Broadcasting Stocks

U.S. financial markets largely retreated in mid-week trading on Wednesday, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 112.30 points, to 23,329.46, and the Nasdaq composite index dipped 34.54, to 6,563.89. Media stocks weren't immune to the overall dips, as Viacom once again lost ground.

Stocks traded higher on an overall level Tuesday, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 167.80, to 23,411.76, and the Nasdaq composite gained 11.60, to 6,598.43. But, media stocks didn't participate in the gains, with many publicly traded radio and TV companies creating a sea of red on Wall Street. Among the decliners is Viacom, which fell 2.5%. That's more bad news for the company, as it struggles to overcome a five-year low.

U.S. financial markets dipped on Monday, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 54.67 points to 23,276.96, and the Nasdaq composite index was off 42.23, to 6,586.83. Media stocks were largely down, with Viacom's Class B shares dipping 1.5%.

U.S. financial markets ended the week on a largely positive note, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 165.32 points, to 23,328.36, and the Nasdaq composite index gained 23.99, to 6,629.05. Helping the overall market with a big gain was CBS Corp. The company that's initiated a final stage in its Reverse Morris Trust-fueled spin-off of CBS Radio and eventual merger with Entercom enjoyed a 1.9% gain.

U.S. financial markets finished Thursday's trading on a mixed note, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average inched ahead 5.44, to 23,163.04, and the Nasdaq Composite index fell 19.15, to 6,605.07. Among the key gainers for broadcast media stocks was the "stub" of iHeartMedia shares, while Entercom Communications suffered a 4.2% decline.

The rollercoaster performance of AI-fueled technology firm Veritone Inc. continued Wednesday, as the company's stock sharply rebounded after dipping to $29.20 at the Closing Bell on Tuesday. Veritone shares shot up 27.5%. In other activity on Wall Street, the "stub" of publicly traded Spanish Broadcasting System stock -- "SBSAA" -- dipped by 9.8%

While all eyes are on Entercom Communications and its "transformative" merger with CBS Radio, some analysts and investors have their eye on the two most visible -- and fiscally challenged -- radio broadcasting companies in the U.S. And, it wasn't a great day for either company on Wall Street.

Investors seem pleased that Viacom pay-TV channels such as Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central and MTV won't be yanked from Charter Communications Spectrum systems across the U.S. The company's stock finished Monday in positive territory, after losing ground in midday trading.

Meredith Corp., the owner of broadcast TV stations across the U.S. that's also focused on women's brands, will report its fiscal 2018 Q1 results on Thursday, Oct. 26, before the Opening Bell on Wall Street.

The parent company of Nickelodeon, BET, MTV and Comedy Central saw a much-needed boost in its beleaguered stock price on Friday, as Viacom's Class B shares rebounded 5.8%. Viacom shares closed at a five-year low on Thursday, amid cord-cutting concerns — and an impasse with Charter Communications' Spectrum systems.

U.S. financial markets dipped on Thursday, and TV industry companies did their part in dragging down the overall market, as fears over cord-cutting viewed by AT&T impacted others. Viacom sank to a five-year low with a 2.6% dip, but they have more than cord-cutters to contend with right now: It needs a new accord with Optimum by Sunday night or its channels go dark in NYC and L.A., among other locales.

U.S. financial markets once again ended on a high note, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 42.21, to 22,872.89. Nasdaq was up 16.30, to 6,603.55. Media stocks were once again mixed, with Fox falling following investor concerns that it will lose viewers to the 2018 FIFA World Cup now that the U.S. has crashed out of the qualifying stage for the tournament.

Investors are once again expressing confidence in a solid Wall Street performer that recently became the newest pure-play radio broadcasting company in the U.S. After a shaky summer that saw its shares dip from $49.25 on June 1 to $37.75 on July 24, Saga Communications is clawing back toward the $50 range.

U.S. financial markets started the week on a negative note, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq composite index both declined in Columbus Day trading in New York. Media stocks were paced by Viacom, which slid 6.4% after a financial analyst lowered their rating on "VIA" stock to Sell, from Neutral.

A solid Q2 performance shows that turnaround strategies implemented by Cumulus President/CEO Mary Berner are working. However, Wall Street remains wary of Cumulus' towering debt, and the company's stock and stockholders' equity levels are too low for Nasdaq to keep CMLS stock on the exchange. Cumulus is appealing the twin reasons for a delisting, but does it have any option left aside from an OTC Markets move?