From the smallest biotech to the biggest pharmaceutical stock The Motley Fool's Market Check-Up�covers the health care sector's biggest headlines, hottest market movers, and Obamacare's ongoing rollout.
In this segment from Monday's episode, health-care analyst David Williamson discusses Shire (NASDAQ: SHPG ) , a biopharmaceutical company focusing on rare diseases, that just beat out several rivals with its bid of $4.2 billion to acquire ViroPharma (NASDAQ: VPHM ) . ViroPharma sells the successful hereditary angioedema drug Cinryze, which is used in prophylactic treatment of the disease. Shire sees this as an immediately complementary fit with its drug Firazyr, which is for patients already suffering from the active disease.
In the video, David discusses why the deal is good for Shire, why he doesn't see critics' concerns over the deal as anything investors should worry about, and whether he likes the stock from here.
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Best Freight Companies To Buy For 2015: Time Warner Inc.(TWX)
Time Warner Inc. operates as a media and entertainment company in the United States and internationally. It operates in three segments: Networks, Filmed Entertainment, and Publishing. The Networks segment provides domestic and international networks, premium pay and basic tier television programming services, and digital media properties, which primarily consist of brand-aligned Websites. Its premium pay television services consist of the multi-channel HBO and Cinemax premium pay television services. This segment provides programming to cable system operators, satellite service distributors, telephone companies, and other distributors; sells advertising; and licenses original programming to domestic and international television networks. The Filmed Entertainment segment produces and distributes feature films, television and other programming, and videogames; distributes home video products; and licenses rights to its feature films, television programming, and characters. T he Publishing segment publishes magazines and books; and operates various Websites, as well as engages in marketing services and direct-marketing businesses. This segment publishes magazines on style and entertainment, lifestyle, news, and sports. The company?s brands include TNT, TBS, CNN, HBO, Cinemax, Warner Bros., New Line Cinema, People, Sports Illustrated, and Time. Time Warner Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]
www.transformersmovie.com It's not only the tragic passing of Robin Williams that has leached the humor out of Hollywood recently. Like many of the celebrated actor's late-career moves, the big-time film industry has been stepping away from comedy. It wasn't so long ago that comedies were an important staple of any major studio's release diet. No more. These days, moviegoers would be hard-pressed to find one at their local multiplex. Getting Serious Of 2013's top 10 grossing movies, none was a pure comedy, according to boxofficemojo.com. According to data compiled by the Nomura Research Institute, 2014 is set to witness the lowest level of major-studio comedies in at least five years. For 21st Century Fox's (FOXA) near-eponymous 20th Century Fox, comedies are anticipated to make up 8 percent of 2014 releases. That compares unfavorably to 27 percent in 2012 and 2013 and particularly to the 40-plus percent figures of 2010 and 2011. Disney (DIS), although it's more inclined toward animated fare and other genres, typically throws a comedy or several into its schedule. But this year it isn't planning on releasing any pure comedies. Lost In Translation This decline in the funny is due largely to a shift in the global movie going audience. International markets have become increasingly more important, with non-North American audiences comprising 70 percent of box office take in 2013, according to data compiled by the Motion Picture Association of America. The $25 billion in ticket sales to those markets last year represented an increase of 33 percent from 2009. Meanwhile, the growth in North American box office across the same stretch was a mere 3 percent. So international audiences matter more. The problem with comedies is that the humor often comes from the dialogue, even in films that feature heavy doses of sight gags and slapstick. (Think of the many verbal jokes among the physical humor of the 1980 classic "Airplane!" for example.) As a result, Hollywood
- [By Sue Chang]
Time Warner (TWX) : The stock is up 38% year to date. Miller at B. Riley & Co. rates the stock at neutral with a price target of $68.
- [By Garrett Cook]
Twenty-First Century Fox (NASDAQ: FOXA) shares were also up, gaining 4.95 percent to $32.85 after the company announced Tuesday that it is withdrawing its bid for Time Warner (NYSE: TWX). Instead, the company’s board authorized a $6 billion share repurchase program.
- [By Tim Beyers and Erin Miller]
Walt Disney's (NYSE: DIS ) Marvel Entertainment is entering phase two of the rollout if its cinematic universe with next month's Iron Man 3. Time Warner (NYSE: TWX ) is exciting audiences with June's Superman reboot, Man of Steel. At least one of these films has the potential to earn $1 billion at the box office.
10 Best Media Stocks For 2014: Discovery Communications Inc(DISCA)
Discovery Communications, Inc. operates as a non fiction media and entertainment company worldwide. The company provides original and purchased programming across various distribution platforms. Its content covers science, exploration, survival, natural history, sustainability of the environment, technology, docu-series, anthropology, paleontology, history, space, archaeology, health and wellness, engineering, adventure, lifestyles, forensics, civilization, and current events. The company owns and operates nine national television networks in the United States, including Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Investigation Discovery, Military Channel, Planet Green, Discovery Fit & Health, and Velocity. Discovery Communications also has interests in Oprah Winfrey Network, a pay-television network and Web site; The Hub that features original programming, game shows, and live-action series and specials; and 3net, a three-dimensional network. In addition, it o ffers network branded Web sites, and mobile and video-on-demand services; and distributes various national and pan-regional television networks. Further, the company develops and sells curriculum-based products and services to public and private K-12 schools, such as access to an online VOD service that includes curriculum-based tools, professional development services, and student assessment and publication of hardcopy curriculum-based content; and postproduction audio services to motion picture studios, independent producers, broadcast networks, cable channels, advertising agencies, and interactive producers. As of December 31, 2011, it operated approximately 150 distribution feeds in 40 languages. The company is headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Alyce Lomax]
An hour is the amount of time Americans might allot for watching an episode of, say, Dirty Jobs in their free time. Speaking of jobs, dirty or otherwise, Discovery Communications' (NASDAQ: DISCA ) CEO David Zaslav's pay calculation came to $24,000 per hour.
10 Best Media Stocks For 2014: Cablevision Systems Corporation (CVC)
Cablevision Systems Corporation provides telecommunications and media services. It operates in two segments, Telecommunications Services and Other. The Telecommunications Services segment is involved in television business, including video, high-speed data, and VoIP operations, as well as the provision of commercial data and voice services. The Other segment offers Newsday, a daily newspaper; amNewYork, a free daily newspaper; and Star Community Publishing, a group of weekly shopper publications; and newsday.com and exploreLI.com. This segment also engages in motion picture theatre business, Clearview Cinemas; provision of the News 12 Networks, a regional news programming services; and the MSG Varsity network, a network covering high school sports and activities, and other local programs, as well as cable television advertising. Cablevision Systems Corporation was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Bethpage, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ben Levisohn]
The analysts sound as if they believe CBS got the better of the deal-and the market appears to agree. Shares of CBS have gained 3.7% to $53.00, while Time Warner has gained 1.1% to $61.19. Shares of Disney (DIS) are little changed at $60.81, while shares of Cablevision Systems (CVC) have dropped 0.3% to $17.69.
10 Best Media Stocks For 2014: DIRECTV(DTV)
DIRECTV provides digital television entertainment in the United States and Latin America. The company provides direct-to-home (DTH) digital television services, as well as multi-channel video programming distribution services in the United States. It offers various channels of digital-quality video entertainment and CD-quality audio programming directly to subscribers' homes or businesses, as well as video-on-demand services; and approximately 160 national high-definition television channels and 4 3D channels. The company also provides premium professional and collegiate sports programming, such as the NFL SUNDAY TICKET package, which allows subscribers to view the NFL games. In addition, it offers DTH digital television services in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico. The company provides its local and international programming under the DIRECTV and SKY brand names. As of December 31, 2010, it served approximately 19.2 million subscribers in the United States; and 8.9 million subscribers in Latin America. The company was founded in 1990 and is based in El Segundo, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Douglas A. McIntyre]
Each day that passes, The Weather Channel continues to plead� for its viewers to switch from DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV), which has stopped running its content, over to carriers Dish, Optimum, or xfininty. “Pledge to switch” is a message on its website.� This website is increasing the center of The Weather Channel’s viability. But DirecTV continues to resist negotiations, increasing The Weather Channel’s big problem.
10 Best Media Stocks For 2014: DISH Network Corporation(DISH)
DISH Network Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides direct broadcast satellite (DBS) subscription television services in the United States. It offers programming that includes approximately 280 basic video channels, 60 Sirius satellite radio music channels, 30 premium movie channels, 35 regional and specialty sports channels, 2,800 local channels, 250 Latino and international channels, and 55 channels of pay-per-view content. The company also offers local HD channels in approximately 160 markets and 215 national HD channels; and receiver systems, including a small satellite dish, digital set-top receivers, and remote controls. In addition, it provides DISHOnline.com, which enables DISH Network subscribers to watch 150,000 movies, television shows, clips, and trailers; DISH Remote Access that enables subscribers to remotely manage their DVRs using compatible mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops through their broadband-connected receiver; and Go ogle TV that enables DISH Network subscribers to search the Internet, check email, interact with social media, and find additional online programming content while simultaneously watching television. As of March 31, 2011, the company had approximately 14.191 million customers. DISH Network provides receiver systems and programming through direct sales channels; and independent third parties, such as small satellite retailers, direct marketing groups, local and regional consumer electronics stores, nationwide retailers, and telecommunications companies. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Dan Radovsky]
Crest wants to wait until the battle between DISH Network (NASDAQ: DISH ) and Japanese telecom SoftBank for Sprint "is resolved because both DISH and SoftBank suggested in public statements that ownership of Clearwire is among the primary reasons for their desire to acquire control of Sprint."
- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Dish Network (NASDAQ: DISH) shares were also on the rise Wednesday, gaining 7.79 percent to $62.97 after a report surfaced that the company's CEO had approached the DirectTV CEO about a merger.
- [By Anders Bylund]
DISH Network (NASDAQ: DISH ) dropped its $25.5 billion bid for Sprint and then abandoned the $6.3 billion offer to buy Clearwire. That leaves Japan-based wireless operator Softbank unopposed in its quest to own Sprint, which in turn lost its only challenger for Clearwire ownership. Sprint shareholders have already approved the Softbank merger. It's only a matter of time and formalities before the Sprint-Clearwire bundle lands in Japanese hands.
- [By Evan Niu, CFA]
What: Shares of Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S ) have skyrocketed today by as much as 18% after DISH Network (NASDAQ: DISH ) made an unsolicited offer to acquire the wireless carrier.
10 Best Media Stocks For 2014: Thomson Reuters Corp(TRI)
Thomson Reuters Corporation provides intelligent information for businesses and professionals worldwide. The company allows market participants to connect, access content, and trade in a secure environment through Thomson Reuters Eikon desktop, Thomson Reuters Elektron network, content integration and management technology, content feeds and databases, and transactions infrastructure solutions that support buy- and sell-side customers to trade in foreign exchange, fixed income and derivatives, equities, exchange-traded instruments, and commodities and energy markets. It also offers information, analytics, workflow, and technology solutions to buy-side and off-trading floor customers; access to liquidity in over-the-counter markets, trade execution, and connections for market participants and financial professionals? communities; and a suite of solutions offering informed outcomes to regulated industries and law firms. In addition, the company provides critical information , decision support tools, and software and services to legal, investigation, business, and government professionals; integrated tax compliance and accounting software and services for accounting and law firms, corporations, and government professionals; intellectual property and scientific resources that enable its customers to discover, develop, and deliver innovations; and data analytics, and performance benchmarking solutions and services to healthcare sector. Further, it offers coverage of global, regional, and national news in 20 languages covering politics, business, finance, entertainment, lifestyle, technology, health, science, and sports; and engages in advertising-supported direct-to-consumer publishing activities of Reuters.com and its network of Websites, mobile applications, and electronic out-of-home displays. The company was formerly known as The Thomson Corporation and changed its name to Thomson Reuters Corporation in April 2008. The company is headquartered in New York, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rich Smith]
This series, brought to you by Yahoo! Finance, looks at which upgrades and downgrades make sense, and which ones investors should act on. Today, our headlines feature an upgrade for Thomson Reuters Reuters (NYSE: TRI ) , a new buy rating for Novavax (NASDAQ: NVAX ) -- but for Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP ) , a downgrade. Let's get that bad news out of the way first.
10 Best Media Stocks For 2014: Liberty Global Inc.(LBTYA)
Liberty Global, Inc. provides video, broadband Internet, and telephony services primarily in Europe and Chile. The company offers broadband services over cable distribution systems, including video, broadband Internet, and telephony; and video services through direct-to-home satellite, or through multichannel multipoint distribution systems. Its analog video services comprise basic and expanded basic programming; and digital cable services include basic and premium programming, digital video recorders, and high definition programming, as well as pay-per-view programming, such as video-on-demand and near video-on-demand. In addition, the company offers voice-over-Internet-protocol and circuit-switched telephony services, as well as mobile telephony services using third-party networks. Further, it owns programming networks that provide video programming channels to multi-channel distribution systems owned by the company and the third parties. As of December 31, 2011, the com pany owned and operated networks that passed 33,262,100 homes; and served 18,405,500 video subscribers, 8,159,300 broadband Internet subscribers, and 6,225,300 telephony subscribers. Liberty Global, Inc. was founded in 2004 and is based in Englewood, Colorado.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Sam Robson]
LONDON -- Vodafone� (LSE: VOD ) (NASDAQ: VOD ) �is believed to have increased its offer for Kabel Deutschland following a rival bid from�Liberty Global� (NASDAQ: LBTYA ) .
- [By Rich Duprey]
Having completed its $24 billion acquisition of Virgin Media, cable operator Liberty Global (NASDAQ: LBTYA ) said its board of directors had authorized a $3.5 billion stock repurchase program that it intended to complete over the next two years.
- [By Tim Brugger]
Upon Liberty Global's (NASDAQ: LBTYA ) successfully closing its acquisition of Virgin Media (NASDAQ: VMED ) , Tom Mockridge will assume CEO responsibilities of the U.K. communications firm, Liberty Global announced today.
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