Getty Images Merger Faces Competition Review
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 8 hours ago
0mins
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Merger Review Outcome: On May 15, 2026, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) concluded that the proposed merger between Getty Images and Shutterstock raises competition concerns for editorial content supplied to UK media, but not for globally supplied stock content.
- Proposed Solutions: The CMA indicated that the sale of Shutterstock's global editorial business to an approved purchaser could resolve the identified competition issues, thereby clearing the path for the merger, highlighting regulators' focus on market competition.
- Financial Performance Overview: Getty Images reported a Q1 adjusted EPS of -2 cents, missing the consensus estimate of 0 cents, with revenue of $226.57 million falling short of the expected $238.81 million, reflecting a dynamic market environment.
- Future Outlook: The company expects FY26 revenue between $948 million and $988 million, although below the consensus estimate of $965.54 million, it maintains its prior guidance, demonstrating confidence in future growth.
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Current: 15.540
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About SSTK
Shutterstock, Inc. is a global creative platform connecting brands and businesses to high-quality content. Its platform brings together users and contributors of content by providing readily searchable content that customers pay for licenses and by compensating contributors as their content is licensed. Contributors upload their content to the Company’s Web properties in exchange for royalty payments based on customer download activity. It offers licenses to metadata associated with the Company’s images, footage, music tracks and 3D models through the Company’s data offering, distribution and advertising services from the Company’s Giphy business, which consists of graphics interchange format visuals (GIFs). It offers specialized solutions for content matched with production tools and services through Shutterstock Studios. Its content offering includes images consisting of photographs, vectors and illustrations and footage consisting of video clips and cinema-grade video effects.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Getty Images Merger Faces Competition Review
- Merger Review Outcome: On May 15, 2026, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) concluded that the proposed merger between Getty Images and Shutterstock raises competition concerns for editorial content supplied to UK media, but not for globally supplied stock content.
- Proposed Solutions: The CMA indicated that the sale of Shutterstock's global editorial business to an approved purchaser could resolve the identified competition issues, thereby clearing the path for the merger, highlighting regulators' focus on market competition.
- Financial Performance Overview: Getty Images reported a Q1 adjusted EPS of -2 cents, missing the consensus estimate of 0 cents, with revenue of $226.57 million falling short of the expected $238.81 million, reflecting a dynamic market environment.
- Future Outlook: The company expects FY26 revenue between $948 million and $988 million, although below the consensus estimate of $965.54 million, it maintains its prior guidance, demonstrating confidence in future growth.
See More
Changes to S&P 500 and SmallCap 600 Indices Announced
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- SmallCap 600 Adjustments: EPAM Systems will take the place of Shutterstock in the S&P SmallCap 600, reflecting the dynamic shifts in the small-cap market and potentially impacting investor confidence in the index.
- Acquisition Activity: Shutterstock is anticipated to be acquired, a transaction that could affect its market performance, prompting investors to monitor the potential impact on its stock price.
- Dave Inc. Listing: Dave Inc. will replace American Woodmark Corp. in the S&P SmallCap 600 prior to June 1, indicating the vibrancy of the small-cap market and its appeal to emerging companies, potentially offering new investment opportunities for investors.
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S&P 500 and SmallCap 600 Index Adjustments Announced
- S&P SmallCap 600 Addition: On June 1, 2026, Dave (DAVE) will be added to the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, enhancing the index's representation in the financial sector and likely attracting more investor interest.
- S&P SmallCap 600 Deletion: On the same day, American Woodmark (AMWD) will be removed, indicating that the company's performance in the industrial sector has not met index requirements, which may pressure its stock price.
- S&P 500 Addition: FedEx Freight (FDXF) will join the S&P 500 Index on June 1, 2026, marking its growth potential in the industrial sector and expected to boost its market recognition and investment appeal.
- S&P 500 Deletion: EPAM Systems (EPAM) will be removed on June 2, 2026, reflecting its poor market performance in the information technology sector, which may impact shareholder confidence and future investment decisions.
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Meta Extends Partnership with Giphy for GIFs and Stickers
- Partnership Continuation: Meta and Giphy announced on Tuesday the extension of their partnership that began in 2015, ensuring Giphy's library of GIFs and stickers remains available across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, thereby enhancing user engagement on these platforms.
- Large User Base: Giphy's library boasts over 10 billion items, catering to Meta's 3.58 billion daily active users, particularly appealing to Gen Z and millennials who prefer visual communication, thus increasing the platforms' attractiveness.
- Evolution of Digital Communication: Giphy's Chief Growth Officer, Kevin Hein, emphasized that users prefer to express emotions visually rather than through text, and this partnership ensures a seamless experience across Meta's apps as digital communication continues to evolve, solidifying both companies' market positions.
- Market Performance Analysis: Despite both Meta and SSTK stocks underperforming over the past year, with declines of 8% and 16% respectively, Giphy's content remains a vital part of daily interactions on Meta's platforms, highlighting its significance in the social media ecosystem.
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GIPHY Extends Long-Term Partnership with Meta
- Partnership Renewal: GIPHY has announced a multi-year extension of its partnership with Meta, allowing its extensive library of GIFs and stickers to continue powering experiences across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, ensuring seamless visual communication for users.
- Enhanced User Experience: GIFs and stickers are shared daily across Meta platforms, highlighting the significance of visual expression in everyday conversations and enhancing user interaction on social media.
- Emotional Expression Survey: A consumer survey commissioned by GIPHY from Censuswide reveals that users prefer expressing emotions through visuals rather than text, underscoring GIPHY's essential role in digital communication.
- Market Influence Expansion: As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shutterstock, GIPHY reaches over 1 billion daily active users and serves more than 10 billion pieces of short-form content daily, further solidifying its market leadership in the visual communication space.
See More
GIPHY Extends Long-Term Partnership with Meta
- Partnership Renewal: GIPHY has secured a multi-year extension of its partnership with Meta, ensuring its vast library of GIFs and stickers continues to enhance user experiences across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, thereby strengthening visual communication capabilities.
- User Experience Enhancement: The integration of GIPHY allows users to seamlessly utilize GIFs and stickers on Meta platforms, addressing the need for emotional expression in everyday communication and further promoting the visual and intuitive nature of digital interactions.
- Market Research Insight: A consumer survey commissioned by GIPHY and conducted by Censuswide reveals that users prefer expressing emotions through visuals rather than text, underscoring GIPHY's significance in modern communication.
- Daily User Reach: As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shutterstock, GIPHY serves over 1 billion users daily with more than 10 billion pieces of short-form content, showcasing its extensive influence and market position in global digital communication.
See More
Getty Images Merger Faces Competition Review
- Merger Review Outcome: On May 15, 2026, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) concluded that the proposed merger between Getty Images and Shutterstock raises competition concerns for editorial content supplied to UK media, but not for globally supplied stock content.
- Proposed Solutions: The CMA indicated that the sale of Shutterstock's global editorial business to an approved purchaser could resolve the identified competition issues, thereby clearing the path for the merger, highlighting regulators' focus on market competition.
- Financial Performance Overview: Getty Images reported a Q1 adjusted EPS of -2 cents, missing the consensus estimate of 0 cents, with revenue of $226.57 million falling short of the expected $238.81 million, reflecting a dynamic market environment.
- Future Outlook: The company expects FY26 revenue between $948 million and $988 million, although below the consensus estimate of $965.54 million, it maintains its prior guidance, demonstrating confidence in future growth.
See More
Changes to S&P 500 and SmallCap 600 Indices Announced
- S&P 500 Changes: FedEx Freight Holding will replace EPAM Systems in the S&P 500 effective June 2, following a spin-off transaction expected to complete on June 1, ensuring FedEx remains in the index and solidifying its market position.
- SmallCap 600 Adjustments: EPAM Systems will take the place of Shutterstock in the S&P SmallCap 600, reflecting the dynamic shifts in the small-cap market and potentially impacting investor confidence in the index.
- Acquisition Activity: Shutterstock is anticipated to be acquired, a transaction that could affect its market performance, prompting investors to monitor the potential impact on its stock price.
- Dave Inc. Listing: Dave Inc. will replace American Woodmark Corp. in the S&P SmallCap 600 prior to June 1, indicating the vibrancy of the small-cap market and its appeal to emerging companies, potentially offering new investment opportunities for investors.
See More
S&P 500 and SmallCap 600 Index Adjustments Announced
- S&P SmallCap 600 Addition: On June 1, 2026, Dave (DAVE) will be added to the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, enhancing the index's representation in the financial sector and likely attracting more investor interest.
- S&P SmallCap 600 Deletion: On the same day, American Woodmark (AMWD) will be removed, indicating that the company's performance in the industrial sector has not met index requirements, which may pressure its stock price.
- S&P 500 Addition: FedEx Freight (FDXF) will join the S&P 500 Index on June 1, 2026, marking its growth potential in the industrial sector and expected to boost its market recognition and investment appeal.
- S&P 500 Deletion: EPAM Systems (EPAM) will be removed on June 2, 2026, reflecting its poor market performance in the information technology sector, which may impact shareholder confidence and future investment decisions.
See More
Meta Extends Partnership with Giphy for GIFs and Stickers
- Partnership Continuation: Meta and Giphy announced on Tuesday the extension of their partnership that began in 2015, ensuring Giphy's library of GIFs and stickers remains available across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, thereby enhancing user engagement on these platforms.
- Large User Base: Giphy's library boasts over 10 billion items, catering to Meta's 3.58 billion daily active users, particularly appealing to Gen Z and millennials who prefer visual communication, thus increasing the platforms' attractiveness.
- Evolution of Digital Communication: Giphy's Chief Growth Officer, Kevin Hein, emphasized that users prefer to express emotions visually rather than through text, and this partnership ensures a seamless experience across Meta's apps as digital communication continues to evolve, solidifying both companies' market positions.
- Market Performance Analysis: Despite both Meta and SSTK stocks underperforming over the past year, with declines of 8% and 16% respectively, Giphy's content remains a vital part of daily interactions on Meta's platforms, highlighting its significance in the social media ecosystem.
See More
GIPHY Extends Long-Term Partnership with Meta
- Partnership Renewal: GIPHY has announced a multi-year extension of its partnership with Meta, allowing its extensive library of GIFs and stickers to continue powering experiences across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, ensuring seamless visual communication for users.
- Enhanced User Experience: GIFs and stickers are shared daily across Meta platforms, highlighting the significance of visual expression in everyday conversations and enhancing user interaction on social media.
- Emotional Expression Survey: A consumer survey commissioned by GIPHY from Censuswide reveals that users prefer expressing emotions through visuals rather than text, underscoring GIPHY's essential role in digital communication.
- Market Influence Expansion: As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shutterstock, GIPHY reaches over 1 billion daily active users and serves more than 10 billion pieces of short-form content daily, further solidifying its market leadership in the visual communication space.
See More
GIPHY Extends Long-Term Partnership with Meta
- Partnership Renewal: GIPHY has secured a multi-year extension of its partnership with Meta, ensuring its vast library of GIFs and stickers continues to enhance user experiences across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, thereby strengthening visual communication capabilities.
- User Experience Enhancement: The integration of GIPHY allows users to seamlessly utilize GIFs and stickers on Meta platforms, addressing the need for emotional expression in everyday communication and further promoting the visual and intuitive nature of digital interactions.
- Market Research Insight: A consumer survey commissioned by GIPHY and conducted by Censuswide reveals that users prefer expressing emotions through visuals rather than text, underscoring GIPHY's significance in modern communication.
- Daily User Reach: As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shutterstock, GIPHY serves over 1 billion users daily with more than 10 billion pieces of short-form content, showcasing its extensive influence and market position in global digital communication.
See More
