Warner Bros. Discovery Shares Surge 7.4% on Strong Q2 Results Driven by HBO Max Growth and Strategic Shifts Ranking in Top 500 Daily Trading Volume

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) surged 7.4% on August 13, 2025, with a trading volume of $0.72 billion, reflecting strong investor interest. The stock’s performance aligned with the company’s Q2 CY2025 results, which showed revenue rising 1% year-on-year to $9.81 billion and a non-GAAP profit of $0.31 per share, significantly exceeding analyst expectations. Management attributed the gains to momentum in film releases and subscriber growth for HBO Max, which added over 3.4 million users in the quarter.

CEO David Zaslav emphasized strategic shifts to prioritize long-term value, including reduced external content licensing to strengthen HBO Max’s exclusivity and focus on revitalizing franchises like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels noted that near-term financial pressures from studio investments would be offset by international expansion and improved pricing models. The company also highlighted efforts to reduce subscriber churn through bundled offerings and stricter account-sharing policies.

Looking ahead, WBD aims to leverage its global streaming footprint and major intellectual property to drive sustainable growth. Recent partnerships, such as a bundling agreement with Viu in Southeast Asia, underscore its strategy to expand market reach. However, challenges remain, including the transition of legacy distribution deals and the need to balance short-term costs with long-term subscriber retention.

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