Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ:WBD) Director Kenneth Lowe Sells 120,000 Shares of Stock

Key Points

• Director Kenneth Lowe sold 120,000 WBD shares at an average price of $26.97, generating approximately $3.24 million and reducing his position by 10.81% to 990,108 shares.
• WBD shares rose 2.1% to $27.65, near analysts’ consensus price target of $27.69. The company beat quarterly EPS expectations at $0.06 but missed revenue estimates, with sales declining 11.2% year over year.
• The proposed Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger remains uncertain amid antitrust litigation and heightened political scrutiny, though a potential CNN sale could help address regulators’ concerns.

Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBD - Get Free Report) Director Kenneth Lowe sold 120,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.97, for a total transaction of $3,236,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 990,108 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $26,703,212.76. This trade represents a 10.81% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

Warner Bros. Discovery Stock Up 2.1%

Shares of NASDAQ:WBD traded up $0.58 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $27.65. The company had a trading volume of 25,357,175 shares, compared to its average volume of 23,225,891. The company has a quick ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90. The business's 50 day moving average price is $26.48 and its 200 day moving average price is $27.17. The stock has a market cap of $69.32 billion, a PE ratio of -21.77 and a beta of 1.55. Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. has a 1-year low of $11.25 and a 1-year high of $30.00.

Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ:WBD - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The company reported $0.06 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.14) by $0.20. The firm had revenue of $8.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.25 billion. Warner Bros. Discovery had a negative return on equity of 8.91% and a negative net margin of 8.77%.The business's quarterly revenue was down 11.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.63 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. will post -1.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Key Warner Bros. Discovery News

Here are the key news stories impacting Warner Bros. Discovery this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Freedom Capital upgraded WBD from “hold” to “strong buy,” signaling confidence in the company’s valuation and potential deal-related upside. Zacks.com
• Positive Sentiment: Paramount Skydance said selling CNN remains “on the table” as a possible concession to resolve California’s antitrust lawsuit, potentially improving the prospects for the Paramount–WBD transaction. Paramount says CNN sale is on the table
• Neutral Sentiment: The merger is in legal limbo, with a March 2027 antitrust trial potentially determining WBD’s next major strategic move. The uncertainty may keep volatility elevated until the dispute is resolved. Paramount Skydance versus Warner Bros. Discovery
• Neutral Sentiment: Paramount’s proposed 30-film annual theatrical commitment could benefit cinema operators and support the strategic rationale for the merger, but the plan depends on the transaction surviving regulatory review. Paramount’s 30-film promise
• Negative Sentiment: Democratic lawmakers and officials are intensifying scrutiny of Paramount CEO David Ellison and the proposed WBD deal, increasing the risk of additional delays, conditions or litigation. Democrats intensify scrutiny of David Ellison
• Negative Sentiment: Ellison’s threat to begin moving Paramount out of California if Attorney General Rob Bonta will not negotiate underscores the severity of the dispute but does not resolve the antitrust case, leaving the merger’s completion uncertain. Paramount may exit California over WBD merger suit

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Warner Bros. Discovery

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Swiss RE Ltd. acquired a new stake in Warner Bros. Discovery in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC grew its position in shares of Warner Bros. Discovery by 111.2% during the 2nd quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 942 shares of the company's stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 496 shares in the last quarter. Fideuram Asset Management Ireland dac bought a new position in shares of Warner Bros. Discovery during the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Warner Bros. Discovery by 64.3% during the second quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,009 shares of the company's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 395 shares during the period. Finally, MV Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Warner Bros. Discovery in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Institutional investors own 59.95% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

WBD has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Huber Research upgraded shares of Warner Bros. Discovery from an "underweight" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, June 1st. Guggenheim reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of Warner Bros. Discovery in a report on Thursday, May 7th. KeyCorp reissued an "overweight" rating on shares of Warner Bros. Discovery in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Zacks Research lowered Warner Bros. Discovery from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Finally, Seaport Research Partners cut Warner Bros. Discovery from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $27.69.

About Warner Bros. Discovery

Warner Bros. Discovery NASDAQ: WBD is a global media and entertainment company formed when WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc combined their businesses in 2022. Headquartered in New York City, the company assembles a broad portfolio of film and television production, linear and cable networks, streaming services and consumer distribution operations. Its assets span well-known studio brands, premium scripted and unscripted programming, news and factual entertainment, and licensed franchise properties.

The company's core activities include film and television production and distribution through units such as Warner Bros.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.

Continue following MarketBeat

Add MarketBeat as your preferred source on Google to see our latest stories in your feed.

Add As Preferred Source