DOJ Investigates Impact of Warner Bros. Sale
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 19 2026
0mins
Should l Buy PSKY?
Catch up on the top industries and stocks that were impacted, or were predicted to be impacted, by the comments, actions and policies of President Donald Trump with this daily recap compiled by The Fly.DOJ PROBE:The Department of Justice has summoned large theater chains to discuss the potential impact of a sale of Warner Bros. Discovery, with government antitrust lawyers seeking information on how a sale would impact the movie-going public and film releases in theaters, Bloomberg's Thomas Buckley. The Justice Department's review is focused on the potential impact of a sale to either Netflixor Paramount Skydanceon the cinema industry, people familiar with the matter say.BOARD OF PEACE:JPMorganis in discussions to provide banking services to the U.S.-backed "Board of Peace," an institution aimed at supporting Gaza's reconstruction and positioned by Donald Trump as a potential alternative to the United Nations, The Financial Times' Neri Zilber, James Shotter, Joshua Franklin, and Abigail Hauslohner. The initiative is part of a broader effort to establish a new governance framework for Gaza following the two-year war between Israel and Hamas. According to two people familiar with the situation, the bank is discussing providing services such as facilitating payments to and from the board.INVESTIGATION CLOSURE:Cassava Sciencesannounced that the U.S. Department of Justice Fraud Section has closed its inquiry into the company regarding allegations of research misconduct. That indictment was dismissed with prejudice by DOJ on October 23, 2025. As previously disclosed, the company reached a settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of negligence-based disclosure charges in September 2024 and paid a monetary penalty without admitting or denying the SEC's allegations. The company cooperated fully with both the DOJ and SEC investigations. These outcomes end the investigations of the company by the DOJ and SEC.CASE CAN PROCEED:U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian ruled that Live Nationmust face an antitrust trial from Department of Justice and various states for allegedly monopolizing the live events market. Subramanian ruled that a jury should see evidence and decide whether Live Nation's conduct in the concert business amounts to illegal monopolization.
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Analyst Views on PSKY
Wall Street analysts forecast PSKY stock price to rise
15 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
7 Hold
7 Sell
Moderate Sell
Current: 11.740
Low
8.00
Averages
14.08
High
19.00
Current: 11.740
Low
8.00
Averages
14.08
High
19.00
About PSKY
Paramount Skydance Corp is a global media and entertainment company. The Company operates through three segments, including Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. Its TV Media segment includes domestic and international broadcast networks and owned television stations, domestic cable networks and international extensions of certain of its domestic cable network brands, and domestic and international television studio operations. The TV Media includes CBS television network, through which it distributes entertainment, news and public affairs, and sports programming. TV Media also includes a number of digital properties such as CBS News 24/7 and CBS Sports. Its Direct-to-Consumer segment consists of its portfolio of domestic and international pay and free streaming services, including Paramount+, Pluto TV and BET+. Its other portfolio includes Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Skydance's Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and others.
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.
Morgan Stanley Reiterates Buy Rating on Netflix Amid Price Target Adjustments
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- Strong Market Sentiment: On Stocktwits, retail investor sentiment for Netflix remained ‘extremely bullish,’ with message volume rising 21% over the past week, indicating investor confidence in future growth prospects.
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- Stock Price Volatility: Following the first-quarter earnings report, Netflix shares stumbled nearly 10%, despite a 16% year-over-year sales increase to $12.25 billion and adjusted earnings per share rising from $0.66 to $1.23, surpassing analyst expectations.
- Strong Market Sentiment: On Stocktwits, retail investor sentiment for Netflix remained ‘extremely bullish,’ with message volume rising 21% over the past week, indicating investor confidence in future growth prospects.
- Price Target Adjustments: Piper Sandler raised its price target on Netflix from $103 to $115 while maintaining an ‘Overweight’ rating, whereas Barclays lowered its target from $115 to $110, reflecting differing market expectations for future performance.
See More
Analysis of Alphabet's Future Growth Potential
- Core Business Stability: Alphabet's search segment achieved double-digit growth in 2025, with similar expectations for 2026, despite a slight decline in network revenue; this stable structure supports future investments and growth initiatives.
- Hidden Value of YouTube: YouTube generated over $40 billion in ad revenue last year, with total revenue exceeding $60 billion when including subscriptions, establishing itself as the largest streaming service globally and highlighting its critical role in the modern media landscape.
- Rapid Growth of Google Cloud: Google Cloud experienced a 48% revenue increase in the latest quarter, reaching $17.7 billion, with an operating margin nearing 30%, showcasing its potential as a growth engine for Alphabet, particularly amid rising demand for AI infrastructure.
- Investment Opportunities in Other Bets: Alphabet's ventures like Verily Health and Waymo are rapidly evolving, with Verily focusing on AI-driven precision health and Waymo expanding in autonomous driving, indicating significant market potential that could yield long-term benefits for the company.
See More
Analysis of Alphabet's Future Growth Potential
- Core Business Stability: Alphabet's search business is projected to achieve double-digit growth in 2025, while subscription platforms and devices have grown over 20%, indicating the company's ability to maintain stability in a rapidly changing market, ensuring future investment and growth potential.
- Advertising Revenue Growth: Alphabet's annual revenue has surpassed $400 billion for the first time, with search revenue hitting $63 billion in Q4, demonstrating the strength of its advertising engine and the enhancement of user engagement through AI-driven features, further solidifying its market leadership.
- Cloud Business Surge: Google Cloud experienced a 48% growth in the most recent quarter, reaching $17.7 billion in revenue with an operating margin nearing 30.1%, showcasing its strong growth potential amid surging demand for AI infrastructure, which could become a major revenue source for Alphabet in the future.
- Hidden Value of YouTube: YouTube's ad revenue exceeds $40 billion, with total revenue from subscriptions potentially reaching $60 billion, making it the largest streaming service globally, highlighting its significance and high-margin growth potential in the modern media landscape.
See More
Streaming Industry Weekly Recap Highlights Key Developments
- Netflix Q1 Earnings Miss: Netflix reported Q1 EPS of $1.23 on revenue of $12.25B, exceeding estimates but guiding Q2 EPS to only $0.78, below expectations, leading to a stock decline that reflects market concerns about future growth prospects.
- Roku Surpasses 100M Users: Roku announced it has surpassed 100 million streaming households globally, with CEO Anthony Wood stating this milestone will shape the future of television, highlighting the company's strong momentum and advertiser confidence in the streaming market.
- Creators Oppose Warner Deal: Over 1,000 writers, actors, and directors released a letter opposing Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing it would further consolidate the media landscape, reduce opportunities for creators, and impact industry diversity, showcasing strong industry resistance to mergers.
- Magnite Partners with AMC: Magnite announced a collaboration with AMC Global Media to provide a unified linear and streaming advertising solution via ClearLine, enabling advertisers to reach audiences more effectively, indicating ongoing innovation and market expansion in advertising technology.
See More
Paramount's Ambitious Merger with Warner Bros. at CinemaCon
- Merger Commitment: Paramount Skydance pledged at CinemaCon to produce at least 30 films annually post-merger with Warner Bros., yet theater owners responded lukewarmly, indicating skepticism about these promises.
- Industry Concerns: An open letter signed by thousands of Hollywood luminaries opposed the merger, fearing it would lead to 'fewer jobs, higher costs, and less choice for audiences,' reflecting deep concerns about the industry's future.
- Market Outlook: Despite the pandemic and the rise of streaming causing North American box office revenues to dip below $9 billion, 2026 is projected to rebound, partly due to strong performances from films like 'Project Hail Mary' and 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.'
- Financial Challenges: Paramount Skydance faces significant debt pressure in acquiring Warner Bros., with analysts warning that maintaining a 30-film production slate will be a substantial challenge, potentially impacting its capital requirements.
See More
Netflix Stock Plummets After Disappointing Q2 Guidance
- Significant Stock Drop: Netflix's stock fell 9.7% on Friday, nearly erasing its year-to-date gains, reflecting investor concerns about the company's growth prospects, particularly after its second-quarter guidance disappointed expectations.
- Earnings Beat Expectations: Despite reporting first-quarter revenue of $12.25 billion, surpassing the $12.17 billion estimate, and adjusted earnings per share of $1.23, significantly above the $0.76 forecast, the second-quarter revenue and earnings guidance fell short, with expected revenue of $12.57 billion compared to the $12.64 billion estimate.
- Impact of Price Increases: Netflix raised subscription prices for the second time in over a year, which is expected to contribute approximately $1.5 billion in incremental revenue in 2026; while this move raised concerns about potential subscriber losses, analysts view it as a sign of the company's confidence in its market position.
- Leadership Change: Co-founder Reed Hastings plans to leave the board in June, marking a shift in the company's governance structure that may influence investor perceptions of Netflix's future strategy, especially following the failed acquisition negotiations with Warner Bros. Discovery.
See More
