TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research Analyst, Obex Capital Research

Aaron Gabin

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research Analyst

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research

Obex Capital Research

“Obex” is Latin for Barriers to Entry. Obex Capital Management’s investment philosophy is driven by an intense focus on which business model’s Barriers to Entry are able to withstand the ever increasing competitive disruption in the TMT and Consumer Sectors.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Multiple negative data points have come out reflecting limited initial uptake for Netflix's ad-based tier.</li>
<li>(We think) Netflix lack of AVOD uptake is due to it being fully saturated in its major markets wheras competing services starting from scratch have higher AVOD uptake.</li>
<li>Lack of incremental subs from AVOD points towards a weaker than expected 4Q22 and downside to guidance...not good for a stock that has ripped since 2Q22 earnings.</li>
</ul>


Multiple negative data points have come out reflecting limited initial uptake for Netflix's ad-based tier.
(We think) Netflix lack of AVOD uptake is due to it being fully saturated in its major markets wheras competing services starting from scratch have higher AVOD uptake.
Lack of incremental subs from AVOD points towards a weaker than expected 4Q22 and downside to guidance...not good for a stock that has ripped since 2Q22 earnings.


<ul>
<li>The suprise return of Bob Iger as Disney CEO can fix certain Bob Chapek specific issues: relationships with investors, politicians, and creative types.</li>
<li>But Iger faces similar intractable issues: accelerating cord cutting, a transition to a less profitable form of media distribution, and a potential recession.</li>
<li>We think Iger will refocus investors on revenues/profits at Disney+ rather than subscribers, will more efficiently spend on content through decentralizing decision making... and potentially sell Disney to Apple.</li>
</ul>


The suprise return of Bob Iger as Disney CEO can fix certain Bob Chapek specific issues: relationships with investors, politicians, and creative types.
But Iger faces similar intractable issues: accelerating cord cutting, a transition to a less profitable form of media distribution, and a potential recession.
We think Iger will refocus investors on revenues/profits at Disney+ rather than subscribers, will more efficiently spend on content through decentralizing decision making... and potentially sell Disney to Apple.


<ul>
<li>Across the board miss as DTC losses peak, park margins weaken, and linear likely to fall off a cliff. </li>
<li>Big FY2023 guide down on revenues (HSD vs. LDD previously) and OI growth (HSD vs. ~25% consensus previously). </li>
<li>Disney profitability lower for longer as macro headwinds on parks, accelerating cord cutting, and pushed out D+ profitability means OI likely down $2B in both FY23-24.</li>
</ul>


Across the board miss as DTC losses peak, park margins weaken, and linear likely to fall off a cliff. 
Big FY2023 guide down on revenues (HSD vs. LDD previously) and OI growth (HSD vs. ~25% consensus previously). 
Disney profitability lower for longer as macro headwinds on parks, accelerating cord cutting, and pushed out D+ profitability means OI likely down $2B in both FY23-24.


Disney 4Q2022: Cord Cutting Exacerbating DTC Losses

<ul>
<li>Netflix's stock has outperformed the market by 25% over the past quarter on faith that the new advertising tier will unlock the next leg of the growth narrative. </li>
<li>3Q22 had two of its biggest hits ever - Stranger Things and Dahmer, Netflix beat its own guidance of 1M by only 1.4M...APAC added 1.4M, most from low ARPU India</li>
<li>Pulling subscriber guidance is a yellow flag, as is the lack of details on how AVOD will be "neutral to positive" over time. </li>
</ul>


Netflix's stock has outperformed the market by 25% over the past quarter on faith that the new advertising tier will unlock the next leg of the growth narrative. 
3Q22 had two of its biggest hits ever - Stranger Things and Dahmer, Netflix beat its own guidance of 1M by only 1.4M...APAC added 1.4M, most from low ARPU India
Pulling subscriber guidance is a yellow flag, as is the lack of details on how AVOD will be "neutral to positive" over time. 


Meta Platforms (Facebook) / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Meta now trades at 14x P/E and 6x fwd EV/EBITDA...valuation inline with Paramount and Warner Brothers Discovery. This is nuts!</li>
<li>While the drumbeat of competitive concerns and self inflicted wounds has piled up in the past month, even core Facebook is not in a death spiral of engagement.</li>
<li>META is investing in new ad tech and ad formats, and has the ability to cut significant opex from its budget that could yield 10-20% upside to current 2023 consensus.</li>
</ul>


Meta now trades at 14x P/E and 6x fwd EV/EBITDA...valuation inline with Paramount and Warner Brothers Discovery. This is nuts!
While the drumbeat of competitive concerns and self inflicted wounds has piled up in the past month, even core Facebook is not in a death spiral of engagement.
META is investing in new ad tech and ad formats, and has the ability to cut significant opex from its budget that could yield 10-20% upside to current 2023 consensus.


What Are the Prospects for a Meta Rebound?

United States

Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. is a professional sports company that owns and operates sports franchises.

Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (MSGS US)

The New York Times Company operates media businesses.  The Company publishes daily newspapers and operates Internet websites.  The newspapers and websites distribute news and entertainment.

Liberty Global plc owns interests in broadband, distribution, and content companies operating outside the continental United States, principally in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

Liberty Broadband Corporation invests in communication companies. The Company has principal assets in TruePosition and Time Warner Cable.

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc, is a television broadcasting company focused on the acquisition, development, and operation of television stations in medium using traditional media, e-MEDIA, digital and mobile media platforms. Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc offers its services in the central east part of United States.

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc (NXST US)

DISH Network Corp. provides a direct broadcast satellite subscription television, audio programming and interactive television services to commercial and residential subscribers in the United States.

Cinemark Holdings, Inc. operates movie theaters.  The Company operates in the United States and Latin America.

The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. is an organization of advertising agencies and marketing service companies.  The Company operates globally in the sectors of advertising, independent media buying, direct marketing, healthcare communications, interactive consulting services, marketing research, promotions, experiential marketing, public relations, and sports marketing.

TEGNA Inc. is an international broadcasting and digital media company. The Company owns and operates television and radio stations, delivering news and informative content. TEGNA also provides digital marketing solutions in the automotive, human capital and digital marketing industries for individuals and businesses.

Sirius XM Holdings Inc. broadcasts various channels of audio from its satellites. The Company provides its services throughout the continental United States for a monthly subscription fee. Sirius delivers various streams of commercial-free music in every genre, as well as streams of  news, sports, weather, talk, comedy, and public radio.

Pearson plc provides education products and services to institutions, governments and individual learners in over 80 countries. The Company's major revenue markets are North America, 'Core' including the UK, Italy and Australia and 'Growth' including Brazil, China and South Africa. It also owns the Financial Times, 50% of the Economist and 47% of Penguin Random House.

TOHO CO., LTD. produces and distributes motion pictures for cinema, television, and video.  The Company also sells character merchandise based on their media productions, distributes foreign films, operates musical theaters, and produces musical shows. In addition, Toho manages movie theaters in urban areas.

DENTSU INC. mainly provides comprehensive advertising services.  The Company also provides marketing and event planning & promotion services.  Dentsu has associated companies in the US, Europe, and Asia.

TOKYO BROADCASTING SYSTEM HOLDINGS, INC. is a media company that broadcasts television and radio programs nationally.  The Company offers a variety of TV programs & film production, visual & music software production, and cable television programming.  Tokyo Broadcasting System provides digital satellite broadcasting services and also operates real estate business.

Compagnie du Cambodge is an investment holding company that invests in companies active in agriculture, industry, real estate and finance.  The Company owns and operates plantations in Malaysia and forests in Cameroon.

JC Decaux SA offers advertising services.  The Company sells advertising on street furniture such as bus shelters, free standing panels, columns, and automatic toilets, billboards, and posters on buses, trains, and subways, and at railroad stations and airports.

CTS Eventim AG & Co. KGaA produces, sells, brokers and distributes entry tickets for concerts, theater productions, artistic, sporting and similar events. The Company operates an online booking system that allows event promoters to sell their tickets over a variety of distribution channels. CTS also sells tickets directly over the Internet and a call center and offers system support services.

ITV plc is a United Kingdom media company covering broadcasting, news, and production.  The Company owns all of the regional Channel 3 licenses in England and Wales.  ITV owns ITV1, a commercial television channel, as well as ITV2, a partial interest in GMTV, and other interests.

WPP plc operates a communications services group.  The Company's operations encompass advertising, media investment management, information and consultancy, public relations and public affairs, healthcare and specialist communications, and branding and identity services.

Schibsted ASA, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates online classifieds services. The Company also owns and operates media houses with print and online positions. Schibsted operates in parts Europe and other international markets.

Paramount Global operates as a media company. The Company produces and distributes entertainment content through studios, networks, streaming services, live events, and merchandise. Paramount Global serves customers worldwide.

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Paramount Global (PARA US)

Netflix AVOD Not Chill

We think Netflix's lack of AVOD uptake is due to full saturation, and unless paired with cracking down on passwords, will not generate incremental...

Aaron Gabin

Disney: Could Iger Sell to Apple?

We think Iger will refocus investors on revenues/profits at Disney+ over subscribers, will efficiently spend on content through decentralizing...

Aaron Gabin

Disney 4Q2022: Cord Cutting Exacerbating DTC Losses

Disney shockingly weak profitability outlook for FY2023 is more a reflection of the return of cord cutting to being issue #1 denting the model,...

Aaron Gabin

Netflix 3Q22: Coast Is Clear?

Netflix's stock has outperformed by 25% over the past quarter on blind faith that the new advertising tier unlock incremental subs and margins. We...

Aaron Gabin

What Are the Prospects for a Meta Rebound?

Meta has seen its valuation converge with structurally impaired cable network / streamers with margins 50% lower. We think it can boost EPS through...

Aaron Gabin

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