Time Warner beats estimates on 'Justice League' success

[February 01, 2018]    (Reuters) - Time Warner Inc, which is in the process of being bought by AT&T Inc, reported better-than-expected quarterly profit and revenue on Thursday, powered by the success of its latest superhero movie "Justice League".

Ticker and trading information for media conglomerate Time Warner Inc. is displayed at the post where it is traded on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., October 21, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

Revenue from Warner Bros, which includes the movie business and is the company's biggest unit by revenue, rose 4.8 percent to $4.05 billion. Analysts were expecting revenue of $4.03 billion, according to data and analytics firm FactSet.

"Justice League", featuring Israeli actress Gal Gadot and American actor Ben Affleck, had grossed more than $655.9 million globally as of Jan. 28, according to tracking firm Box Office Mojo. (http://bit.ly/2FtGPrn)

Revenue from Home Box Office (HBO), home to hit fantasy show "Game of Thrones", rose 12.7 percent to $1.68 billion. Analysts were expecting revenue of $1.65 billion, according to data and analytics firm FactSet.

The company's net income attributable to shareholders surged to $1.39 billion, or 1.75 cents per share, in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, mainly due to a gain of $1.06 per share related to changes to U.S. tax laws.

In the year-ago quarter, the company earned $293 million, or 37 cents per share.

Revenue rose 9 percent to $8.61 billion, beating the average analyst estimate of $8.42 billion. According to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S, Time Warner's adjusted EPS was $1.60 per share, while the average analyst estimate was $1.43.

(Reporting by Sonam Rai in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)

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