Key Takeaways
- Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is set to split into two distinct publicly traded companies, "Warner Bros." for streaming and studios, and "Discovery Global" for global networks, with David Zaslav and Gunnar Wiedenfels leading the respective entities.
- Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has delayed a proposed trip that included an August stopover in the U.S., citing ongoing rehabilitation efforts and regional developments including U.S. tariffs.
- Microsoft (MSFT) Threat Intelligence discovered a macOS vulnerability, CVE-2025-31199, that could allow attackers to steal private file data, for which Apple (AAPL) has released a security fix.
- EssilorLuxottica (EL) reported strong Q2 2025 earnings, with revenue of EUR7.18 billion and ex-FX revenue growth of 7.3%.
- U.S. President Trump and UK Prime Minister Starmer have agreed to continue efforts to end the Ukraine-Russia war and the Gaza suffering, including economic sanctions on Putin and immediate humanitarian aid.
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has announced its plans to separate into two publicly traded companies by mid-2026. The streaming and studios division will be named Warner Bros., encompassing Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO, HBO Max, and Warner Bros. Gaming Studios. David Zaslav, current President and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, will lead the new Warner Bros. entity as President and CEO. The global networks division will be called Discovery Global, managing brands such as CNN, TNT Sports in the U.S., Discovery channels, and free-to-air channels across Europe, along with digital products like the Discovery+ streaming service and Bleacher Report. Gunnar Wiedenfels, currently CFO of Warner Bros. Discovery, will serve as President and CEO of Discovery Global. The company is currently searching for a Chief Financial Officer for Warner Bros.
In geopolitical news, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has postponed a planned trip that included an August stopover in the United States. The delay is attributed to ongoing rehabilitation efforts in southern Taiwan following a recent typhoon and regional developments, including U.S. tariffs. This comes amidst ongoing U.S.-China trade discussions and previous Chinese opposition to any official interactions between the U.S. and Taiwan.
On the cybersecurity front, Microsoft (MSFT) Threat Intelligence identified a macOS vulnerability, CVE-2025-31199, which could enable attackers to steal private file data normally protected by Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC). This vulnerability, dubbed "Sploitlight," could expose sensitive information such as geolocation data, photo/video metadata, and search history. Apple (AAPL) has since released a security fix for this vulnerability as part of its macOS Sequoia updates on March 31, 2025.
In corporate earnings, EssilorLuxottica (EL) reported robust financial results for the second quarter of 2025. The company achieved Q2 revenue of EUR7.18 billion, aligning with analyst estimates. Revenue excluding foreign exchange impacts grew by 7.3%, surpassing estimates of 5.93%. North America revenue reached EUR3.10 billion, slightly above estimates. The company also noted significant growth in its AI glasses, with Ray-Ban Meta sales up over 200% in the first half of the year.
Meanwhile, global leaders are addressing ongoing conflicts. U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met and agreed to maintain efforts to end the Ukraine-Russia war, including economic sanctions on Russian President Putin. They also concurred on the necessity for immediate action to alleviate suffering in Gaza and ensure rapid humanitarian aid delivery. Germany, in cooperation with Jordan, is set to launch an airlift to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip immediately.
Trade tensions continue to be a significant topic. Chile's Finance Minister stated that they will request that any U.S. copper tariffs be included in the overall trade agreement discussions, which began Monday. This comes as German carmakers are projected to lose €10 billion from Trump's tariffs, impacting cash flows and profits. Volkswagen (VWAGY) specifically reported $1.5 billion in losses in the first half of the year due to these tariffs.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.