Chairman & CEO Paramount David Ellison attends the UFC 324 event at T-Mobile Arena on January 24, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jeff Bottari | Ufc | Getty Images
If there’s one thing that Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison knows well, it’s an impossible mission.
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Ellison, producer of five of the “Mission: Impossible” films, has been trying to buy Warner Bros. Discovery for nearly six months. In September, he sent an initial, unsolicited offer to WBD, prompting the rival media company to explore a sale process that resulted in an agreement with Netflix to sell the famed Warner Bros. film studio and WBD’s prestige streaming assets.
The Warner Bros. movie studio is a big part of why Ellison has been so committed to winning over WBD’s board and its shareholders.
Last year, Warner Bros. was the second-highest grossing studio at the domestic box office. Paramount was fourth.
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A longtime Hollywood executive, Ellison has produced some massive hits at the box office, but his track record has been far from consistent.
Where Netflix has a fraught relationship with theatrical releases — disrupting the traditional business and opting for years to prioritize streaming films for its subscribers — Ellison’s production company, Skydance, has followed the tried-and-true theatrical playbook.
Taking ownership of Warner Bros. would be a gamechanger for either company.
“If a merger were to be approved, the entity that then grabs up Warner Bros. would add tremendous horsepower both in terms of brand identity and revenue generating potential to their portfolio,” said Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends at Comscore. “So, it is understandable why the competition is fierce among the potential suitors vying for their chance to acquire the studio.”
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A history of Skydance at the box office
Skydance released its first theatrical feature in 2006, a World War I drama featuring James Franco as a U.S. fighter pilot. Over the last two decades, the studio has launched nearly 30 films, the majority of which were in partnership with Paramount, according to data from Comscore.
Paramount and Skydance completed their merger, engineered by Ellison, in August.
Skydance’s biggest successes have come from one source in particular — Tom Cruise. The studio’s six highest-grossing films globally all star Cruise, including five “Mission: Impossible” films and the breakout 2022 hit “Top Gun: Maverick.”
Highest-grossing Skydance films globally
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“Top Gun: Maverick” (2022) — $1.4 billion
“Mission: Impossible — Fallout” (2018) — $791 million
“Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol” (2011) — $694 million
“Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation” (2015) — $682 million
“Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” (2025) — $599 million
“Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning: Part One” (2023) — $571 million
“World War Z” (2013) — $540 million
“Star Trek Into Darkness” (2013) — $467 million
“Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” (2023) — $441 million
“Terminator Genisys” (2015) — $440 million
Source: Comscore
Having a billion-dollar film under your belt is no small feat, especially in the wake of the pandemic.
The theatrical business has been in flux in recent years as consumer habits have shifted, studios grapple with how long movies should play in cinemas before hitting the home market, and streaming siphons away potential releases.
For comparison, Disney has released six billion-dollar films since 2021: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “Inside Out 2,” “Deadpool & Wolverine,” “Moana 2,” “Zootopia 2” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash.”
Warner Bros. had 2023’s “Barbie,” Universal had “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” that same year, and Sony had “Spider-Man: No Way Home” in 2021, according to Comscore data.
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Tom Cruise in “Top Gun: Maverick”
Source: Paramount
However, “Top Gun: Maverick” is a bit of an outlier for Skydance. In addition to being the studio’s only billion-dollar film, it’s also the only film in its library to exceed $230 million domestically.
In fact, only five of Skydance’s features to date have generated more than $200 million in the U.S. and Canada.
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Skydance’s highest-grossing domestic films
“Top Gun: Maverick” (2022) — $718 million
“Star Trek Into Darkness” (2013) — $228 million
“Mission: Impossible — Fallout” (2018) — $220 million
“Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol” (2011) — $209 million
“World War Z” (2013) — $209 million
Source: Comscore
Globally, the production company has seen seven of its films generate more than $500 million in ticket sales, which would be a bigger feat — if budgets for many of these films weren’t so high.
“The challenge for Ellison and Skydance, as it is for every studio, production company, and distributor, is to keep budgets in line particularly for latter installments of major franchises as these tend to have diminishing returns as compared the earlier releases to justify the continued investment in these movie franchises,” said Dergarabedian.
Of course, Skydance split production costs with its studio partners, so it’s unclear exactly how much the company put toward each film it produced. Still, many of its franchise films saw budgets balloon with each new installment.
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Look at the most recent “Mission: Impossible” film. “Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning” generated $599 million at the global box office, the fourth-best showing for a film in the franchise. However, the film had a reported budget of $400 million. That’s before marketing costs, which usually run at about half of the production budget.
General views of the TCL Chinese Theatre promoting the new Tom Cruise film ‘Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning’ in IMAX on May 23, 2025 in Hollywood, California.
Aaronp/bauer-griffin | Gc Images | Getty Images
So, Skydance in conjunction with Paramount would have spent an estimated $600 million ahead of the “The Final Reckoning’s” release in theaters. And that $599 million brought in from ticket sales gets split.
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Studios share box office proceeds with theater operators, typically in a 50-50 split by the end of a film’s run in theaters.
The result is often a movie that performed well at the box office, but ultimately was not profitable for the studios that produced it. And unlike some franchises — think Marvel, Star Wars or Harry Potter — Mission: Impossible doesn’t have a robust merchandising arm or as much demand from fans for things like toys, apparel or collectibles.
A mountain of content
In merging with Paramount, Ellison’s Skydance now has more properties that fall under the production company’s designation. That includes the lucrative Sonic the Hedgehog franchise and upcoming films like “Scream 7,” “Paw Patrol 3,” “Street Fighter,” “Scary Movie 6” and “Focker-in-Law,” the latest installment in the Robert De Niro-led Meet the Parents franchise.
However, Paramount’s slate of franchises still aren’t quite the heavy hitters that WBD carries on its roster.
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Still from Paramount’s “Sonic the Hedgehog 2.”
Paramount
“Warner Bros. is one of the crown jewels of the theatrical distribution,” said Dergarabedian. “Their slate of films, filmmaker relationships, brand recognition, and reputation as one of the premier and iconic movie studios makes them a coveted asset by any player in the entertainment space.”
WBD has in its library DC’s superheroes, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, Looney Tunes and Scooby-Doo. It is also the distributor of Legendary’s Dune and Godzilla and King Kong franchises.
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“In Paramount’s specific case, the studio’s box office market share has often been challenged to keep pace with competitors and its own peak performance in the years leading up to 2015,” said Shawn Robbins, director of analytics at Fandango and founder of Box Office Theory. “While occasional hits such as the Sonic, A Quiet Place, and Scream franchises have provided bright spots, plus ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ catching lightning in a bottle four years ago, some of the studio’s most bankable IP has seen diminishing returns among modern moviegoers.”
Paramount Skydance needs consistency at the box office and well-known and beloved franchises are one way to do that. Of course, just having a big name doesn’t guarantee box office success, but it lowers the barrier to entry.
“Paramount is looking to mine every opportunity it can following the recent conclusion of Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible series, the regression of Transformers from its biggest blockbuster dollar days, and the cinematic dormancy of Star Trek as that brand has been re-focused toward multiple streaming series targeted at its predominately older audience,” Robbins said.
Disclosure: Versant is the parent company of CNBC and Fandango.
British luxury carmaker consulting on cutting 20% of workforce as revenue slumps 21% to £1.3bn, but expects material improvement in 2026 with Valhalla supercar deliveries
Sion Barry Media Wales Business Editor and Samuel Norman www.cityam.com
08:52, 25 Feb 2026Updated 08:52, 25 Feb 2026
Aston Martin
Aston Martin is set to slash its workforce by approximately a fifth after the company’s financial performance suffered from President Donald Trump’s unpredictable tariff policies.
The British manufacturer announced on Wednesday it had recognised a provision of £18.7m in relation to anticipated restructuring costs as it consults on reducing 20 per cent of its global workforce as part of an operational review.
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In its most recent annual report, the luxury carmaker, renowned for its connection with the James Bond film franchise, employed just under 3,000 staff, suggesting redundancies of more than 500 workers.
It has it HQ in Gaydon in the West Midlands as well as a factory at St Athan in South Wales.
Pressure has intensified on the carmaker amid heightened international trade tensions. Over the past year, the group’s wholesale volumes dropped 10 per cent to 5,448 units.
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Meanwhile revenue plummeted 21 per cent to £1.3bn, pulling down profit 37 per cent to £370m, as reported by City AM.
Adrian Hallmark, Aston Martin chief executive, said: “In 2025, we navigated a highly challenging trading environment whilst delivering on critical operational milestones.
“An unprecedented backdrop of geopolitical uncertainties and macroeconomic pressures, including heightened tariffs in the US and China, weighed on our performance and ability to execute our plans effectively.”
Trump tariffs strike carmakers.
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Last May, UK car production tumbled to its lowest level since 1949 as manufacturers bore the brunt of the US’ trade policy. Following Trump’s introduction of substantial tariffs on foreign-manufactured vehicles, British companies including Aston Martin and Jaguar Land Rover were compelled to halt US-bound shipments from April.
In October, the manufacturer attributed a combination of economic pressures and the continuing impact of tariffs as it cautioned sales would decline year on year.
Aston Martin is forecasting a “material improvement” for the year ahead, with approximately 500 deliveries of its limited-edition hybrid supercar Valhalla and the advantages of its transformation strategy.
Hallmark described the commencement of Valhalla as the “highlight of the year”.
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“Looking ahead, I remain confident that our strategy and upcoming products will position us strongly for future success. In 2026, we expect to deliver a material improvement in financial performance and continue delivering year-on-year improvements over the short-mid-term with a focus on margin expansion and cash flow generation,” he added.
The deal will see 42 Technology continue to operate under its own brand
Alex Lamb, chairman British Engines Group (left) and Jon Spratley, CEO of 42 Technology.(Image: Gavin Forster Photography)
Tyneside engineering business British Engines has acquired a Cambridge-based consultancy, taking the group to nine companies.
The Newcastle-based maker of specialised industrial equipment such as high press valves and hydraulic motors has bought 42 Technology Group, a £10m turnover specialist in product development working across the energy, medtech and industrial sectors. The undisclosed deal brings the 25 year-old firm, which employs 53 people, under the British Engines group, which also includes firms such as BEL Valves, CMP and Rotary Power.
Following the deal, 42 Technology will continue to operate as an independent consultancy under its own brand with its current leadership team in place. British Engines Group says it is committed to the firm’s independence and in “protecting 42T’s position as a trusted partner to some of the world’s best known brands, as well as many ambitious start-ups and SMEs”.
The group says the deal will allow 42T to pursue larger and more ambitious projects, supported by British Engine’s global reach and investment capacity. The latest available accounts for 42 Technology Group Limited, covering 2024, show the business generated operating profit of nearly £848,000 on turnover of £10.8m from clients in the UK, Europe and the US.
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Dr Jon Spratley, CEO of 42 Technology said: “Joining British Engines Group will help power 42T’s future growth and allow us to build on the strong foundations we already have as a company. It’s a major step forward for our business, but we will continue operating exactly as before and nothing will change day-to-day for our clients, strategic partners, internal team or suppliers.”
Alex Lamb, chairman of British Engines Group said: “42 Technology brings a highly complementary set of strengths into British Engines Group. Their consultancy expertise, front-end innovation, and strong track record in solving complex, multi-disciplinary problems make them the ideal strategic fit for our group.
“The acquisition will give British Engines access to 42T’s significant expertise in industrial edge AI, sensing, automation and intelligent systems, which aligns with our long-term ambitions. These capabilities will be invaluable for other companies within the group that are continuously looking to improve on their world class manufacturing processes.”
Earlier this year, British Engines lodged plans to develop a derelict plot on the Parsons Works site in Byker. The 1,600-strong business is hoping to build a factory on the Shields Road site, which had been part of the neighbouring Siemens Energy plant but has been vacant since about 2009.
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In documents sent to Newcastle City Council, British Engines set out how it wants to create a three-storey office unit alongside two smaller factory buildings. The group had previously scrapped plans to build on Shields Road.
TeraWulf Inc.’s stock rallied sharply on February 24, 2026, closing at $17.56 after gaining 11.99%, marking a new 52-week high near $18.03 as investors positioned ahead of the company’s fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 earnings report scheduled for February 26, amid ongoing enthusiasm for its shift toward high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure and aggressive capacity expansion.
TeraWulf Inc
The surge followed a multi-day uptrend, with shares climbing from around $15.68 on February 23, driven by repositioning ahead of results and broader optimism in the digital infrastructure sector. Volume reached approximately 46 million shares on February 24, reflecting heightened interest. Year-to-date in 2026, the stock has risen about 53%, building on a more than 100% gain in 2025, with a market capitalization now approaching $7.3 billion to $7.4 billion.
TeraWulf, a vertically integrated owner and operator of sustainable data centers focused on Bitcoin mining and HPC hosting, has increasingly emphasized its pivot to AI and compute infrastructure. The company operates facilities powered by zero-carbon energy sources, including nuclear and hydro, providing a competitive edge in energy-intensive operations. Recent announcements highlight plans to develop up to 1,480 MW of new digital and power capacity through acquisitions of land parcels in Kentucky and Maryland, diversifying beyond its core sites in New York and Pennsylvania.
The expansion strategy aligns with surging demand for AI data center capacity, where Bitcoin miners leverage existing power contracts and infrastructure to host high-performance workloads. Analysts note TeraWulf’s ability to repurpose mining assets for more stable, higher-margin HPC leasing, with some observers calling it a “real infrastructure play” in the AI era. The company has been monetizing Bitcoin holdings to fund these initiatives, capitalizing on favorable market conditions.
Upcoming earnings, set for after market close on February 26 with a conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET, represent a key catalyst. The Zacks consensus estimates fourth-quarter revenue at $43.55 million to $44.1 million—up about 24-26% year-over-year from $35 million in the prior-year period—while projecting an adjusted loss of $0.13 to $0.15 per share, wider than the year-ago $0.08 loss but reflecting ongoing investments. Investors will scrutinize updates on hashrate, energy costs, HPC leasing progress, and guidance for 2026, including any metrics on capacity utilization and margin expansion.
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TeraWulf’s operational highlights include sustained Bitcoin mining at sites like Lake Mariner in New York, supported by low-cost, sustainable power. The company has emphasized environmental sustainability, positioning itself favorably amid regulatory scrutiny on energy-intensive crypto operations. Recent participation in investor conferences, announced February 10, 2026, including upcoming events in March, underscores management efforts to communicate the growth story.
Wall Street sentiment leans bullish. Consensus among analysts rates WULF a Moderate Buy to Buy, with average 12-month price targets around $20.31—implying roughly 15-20% upside from current levels, though some firms set targets in the $20-$24 range. Retail investors on platforms like Stocktwits express even higher optimism, with some forecasting more than 250% additional upside tied to AI infrastructure tailwinds.
Risks remain prominent in this high-volatility sector. The stock carries a beta of 4.34, indicating extreme sensitivity to market swings, and some analyses suggest it trades overvalued relative to fair value estimates. Bitcoin price fluctuations, energy cost volatility, regulatory changes, and execution risks on expansion projects could pressure performance. Broader concerns include potential oversupply in compute capacity or shifts in AI spending.
The February 26 earnings release will provide critical insights into how TeraWulf balances its legacy Bitcoin mining with emerging HPC opportunities. Positive surprises on revenue, cost controls, or new leasing deals could extend the rally; any signs of margin compression or delayed timelines might trigger pullbacks.
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TeraWulf stands at the forefront of the convergence between cryptocurrency infrastructure and AI compute demand. Its sustainable power model, strategic land acquisitions, and capacity growth position it to benefit from long-term digital infrastructure trends. As the company transitions toward greater HPC focus, investor attention will center on execution and profitability in a rapidly evolving market.
With earnings imminent and shares at fresh highs, TeraWulf exemplifies the high-reward potential—and risks—of companies adapting legacy mining operations to the AI boom.
MARA Holdings Inc.’s stock advanced modestly on February 24, 2026, closing at $8.05 after gaining 2.22%, as investors positioned cautiously ahead of the Bitcoin mining company’s fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 earnings report scheduled for February 26, amid ongoing sector challenges and a broader crypto market rebound.
MARA Holdings, Inc
The shares, trading on NASDAQ under ticker MARA, traded in a range of $7.59 to $8.17 during the session with volume of approximately 37 million shares—below recent averages but still elevated. The stock has declined sharply year-to-date in 2026, down roughly 14-15% from early January levels, and remains well below its 52-week high of $23.45 reached in 2025. The pullback reflects pressure from Bitcoin price volatility, rising energy costs, increased competition, and a shift in investor sentiment toward profitability amid a maturing digital asset industry.
MARA Holdings, formerly Marathon Digital Holdings, operates large-scale Bitcoin mining facilities powered by sustainable energy sources, including hydro and nuclear, across North America. The company has emphasized energy efficiency and strategic Bitcoin accumulation, holding significant reserves to benefit from price appreciation while generating revenue from mining rewards and sales.
The February 24 gain followed a multi-day stabilization around $7.50-$8.00, with analysts attributing the modest uptick to pre-earnings repositioning and a slight Bitcoin recovery. Trading volume reached about $290 million, ranking the stock 424th in activity for the day, indicating selective interest rather than broad enthusiasm.
The upcoming earnings release, set for after market close on February 26 with a conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET, represents a pivotal moment. The Zacks consensus estimate calls for a net loss of $0.23 per share—wider than the year-ago profit of $1.24—while projecting revenue of approximately $223.9 million to $224 million, up 4.4% year-over-year. Expectations center on mining output, energy costs, Bitcoin holdings, and any updates on expansion or diversification efforts.
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MARA has pursued a dual strategy of efficient Bitcoin mining and strategic asset retention, with recent quarters showing resilience despite industry headwinds. The company has highlighted low power costs through long-term contracts and investments in sustainable infrastructure. However, analysts note challenges from halving events reducing block rewards, higher competition, and potential dilution from capital raises.
The firm has also explored adjacent opportunities, including partnerships and infrastructure development to support broader digital energy applications. A February 20 announcement scheduled the earnings call, with results to be detailed in a shareholder letter on the investor relations site prior to the webcast.
Wall Street views remain mixed but lean toward Hold to Moderate Buy. Consensus among covering analysts sets average 12-month price targets around $19.27—implying significant upside of over 130% from current levels—though targets vary widely reflecting the stock’s high beta of 5.56 and sensitivity to Bitcoin movements. Some firms highlight MARA’s scale and energy advantages as positives for long-term recovery, while others caution on near-term profitability and execution risks.
Broader sector dynamics influence sentiment. Bitcoin mining stocks have faced volatility in 2026 following 2025’s crypto rally, with concerns over energy prices, regulatory scrutiny, and the transition to post-halving economics. MARA’s debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63 and current ratio above 2.0 provide some balance sheet stability, but the stock trades below its 50-day ($9.46) and 200-day ($13.66) moving averages, signaling technical weakness.
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Upcoming catalysts include the February 26 report, where management will likely address guidance for 2026, Bitcoin production trends, cost controls, and any progress on non-mining initiatives. Positive surprises on revenue, margins, or Bitcoin holdings could spark a rebound; wider-than-expected losses or cautious outlook might extend downside.
MARA Holdings continues to navigate a transitional phase in the digital asset sector. Its focus on sustainable operations and large-scale mining positions it to benefit from any sustained Bitcoin rally or increased institutional adoption. However, proving consistent profitability amid cyclical pressures will be key to regaining investor confidence.
As earnings approach, the stock’s trajectory hinges on execution and macro crypto trends. With shares at levels well below recent peaks, some see opportunity in the volatility, while others await clearer signs of stabilization in the mining landscape.
