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Archer Aviation, with United Airlines, wants to fly New Yorkers to the airport

Shares of electric air taxi company Archer Aviation surged more than 7% Thursday morning following an announcement that the company is planning an NYC network in partnership with its investor United Airlines.

Using Manhattan helipads, the service would shuttle customers to JFK, Laguardia, Newark, and a few smaller regional airports.

Archer’s promise: to reduce long, congested rides to NYC airports to between five and 15 minutes (as long as you’re really close to one of the helipads in the first place). Air taxi Blade, which we discovered actually does more business as an organ-transport business, also provides airport transfer service.

Archer announced a similar plan in partnership with Southwest Airlines in California last year, and in 2023 struck a deal with Stellantis to mass produce its vehicles. It’s also said it plans to be “at scale” for the LA Olympics in 2028.

First the company will need its Midnight taxi — an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that seats five, including a pilot — to receive all the necessary certifications.

Archer’s promise: to reduce long, congested rides to NYC airports to between five and 15 minutes (as long as you’re really close to one of the helipads in the first place). Air taxi Blade, which we discovered actually does more business as an organ-transport business, also provides airport transfer service.

Archer announced a similar plan in partnership with Southwest Airlines in California last year, and in 2023 struck a deal with Stellantis to mass produce its vehicles. It’s also said it plans to be “at scale” for the LA Olympics in 2028.

First the company will need its Midnight taxi — an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that seats five, including a pilot — to receive all the necessary certifications.

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Paramount Skydance reportedly preparing an Ellison-backed Warner Bros. Discovery takeover bid, sending shares soaring

Paramount Skydance is preparing a majority cash bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, The Wall Street Journal reported, sending shares of both companies surging. The Journal’s sources say the deal is backed by the Ellison family, led by David Ellison.

WBD shares were up 30% on the report, while Paramount Skydance jumped 8%.

The offer would cover WBD’s entire business — cable networks, movie studios, the whole enchilada. That comes after WBD announced plans last year to split into two divisions: one for streaming and studios, the other for its traditional cable and TV assets. A recent Wells Fargo note gave WBD a price target hike, primarily because the analysts viewed it as a prime takeover candidate.

If the deal goes through, it would bring together HBO, CNN, DC Studios, and Warner Bros.’ film library with Paramount+, Nickelodeon, and MTV, all under one umbrella.

The offer would cover WBD’s entire business — cable networks, movie studios, the whole enchilada. That comes after WBD announced plans last year to split into two divisions: one for streaming and studios, the other for its traditional cable and TV assets. A recent Wells Fargo note gave WBD a price target hike, primarily because the analysts viewed it as a prime takeover candidate.

If the deal goes through, it would bring together HBO, CNN, DC Studios, and Warner Bros.’ film library with Paramount+, Nickelodeon, and MTV, all under one umbrella.

business

Fox and News Corp slide as investors digest $3.3 billion Murdoch succession settlement

Fox and News Corp shares dropped on Tuesday after Rupert Murdoch’s heirs agreed to a $3.3 billion settlement to resolve a long-running succession drama.

Under the deal, Prudence, Elisabeth, and James Murdoch will each receive about $1.1 billion, paid for in part by Fox selling 16.9 million Class B voting shares and News Corp selling 14.2 million shares. The stock sales will raise roughly $1.37 billion on behalf of the three heirs.

The new trust for Lachlan Murdoch will now control about 36.2% of Fox’s Class B shares and roughly 33.1% of News Corp’s stock, granting him uncontested voting authority over both companies for the next 25 years. Originally, the Murdoch trust was designed to hand over voting control of Fox and News Corp to Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James after his death.

Investors are weighing the trade-off. Clear leadership under Lachlan may resolve conflict internally, but the share dilution, executed at a roughly 4.5% discount, means long-term investors now hold slightly less clout than before.

Both companies’ stocks were trading close to all-time highs prior to the announcement.

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