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Modelo maker Constellation rises after Buffett says he has a nearly billion-dollar stake

Constellation Brands, a booze company that sells popular Mexican beer brands in the US, rose on Tuesday morning, the first trading day since Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway disclosed a 3.1% stake in the company after markets closed on Friday.

In a quarterly filing showing its holdings as of December 31, Berkshire Hathaway disclosed that it had picked up 5,624,324 shares of Constellation Brands, the company that sells Modelo and Corona in the United States. That makes Buffett’s firm the fifth-biggest holder of the stock, according to FactSet. The filing also said Berkshire had sold more Bank of America stock and held its position in Apple after previously selling off shares in the tech giant.

Constellation has fared better than other peers as the industry struggles with changing consumer attitudes toward alcohol consumption. Modelo, which in the past two years has surpassed Bud Light as America’s most popular beer, has been a rare source of growth. The company has faced one recent headwind: the threat of 25% tariffs on its most popular brands, which are imported from Mexico.

Buffett’s bet likely hasn’t been fruitful so far. Constellation stock has fallen by 24% since the start of the year, and the stake is worth about $956 million today, compared to the $1.24 billion of the holding as of the filing date. Of course, that doesn’t mean Buffett’s bailing — he’s the world’s best-known value investor, with a philosophy of buying and holding.

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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.

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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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