Meredith reported 1Q20 (its 3QF20) earnings yesterday ( link to full note ). Key takeaways for MDP and the broader industry: Results were in-line during the first two months of the quarter, the advertising outlook deteriorated dramatically in March and April. Secularly challenged print revenue at the publishing business averaged a 12% decline over the past three quarters. This accelerated to an 18% decline in 1Q20 with 2Q pacing down 30%. Publishing’s digital revenue averaged 7% growth over the previous three quarters before declining 4% in 1Q20. 2Q is pacing down 40%. Non-political ad growth at the TV stations averaged 2% over the past three quarters but declined 11% in 1Q20. 2Q results are expected to be down 40%. The results also highlight the more challenging environment for traditional media companies relative to digital natives. To see this, compare the 40% decline in digital ad revenues at Meredith’s publishing business to Google. On its 1Q20 call, Google management said t
BlackRock sees the asset management business as an information processing business. BlackRock’s strategy of diversifying revenues beyond asset management and focusing on providing advice & solutions is paying off. Strong flows in a difficult quarter. About 40% of net inflows were due to iShares, i.e., passive investments. Investors have rotated out of fixed income into other asset classes. BlackRock expect its sustainable investing strategies to attract $1 trillion by the end of the decade. The company is convinced that fixed income ETFs will be a $2 trillion market over the next 4 years and a significant growth opportunity for BlackRock. BlackRock had a call with 750 of its institutional clients in April. About 75% of institutional clients expressed that they plan on taking on more risk, buying the dips. Only 5% want to take risk off the table. Link to full report.