Spotify Technology S.A. SPOT

$SPOT: Discovery Mode itself is not disputed. Artists flag songs for boosts and take a lower royalty, not a cash fee. The suit alleged hiding that was deceptive. Class claims dismissed Apr 30, nothing to claim. Open Class Actions.

Netflix Falls 3% as Peter Rice Takes Over Content After Layoffs; Disney and Spotify Hold Steady -- my article for @247WallSt https://247wallst.com/investing/2026/10/16/netflix-falls-3-as-peter-rice-takes-over-content-after-layoffs-disney-and-spotify-hold-steady/ $NFLX $DIS $SPOT

Thursday’s biggest analyst calls: UBS upgrades Regeneron to buy from neutral StoneX initiates ON Semiconductor as buy Barclays upgrades Crocs to overweight from equal weight StoneX downgrades Spotify to hold from buy Deutsche Bank upgrades Walmart to buy from hold $REGN $ON $CROX $SPOT $WMT

$SPOT worth a look here

StoneX downgraded Spotify to Hold from Buy, citing limited near-term revenue-per-user catalysts and rising royalty payments to major record labels. Analyst Mark Zgutowicz remains bullish on Spotify’s long-term network effects but expects financial pressure over the next 12 months as higher per-subscriber minimum payments increase royalty costs, particularly on discounted plans. Without another broad Premium price hike in 2027, StoneX expects gross-margin expansion to fall short of consensus, following three price increases in the past three years. Spotify’s AI Remix feature also faces delays because Warner Music and Sony have yet to join existing agreements with Universal Music Group, Merlin and Kobalt. StoneX doubts paid adoption will be significant without another major label and does not expect a large-scale launch before mid-2027. The firm cut its Q3 revenue estimate to €4.98B, slightly below guidance of around €5.0B. $SPOT

$SPOT: that viral $500 figure? The plaintiff's own briefing pegged her real damages at about $5 to $21. The $500 was just the max she asked for under NY law. Class claims dismissed, nothing to claim. Open Class Actions.

YouTube is in talks with publishers to develop an audiobook offering that could launch next year, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the discussions. The Alphabet-owned platform has held talks in recent months and is considering integrating audiobooks into YouTube Premium, which costs $15.99 per month and provides ad-free access to music and videos. Details remain unclear regarding how the company would organize and distribute the content, whether audiobooks would be included in the existing subscription or sold individually, and how the service would be priced. The initiative would expand YouTube’s subscription offerings and create a new opportunity to monetize its large user base. The move would also intensify competition with Spotify, which has expanded its audiobook catalog, and Amazon’s Audible, one of the market’s leading platforms. $GOOGL $SPOT $AMZN

$SPOT looking better and better as it builds out this base.