alexander Gladstone | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. held discussions regarding a potential strategic acquisition of theaters from its rival, the bankrupt Cineworld Group PLC, according to a securities filing by AMC on Wednesday. AMC’s deal talks were held with certain lenders to Cineworld, who have a powerful role in that company’s bankruptcy process. The talks focused on AMC acquiring theater assets of Cineworld in the U.S. and Europe, and how such a deal would be financed.

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