Webtoon Surges 80% After Disney Deal, Carlsberg Drops 6.5%, and Tempus AI Rises Amid Healthcare AI Optimism

Webtoon's shares jumped over 80% after Disney agreed to host iconic IPs on its platforms. Carlsberg's shares fell 6.5% due to disappointing half-year earnings and declining volumes. Tempus AI rose after beating Q2 expectations and receiving backing from Cathie Wood and Nancy Pelosi. The healthcare AI startup is developing precision medicine systems to diagnose and treat diseases.

Webtoon's Shares Jump Over 80% After Disney Deal

Webtoon Entertainment's (NASDAQ: WBTN) shares soared over 86% on Wednesday, following the company's second-quarter earnings and a strategic partnership with Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS). The partnership will bring over 100 iconic Disney comics, including Marvel, Star Wars, and Disney Studios titles, to Webtoon's mobile platform [2].

The deal is expected to significantly boost Webtoon's monetization through its freemium model, which offers free introductory episodes followed by in-app purchases for premium content. This move is anticipated to drive user retention and in-app spending, as the platform gains access to culturally significant titles [1].

The partnership also aligns with Webtoon's 8.5% year-over-year (YoY) revenue growth and cost-cutting measures, enabling the company to invest in global content localization and IP adaptations. Additionally, the deal strengthens Webtoon's competitive edge over rivals like ComiXology by leveraging Disney's brand credibility and expanding into underpenetrated markets like Japan and Southeast Asia [1].

Carlsberg's Shares Fall 6.5% Due to Disappointing Half-Year Earnings

Carlsberg missed its first-half profit and volume forecasts, sending its shares down nearly 7% in early trading. The Danish brewer reported a 2.3% increase in operating profit and a 1.7% decline in volumes, despite raising the bottom end of its annual profit guidance. The company cited price increases and uncertainty as factors contributing to slower-than-expected growth in the consumer environment [3].

The brewer's CEO, Jacob Aarup-Andersen, expressed caution about the second half of 2025, noting that the company does not expect the consumer environment to improve significantly. Carlsberg's shares were down 5.8% after earlier falling as much as 6.7%, marking their steepest decline since July [3].

Tempus AI's Q2 Success and Cathie Wood's Backing

Tempus AI, a healthcare AI startup, rose after beating its Q2 expectations and receiving backing from Cathie Wood and Nancy Pelosi. The company is developing precision medicine systems to diagnose and treat diseases. Although the specific financial details of Tempus AI's performance were not provided in the given sources, the company's success in securing high-profile endorsements and beating expectations suggests a strong quarter [4].

References

[1] https://www.ainvest.com/news/webtoon-disney-partnership-game-changer-digital-comics-watch-growth-story-2508/
[2] https://www.investing.com/analysis/webtoon-entertainment-stock-momentum-builds-on-disney-partnership-buzz-200665299
[3] https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/carlsbergs-first-half-profit-misses-061147353.html
[4] https://www.tempus.ai/news/