Comcast Corp (CMCSA)

They've penetrated 45% of US households. Streaming (Netflix) is a major threat, though. Today, Comcast sold their stake in Hulu, but can still show their content on Hulu. They still make a ton of money, because they are the "pipe" of Netflix which runs on their lines. Low volatile and pays a decent dividend. Plus, they benefit from mobile usage. (Analysts’ price target is $47.06)

They're about to finish acquring Sky in the UK. A very promising company. They know this business, and there's a lot of synergy in this deal. Sky has an outstanding user interface which has eluded North American systems and encouraged cord-cutting here. Comcast is levering a little, but generating strong free cash flow. They won't buy back stocks, but overall the Sky deal is a great move.

He is wondering what their strategy is going to be over the next five years. The business is very mature and he thinks it will require another capex cycle. He wouldn’t step in right now. He would keep watching it for now.

They provide internet service and has been in the news about adding content internationally. They are going after SKY in Europe. It trades at 13 times earnings and the dividend is growing by over 10% per year. Yield 2.3%. (Analysts’ price target is $43.26)

A real innovator delivering cable TV. They wanted to go outside US because they want to growth like everybody else in a no-growth industry. If Comcast does pay up for purchasing Fox a big acquisition they will have to take on more debt than they have. And that has put pressure on the stock. He thinks that eventually Walt Disney (DIS-N) is going to buy Fox so the stock could go up out of relief.

He owns a large position in Comcast, which is causing him grief. Comcast and Disney are aggressively bidding on Sky News, because Sky is the UK leader in subscriptions, and Comcast and Disney ultimately want compete with Netflix. He's taken a step back from Disney and Comcast. He'd rather just own Netflix.

(A Top Pick Jan 26/17. Up 14%.) This went through a little weakness over the last 3 months. All the video subscriber results were down, and competitive threats from DirecTV. He continues to be very happy with this.

In the news right now because there is a lot of movement with Fox, Disney and Comcast trying to buy some of the properties. It had a breakdown in the summer and into the fall when the CFO made some negative comments on some subscriber additions, but it has rallied nicely in the last 3 weeks. The company is a beneficiary of the tax break, and in addition, they are striving to become more than just an internet mobile wireless company.

Disney (DIS-N) or Comcast (CMCSA-Q)? Both fall into the media space, which is particularly challenged right now. The sector is fighting headwinds. He is more positive on Disney, but it has been struggling. With cord cutting, re-bundling, etc. you are fighting the tide, so he would prefer this. However, in the space as a whole, he would prefer not to fight the headwinds.

(A Top Pick April 27/16. Up 31.31%.) Going back 5-6 years, this is a dream stock to own. They bought NBC and Universal in 2011, and are now believes they are right at the top of the box office. They beat earnings substantially this morning.