Trending Tickers: $WBD Split Plan, $PLUG 2GW Deal, $OUST DoD Approval
This week, several stocks caught investors’ attention, driven by significant developments and market momentum. Here’s the breakdown of this week’s trending stocks:
$WBD to Split into Two Companies
Warner Bros. Discovery ($WBD) announced it will split into two separate publicly traded companies by mid-2026, aiming to unlock greater strategic focus and shareholder value. The move will create one company focused on streaming and studio operations—housing HBO, DC Studios, Warner Bros. TV and film, and HBO Max—and another centered on global networks such as CNN, TNT Sports, Discovery, and Discovery+.
Streaming & Studios
- Will include Warner Bros. Television and Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO, HBO Max, and Warner Bros. Games.
- CEO David Zaslav will lead this new entity.
- Focus areas include scaling HBO Max globally, leveraging its IP library, and targeting at least $3B in annual adjusted EBITDA.
Global Networks
- Will manage major news, sports, and entertainment channels reaching over 1.1B viewers globally.
- Gunnar Wiedenfels, current CFO of WBD, will become CEO of the networks business.
- Includes digital platforms like Discovery+, CNN’s new streaming venture, and Bleacher Report.
- Will retain up to a 20% stake in Streaming & Studios post-separation.
Transaction Details
- The spin-off is structured as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
- WBD has secured a $17.5B bridge facility from J.P. Morgan to manage its capital structure during the transition.
- The company has also launched tender offers to optimize its existing debt.
According to WBD, the split will allow each company to “move faster, invest smarter, and attract investor bases better aligned with their distinct growth profiles.”
Stock Price Movement
$WBD shares jumped 10% on the announcement but finished the day in the red as investors digested the news.
Plug Power ($PLUG) Expands Global Hydrogen Push With 2GW Uzbekistan Deal
Plug Power ($PLUG), a provider of integrated hydrogen solutions including electrolyzers and fuel cells, has expanded its strategic partnership with Allied Green Ammonia through a new 2 GW electrolyzer deal for a $5.5 billion green fuels project in Uzbekistan. The agreement, signed during the Tashkent International Investment Forum, marks a significant step in Plug’s global decarbonization efforts.
Key Details:
- Plug will supply 2 GW of electrolyzer capacity for a large-scale facility in Uzbekistan focused on producing sustainable aviation fuel, green urea, and green diesel.
- The project is backed by the Government of Uzbekistan and adds to Allied Green’s previously announced 3 GW order for a green ammonia plant in Australia, bringing the total between the two companies to 5 GW globally.
- According to the companies, this strengthens Plug’s position as a go-to provider of electrolyzer tech for industrial-scale green hydrogen production.
Plug’s President Sanjay Shrestha said the deal demonstrates the company’s ability to support “ambitious decarbonization goals,” while Allied Green’s Alfred Benedict highlighted confidence in Plug’s execution capabilities. The Australian project remains on track for final investment decision by Q4 2025.
Stock Price Movement
$PLUG shares surged 25% on the announcement.
Ouster ($OUST) Lidar Approved for U.S. Military Drones
Ouster ($OUST), a provider of high-performance 3D lidar sensors and software solutions used in automotive, robotics, and infrastructure, announced that its OS1 sensor has been officially approved by the U.S. Department of Defense for unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
The OS1 is the first high-resolution 3D lidar to be included in the Pentagon’s Blue UAS Framework, which identifies vetted, NDAA-compliant components for use in defense applications. This approval follows cybersecurity testing and component reviews conducted by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), confirming the sensor’s reliability, power efficiency, and rugged performance for aerial platforms.
Ouster’s lidar systems are already deployed across U.S. military and government agencies, including NASA and the Army, and the company has emphasized its commitment to cybersecurity and domestic sourcing. According to Ouster, the Blue UAS listing enables wider adoption of its lidar technology across federal agencies and defense contractors looking for secure, high-fidelity spatial awareness in autonomous systems.
Stock Price Reaction: $OUST shares surged 29.5% following the announcement.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell securities. The content is based on publicly available information and reflects the author’s opinions as of the publication date, which may change without notice. All investments carry inherent risks, including the potential loss of principal, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Forward-looking statements, including references to projected revenues, market trends, or business developments, are based on current expectations and assumptions. Actual results may differ due to various factors, including regulatory changes, economic conditions, competitive pressures, and unforeseen market fluctuations. Readers should conduct their own research or consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions. BBAE holds no position in the securities mentioned, nor are they compensated by the companies mentioned.
