Wandering through The Works' wonderful, natural selection
With all the usual 'human problems' in the unending churn of doomy news, wandering through this year's nature-focused The Works Art & Design Festival is an honestly chill and meditative experience — and occasionally hilarious, too.
Starting with one that made me laugh out loud on Churchill Square, Hilary Mussel's little sculpture on the ground amid all the big works is called The Passenger Motel, a tiny, California-style double-decker with an attached pool built to pigeon scale.
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Globe and Mail
19 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Disney Stock Before Q3 Earnings: Buy Now or Wait for Results?
The Walt Disney Company DIS is slated to report third-quarter fiscal 2025 results on Aug. 6. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $23.67 billion, suggesting modest growth of 2.23% from the year-ago quarter's reported figure. The consensus mark for earnings has moved south by a penny to $1.47 per share over the past 30 days, indicating growth of 5.76% year over year. In the last reported quarter, Disney delivered an earnings surprise of 22.88%. The company's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 16.38%. The Walt Disney Company Price and EPS Surprise The Walt Disney Company price-eps-surprise | The Walt Disney Company Quote Earnings Whispers for DIS Our proven model does not predict an earnings beat for Disney this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. DIS has an Earnings ESP of -0.61% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Factors Shaping Upcoming Results As Disney approaches its third-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings report, several compelling positive factors suggest that investors should anticipate strong results that build on the company's exceptional momentum from recent quarters, creating a buy opportunity ahead of results. Disney's Entertainment segment demonstrated remarkable resilience in the fiscal second quarter, with the segment generating $1.3 billion in operating income, representing a substantial 61% increase year over year. This momentum is expected to have carried forward into the fiscal third quarter as Disney+ launched its always-on perks program in May 2025, providing exclusive offers designed for subscribers and enhancing the customer value proposition. The company's direct-to-consumer segment generated $336 million in operating income in the fiscal second quarter, up dramatically from $47 million a year earlier, with this profitability trend expected to accelerate through the quarter under review as integration efforts between Hulu and Disney+ delivered enhanced user engagement and reduced churn rates. Our model estimates for Entertainment revenues (which include Linear Networks, Direct-to-Consumer and Content Sales/Licensing and Other Revenues) are pegged at $10.84 billion, indicating an increase of 2.5% year over year, driven by continued streaming subscriber growth and improved monetization strategies. Disney+ gained 1.4 million subscribers in the fiscal second quarter while Hulu added 1.3 million subscribers, establishing positive momentum that carried into the to-be-reported quarter amid successful content releases and enhanced user experiences. The Sports segment benefited from ESPN's domestic advertising revenues growing 29% year over year in the fiscal second quarter, with preparations for the ESPN direct-to-consumer flagship service launch creating additional revenue opportunities. ESPN's SportsCenter launched its ambitious 50 States in 50 Days initiative, driving viewership and advertiser engagement that is expected to have enhanced fiscal third-quarter performance. The Experiences segment positioned itself for exceptional third-quarter results following Disney's groundbreaking announcement in May 2025 of its seventh theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, representing the company's first Middle East expansion. This waterfront resort on Yas Island will combine Disney's iconic stories with Abu Dhabi's vibrant culture, accessing one-third of the world's population within a four-hour flight radius. Disney Parks generated nearly $67 billion for the U.S. economy while supporting more than 400,000 U.S. jobs, demonstrating the segment's robust economic impact and growth potential. Our model estimate for the Experiences segment (renamed from Disney Parks, Experiences and Products) revenues is $8.4 billion, indicating marginal growth of 0.3% year over year. Disney delivered strong consolidated second-quarter fiscal 2025 results with 20% growth in adjusted earnings per share and 7% growth in revenues to $23.6 billion. Management's optimistic guidance for high-single digit adjusted EPS growth for fiscal 2025 appears increasingly achievable given the multiple positive catalysts converging in the fiscal third quarter, positioning DIS for another quarter of robust financial performance across all business segments. Price Performance & Stock Valuation Shares of Disney have returned 4.7% in the year-to-date period compared with the Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector's growth of 6.3%. Disney operates in a fiercely competitive streaming market dominated by the likes of Amazon AMZN -owned Amazon Prime Video and Netflix NFLX, as well as the growing prominence of services from Apple AAPL, Peacock and HBO Max. While Apple and Amazon has lost 19.2% and 2.1% year to date, respectively, shares of Netflix have returned 30%. Disney's Year-to-Date Performance Valuation-wise, Disney trades at a forward P/E of approximately 18.61x despite achieving streaming profitability and executing massive expansion plans, notably below the Zacks Media Conglomerates industry average of 20.25x. DIS' P/E F12M Ratio Depicts Discounted Valuation Investment Considerations Ahead of Q3 Results Disney presents a compelling buy opportunity ahead of third-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings, trading at an attractive discount despite multiple catalysts driving growth acceleration. The company's streaming profitability surged to $336 million in operating income, a groundbreaking Abu Dhabi theme park expansion, and access to one-third of the global population, and $63 billion licensing dominance positioning Disney advantageously against the competition. While rivals struggle with streaming losses, Disney's integrated ecosystem of Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN creates sustainable competitive moats. Strong second-quarter momentum with 20% adjusted EPS growth, robust theme park performance, and ESPN's advertising revenues surging 29% establishes powerful fundamentals supporting significant upside potential at current valuations. Final Thought Disney's convergence of streaming profitability, international expansion, and robust operational momentum creates an exceptional investment opportunity at current valuations. With multiple growth catalysts accelerating and fiscal third-quarter results positioned to exceed expectations, investors should capitalize on this discounted entry point before markets fully recognize Disney's transformed business fundamentals and earnings potential. Zacks Names #1 Semiconductor Stock This under-the-radar company specializes in semiconductor products that titans like NVIDIA don't build. It's uniquely positioned to take advantage of the next growth stage of this market. And it's just beginning to enter the spotlight, which is exactly where you want to be. With strong earnings growth and an expanding customer base, it's positioned to feed the rampant demand for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things. Global semiconductor manufacturing is projected to explode from $452 billion in 2021 to $971 billion by 2028. See This Stock Now for Free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? 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CTV News
19 hours ago
- CTV News
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs' ex Gina Huynh, who dropped out of his case as ‘Victim-3,' writes letter to judge pushing for his release
Sean "Diddy" Combs arrives at the L.A. Premiere of "The Four: Battle For Stardom" at the CBS Radford Studio Center on May 30, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP via CNN Newsource) An ex-girlfriend of Sean 'Diddy' Combs who was supposed to testify against him in his criminal case, but mysteriously dropped out days before the trial began has written a letter to the judge pushing for Combs' release on bail. Virginia Huynh, who goes by 'Gina,' was part of the prosecution's case against Combs, initially anonymously referred to as 'Victim-3.' But before the trial began, prosecutors alerted the court while 'Victim-3' was under subpoena to testify, they had lost touch with her and her attorney, and 'she may not show up.' Now, in their latest attempt to get Combs released on bail ahead of his sentencing, Combs' defense has included a letter from 'Victim-3,' who for the first time has identified herself by name. In the letter, Huynh wrote to the judge she does not believe Combs is a danger to the community and he is a committed family man 'who has not been violent in many years.' Huynh's letter was included as an exhibit in the defense's latest filing, their reply to the prosecution's opposition to releasing Combs on bail ahead of his sentencing, which is set for October 3. Combs was convicted by a jury last month on two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution but acquitted on more serious charges which would have put him behind bars for decades or for life: racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. In the letter, Huynh said she has known Combs for years, both professionally and personally. She acknowledged her relationship with the disgraced mogul 'was not always perfect,' but 'he was willing to acknowledge his mistakes and make better decisions in the future.' 'By the time our relationship ended, he embodied an energy of love, patience and gentleness that was markedly different from his past behavior. To my knowledge, he has not been violent for many years, and he has been committed to being a father first,' the letter stated. 'I am writing because I do not view Mr. Combs as a danger to me or to the community.' During the trial, Combs' former assistant George Kaplan testified he once saw Combs throwing apples at Huynh at his home in Miami. Cassie Ventura, the case's star witness and another former girlfriend of Combs, testified Combs was unfaithful to her by dating Gina throughout their 11-year relationship. CNN has reached out to Huynh and to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York for comment. Combs' defense has asked the court to release him on bail on a US$50 million bond. They have argued he is not a danger to the community and is not a flight risk. Last week, they also filed a motion, asking the judge to completely acquit him or give him a new trial, arguing he was unfairly prosecuted based on the Mann Act, calling his conviction 'unconstitutional.' 'This conviction stands alone, but it should not stand at all,' Combs' attorney Alexandra Shapiro wrote in the 62-page memorandum. Other witnesses in the case, including Ventura, previously wrote letters to the judge, pleading for him to remain incarcerated, telling the court they would fear for their safety if he were released from jail ahead of his sentencing. Combs was physically violent on numerous occasions with Ventura, and photographic and video evidence of her being assaulted was shown to the jury throughout the trial, including 2016 hotel surveillance footage of Combs beating Ventura, which was first released by CNN. In his decision to deny Combs bail immediately after the verdict, the judge cited Combs' admitted pattern of violence in his relationships.
CTV News
21 hours ago
- CTV News
Stevie Nicks postpones concerts after fracturing her shoulder
Stevie Nicks performs onstage during the FIREAID Benefit Concert for California Fire Relief at The Kia Forum on Jan. 30, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (/File via CNN Newsource) The show will go on for Stevie Nicks, but first she's taking some time to heal. Nicks will be postponing some of her upcoming tour dates after fracturing her shoulder, according to an announcement posted on her verified social media. 'Due to a recent injury resulting in a fractured shoulder that will require recovery time, Stevie Nicks' scheduled concerts in August and September will be rescheduled,' the statement reads. 'Please note that October dates will be unaffected.' All previously purchased tickets for the nine dates affected will be honored on the new dates, according to the statement. No details about the injury were shared. Nicks is scheduled to resume her tour in Portland, Oregon, on Oct. 1, the statement notes. 'Stevie looks forward to seeing everyone soon and apologizes to the fans for this inconvenience,' the statement concludes. Nicks and her former love and Fleetwood Mac bandmate Lindsey Buckingham recently announced they will be reissuing of their 1973 album 'Buckingham Nicks.' The project features them as a duo and is their first and only studio album together before they joined Fleetwood Mac. It is scheduled to drop on Sept. 19. By Lisa Respers France, CNN
