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

Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. operates as a media and entertainment company. The Company offers a complete portfolio of content, brands, and franchises across television, film, streaming, and gaming.

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Warner Bros Discovery (WBD 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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