L'intérêt à découvert pour Comcast donne aux investisseurs une idée du degré auquel les investisseurs parient sur la baisse de l'action de Comcast. Les données sur l'intérêt à découvert sont mises à jour toutes les deux semaines.

Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA) Stock, Rapport sur les intérêts à découvert

Comcast

Comcast is made up of three parts. The core cable business owns networks capable of providing television, internet access, and phone services to 63 million US homes and businesses, or nearly half of the country. About 50% of the locations in this territory subscribe to at least one Comcast service. Comcast acquired NBCUniversal from General Electric in 2011. NBCU owns several cable networks, including CNBC, MSNBC, and USA, the NBC network, the Peacock streaming platform, several local NBC affiliates, Universal Studios, and several theme parks. Sky, acquired in 2018, is a large television provider in the UK and has invested heavily in proprietary content to build this position. Sky is also a large pay-television provider in Italy and has a presence in Germany and Austria.

Comcast Corporation - Class A Common Stock

Comcast Corp

COMCAST CL A ORD

Risk aversion swept across markets on Thursday as investor disappointment over third-quarter tech earnings triggered the steepest drop in major U.S. indices <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets">in nearly two months.</a>
Microsoft Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NYSE">MSFT</a>) plummeted over 5% by midday trading in New York, on track for its worst session in two years. Although the company surpassed earnings estimates, it forecasted slower growth in its Azure cloud business, dampening future revenue expectations.
Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) also declined by over 4% despite a strong quarterly performance, as the social media giant projected &#8220;significant&#8221; capital expenditure growth next year, particularly for AI infrastructure.
The elite &#8220;Magnificent Seven&#8221; tech group shed nearly $500 billion in market capitalization within a single day after reaching a record high of $16.8 trillion. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) are set to report earnings after the market close.
In economic news, inflation sent mixed signals for September. The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index slowed as expected to 2.1% annually, while the Fed's preferred inflation measure, the core PCE price index, remained at 2.7% year over year, slightly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/10/41658542/fed-interest-rate-cuts-expected-but-economists-warn-of-bumpy-course-in-this-last-">above the expected 2.6%.</a>
The S&amp;P 500 dropped 1.4%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 slid 2.2%, both tracking their worst session since Sept. 6. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) surged 12%.
Risk aversion also weighed on commodities, with gold prices dropping 1.7%, marking their worst day since July, and silver plunging 3% after a 2% decline on Wednesday. 
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) slid 2.4%, and crypto-related stocks suffered significant losses. Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) tumbled over 10% on disappointing earnings, eyeing its worst day since May.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>41,832.30</td>
<td>-0.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,213.10</td>
<td>-0.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>5,729.43</td>
<td>-1.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>19,943.07</td>
<td>-2.2%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 12:20 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent103124&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a> data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) fell 1.5% to $571.51.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>)&nbsp;fell 0.8% to $418.60.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy Invesco QQQ Trust Series (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) tumbled 2.2% to $485.78. </li>
<li>The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) fell 0.7% to $219.65.</li>
<li>The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLU#NYSE">XLU</a>) outperformed, rising 1.4%. The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>) lagged, down 2.4%.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>
Stocks reacting to corporate earnings were: 
<ul>
<li>Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BKNG#NASDAQ">BKNG</a>), up over 5%, </li>
<li>Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMGN#NASDAQ">AMGN</a>), up 1.7%,</li>
<li>Starbucks Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NYSE">SBUX</a>), down 0.6%, </li>
<li>eBay Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EBAY#NASDAQ">EBAY</a>), down over 8%, </li>
<li>MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>), up 1.9%,</li>
<li>Carvana Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVNA#NYSE">CVNA</a>), up 24%,</li>
<li>Mastercard Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MA#NYSE">MA</a>), down 1.8%, </li>
<li>Merck &amp; Company Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>), down 2.8%,</li>
<li>Linde plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LIN#NASDAQ">LIN</a>), down 2.9%, </li>
<li>Comcast Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>), up 2.9%, </li>
<li>Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBER#NYSE">UBER</a>), down over 11%, </li>
<li>Eaton Corp. plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ETN#NYSE">ETN</a>), down 5%, </li>
<li>ConocoPhillips (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COP#NYSE">COP</a>), up 6%, </li>
<li>Bristo-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMY#NYSE">BMY</a>), up 3.3%, </li>
<li>Southern Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SO#NYSE">SO</a>), up 2.2%, </li>
<li>Altria Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MO#NYSE">MO</a>), up 7.6%, </li>
<li>Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/REGN#NASDAQ">REGN</a>), down 9%, </li>
<li>The Cigna Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>), up 3%, </li>
<li>Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NCLH#NYSE">NCLH</a>), up over 9%. </li>
<li>Cheniere Energy Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LNG#NYSE">LNG</a>), up over 5%. </li>
</ul>
Large-cap companies slated to report their earnings after the close include Apple Inc, Amazon.com Inc, Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>), Atlassian Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TEAM#NASDAQ">TEAM</a>) and Coterra Energy Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CTRA#NYSE">CTRA</a>).
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41658754/microsoft-in-major-growth-mode-not-slowing-down-4-analysts-see-strong-azure-demand-">Microsoft &#8216;In Major Growth Mode,&#8217; Not Slowing Down: 4 Analysts See Strong Azure Demand, AI Monetization Efforts</a></li>
</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

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Macro Economic Events

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Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

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$BTC

AAPL

AMGN

AMZN

BKNG

CMCSA

COIN

CTRA

CVNA

SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust

EBAY

INTC

MSFT

MSTR

NCLH

REGN

SBUX

TEAM

UBER

Stocks Tumble, Nasdaq 100 Selloffs As Tech Giants Disappoint, Crypto Companies Plummet: What's Driving Markets Thursday?

Comcast Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>)&nbsp;reported a third-quarter revenue decline of 6.5% year-over-year to $32.07 billion, beating the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/10/b41648656/comcast-reports-3rd-quarter-2024-results" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyst consensus estimate of $31.64 billion</a>.
The company reported adjusted EPS of $1.12, beating&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/earnings" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyst consensus estimates of $1.06</a>. The stock price gained after the earnings report.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/10/41450868/verizon-q3-earnings-wireless-subs-boost-with-5g-offers-1-7b-severance-charge-hit-to-profit-reiterat" rel="noreferrer noopener">Verizon Q3 Earnings: Wireless Subs Boost with 5G Offers, $1.7B Severance Charge Hit To Profit, Reiterates Annual Outlook</a>
Summer Olympics in Paris proved instrumental in driving higher NBCUniversal revenue and Peacock subscribers.&nbsp;
The media segment posted revenue growth of 36.5% year over year to $8.23 billion. Revenue excluding the Olympics grew only 4.9% to $6.33 billion.
Peacock&#8217;s paid subscribers increased 29% year over year to 36 million, and revenue grew by 82% year over year to $1.5 billion.
Studios&#8217; revenue increased by 12.3% year over year to $2.83 billion due to higher content licensing and theatrical revenue, including&nbsp;Despicable Me 4 and&nbsp;Twisters.
Theme Parks revenue decreased by 5.3% Y/Y to $2.29 billion due to lower revenue at its domestic theme parks, driven by lower guest attendance.
Connectivity &amp; Platforms adjusted EBITDA remained flat year over year at $8.3 billion, with a margin expansion of 30 bps to 40.9%.
Comcast said it generated $3.4 billion in free cash flow during the quarter.
Comcast lost 87,000 broadband customers in the period amid rivalry with telecom companies. Comcast also lost 365,000 video subscribers as streaming giants like Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) gain traction.
Total domestic wireless line net additions were 319,000.
On the conference call, Comcast said it is exploring making a new company comprising of cable networks.
CMCSA Price Action:&nbsp;At the last check on Thursday, Comcast stock was up 6.53% at $45.01 premarket.
Also Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/10/41485572/at-t-q3-earnings-strong-postpaid-phone-adds-adj-ebitda-growth-4-4b-impairment-charge-and-more" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AT&amp;T Q3 Earnings: Strong Postpaid Phone Adds, Adj. EBITDA Growth, $4.4B Impairment Charge And More</a></li>
</ul>
Photo by rarrarorro on Shutterstock

Earnings

News

NFLX

Comcast Q3 Earnings: Olympics Power NBCUniversal Gains, Peacock Hits 36M Subscribers, Explores Forming New Company Of Cable Networks

Comcast Says Exploring To Create A New Company Comprising Of Cable Networks

Comcast Says Olympics Revenue Was Mainly Driven By Record $1.4B In Advertising Revenue

WIIM

Comcast shares are trading higher after the company reported Q3 earnings and sales that beat analyst estimates.

Comcast (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $1.12 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.06 by 5.66 percent. The company reported quarterly sales of $32.070 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $31.637 billion by 1.37 percent. This is a 6.49 percent increase over sales of $30.115 billion the same period last year.

Earnings Beats

Comcast Q3 2024 Adj. EPS $1.12 Beats $1.06 Estimate, Sales $32.070B Beat $31.637B Estimate

The National Football League is partnering with one of the longest-running television shows of all time to give viewers a unique simulcast of an upcoming game, adding to the league's experiments<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/09/35013946/toy-story-and-nfl-team-up-will-viewers-have-a-friend-in-unique-viewing-experience-on-disney"> with alternative broadcasts.</a>
What Happened: The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/nfl">National Football League</a> will air "The Simpsons Funday Football" on Dec. 9 on Disney+ and ESPN+, giving fans an alternative view of an NFL game while featuring characters from the long-running hit animated comedy "The Simpsons."
The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>) will air the special game live <a href="https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2024/10/ay-caramba-emthe-simpsons-funday-football-em-streams-live-december-9-on-disney-and-espn-a-real-time-animated-imonday-night-football-i-game-featuring-the-bengals-and-cowboys-in-the-iconic-simpsons-cart/">featuring </a>the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys as part of its "Monday Night Football" coverage.
Disney's simulcast will be aired in real-time, showing the players as animated characters in the fictional town of Springfield. The simulcast will use Sony's Beyond Sports Technology from Sony Group Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SONY#NYSE">SONY</a>).
Springfield's Atoms Stadium will serve as the setting with well-known characters from the show making appearances. Bart Simpson will be rooting for the Cincinnati Bengals with his father Homer Simpson rooting for the Dallas Cowboys. The simulcast will occasionally show Bart or Homer replacing a member of the team and appearing to play inside the game.
Marge Simpson and Lisa Simpsons will interview players during the game. Other Simpsons characters will also make appearances, according to a press release. Voice actors from the series will provide the voices for the simulcast.
Viewers who don't want to watch the animated version of "Monday Night Football" can still watch traditional broadcasts on ESPN, ESPN+ and ABC and an alternate version with Peyton and Eli Manning on ESPN2 and ESPN+. &nbsp;
All telecasts will begin at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 9.
The special streaming version will also be available in over 100 markets internationally, live and via replay.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports-betting/24/09/40720484/which-4-teams-have-never-reached-the-super-bowl-betting-payouts-if-history-is-made-in-2024">Which 4 Teams Have Never Reached The Super Bowl? Betting Payouts If History Is Made In 2024 NFL Season</a>
Why It's Important: First launched in 1989, "The Simpsons" is the longest-running primetime scripted series and well-known to several generations of fans.
Disney partnered with the NFL on a Funday Football telecast last year that saw teams play inside the world of "Toy Story."
This year's simulcast could bring new fans to the National Football League and also help Disney reap the benefits of having multiple versions of the game broadcast across its various networks and streaming platforms.
The Bengals (3-5) and Cowboys (3-4) have fallen short of expectations in the 2024 NFL season so far, but there are still several weeks remaining before the alternate broadcast, giving both teams a chance to improve their records.
The Cowboys remain one of the most popular teams in the NFL across the country and have been known as "America's Team" for many years.
The recent "Sunday Night Football" game on NBC and Peacock between the Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers had an average <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/pressbox/press-releases/cowboys-49ers-averages-nearly-24-million-viewers-on-nbc-peacock-in-most-watched-week-8-sunday-night-football-game-ever#:~:text=%E2%80%93%20October%2028%2C%202024%20%E2%80%93%20The,plus%20same%20day%20custom%20fast">viewership </a>of 23.9 million, up 43% year-over-year. The game hit peak viewership of 26.4 million viewers and is the most watched Week 8 NFL game ever. Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>) is enjoying strong viewership of "Sunday Night Football," which is at its highest weekly average of 22.4 million since 2015.
DIS Price Action: Disney stock traded at $95.98 on Wednesday, versus a 52-week trading range of $80.18 to $123.74. Disney stock is up 5.7% year-to-date in 2024.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/24/10/41363480/tom-brady-becomes-nfl-team-owner-but-could-it-impact-his-fox-broadcasting-deal">Tom Brady Becomes NFL Team Owner — But Could It Impact His Fox Broadcasting Deal?</a></li>
</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Entertainment

Sports

Trading Ideas

Sony Group Corporation American Depositary Shares

SONY

Bart Vs. Homer: NFL Goes Animated With 'Simpsons' Bengals-Cowboys Simulcast

Benchmark analyst Matthew Harrigan reiterates Comcast (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>) with a Buy and maintains $55 price target.

Price Target

Reiteration

Analyst Ratings

Benchmark Reiterates Buy on Comcast, Maintains $55 Price Target

In the dynamic and fiercely competitive business environment, conducting a thorough analysis of companies is crucial for investors and industry enthusiasts. In this article, we will perform an extensive industry comparison, evaluating Comcast (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>) in relation to its major competitors in the Media industry. By closely examining crucial financial metrics, market position, and growth prospects, we aim to offer valuable insights for investors and shed light on company's performance within the industry.
<h3>Comcast Background</h3>
Comcast is made up of three parts. The core cable business owns networks capable of providing television, internet access, and phone services to 63 million US homes and businesses, or nearly half of the country. About 50% of the locations in this territory subscribe to at least one Comcast service. Comcast acquired NBCUniversal from General Electric in 2011. NBCU owns several cable networks, including CNBC, MSNBC, and USA, the NBC network, the Peacock streaming platform, several local NBC affiliates, Universal Studios, and several theme parks. Sky, acquired in 2018, is a large television provider in the UK and has invested heavily in proprietary content to build this position. Sky is also a large pay-television provider in Italy and has a presence in Germany and Austria.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company</th>
<th>P/E</th>
<th>P/B</th>
<th>P/S</th>
<th>ROE</th>
<th>EBITDA (in billions)</th>
<th>Gross Profit (in billions)</th>
<th>Revenue Growth</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Comcast Corp</td>
<td>11.05</td>
<td>1.93</td>
<td>1.38</td>
<td>4.74%</td>
<td>$9.74</td>
<td>$21.73</td>
<td>-2.71%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Charter Communications Inc</td>
<td>10.53</td>
<td>3.66</td>
<td>0.90</td>
<td>9.95%</td>
<td>$5.35</td>
<td>$5.51</td>
<td>0.19%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cable One Inc</td>
<td>7.56</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1.29</td>
<td>1.96%</td>
<td>$0.19</td>
<td>$0.29</td>
<td>-6.97%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Grupo Televisa SAB</td>
<td>0.14</td>
<td>0.22</td>
<td>0.35</td>
<td>-0.02%</td>
<td>$1.66</td>
<td>$5.21</td>
<td>-5.83%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Average</td>
<td>6.08</td>
<td>1.63</td>
<td>0.85</td>
<td>3.96%</td>
<td>$2.4</td>
<td>$3.67</td>
<td>-4.2%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<style>
 table {
 width: 100%;
 border-collapse: collapse;
 font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
 font-size: 14px;
 }

 th, td {
 padding: 8px;
 text-align: left;
 }

 th {
 background-color: #293a5a;
 color: #fff;
 text-align: left;
 }

 tr:nth-child(even) {
 background-color: #f2f4f8;
 }

 tr:hover {
 background-color: #e1e4ea;
 }

 td:nth-child(3), td:nth-child(5) {
 text-align: left;
 }

 .dividend-amount {
 font-weight: bold;
 color: #0d6efd;
 }

 .dividend-frequency {
 font-size: 12px;
 color: #6c757d;
 }
 </style>After thoroughly examining Comcast, the following trends can be inferred: 
<ul>
<li>
At 11.05, the stock's Price to Earnings ratio significantly exceeds the industry average by 1.82x, suggesting a premium valuation relative to industry peers.
</li>
<li>
The elevated Price to Book ratio of 1.93 relative to the industry average by 1.18x suggests company might be overvalued based on its book value.
</li>
<li>
The stock's relatively high Price to Sales ratio of 1.38, surpassing the industry average by 1.62x, may indicate an aspect of overvaluation in terms of sales performance.
</li>
<li>
The Return on Equity (ROE) of 4.74% is 0.78% above the industry average, highlighting efficient use of equity to generate profits.
</li>
<li>
The company has higher Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of $9.74 Billion, which is 4.06x above the industry average, indicating stronger profitability and robust cash flow generation.
</li>
<li>
The company has higher gross profit of $21.73 Billion, which indicates 5.92x above the industry average, indicating stronger profitability and higher earnings from its core operations.
</li>
<li>
The company's revenue growth of -2.71% is notably higher compared to the industry average of -4.2%, showcasing exceptional sales performance and strong demand for its products or services.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Debt To Equity Ratio</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1729695654_0.png" alt="debt to equity" />
The debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio helps evaluate the capital structure and financial leverage of a company.
Considering the debt-to-equity ratio in industry comparisons allows for a concise evaluation of a company's financial health and risk profile, aiding in informed decision-making.
When examining Comcast in comparison to its top 4 peers with respect to the Debt-to-Equity ratio, the following information becomes apparent:
<ul>
<li>
Comcast holds a middle position in terms of the debt-to-equity ratio compared to its top 4 peers.
</li>
<li>
This indicates a balanced financial structure with a moderate level of debt and an appropriate reliance on equity financing with a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Takeaways</h3>
For Comcast, the high PE, PB, and PS ratios indicate that the stock is relatively expensive compared to its peers in the Media industry. On the other hand, the high ROE, EBITDA, gross profit, and revenue growth suggest that Comcast is generating strong returns and experiencing robust financial performance within the sector. These metrics highlight both the premium valuation and the solid operational performance of Comcast in the Media industry.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Markets

Inquiry Into Comcast's Competitor Dynamics In Media Industry

Comcast shares are trading higher after Scotiabank maintained a Sector Perform rating and raised its price target from $47.25 to $47.75

Providing a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish, 6 analysts have published ratings on Comcast (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>) in the last three months.
The table below provides a snapshot of their recent ratings, showcasing how sentiments have evolved over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts provide deeper insights through their assessments of 12-month price targets, revealing an average target of $44.29, a high estimate of $49.00, and a low estimate of $40.00. Experiencing a 0.94% decline, the current average is now lower than the previous average price target of $44.71. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1729281670_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Exploring Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Overview</h2>
A comprehensive examination of how financial experts perceive Comcast is derived from recent analyst actions. The following is a detailed summary of key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Maher Yaghi</td>
<td>Scotiabank</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$47.75</td>
<td>$47.25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kannan Venkateshwar</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$41.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tim Nollen</td>
<td>Macquarie</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brandon Nispel</td>
<td>Keybanc</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$44.00</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bryan Kraft</td>
<td>Deutsche Bank</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$49.00</td>
<td>$50.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Barton Crockett</td>
<td>Rosenblatt</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Comcast. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Delving into assessments, analysts assign qualitative values, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings communicate expectations for the relative performance of Comcast compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts navigate through adjustments in price targets, providing estimates for Comcast's future value. Comparing current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations.</li>
</ul>
For valuable insights into Comcast's market performance, consider these analyst evaluations alongside crucial financial indicators. Stay well-informed and make prudent decisions using our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CMCSA/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Comcast analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Delving into Comcast's Background</h2>
Comcast is made up of three parts. The core cable business owns networks capable of providing television, internet access, and phone services to 63 million US homes and businesses, or nearly half of the country. About 50% of the locations in this territory subscribe to at least one Comcast service. Comcast acquired NBCUniversal from General Electric in 2011. NBCU owns several cable networks, including CNBC, MSNBC, and USA, the NBC network, the Peacock streaming platform, several local NBC affiliates, Universal Studios, and several theme parks. Sky, acquired in 2018, is a large television provider in the UK and has invested heavily in proprietary content to build this position. Sky is also a large pay-television provider in Italy and has a presence in Germany and Austria.
<h3>Breaking Down Comcast's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization: Boasting an elevated market capitalization, the company surpasses industry averages. This signals substantial size and strong market recognition.
Negative Revenue Trend: Examining Comcast's financials over 3 months reveals challenges. As of 30 June, 2024, the company experienced a decline of approximately -2.71% in revenue growth, reflecting a decrease in top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the company achieved a growth rate higher than the average among peers in Communication Services sector.
Net Margin: Comcast's net margin is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of 13.23%, the company may encounter challenges in effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): Comcast's ROE excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 4.74%. This signifies robust financial management and efficient use of shareholder equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 1.49%, the company showcases effective utilization of assets.
Debt Management: Comcast's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of 1.18.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: What Are They?</h2>
Within the domain of banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their work involves attending company conference calls and meetings, researching company financial statements, and communicating with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically assess and rate each stock once per quarter.
Beyond their standard evaluations, some analysts contribute predictions for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, furnishing investors with additional guidance. Users of analyst ratings should be mindful that this specialized advice is shaped by human perspectives and may be subject to variability.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

In-Depth Examination Of 6 Analyst Recommendations For Comcast

Scotiabank analyst Maher Yaghi maintains Comcast (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>) with a Sector Perform and raises the price target from $47.25 to $47.75.

Scotiabank Maintains Sector Perform on Comcast, Raises Price Target to $47.75

Comcast Installs Its First Flagship Lift Zone In Partnership With Inspiredu In Atlanta, Georgia

<a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/media/nbcuniversal-to-stream-local-sports-on-peacock-in-bid-for-cord-cutters-68e1d941?mod=latest_headlines" title="https://www.wsj.com/business/media/nbcuniversal-to-stream-local-sports-on-peacock-in-bid-for-cord-cutters-68e1d941?mod=latest_headlines">https://www.wsj.com/business/media/nbcuniversal-to-stream-local-sports-on-peacock-in-bid-for-cord-cutters-68e1d941?mod=latest_headlines</a>

NBCUniversal To Add Regional Sports Channels To Peacock Streaming Service Starting In Early 2025, Including Boston, Philadelphia, And Northern California Markets

A campaign stop by Donald Trump and a quick detour to work as the fry cook at a McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) could show just how far political candidates will go to win over swing state voters in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/2024-election">2024 presidential election.</a>
What Happened: Pennsylvania is quickly becoming one of the most important states in the 2024 election, with its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/swing-states">swing state status</a> and 19 electoral college votes up for grabs.
In an upcoming campaign stop in the state, Trump will visit a McDonald's restaurant and "work the fry cooker," according to a <a href="https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/donald-trump-mcdonalds-fry-cooker-pennsylvania-20241015.html">report </a>from the Philadelphia Inquirer.
While the specific McDonald's location and the duration of Trump's visit remain unclear, the campaign stop follows his response to his opponent&#8217;s statements about having worked at a McDonald's in the past.
Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff have both said <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40521488/kamala-harris-and-doug-emhoffs-mcdonalds-work-experience-acts-as-working-class-vote-magnet-democrats">they previously worked</a> at McDonald's locations, with Harris saying she did so when in college and Emhoff even saying he once won an Employee of the Month award.
"We don't want to hear fake promises, even something like she worked very long and hard hours over french fries at McDonald's. She never worked at McDonald's. It's a fake story," Trump <a href="https://x.com/atrupar/status/1838993936586592488">said </a>at a campaign rally in September.
Trump said at the time that he planned to "work" at a McDonald's in the future.
"I think I'm going to a McDonald's in two weeks actually and I'm gonna work the french fries because I will have worked longer and harder at McDonald's than she did if I do that even for a half hour."
Trump won the state of Pennsylvania in the 2016 election but lost it in the 2020 election. As reported by 270towin.com, the state has voted for a Democratic presidential candidate in seven of the last eight elections and eight of the last 12. The 2016 election marked the only time in the past six presidential elections that the Democratic candidate did not get at least 50% of the vote.
Did You Know?
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<li>Congress Is Making Huge Investments. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades/?utm_source=BZprocontent101624">Get Tips On What They Bought And Sold Ahead Of The 2024 Election With Our Easy-to-Use Tool</a></li>
</ul>
Why It's Important: Sunday's visit to Pennsylvania will mark Trump's third time in the state during the week.
Trump is also scheduled to attend the Pittsburgh Steelers home Sunday Night Football game against the New York Jets. The game will air on NBC, a unit of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>).
Harris has also visited Pennsylvania several times in recent months, including a stop on Monday in Erie and a planned stop in the Philadelphia suburbs on Wednesday.
The current vice president has used her past employment at McDonald's to connect with middle-class workers and voters and to paint the contrast between herself and Trump, who inherited wealth.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) previously used Harris&#8217; McDonald's employment to illustrate the contrast.
"One candidate worked at McDonald's… The other was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and helped his daddy in the family business: housing discrimination," Crockett said.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris&#8217; running mate, referenced her experience working at McDonald&#8217;s to highlight the vice president's middle-class upbringing in contrast to Trump during a September speech.
"I keep asking this to make a contrast here. Can you simply picture Trump working at a McDonald's trying to make a McFlurry or something?" Walz <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwTX72iZ3OE">asked</a>. "He couldn't run that damn McFlurry machine."
Trump is known for his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/23/06/32906325/trump-promised-food-for-everyone-at-a-miami-cuban-restaurant-diners-didnt-cash-in-and-the-former">love of McDonald's</a>, and it was his food of choice after a court appearance last year the day before his birthday. After covering his staff's food orders at Versailles, a Cuban restaurant, and taking photos with fans, Trump opted for a meal from the fast food giant instead.
The former president asked the White House staff to make similar versions of popular McDonald's menu items while in office.
In 2023, Trump bought food from McDonald's for first responders following&nbsp;the Ohio train derailment. Trump told a McDonald's worker that he might know the menu better than all the workers.
Read Next: 
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</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Politics

Restaurants

Trump To Ask 'Would You Like Fries With That?': McDonald's Fry Cook Stint Included In Swing State Campaign Stop

The company is planning for its 750-acre Universal Epic Universe park to be fully opened as early as Memorial Day weekend of next year—earlier than expected—with tickets on sale as soon as this month, according to people familiar with the matter.
<a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/universal-plans-early-summer-launch-of-new-park-with-marquee-harry-potter-ride-d6e5113b?mod=latest_headlines" title="https://www.wsj.com/business/universal-plans-early-summer-launch-of-new-park-with-marquee-harry-potter-ride-d6e5113b?mod=latest_headlines">https://www.wsj.com/business/universal-plans-early-summer-launch-of-new-park-with-marquee-harry-potter-ride-d6e5113b?mod=latest_headlines</a>

'Universal Plans Early Summer Launch of New Park With Marquee Harry Potter Ride' - WSJ

NBCUniversal subsidiary of Comcast Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>) has announced a significant restructuring of its advertising executive team. This move sees the departure of several key figures, including Dan Lovinger, who was instrumental in the company&#8217;s advertising success during the Paris Olympics.
What Happened: The restructuring was disclosed on Monday by Alison Levin, President of Advertising and Partnerships at NBCU, the news publication, Deadline <a href="https://deadline.com/2024/10/nbcuniversal-restructures-ad-execs-sports-olympics-dan-lovinger-1236115753/">reported</a> on Monday. 
The changes will also involve the recruitment of new talent in emerging business sectors. Levin is set to address these changes in a virtual all-hands meeting on Tuesday.
Levin&#8217;s memo also outlined a new approach to sports advertising, with Peter Lazarus set to lead the expanded team. This team will now encompass all Olympic sales and the Sports vertical. The memo also expressed gratitude to the departing colleagues and highlighted the company&#8217;s future prospects with the new streamlined structure.
"As we look forward, it is imperative that we support one another and continue to foster a culture of transparency and collaboration. I am incredibly bullish on our future, and with this new streamlined structure, I know we have the right strategy, the right assets, and the right team in place to grow our market share and better position us to succeed," Levin wrote. 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41306985/coinbase-ceo-brian-armstrong-wants-to-know-how-elon-musk-gets-so-much-done-wants-an-in-dep?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong Wants To Know How Elon Musk Gets So Much Done — Wants An In-Depth Study Done After SpaceX Starship Booster Success, &#8216;CyberCab&#8217; Unveil</a>
Under Lovinger&#8217;s leadership, NBCU generated over $1.25 billion in ad and sponsorship revenue from the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, setting a new Olympic record. Lovinger, who held the title of President, Olympic and Paralympic Sales, joined NBCU in 2011 and has had a significant impact on the company&#8217;s advertising success.
Why It Matters: NBCUniversal&#8217;s restructuring comes at a time when the company has been making significant strides in its advertising and media operations. 
Earlier in the year, the company partnered with DoubleVerify to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/03/37651009/doubleverify-expands-ott-measurement-solutions-in-collaboration-with-nbcuniversal">expand its OTT measurement solutions</a>, offering program-level measurement solutions for OTT devices, particularly Connected TV (CTV). This advancement in streaming verification empowered NBCUniversal advertisers to assess brand safety, suitability, and content performance at the program level.
Moreover, Comcast Corporation recently sold a portion of its stake in BuzzFeed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/05/39014369/thanks-vivek-comcast-sells-part-of-buzzfeed-after-stock-rally-from-politicians-purchase">after a stock rally resulting</a> from former 2024 presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy&#8216;s disclosure of a 7.7% stake in the company. 
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Image Via Shutterstock 
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/Kaustubh-Bagalkote" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kaustubh Bagalkote</a>

Management

NBCU's Comcast Announces Major Ad Team Overhaul Amid Leadership Departures, Eyes New Strategy For Sports And Olympics Sales

Following the success of &#8220;Oppenheimer,&#8221; renowned director&nbsp;Christopher Nolan&nbsp;has reportedly joined forces with actor&nbsp;Matt Damon&nbsp;for a new IMAX Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IMAX#NYSE">IMAX</a>) film. 
What Happened: Nolan, who bagged an Oscar for &#8220;Oppenheimer,&#8221; is returning to Universal Pictures, which is owned by the&nbsp;Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>) for his upcoming project, <a href="https://deadline.com/2024/10/christopher-nolan-new-movie-matt-damon-release-date-1236099940/">reported</a> Deadline, citing sources.
The film is set for an IMAX&nbsp;release on July 17, 2026,&nbsp;and shooting could start in early 2025.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41222158/apples-smart-ring-could-launch-by-2026-in-line-with-tim-cooks-health-centric-vision?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple&#8217;s Smart Ring Could Launch By 2026 In Line With Tim Cook&#8217;s Health-Centric Vision, Says Analyst: &#8216;One Of His Major Legacies From Apple Would Be Around Personal Health&#8217;</a>
This will be the third collaboration between Damon and Nolan, following &#8220;Interstellar&#8221; and &#8220;Oppenheimer.&#8221;
Nolan is known for his tendency to reteam with actors, and Damon joins Christian Bale and Cillian Murphy in the list of actors who&nbsp;have worked with Nolan on&nbsp;multiple occasions.
With the project now officially underway, it is expected to attract a host of A-list talent to join Damon in the ensemble cast, the report noted.
Why It Matters: Nolan&#8217;s decision to continue with Universal is not surprising, considering the success of &#8220;Oppenheimer.&#8221; 
The film raked in $328.9 million domestically and $975.6 million worldwide, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/03/37600557/oppenheimer-scoops-the-96th-academy-awards-with-7-oscars-emma-stone-a-second-actress-award-">bagging seven Oscars</a> including Best Picture and Best Director.
&#8220;Oppenheimer&#8221; significantly contributed to Comcast&#8217;s third-quarter <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/23/10/35437693/comcast-says-oppenheimer-grossed-more-than-900m-loses-broadband-subs-in-q3-stock-tanks">financial year 2023 revenue</a> growth. The company reportedly revenue growth reaching $30.12 billion, surpassing the expected $29.69 billion at the time.
Peacock, a streaming service owned by NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast, reported an almost 80% year-over-year increase, reaching 28 million. The platform&#8217;s revenue surged by 64%, hitting $830 million during the same time.
Similarly, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/23/10/35416714/imax-q3-earnings-smashes-estimates-on-box-office-strength">IMAX&#8217;s third-quarter earning</a> in financial year 2023 was also driven by the success of Oppenheimer.
At the time, IMAX reported a 51% year-over-year increase in sales, reaching $103.90 million, surpassing the analyst consensus of $100.72 million.
The movie company also noted that the third quarter was its second-highest-grossing quarter ever at the IMAX global box office.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image Via Shutterstock

Media

IMAX

Christopher Nolan Taps Matt Damon For Mystery 2026 IMAX Epic: Is Universal's Big Bet Likely To Payoff?

Insurance, regional banks, fitness centers, utilities, hospitals and theme parks are among the sectors that could be negatively impacted when Hurricane Milton hits Florida Wednesday night or <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41231817/hurricane-milton-dire-warning-if-you-choose-to-stay-youre-going-to-die-officials-encourage-writing-n">early </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41209505/hurricane-milton-is-floridas-second-storm-in-two-weeks-how-disney-theme-parks-insurance-companie">Thursday </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41231817/hurricane-milton-dire-warning-if-you-choose-to-stay-youre-going-to-die-officials-encourage-writing-n">morning.</a>
Here's a look at some of the sectors and stocks that investors should be watching with Hurricane Milton on the way.
Hurricane Milton Update: According <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/map-hurricane-milton-path-forecast-status-track-rcna174203">to </a>NBC News, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/hurricane-milton">Hurricane Milton was downgraded </a>to a Category 4 storm on Wednesday morning. The hurricane is expected to make landfall Wednesday night and could hit some of Florida&#8217;s most populous areas, including the Tampa Bay area.
Evacuation orders are in place for multiple Florida counties with government officials warning that failure to follow the orders could lead to casualties.
With evacuations taking place, Florida service stations are running out of gas, and there are concerns about charging electric vehicles on evacuation routes.
The constant changes in the storm's path could have a major effect on the damage and potential casualties. A landfall in the Tampa Bay area is seen as the worst-case scenario for the hurricane, as reported by <a href="https://www.cnn.com/weather/live-news/hurricane-milton-florida-10-09-24/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN</a>.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41239644/hurricane-milton-evacuations-a-matter-of-life-and-death-biden-says-feds-bostic-says-storm-could-">Hurricane Milton Evacuations &#8216;A Matter Of Life And Death,&#8217; Biden Says: Fed&#8217;s Bostic Says Storm Could Have Significant Economic Impact Over Next 6 Months</a>
Regional Banks: DA Davidson analyst Gary Tenner looked at the regional banks that could be most impacted by Hurricane Milton in a new investor note.
"Based on experience, we would expect the banks in the market to be impacted in multiple ways in the post-hurricane period, including a potential deposit boost related to insurance settlements, elevated near term expenses and provision, with lending opportunities related to rebuilding efforts,&#8221; Tenner said.
The analyst said banks in the Tampa and St. Petersburg areas could see near-term increased expenses but could see "positive offsets over the longer term."
Based on market share in the region, Tenner highlights the following regional banks:
<ul>
<li>Regions Financial (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RF#NYSE">RF</a>): Buy rating</li>
<li>Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FITB#NASDAQ">FITB</a>): Neutral rating</li>
<li>Synovus Financial Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNV#NYSE">SNV</a>): Buy rating</li>
<li>SouthState Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSB#NYSE">SSB</a>): Buy rating</li>
<li>Cadence Bank (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CADE#NYSE">CADE</a>): Buy rating</li>
<li>Hancock Whitney Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HWC#NASDAQ">HWC</a>): Buy rating</li>
</ul>
Hospitals Impact: Hospital operators in the Florida region could be negatively impacted by Hurricane Milton and face IV shortages, RBC analyst Ben Hendrix said in a new investor note.
"Hospital operators traded slightly lower on Thursday, which we believe reflects at least in part weather-related concerns as Hurricane Milton moves toward Florida's west coast," Hendrix said.
The analyst said hospitals could see "some disruptions to facilities" in the coming days.
RBC highlights the following hospitals in the report:
<ul>
<li>Community Health Systems (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CYH#NYSE">CYH</a>): Outperform rating</li>
<li>HCA Healthcare (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HCA#NYSE">HCA</a>): Outperform rating</li>
<li>Tenet Healthcare (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/THC#NYSE">THC</a>): Outperform rating</li>
<li>Universal Health Services (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UHS#NYSE">UHS</a>): Sector Perform rating</li>
</ul>
"We believe HCA may be spared the worst of the storm damage with most of its hospital concentration in Central Florida located in the Tampa Bay area, which is north of the expected Sarasota landfall," Hendrix said.
Utilities Impact: Hurricane Milton could have a negative impact on utility stocks, Scotiabank analyst Andrew Weisel warned investors in a new note.
"While we remain bullish on U.S. utility fundamentals and valuations, we're growing somewhat cautious about investor sentiment, which had finally started to turn positive after years of negativity or indifference," Weisel said.
The analyst said they generally caution against trading around storms like Hurricane Milton.
"Rising hurricane activity is no doubt worrisome."
Weisel said the utility sector has several catalysts like rate cuts and the 2024 election, aside from the hurricane impact.
Top utility picks from Weisel are CMS Energy Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMS#NYSE">CMS</a>), WEC Energy Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WEC#NYSE">WEC</a>) and DTE Energy Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DTE#NYSE">DTE</a>). After these three top picks, the analyst highlights Southern Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SO#NYSE">SO</a>), NextEra Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NEE#NYSE">NEE</a>), Alliant Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LNT#NASDAQ">LNT</a>) and American Electric Power Company (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AEP#NASDAQ">AEP</a>) as other favorable utility names. 
Weisel also said he would buy Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DUK#NYSE">DUK</a>) because of its weakness ahead of Hurricane Milton.
"While outages often lead to lost revenues, slightly weighing on near-term earnings, the impacts are generally very modest," Weisel said.
Another major utility that could be impacted by Hurricane Milton is Tampa Electric, owned by Emera Inc. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EMRAF#OTC">EMRAF</a>). Serving the Tampa Bay area, Tampa Electric is particularly vulnerable to the storm&#8217;s effects.
Insurance Stocks: The insurance sector is one of the sectors most on watch for the damaging impact and cleanup aftermath from Hurricane Milton.
Insurance stocks like Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>), Allstate (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALL#NYSE">ALL</a>), Progressive (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PGR#NYSE">PGR</a>), Travelers Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TRV#NYSE">TRV</a>) and Chubb (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CB#NYSE">CB</a>) are among the large insurers that could be impacted.
RBC analyst Derald Goh, who covers European insurance stocks, shared a note on the potential damage from the hurricane.
"A potential $60bn industry loss from Hurricane Milton appears very manageable for a sector that is keen to demonstrate stronger earnings resiliency and should drive a re-rating," Goh said.
The $60 billion estimate comes as Hurricane Milton is expected to cause destruction similar to that caused by Hurricane Ian in 2022. Based on the estimated damage from that storm, the analyst considers this estimate the most reliable method for predicting the impact on insurance companies.
Goh said five hurricanes have made landfall in the U.S. this season, and the previous average forecast was 12.
Leisure Sector: Hurricane Milton could also impact theme parks, with the state of Florida home to Disney World, owned by The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>), and Universal Studios Orlando, owned by Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>).
Disney announced it is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41245886/disney-world-closes-early-as-hurricane-milton-approaches-florida-parks-brace-for-impact">closing Disney World parks early </a>on Wednesday and transportation services could remain limited, with a plan to re-open on Thursday. The storm may have scared away a large amount of tourists. Goldman Sachs recently said Disney could see a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/10/41229099/disney-faces-150m-200m-blow-from-hurricane-milton-attendance-set-to-drop-6-says-goldman-sac"> $150 million to $200 million</a> negative impact from Hurricane Milton.
Morgan Stanley analyst Megan Alexander sees Hurricane Milton having a negative impact on fitness centers Planet Fitness (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLNT#NYSE">PLNT</a>) and Life Time Group Holdings (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LTH#NYSE">LTH</a>) and indoor golf facility company Topgolf Callaway Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MODG#NYSE">MODG</a>).
"Overall, PLNT appears to be the most exposed across our coverage particularly given the concentration of corporate locations in the state," Alexander said.
The analyst, who has an Overweight rating and a $84 price target on Planet Fitness, said Florida represents around 25% of corporate-owned locations. Store closures could negatively impact new membership additions, but Alexander added that the monthly membership fee revenue model could insulate the company from a negative impact.
The analyst sees Life Time Group, rated Equal Weight with a $21 price target, having a minimal impact with only five locations in Florida, which is less than 3% of total locations.
Alexander said Topgolf has nine locations in Florida, with five currently closed due to Hurricane Milton. The analyst, who has an Underweight rating and a $10 price target on the stock, said Topgolf will likely see a minimal impact unless locations have severe storm damage and have to be closed for an extended time period.  
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41231817/hurricane-milton-dire-warning-if-you-choose-to-stay-youre-going-to-die-officials-encourage-writing-n">Hurricane Milton Dire Warning: &#8216;If You Choose To Stay &#8230; You&#8217;re Going To Die,&#8217; Officials Encourage Writing Name On Arm In Permanent Marker For ID</a></li>
</ul>
Image of Hurricane Milton courtesy of NASA.

Analyst Color

Health Care

Insurance

CADE

EMRAF

FITB

MODG

PLNT

Hurricane Milton Descends On Florida: Analysts Warn Of Impact On Disney, NextEra's Florida Power & Light, Regional Banks

In the dynamic and fiercely competitive business environment, conducting a thorough analysis of companies is crucial for investors and industry enthusiasts. In this article, we will perform an extensive industry comparison, evaluating Comcast (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>) in relation to its major competitors in the Media industry. By closely examining crucial financial metrics, market position, and growth prospects, we aim to offer valuable insights for investors and shed light on company's performance within the industry.
<h3>Comcast Background</h3>
Comcast is made up of three parts. The core cable business owns networks capable of providing television, internet access, and phone services to 63 million US homes and businesses, or nearly half of the country. About 50% of the locations in this territory subscribe to at least one Comcast service. Comcast acquired NBCUniversal from General Electric in 2011. NBCU owns several cable networks, including CNBC, MSNBC, and USA, the NBC network, the Peacock streaming platform, several local NBC affiliates, Universal Studios, and several theme parks. Sky, acquired in 2018, is a large television provider in the UK and has invested heavily in proprietary content to build this position. Sky is also a large pay-television provider in Italy and has a presence in Germany and Austria.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company</th>
<th>P/E</th>
<th>P/B</th>
<th>P/S</th>
<th>ROE</th>
<th>EBITDA (in billions)</th>
<th>Gross Profit (in billions)</th>
<th>Revenue Growth</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Comcast Corp</td>
<td>10.89</td>
<td>1.91</td>
<td>1.36</td>
<td>4.74%</td>
<td>$9.74</td>
<td>$21.73</td>
<td>-2.71%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Charter Communications Inc</td>
<td>10.45</td>
<td>3.63</td>
<td>0.89</td>
<td>9.95%</td>
<td>$5.35</td>
<td>$5.51</td>
<td>0.19%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cable One Inc</td>
<td>6.87</td>
<td>0.90</td>
<td>1.17</td>
<td>1.96%</td>
<td>$0.19</td>
<td>$0.29</td>
<td>-6.97%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Grupo Televisa SAB</td>
<td>0.14</td>
<td>0.23</td>
<td>0.37</td>
<td>-0.02%</td>
<td>$1.66</td>
<td>$5.21</td>
<td>-5.83%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Average</td>
<td>5.82</td>
<td>1.59</td>
<td>0.81</td>
<td>3.96%</td>
<td>$2.4</td>
<td>$3.67</td>
<td>-4.2%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<style>
 table {
 width: 100%;
 border-collapse: collapse;
 font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
 font-size: 14px;
 }

 th, td {
 padding: 8px;
 text-align: left;
 }

 th {
 background-color: #293a5a;
 color: #fff;
 text-align: left;
 }

 tr:nth-child(even) {
 background-color: #f2f4f8;
 }

 tr:hover {
 background-color: #e1e4ea;
 }

 td:nth-child(3), td:nth-child(5) {
 text-align: left;
 }

 .dividend-amount {
 font-weight: bold;
 color: #0d6efd;
 }

 .dividend-frequency {
 font-size: 12px;
 color: #6c757d;
 }
 </style>Through a detailed examination of Comcast, we can deduce the following trends: 
<ul>
<li>
At 10.89, the stock's Price to Earnings ratio significantly exceeds the industry average by 1.87x, suggesting a premium valuation relative to industry peers.
</li>
<li>
With a Price to Book ratio of 1.91, which is 1.2x the industry average, Comcast might be considered overvalued in terms of its book value, as it is trading at a higher multiple compared to its industry peers.
</li>
<li>
With a relatively high Price to Sales ratio of 1.36, which is 1.68x the industry average, the stock might be considered overvalued based on sales performance.
</li>
<li>
The company has a higher Return on Equity (ROE) of 4.74%, which is 0.78% above the industry average. This suggests efficient use of equity to generate profits and demonstrates profitability and growth potential.
</li>
<li>
Compared to its industry, the company has higher Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of $9.74 Billion, which is 4.06x above the industry average, indicating stronger profitability and robust cash flow generation.
</li>
<li>
The gross profit of $21.73 Billion is 5.92x above that of its industry, highlighting stronger profitability and higher earnings from its core operations.
</li>
<li>
With a revenue growth of -2.71%, which surpasses the industry average of -4.2%, the company is demonstrating robust sales expansion and gaining market share.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Debt To Equity Ratio</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1728486052_0.png" alt="debt to equity" />
The debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio assesses the extent to which a company relies on borrowed funds compared to its equity.
Considering the debt-to-equity ratio in industry comparisons allows for a concise evaluation of a company's financial health and risk profile, aiding in informed decision-making.
When comparing Comcast with its top 4 peers based on the Debt-to-Equity ratio, the following insights can be observed:
<ul>
<li>
When evaluating the debt-to-equity ratio, Comcast is in the middle position among its top 4 peers.
</li>
<li>
The company maintains a moderate level of debt relative to its equity with a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, suggesting a relatively balanced financial structure.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Takeaways</h3>
For Comcast, the PE, PB, and PS ratios are all high compared to its peers in the Media industry, indicating that the stock may be overvalued based on these metrics. On the other hand, Comcast's high ROE, EBITDA, gross profit, and revenue growth suggest strong financial performance relative to industry competitors, potentially justifying the premium valuation.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

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