In a significant reshuffle, vacation rental titan Airbnb and investment giant Blackstone are set to join the S&P 500 index, replacing Lincoln National Corp. and Newell Brands. This announcement from S&P Dow Jones Indices triggered a pre-market surge, with Airbnb and Blackstone shares gaining 5% and 4% respectively. The inclusion of these two companies in the index on September 18, reflects their growing influence and market presence, and offers investors new opportunities to diversify their portfolios.
Meanwhile, the broadcasting dispute between Walt Disney and Charter Communications Spectrum Cable has escalated. Disney is now urging Spectrum customers to switch to Hulu, a streaming service where it holds majority ownership. The move follows stalled negotiations over a broadcasting deal, leading Disney to pull popular channels such as ABC and ESPN from Spectrum’s cable service. Despite this, Disney’s shares saw a modest pre-market uptick of 0.1%, while Charter’s shares remained unchanged. This ongoing dispute underscores the changing dynamics in the media landscape, as content providers and broadcasters grapple with the rise of streaming services.
Exciting Changes: Airbnb, Blackstone Join S&P 500, Disney Channels Move to Hulu
Airbnb and Blackstone Soar
In what can be considered as significant milestones, shares of Airbnb (ABNB) and Blackstone (BX) experienced a rise by 5% and 4% respectively in pre-market trading. This follows the announcement by S&P Dow Jones Indices that these two companies are set to be included in the S&P 500 index on September 18. They will be replacing Lincoln National Corp. (LNC) and Newell Brands (NWL).
Disney’s Strategic Move Amid Dispute
In another interesting development, Walt Disney (DIS) has recommended its customers of Charter Communications Spectrum Cable (CRTR) to switch to Hulu, where Disney holds a majority stake. This comes as a result of ongoing negotiations for a broadcasting deal with the cable TV provider. The stalemate in talks has led to Disney pulling out ABC, ESPN, and other popular channels from Spectrum cable. Disney shares saw a slight increase of 0.1% in pre-market trading while Charter shares remained stable.
Mercedes-Benz Challenges Tesla with Long-Range EV
The electric vehicle (EV) market is set for a shakeup as Mercedes-Benz unveils a new EV sedan with a spectacular range of over 466 miles. This surpasses the 391 mile range of Tesla’s long-range Model 3 sedan. The German auto giant, which doubled its EV sales last year, is expected to kick off production of the CLA Class sedans next year.
Albemarle’s Strategic Acquisition
Albemarle (ALB) shares experienced a 1% rise in pre-market trading following the endorsement of a $4.3 billion takeover bid by the board of Australian lithium miner Liontown Resources. This deal will bolster the North Carolina-based company’s lithium production, a crucial element for EV battery production, given Liontown’s control over two major lithium deposits in Western Australia.
Factory Orders Expected to Decline
Data on factory orders, due for release, is projected to show a decline in manufacturing strength. The Census Bureau’s data, which reflects the dollar value of goods from manufacturing facilities, is expected to show a 2.3% drop in July, following a gain of 2.3% the previous month.
Key Takeaways
These developments underline the dynamic nature of business and investment. The inclusion of Airbnb and Blackstone in the S&P 500 indicates the growing influence of these companies in the market. Disney’s strategic move to Hulu could potentially reshape cable TV and streaming dynamics. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz’s new EV could spur competition in the electric vehicle market, and Albemarle’s acquisition could strengthen its position in the EV battery production industry. However, the anticipated decline in factory orders suggests potential challenges in the manufacturing sector.
