Also detracting from performance was multinational media conglomerate Viacom, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIAB), which saw its shares fall -27.59% during the period. The company reported adjusted EPS of $0.79 vs. consensus of $0.59, with revenues up +8% year-over-year. Despite the positive news, investors remain wary of the company’s ability to execute its strategic plan, as changing media consumption patterns and technology create more general concerns about the cable business model. Nevertheless, Viacom is the owner of valuable content, including children’s programming and comedy, and a leading movie production franchise with more than 3,300 motion pictures in its library. Despite critics’ arguments that fundamentals will remain negative at those media network companies serving kids and teens and at those lacking live sports programming, we believe Viacom’s content will provide attractive economics regardless of the distribution medium.
- From John Rogers (Trades, Portfolio)' Ariel Fund second quarter 2015 shareholder letter.
