Per Reuters, IMPALA — an independent music body — has filed an official complaint with the European Commission (“EC”), opposing Sony Corporation’s $2.3 billion takeover bid for EMI Music Publishing, citing high market concentration.
In May 2018, Sony made an offer to gain control of EMI, a multinational music publishing company, which would give it rights to songs from artists such as Drake, Sam Smith, Pharrell Williams and Sia among others. The company has agreed to buy 60% stake in EMI held by Mubadala Investment Company, to increase its stake to 90%. Last month, it acquired the estate of Michael Jackson’s minority share of EMI.
According to IMPALA, Sony’s control of EMI would give it monopolistic powers to do what it wants. The deal would give the Japanese conglomerate the capacity and influence to negotiate online rights for its recording and publishing catalogs, and promote its global collection on radio and in playlists. The successful buyout would almost double the number of songs Sony controls from 2.2 to 4.2 million compositions. There will be a risk that Sony might focus more on bigger-selling Anglo-American hits rather than local songs.
The transaction would also harm collecting societies, songwriters, composers and consumers who would then face higher charges for music services. The key area will be online market, where more concentration is likely to cause competition concerns. Sony would have massive bargaining power to leverage both publishing and recorded music markets, which it can exercise without the constraint of its current consortium partners.
The EC will assess the proposed transaction once Sony submits its formal notification. It will then decide upon whether the deal would lead to a significant impediment to effective competition.
Over the past three months, shares of Sony have gained 14.1% compared with 8.6% growth for the industry.
Peer stocks within the industry include Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (DLB - Free Report) , GoPro, Inc. (GPRO - Free Report) and Panasonic Corporation , having a long-term earnings growth expectation of 12%, 10% and 11.3%, respectively.
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Per Reuters, IMPALA — an independent music body — has filed an official complaint with the European Commission (“EC”), opposing Sony Corporation’s $2.3 billion takeover bid for EMI Music Publishing, citing high market concentration.
In May 2018, Sony made an offer to gain control of EMI, a multinational music publishing company, which would give it rights to songs from artists such as Drake, Sam Smith, Pharrell Williams and Sia among others. The company has agreed to buy 60% stake in EMI held by Mubadala Investment Company, to increase its stake to 90%. Last month, it acquired the estate of Michael Jackson’s minority share of EMI.
According to IMPALA, Sony’s control of EMI would give it monopolistic powers to do what it wants. The deal would give the Japanese conglomerate the capacity and influence to negotiate online rights for its recording and publishing catalogs, and promote its global collection on radio and in playlists. The successful buyout would almost double the number of songs Sony controls from 2.2 to 4.2 million compositions. There will be a risk that Sony might focus more on bigger-selling Anglo-American hits rather than local songs.
The transaction would also harm collecting societies, songwriters, composers and consumers who would then face higher charges for music services. The key area will be online market, where more concentration is likely to cause competition concerns. Sony would have massive bargaining power to leverage both publishing and recorded music markets, which it can exercise without the constraint of its current consortium partners.
The EC will assess the proposed transaction once Sony submits its formal notification. It will then decide upon whether the deal would lead to a significant impediment to effective competition.
Over the past three months, shares of Sony have gained 14.1% compared with 8.6% growth for the industry.
Peer stocks within the industry include Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (DLB - Free Report) , GoPro, Inc. (GPRO - Free Report) and Panasonic Corporation , having a long-term earnings growth expectation of 12%, 10% and 11.3%, respectively.
Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?
Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.
Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.
See the pot trades we're targeting>>
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
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