PARA to $12.7405-21-2024 Buy PARA Buy $12.09 @ 250 3022.50 Sell $12.74 @ 250 3185 Ask $ 162.50 Longby TheProfitAdvisors0
Paramount Global Set to End Negotiations With Skydance MediaParamount Global ( NASDAQ:PARA ) will end its exclusive talks with Skydance Media without reaching a deal, according to the New York Times. A special committee of Paramount's board evaluated the company's options, but some shareholders were critical of the deal. Sony Pictures Entertainment and Apollo Global Management have expressed interest in acquiring Paramount ( NASDAQ:PARA ) for $26 billion in an all-cash offer. Shares of the media giant Plummets 7% in extended trading.by DEXWireNews4
PARA Bull-Call options tradeThere is about 30% of stock value to unlock if the deal finalizes. Below is the risk-to-reward per options quantity. Multiply the Max Loss by an integer to match your trade size. Dec 2024 Buy the 14 Sell the 18 Max gain $214 Max loss $186 Break-even PARA $15.86Longby Mlangford750
Sony, Apollo Propose $26 Bln Deal for Paramount GlobalSony Group Corp. and Apollo Global Management Inc. have proposed a $26 billion deal to buy Paramount Global ( NASDAQ:PARA ), the media giant that owns CBS and MTV. The offer is described as a nonbinding expression of interest and would be an all-cash offer for Paramount shares, plus the assumption of debt. Paramount, controlled by Shari Redstone, is weighing a merger proposal from David Ellison, the head of Skydance Media and son of Oracle's co-founder. A period of exclusive talks between Paramount's board and Ellison is scheduled to end Friday. About the Buyout The proposed transaction involves buying out the controlling Redstone family at a premium and merging Ellison's company into Paramount. Critics have urged Paramount ( NASDAQ:PARA ) to consider other offers. A special committee of Paramount directors went back to Ellison with additional terms, which he largely matched. Ellison and his investors, including RedBird Capital Partners, agreed to buy more Paramount ( NASDAQ:PARA ) nonvoting stock at a premium to sweeten the deal for the company's other investors. The committee has not yet decided whether to accept the offer.Longby DEXWireNews4
Paramount Global's Leadership Shake-Up Amidst Merger TalksParamount Global ( NASDAQ:PARA ), home to iconic brands like CBS, MTV, and Paramount Pictures, recently made headlines with the abrupt departure of CEO Bob Bakish and the announcement of a new leadership structure. Bakish's exit comes amidst speculation surrounding the company's potential merger with Skydance Media and strategic disagreements with Paramount's controlling shareholder, Shari Redstone. CEO Shake-Up: Bob Bakish, who led Paramount since 2019, was replaced by a trio of seasoned executives forming an "Office of the CEO," including George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, and Brian Robbins. Bakish's departure marks a significant development, signaling a shift in leadership dynamics and strategic direction within the company. Merger Talks and Strategic Disputes: Bakish's exit coincides with Paramount's potential merger with Skydance Media, a move that could reshape the media landscape. However, reports suggest that Bakish clashed with Shari Redstone over strategic initiatives, including the Skydance merger and the potential sale of Showtime. Redstone's push for aggressive strategic moves, coupled with Bakish's reservations, highlights the tension between management and controlling shareholders in navigating Paramount's future. Financial Implications and Shareholder Concerns: Bakish's departure comes with a hefty golden parachute of approximately $50 million, raising eyebrows among shareholders. Amidst merger talks and strategic uncertainties, large common shareholders, including Mario Gabelli's Gamco Investors, have expressed concerns over the dilution of common shareholders' interests and the company's overall direction. Paramount's declining market value post-Viacom-CBS merger underscores the urgency for strategic clarity and effective leadership. Streaming Strategy and Content Monetization: Paramount's pivot towards streaming, epitomized by the launch of Paramount+ and the acquisition of Pluto TV, reflects the industry's evolving landscape. Bakish's supporters credit him for the company's strides in streaming and maintaining CBS's industry position. However, challenges persist in monetizing content and competing in the crowded streaming market amidst mounting losses in Paramount's legacy TV business.by DEXWireNews2
Sony & Apollo Join Forces in a Bid to Acquire Paramount GlobalSony Pictures Entertainment and Apollo Global Management are currently in talks to explore the possibility of submitting a joint bid to acquire Paramount Global. This information was obtained from an anonymous source who is familiar with the matter. The two companies have not yet approached Paramount ( NASDAQ:PARA ), which is currently in exclusive negotiations with Skydance Media, an independent studio headed by David Ellison. Despite this, some investors have encouraged Paramount to consider alternative options. If the competing bid comes to fruition, it would involve cash payments for all outstanding Paramount shares ( NASDAQ:PARA ), and result in the company becoming privately owned. The source revealed that Sony would own a majority stake in the joint venture and would operate the media company, along with its library of films and television shows, such as "Star Trek," "Mission: Impossible," "Indiana Jones," and SpongeBob SquarePants. Sony Pictures Entertainment Chairman, Tony Vinciquerra, a seasoned media executive with significant experience in the film and television industry, would likely be tasked with running the studio, leveraging Sony's marketing and distribution expertise. Due to restrictions on foreign ownership of broadcast stations, the source stated that Apollo would likely assume control of the CBS broadcast network and its local television stations. Sony's parent corporation is based in Tokyo, Japan. The New York Times initially reported the ongoing discussions between Sony and Apollo. Both Sony and Paramount have declined to comment on the matter, and Apollo could not be reached for comment. Previously, Apollo had made an offer of $26 billion to acquire Paramount Global ( NASDAQ:PARA ), whose enterprise value at the end of 2023 was estimated to be around $22.5 billion. However, a special committee of Paramount's board elected to continue with its advanced deal talks with Skydance, rather than pursuing a deal "that might not actually come to fruition," according to two people with knowledge of the board's actions. The committee is currently assessing the feasibility of acquiring the smaller independent studio in a stock deal worth around $4 billion to $5 billion. Skydance is also reportedly in negotiations to acquire National Amusements, a company that holds the Redstone family's controlling interest in Paramount. However, this transaction is contingent upon a Skydance-Paramount merger. Technical Outlook Paramount Global ( NASDAQ:PARA ) shares quickly responded to the development besieging it surging by 8.3% from a weekly low of $10.03. The stock has a Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 54.24. Moreover, traders need to be cautious as the stock is trading below the 200 and 100-day Moving Averages (MA) igniting a concern about its bullish trend. The question is will it keep surging? or test a new support level eventually.Longby DEXWireNews2
Paramount (PARA) Flirting with Historical Support, Time to Buy?Hi Guys. As usual always on the lookout for Macro trend setups, signs and opportunities. PARA seems to be in a position of low risk trade setup. We have made it to a Historical Support level, where interactions here normally leads to bounces upward. Please note however that previous history does not mean it is 100% probable that it will repeat. HOwever, being in a downtrend for some time now. It is likely that there maybe DEMAND in this area. Its important to watch for signs of confirmation of Support. This weeks candle may show signs. It is a Hammer candle printing at the bottom of a downtrend since January. Lower wick indicates buy pressure or demand. Notice ABOVE we have a resistance trendline. Note if we bounce from here, that will be our area to watch. This resistance trendline has been dragging us down since April 2022. We could also be attempting to form a double bottom. Recently there is also an uptick in VOLUME, which can indicate support of the demand currently seen at this support lvl. Ive added 2 indicators. MACD shows that we have not reached ABOVE the 0 lvl in quite sometime. Hinting to the idea that eventually we will. Notice also the presence of Bullish Divergence with MACD and price action. Watch for the change in color of the histobars to light red. This will suppport the idea of waning bearish momentum. The presence of a bullish cross is also vital to watch for. Now notice RSI. Our current RSI as indicated by orange circle, shows flattening of the RSI. This shows buying is stalling the sell off. However, notice the rectangles highlighting previous flattening of RSI. There is a possibility of RSI continuing downward. An important sign for the RSI in my opinion would be if RSI can move above the resistance trendline. This thinking ahead, can coincide with breaking the Major resistance in price action. Regardless of what happens, right now we are in a critical area and pushes for observation. __________________________________________________________________________________ Thank you for taking the time to read my analysis. Hope it helped keep you informed. Please do support my ideas by boosting, following me and commenting. Thanks again. Stay tuned for more updates on PARA in the near future. If you have any questions, do reach out. Thank you again. DISCLAIMER: This is not financial advice, i am not a financial advisor. The thoughts expressed in the posts are my opinion and for educational purposes. Do not use my ideas for the basis of your trading strategy, make sure to work out your own strategy and when trading always spend majority of your time on risk management strategy.Longby SafofAllTradesUpdated 117
Paramount stock slumps 8.51% on request of Equity RaiseParamount Global's ( NASDAQ:PARA ) shares plummeted by 8% on Thursday following news reports that it may require an infusion of new equity of up to $3 billion to merge with Skydance Media. The reports are based on information provided by sources familiar with the deal. The founder of Skydance Media, and his associates are expected to provide a significant portion of the equity needed, but it would be dilutive. The merger discussions come as Shari Redstone, the controlling shareholder of Paramount ( NASDAQ:PARA ), is reportedly in exclusive talks with Ellison to sell her stake to him. The two firms are also said to be exploring the possibility of a merger. The Wall Street Journal reported that Apollo Global Management had made an all-cash offer of $26 billion to acquire Paramount, which was turned down. Redstone is seeking to sell the company, as it is in talks about being acquired by Warner Bros Discovery. Paramount's ( NASDAQ:PARA ) parent company, MTV, and CBS have a market capitalization of nearly $10 billion and approximately $13 billion in net debt. Technical Outlook Paramount Global ( NASDAQ:PARA ) shares are trading below the 200-day Moving Average (MA) with a Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 54.72 indicating sellers sentiment.by DEXWireNews113
Paramount Stock Spikes 15% Amidst Merger Talks With SkydanceParamount Global ( NASDAQ:PARA ), the media conglomerate housing iconic assets such as Paramount Pictures, CBS network, and a slew of cable networks, finds itself at a crossroads. Recent developments hint at a potential sale, raising questions about the future of one of the entertainment industry's behemoths. Behind the scenes, the late Sumner Redstone's legacy looms large, influencing decisions and negotiations. Let's delve into the intricacies of this evolving narrative. Redstone's Legacy: Sumner Redstone, the visionary media mogul, built Paramount into a powerhouse, shaping the landscape of entertainment for decades. Now, his daughter Shari Redstone stands at the helm, steering the company through turbulent waters. Her preference for maintaining the integrity of Paramount's assets in any potential sale echoes her father's commitment to preserving his legacy. Redstone's influence transcends mere financial considerations; it's about safeguarding a heritage built on creativity and innovation. The Potential Sale: Speculation swirls around Apollo Global's interest in acquiring Paramount Global in its entirety. This development follows advanced talks between National Amusements Inc. (NAI) and Skydance, indicating a significant shift in the company's trajectory. Paramount Global's diverse portfolio, encompassing film studios, television networks, and streaming services, presents an enticing opportunity for prospective buyers. However, amidst the negotiations, the uncertainty surrounding the company's future looms large, posing challenges in deal-making and strategic planning. Impact on Paramount's Operations: The ongoing discussions surrounding Paramount's sale cast a shadow over its day-to-day operations. The looming prospect of new ownership introduces a level of ambiguity, complicating efforts to forge partnerships and secure talent. Creative minds within the industry may hesitate to commit to projects amidst the backdrop of impending change. Moreover, the uncertainty could potentially impact employee morale and productivity, underscoring the need for swift resolution. The Legacy at Stake: Beyond financial metrics and market dynamics, the sale of Paramount Global ( NASDAQ:PARA ) carries profound implications for the Redstone legacy. For Shari Redstone, preserving her father's vision is paramount, transcending the bottom line. Any decision regarding the company's future must honor its rich heritage while embracing opportunities for growth and innovation. As negotiations unfold, stakeholders are keenly observing how Redstone navigates the delicate balance between legacy preservation and corporate strategy.Longby DEXWireNews5
Harmonic pattern for PARA. It seems that NASDAQ:PARA is ready to fly. A harmonic pattern is observed on the daily chart and double bottom at around 10.25. The sentiments around the PARA is positive as traders waiting for a deal for take over. The awesome indicator is also showing a bullish trend. First target price is 14.73 and second target price is at around 17.36. I put the stop loss at 9.90. Good luck to all longs NASDAQ:PARA www.tradingview.comLongby Shahi_bak222
Apollo's Set to Acquire Paramount' Pictures for $11 BillionIn a move that sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, private equity firm Apollo Global Management has reportedly tabled an eye-watering $11 billion offer for Paramount Global's coveted film studio, Paramount Pictures ( NASDAQ:PARA ). This bid, shrouded in intrigue and speculation, adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing saga surrounding the media conglomerate's future. Market Reaction and Speculation Paramount's shares surged by a staggering 11.8% following the revelation, underscoring the market's keen interest in the potential acquisition. Apollo's approach comes amid a flurry of takeover interest in Paramount, with reports suggesting that the private equity giant had engaged with a special committee formed by the media conglomerate to explore various strategic options, including a possible takeover or asset purchases. Uncertainty and Industry Dynamics However, Paramount Global ( NASDAQ:PARA ) remains tight-lipped about the developments, declining to comment on the matter, while Apollo Global Management could not be immediately reached for clarification. The silence from both parties only serves to fuel speculation further, as industry observers eagerly await further developments in this unfolding drama.Longby DEXWireNews224
PARA Paramount Global Options Ahead of EarningsAnalyzing the options chain and the chart patterns of PARA Paramount Global prior to the earnings report this week, I would consider purchasing the 12.50usd strike price Calls with an expiration date of 2024-6-21, for a premium of approximately $1.15. If these options prove to be profitable prior to the earnings release, I would sell at least half of them. Longby TopgOptions2
RiskMastery's Breakout Stocks - PARAA EditionWelcome to RiskMastery's Breakout Stocks - Stocks with breakout potential. In this edition, we'll be looking at NASDAQ:PARAA ... I believe this code is at a point of potential volatility. If price can hold above $23.06 ... Bullish potential may be unlocked. My key upside targets include: - $28.55 (Conservative) - $33.61 (Medium) - $41.22 (Aggressive) If however price falls below $17.25 ... Bearish risk potential may be unlocked. (My key risk targets - C, M,& A - are as noted on the chart) Enjoy, and I look forward to being of further service into the future. If you'd like to connect, feel free to reach out and comment below. Mr RM | Risk Mastery Disclaimer: This post is intended for educational purposes only - Publicly available RiskMastery information & content is not intended to be financial advice in any shape or form. Please do your own research and seek advice from a licensed professional before acting on any of the information contained within this post. This post is not a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold any positions in any financial instrument. All demonstrated trades are merely incidental to the educational training RiskMastery aims to provide. You are solely responsible for your own investment and trading decisions, of which should be made only according to your own opinion, knowledge and experience. You should not rely on any of the information contained on this site or contained in any RiskMastery material on any website or platform. You assume the sole risk of any trade or investment you elect to make. RiskMastery and affiliates shall not be liable to you for any monetary losses or any other damages incurred directly or indirectly, from your use, reliance or reference of RiskMastery materials, content and educational information. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation - We look forward to working with you into the future to navigate the fine line of trading and investment success.Longby RiskMasteryOfficial112
PARA breaks out on volumeWhy is PARA breaking out? IDK but it's doing it on volume.Longby MrMonsterLLC0
PARAMOUNT: The Golden Cross won't save it. Strong short.Paramount is technically at the very high bullish levels on the 1D timeframe (RSI = 67.184, MACD = 49.860, ADX = 37.093) and just formed the first 4H Golden Cross since January 30th 2023. Being very close to the top of almost a 2 year Channel Down, this rise appears to be coming to an end. Being fairly similar to the Feb 1st peak, both in terms of % range (+65% against +60%) and timing on the 4H Golden Cross, we expect a similar pullback to on a 2 month basis. First target the 0.382 Fibonacci and 1D MA50 (TP1 = 14.25) and on the next bounce, the 0.618 Fibonacci (TP2 = 12.65). ## If you like our free content follow our profile to get more daily ideas. ## ## Comments and likes are greatly appreciated. ##Shortby InvestingScope7
Paramount Shares Jump After Reports of Takeover InterestParamount Global shares surged Today following reports from Deadline and Puck News that Skydance and Redbird Capital were exploring potentially taking over the media giant. Paramount’s controlling shareholder, Shari Redstone, has been open to making big deals, especially as the company weathers the storms of declining revenue and streaming losses. Paramount shares were up more than 12%. The company has a market cap of about $10.5 billion and is up more than 1% for the year, lagging the S&P 500′s 19% gains. PARA Trading above its 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages (SMA), indicating a bullish trend. The earnings per share (EPS) of Paramount Global is expected to decline by 37.50% in the current quarter (Dec 2023) and increase by 333.30% in the next quarter (Mar 2024). The EPS for the current year (2023) is estimated to be $0.7, which is a 59.10% decrease from the previous year (2022). The EPS for the next year (2024) is projected to be $1.29, which is an 84.30% increase from the current year. The revenue of Paramount Global is expected to decrease by 3.10% in the current quarter (Dec 2023) and increase by 9.00% in the next quarter (Mar 2024). The revenue for the current year (2023) is estimated to be $29.92 billion, which is a 0.80% decrease from the previous year (2022). The revenue for the next year (2024) is forecasted to be $31.36 billion, which is a 4.80% increase from the current yearLongby DEXWireNews1
Paramount Jumps on Report to Bundle Streaming Service With AppleParamount Global (PARA) - shares jumped Today 1st December following a report that suggested the group is in early-stage talks to bundle its content with Apple (AAPL) . Paramount and Apple are looking to create a streaming bundle that will be priced at a discount to rivals such as Netflix (NFLX) - by combining content from Paramount+ and Apple TV+ into a single offering. The Journal reported similar plans from Netflix and Comcast (CMCSA). Streaming services are looking to win over new customers who have weathered sharp price increases across all major streaming hubs over the past 12 months. Paramount Global shares were marked 3% higher in early Friday trading to change hands at $14.80 each while Apple edged 0.1% lower to $189.78 each. Netflix, meanwhile, slipped 0.2% to $473.00 each. Paramount Q3 results had lagged estimates Paramount cautioned investors last month that a slump in ad sales and intensifying competition would clip its current-quarter earnings. It posted weaker-than-expected third-quarter profit of 39 cents a share on revenue of $6.92 billion. Ad sales, Paramount said, were down 4% from a year earlier to $363 million, leading to a 5% decline in revenue for its TV Media division, the group's largest. Paramount, which changed its name from ViacomCBS earlier this year, owns the Paramount CBS, Showtime, MTV and Comedy Central brands and hopes to have at least 100 million streaming subscribers by the end of 2024. Third-quarter subscription revenue was up 59% from a year earlier to $863 million, paced by growth in its Paramount+ streaming offering, which includes NFL games and soccer matches from the UEFA Champions League. Price Momentum PARAA is trading in the middle of its 52-week range and below its 200-day simple moving average. What does this mean? Investors are still evaluating the share price, but the stock still appears to have some downward momentum. This is a neutral sign for the stock's future value. Longby DEXWireNews1
A Beautiful Turnaround in PARAThe market for streaming and entertainment has certainly become highly saturated, but few have as good of a setup as PARA does right now. The company is still profitable and trading well below its book value. Clean balance sheet and fundamentally attractive based on Joel Greenblatt's "Magic Formula" criteria (see MagicFormulaInvesting.com - Minimum Market Cap: SEED_TVCODER77_ETHBTCDATA:5B , Top 50 Stocks, as of today 11/27/23). On top of that, the Stock just had a beautiful bounce off of its 2020 low with no resistance in sight. Volatility is a major factor here and position sizing should be controlled accordingly, but the reward/risk ratio seems well in favor of the bulls in this situation.Longby thisbemax0
Paramount Hello friends, I am looking on PARAMOUNT chart and I see price is in between two major levels. I am anticipating from the price to drop lower and retest demand area around 8$. If this scenario plays out I will look to buy stocks of this company there. Good luck.Longby D-O-M-I-N-I-C0
Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA): The Journey Towards Greatness Paramount Global announced that it will commence cash tender offers of up to $1 billion combined aggregate purchase price (the "Combined Tender Offer Cap") for: (1) any and all of its 4.750% Senior Notes due 2025 and 3.450% Senior Notes due 2026 (collectively, the "Any and All Securities") and (2) a combined aggregate purchase price of up to the Combined Tender Offer Cap less the aggregate purchase price of the Any and All Securities validly tendered and accepted for purchase (in each case, excluding accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the applicable settlement date and excluding related fees and expenses) (the "Maximum Offer Amount") of its 4.00% Senior Notes due 2026, 2.90% Senior Notes due 2027 and 3.375% Senior Notes due 2028 in the priorities set forth in the applicable table below (collectively, the "Maximum Offer Securities" and together with the Any and All Securities, the "Securities"). The offer to purchase the Any and All Securities is referred to as the "Any and All Offers," the offer to purchase the Maximum Offer Securities is referred to as the "Maximum Offer," and the Any and All Offers and Maximum Offer are referred to together as the "Offers." The Maximum Offer is subject to proration and order of priority (the "Acceptance Priority Levels"), as set forth in the applicable table below under "Acceptance Priority Level." The Offers are open to all registered holders of the applicable Securities (collectively, the "Holders"). PARAA is trading near the bottom of its 52-week range and below its 200-day simple moving average. What does this mean? Investors have been pushing the share price lower, and the stock still appears to have downward momentum. This is a buy opportunity.Longby DEXWireNews2
Viacom is not looking good SHORTThe trend is down, and is definitely going to continue. target for the short is 15.70 with a 30% return NFAShortby BallsOfSteel32Updated 225
PARA : Going longCons The streaming industry is currently facing significant challenges, and Paramount has heavily focused its efforts in this area. This concentration has negatively impacted their financial performance over the past few years, eroding investor confidence in the stock. Recently, Paramount made the decision to reduce dividends, which may result in a sell-off, as dividend investors may no longer find the stock appealing. A writers' strike that has persisted for several months has also adversely affected the entertainment business. Intense competition from other streaming services poses a threat to Paramount's business. Pros Notably, Berkshire Hathaway maintains holdings in Paramount's stock, despite Warren Buffet and Charlie Munger expressing concerns about the company's business model. This suggests that Berkshire Hathaway may have a strategic plan for the future. Paramount has the potential to recover if it can produce major hits like "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One", in the coming years. The nearing resolution of the writers' strike is positive news for the streaming industry. Conclusion From a technical perspective, the stock appears to be at attractive buying levels. Therefore, given its current valuation, it appears to be a reasonable decision to take a position in the stock. It's worth noting that I also hold positions in other industry giants like Disney, and I believe that these companies will find ways to recover from their current challenges in the coming years. As of now, I have allocated approximately 1.71% of my capital to this stock. I may consider increasing this allocation to 2.5% if the price experiences a significant decline, depending on the price action.Longby Sniper-Traders0
$PARA A Deep Value Play?At the moment, Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA) is down more than 27% YTD as a result of the writers’ and actors’ strike as well as its long-term debt situation. Many investors are asserting that the stock is nothing short of a value trap given these indications. However, the writers’ strike appears to be coming to an end after writers and studios reached a preliminary labor agreement. As a result, PARA stock may witness a strong run in the coming days along with other movie theater and streaming stocks. Aside from that, the company is currently de-leveraging its balance sheet by selling some of its non-core assets and is headed towards seasonal catalysts which include the Superbowl and the 2024 presidential election. Taking this information into account the company could end up counteracting its debt substantially, which is why the current dip could be an opportunity to enter a long position in PARA stock. PARA Fundamentals The Bear in the Room The bear thesis for PARA is centered around its long-term debt which consists of $15 billion. While $15 billion may at first seem like an imposing figure, it is worth noting that its long-term debt is spread out through 2062 with its bulk due for payment in 2043. As is, the company only has to pay $3 billion in the next 5 years and $7 billion in the next 10 years. Meanwhile, it currently has $1.7 billion in liquidity which is more than enough to cover 3 years’ worth of debt. Another reason why the company’s long-term debt is inconsequential is the fact that it is currently de-leveraging its balance sheet. Recently, PARA sold Simon & Schuster to KKR for $1.62 billion and is planning on using the net proceeds from the sale – $1.33 billion – towards paying off its debt. If push comes to shove, then the company could mirror The Walt Disney Company (DIS) by selling off its non-core assets, of which it has plenty. Possible iconic brands that could be utilized to provide substantial capital include Nickelodeon, MTV, Watch Magazine!, BET Media Group, and many others. Writers’ Strike Coming to an End After months of starts and stops, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) reached a tentative deal to end the ongoing writers’ strike. Currently, the WGA and AMPTP are drafting the final contract language, and once the contract is complete, the WGA’s negotiating committee will need to approve it, followed by the BoD for the union’s eastern and western branches. The votes are scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 25th, and if the contract is approved, the WGA will make the contract language public. The importance of this move is that it could help end the ongoing actors’ strike. The actors struck for many of the same reasons as the writers – asking for better pay and benefits, higher residual payments, transparency from streaming projects, as well as protections against being replaced by AI. That said, the deal with the WGA will act as a precedent for any deal with the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). While studios have not yet requested a meeting with SAG-AFTRA negotiators, this could be due to them focusing on their negotiations with the WGA. Now that the writers’ strike is a thing of the past, studios can focus their attention on the actors’ strike and begin negotiations with SAG-AFTRA. If a deal with SAG-AFTRA is also successfully reached, Hollywood studios like PARA will be free to contract writers and actors for new projects as all such negotiations have been on pause during both strikes. This would be great news for the company as it could start working on new projects that may attract new users to its platform Paramount +. While the end of the writers’ strike should boost PARA stock as well as other streaming and movie theater stocks, the company is set to benefit greatly from 2 major upcoming catalysts that always reflected well on its financial performance. Seasonal Trends Elections and the Super Bowl are classic staples of America. They are also extremely promising seasonal catalysts for many companies including PARA. According to the company’s financials, there is an extremely strong correlation between its ad revenue and these two events which is only natural since CBS airs Super Bowl ads as well as campaign ads. That said, this time around the company may significantly benefit from the Super Bowl and the 2024 elections due to Paramount + and increased election spending. Super Bowl Impact The Super Bowl is a significant driver of ad revenue for PARA. In 2021, 17% of the company’s advertising revenue came from the Super Bowl and the NCAA tournament. That said, in years in which CBS did not air the Super Bowl, the network took a hit in ad revenue as in 2017 its ad revenue decreased by 9% for that very reason and 2% in 2022. This incoming Super Bowl is extremely beneficial for PARA since it will be aired on Paramount + for the first time. This means that the company will make ad revenue from CBS and Paramount + as well as likely witness an increase in its subscriptions. This move could be viewed as a marketing strategy to draw in new clients to the streaming service as the inclusion of the Super Bowl could also potentially serve as a seasonal stimulus for subscriptions. This is similar to Fubo (NASDAQ: FUBO) which experienced surges in its subscription revenue at the start of the NFL season as shown in the chart below. It is however important to note that Paramount + is not Fubo. Fubo specializes in sports entertainment and its cheapest plan costs $75 a month. On the other hand, Paramount + has a diverse array of programs and its cheapest plan is worth $6 a month. Fubo is optimal for sports enthusiasts, while Paramount + would likely be favored by casual sports viewers with diverse interests. As is, 46% of Americans consider themselves casual sports fans while only 29% consider themselves avid fans. Additionally, Fubo subscribers are likely to unsubscribe at the end of the NFL season given the streaming service’s price and a lack of sporting events of interest which can be seen in the chart above when its users decline in Q1 and Q2 compared to Q3 and Q4. On the other hand, Paramount + has a diverse portfolio that includes movies, reality TV, documentaries, and TV series which could attract newcomers from the Super Bowl. In short, unlike Fubo, Paramount + could retain a lot of its Super Bowl subscribers due to the diversity of its offerings. Presidential Election Season Every presidential election season since 2012 has been a record-breaker. In 2012, $2 billion worth of campaign ads were aired during the presidential election season which was at the time an extremely impressive record. During every presidential election season since then, a new record was established. In 2016 ad spending drastically increased to $6.5 billion and in 2020 that figure was $8.5 billion. On that note, according to a prominent media analyst specializing in ad analysis – AdAge – ad spending in the 2024 presidential election season is projected to reach $11 billion. With this in mind, PARA has benefited significantly from elections, as in 2016, its revenues increased 12% in response to the increased spending on campaign ads. This phenomenon occurred multiple times including in 2018 when congressional elections caused the company’s advertising revenue to grow by 8%. Given the correlation between revenue growth and increased presidential campaigns’ ad spending, this upcoming presidential election season could provide the company with the boost it needs to rebound from current levels. Valuation Currently, PARA has a book value of $22.16 billion and a market cap of only $9 billion which means that the stock could be undervalued at the moment with a 146.2% upside from current levels. Additionally, its P/S ratio is 1.1 which is much lower than other companies with a similar business model like Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD) which are trading at 6.6 and 2.7 sales multiples respectively. For that reason, the stock could be a bargain at the moment for value investors given that it is trading near 52-week lows. Technical Analysis On the hourly chart, PARA stock is trading near its 52-week low in a neutral trend as it is in a sideways channel between $12.56 and $13.86. Looking at the indicators, the stock is below the 200, 50, and 21 MAs which is a bearish sign. However, the RSI is oversold at 26 and the MACD is curling bearishly. As for the fundamentals, the deal to end the writers’ strike is a major catalyst for all entertainment stocks since studios can contract writers to work on new projects which can see these stocks run over the coming days. That said, the company has bigger catalysts in the upcoming Superbowl which will be the first to air on Paramount + in addition to the Presidential elections whose ad spending is expected to reach $11 billion. Given that the stock appears to be undervalued from a fundamental standpoint based on multiple valuation metrics, PARA stock could be a smart buy for value investors at current levels. PARA Forecast At first glance, PARA may seem like a value trap given its market cap/book value discrepancy and its long-term debt, however, that may not be the case. Its long-term debt is divided so that it has more than enough liquidity to pay its debt due for the next 10 years. Furthermore, the company’s financials could soon be rejuvenated due to the 2024 presidential election season and the Superbowl that will be aired on Paramount + for the first time ever. With the stock trading near 52-week lows, PARA stock could be a bargain for value investors.by Penny_Stocks_Today116