2012: Good Year For Media Stocks

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Media stocks -- by and large -- had a big year, more than outperforming other industries.

The Dow Jones U.S. Broadcasting and Entertainment Index is now up nearly 40% versus a year ago to around 667.54 at the Dec. 26 market close. By way of comparison, the Dow Jones Industrial Index has risen 6.7% to just over 13,114; the S&P 500 is up 14% to just under 1420.

A number of major media companies have made gains. Walt Disney grew 32% higher to $49.85; Comcast is 54% higher to $37.30; Time Warner, up 31% at $47.48; and News Corp., a 47% improvement to $24.91 a share.

Similarly, CBS is up 27% from a year ago to $37.33 a share as of close Dec. 26. Discovery Communications grew at a leading 58% rate to $62.95.

Many pure TV program distributors gained: Time Warner Cable improved 52% to $96.05; Charter was up 32% to $73.24; and Dish Network gained 25% to $34.94.

Other media companies also scored: Belo Corp is up 21% to $7.53; Scripps Network Interactive increased 30% to $56.59; AMC Networks gained 32% to $49.61. Some of the lesser-performing players: Viacom grew 13% to $52.69 a share. DirecTV climbed 13% to $49.57; and Sinclair Broadcast Group is up 11% to 12.54.

Newer media players -- like Netflix -- had a rough-and-tumble year -- with its stock rising to over $133 a share mid-year. But year-to-year, it still gained 28% to $90.66 versus where its stock closed on Dec. 26, 2011.

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1 comment on "2012: Good Year For Media Stocks ".

1. Robin Riddle from New York
   

   commented on: January 2, 2013 at 4:45 p.m.
   Most of these organizations are broadcast base with significant digital operations. I'd be interested to see some comparative data on legacy print companies. My guess is it wouldn't be as positive. Robin Riddle http://about.me/robinriddle

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