← New York Times overview

New York Times vs Scholastic: why the prices moved differently

Weekly · monthly · quarterly news summaries, side by side in time

New York Times Company (NYT)

Q3 2026
▲2▼2

NYT hit by subscriber slowdown, legal risks; buyback and Berkshire stake offer support

  • Digital subscriber growth slowdown Digital subscriber growth slowed to 280,000 in Q2, missing expectations and triggering a 13–16% selloff, with management blaming weaker Google traffic.

    This was the main negative force on NYT's stock during the quarter.

  • Legal and regulatory pressures The DOJ subpoenaed four journalists, the EEOC and a Florida pension fund sued, and the Trump administration backed OpenAI's fair-use defense, threatening future licensing revenue.

    These legal risks added uncertainty and potential costs for NYT.

  • Buyback and Berkshire stake boost A $110M buyback was completed, and Berkshire Hathaway raised its stake to 9.8%, boosting sentiment and supporting the stock price.

    These actions signaled confidence and provided a positive counterweight.

  • Defensive appeal amid inflation Zacks cited NYT as a defensive pick amid inflation and rate-hike fears, while Q2 results beat expectations with $762M revenue and $93M net income.

    This highlights NYT's appeal in uncertain economic times and solid financial performance.

August 2026
▼3▲2

NYT: legal fights, AI threat, but buybacks and Buffett support

  • Legal battles with government and shareholders NYT countersued the EEOC, calling its discrimination suit retaliation, and a Florida pension fund sued over editorial standards. These fights add legal costs and distraction, and could chill journalism, weighing on the stock.

    New legal actions create uncertainty and potential costs that can pressure NYT shares.

  • US backs OpenAI in copyright case The Trump administration filed a brief supporting OpenAI's fair-use defense in NYT's copyright lawsuit. If courts agree, NYT could lose a key revenue stream from licensing its content to AI firms, hurting future growth.

    Government support for OpenAI weakens NYT's legal position and potential AI licensing income.

  • Agentic AI threatens traffic-dependent model JPMorgan named NYT in a basket of stocks vulnerable to AI agents that could reduce visits to its site and app. Fewer direct visits could mean less ad revenue and fewer subscription sign-ups, pressuring the core business.

    This highlights a new competitive threat from AI that could undermine NYT's traffic and engagement.

  • Strong Q2 results and buyback NYT reported Q2 revenue of $762 million and net income of $93 million, beating expectations, and completed a $110 million share buyback. The results show digital growth and shareholder returns, supporting the stock.

    Solid earnings and capital returns are fundamental positives for the stock.

  • Berkshire Hathaway increases stake Berkshire Hathaway raised its NYT stake by 4% to 9.8% ownership, worth over $1 billion. The vote of confidence from a major investor can boost sentiment and demand for the shares.

    A large, respected investor increasing its position signals confidence in NYT's prospects.

Latest
▼3▲2

NYT: legal fights, AI threat, but buybacks and Buffett support

  • Legal battles with government and shareholders NYT countersued the EEOC, calling its discrimination suit retaliation, and a Florida pension fund sued over editorial standards. These fights add legal costs and distraction, and could chill journalism, weighing on the stock.

    New legal actions create uncertainty and potential costs that can pressure NYT shares.

  • US backs OpenAI in copyright case The Trump administration filed a brief supporting OpenAI's fair-use defense in NYT's copyright lawsuit. If courts agree, NYT could lose a key revenue stream from licensing its content to AI firms, hurting future growth.

    Government support for OpenAI weakens NYT's legal position and potential AI licensing income.

  • Agentic AI threatens traffic-dependent model JPMorgan named NYT in a basket of stocks vulnerable to AI agents that could reduce visits to its site and app. Fewer direct visits could mean less ad revenue and fewer subscription sign-ups, pressuring the core business.

    This highlights a new competitive threat from AI that could undermine NYT's traffic and engagement.

  • Strong Q2 results and buyback NYT reported Q2 revenue of $762 million and net income of $93 million, beating expectations, and completed a $110 million share buyback. The results show digital growth and shareholder returns, supporting the stock.

    Solid earnings and capital returns are fundamental positives for the stock.

  • Berkshire Hathaway increases stake Berkshire Hathaway raised its NYT stake by 4% to 9.8% ownership, worth over $1 billion. The vote of confidence from a major investor can boost sentiment and demand for the shares.

    A large, respected investor increasing its position signals confidence in NYT's prospects.

July 2026
▲2▼2

Subscriber Growth Miss Sinks NYT; Copyright Case Advances

  • Subscriber growth slowdown triggers sharp selloff NYT added 280,000 digital subscribers in Q2, below the 295,000 expected and down from 310,000 last quarter. Management blamed weaker Google search traffic and forecast slower Q3 subscription revenue growth, sending the stock down 13-16% as investors worried the core growth engine is stalling.

    This is the single biggest new event driving NYT's price this period, directly hitting its main revenue source.

  • NYT pushes for sanctions against OpenAI in copyright case NYT asked a federal court to sanction OpenAI, claiming it hid evidence and deleted ChatGPT conversations relevant to the lawsuit over using millions of articles without permission. A stronger copyright case could mean future licensing revenue or damages, supporting the stock.

    This is a new legal development that could affect NYT's content monetization and long-term value.

  • DOJ subpoenas NYT journalists over Air Force One report Four NYT reporters were subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury about their reporting on security issues with Trump's new Air Force One. The move threatens press freedom and could chill investigative journalism, adding legal and reputational risk for the company.

    This is a new regulatory/legal threat that could raise costs and distract management, weighing on sentiment.

  • NYT cited as defensive pick amid inflation and rate-hike fears With inflation above 4% and a Fed rate hike expected, Zacks highlighted NYT as a low-beta, dividend-paying defensive stock with positive earnings revisions. This may attract cautious investors seeking stability, offering some support to the share price.

    This explains a supportive force for NYT's stock even as growth concerns dominate.

▲2▼2

Subscriber Growth Miss Sinks NYT; Copyright Case Advances

  • Subscriber growth slowdown triggers sharp selloff NYT added 280,000 digital subscribers in Q2, below the 295,000 expected and down from 310,000 last quarter. Management blamed weaker Google search traffic and forecast slower Q3 subscription revenue growth, sending the stock down 13-16% as investors worried the core growth engine is stalling.

    This is the single biggest new event driving NYT's price this period, directly hitting its main revenue source.

  • NYT pushes for sanctions against OpenAI in copyright case NYT asked a federal court to sanction OpenAI, claiming it hid evidence and deleted ChatGPT conversations relevant to the lawsuit over using millions of articles without permission. A stronger copyright case could mean future licensing revenue or damages, supporting the stock.

    This is a new legal development that could affect NYT's content monetization and long-term value.

  • DOJ subpoenas NYT journalists over Air Force One report Four NYT reporters were subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury about their reporting on security issues with Trump's new Air Force One. The move threatens press freedom and could chill investigative journalism, adding legal and reputational risk for the company.

    This is a new regulatory/legal threat that could raise costs and distract management, weighing on sentiment.

  • NYT cited as defensive pick amid inflation and rate-hike fears With inflation above 4% and a Fed rate hike expected, Zacks highlighted NYT as a low-beta, dividend-paying defensive stock with positive earnings revisions. This may attract cautious investors seeking stability, offering some support to the share price.

    This explains a supportive force for NYT's stock even as growth concerns dominate.

Scholastic Corporation (SCHL)

Q3 2026
▲3▼1

Scholastic's weak Q1 loss and revenue miss overshadow buybacks and acquisitions

  • Wider Q1 loss and revenue miss Scholastic reported a wider first-quarter loss of $3.63 per share and revenue fell 3.9% to $216.8 million, missing estimates. The loss was driven by soft educational spending and the end of pandemic relief funding, which pressures the stock as investors worry about near-term profitability.

    This is the main negative event of the period, directly causing a double-digit share price drop.

  • Book Fairs bookings ahead of last year Management said fall Book Fairs bookings and fair counts are running ahead of last year, reaching new school communities including Christian schools. This is a positive sign for the company's biggest revenue driver, suggesting the core business is stabilizing and could lift future results.

    It provides a forward-looking positive counterweight to the weak quarter, showing demand strength in the key fall season.

  • Acquisition of Cottage Door Press Scholastic agreed to acquire children's publisher Cottage Door Press for about $71 million, expected to add revenue and profit, and to be accretive in its second year. This expands Scholastic's early childhood book business and signals growth investment, which can support the stock price.

    It is a concrete strategic move that could boost future earnings and shows management's confidence.

  • Balance sheet strengthened by sale-leaseback Scholastic's net debt fell to $86.8 million from $242.8 million a year earlier, thanks to sale-leaseback deals, and the company bought back $25.8 million of its own stock. A stronger balance sheet gives it more flexibility and supports the share price by reducing financial risk.

    It highlights a major improvement in financial health that underpins the investment case despite weak earnings.

August 2026
▲3▼1

Scholastic's weak Q1 loss and revenue miss overshadow buybacks and acquisitions

  • Wider Q1 loss and revenue miss Scholastic reported a wider first-quarter loss of $3.63 per share and revenue fell 3.9% to $216.8 million, missing estimates. The loss was driven by soft educational spending and the end of pandemic relief funding, which pressures the stock as investors worry about near-term profitability.

    This is the main negative event of the period, directly causing a double-digit share price drop.

  • Book Fairs bookings ahead of last year Management said fall Book Fairs bookings and fair counts are running ahead of last year, reaching new school communities including Christian schools. This is a positive sign for the company's biggest revenue driver, suggesting the core business is stabilizing and could lift future results.

    It provides a forward-looking positive counterweight to the weak quarter, showing demand strength in the key fall season.

  • Acquisition of Cottage Door Press Scholastic agreed to acquire children's publisher Cottage Door Press for about $71 million, expected to add revenue and profit, and to be accretive in its second year. This expands Scholastic's early childhood book business and signals growth investment, which can support the stock price.

    It is a concrete strategic move that could boost future earnings and shows management's confidence.

  • Balance sheet strengthened by sale-leaseback Scholastic's net debt fell to $86.8 million from $242.8 million a year earlier, thanks to sale-leaseback deals, and the company bought back $25.8 million of its own stock. A stronger balance sheet gives it more flexibility and supports the share price by reducing financial risk.

    It highlights a major improvement in financial health that underpins the investment case despite weak earnings.

Latest
▲3▼1

Scholastic's weak Q1 loss and revenue miss overshadow buybacks and acquisitions

  • Wider Q1 loss and revenue miss Scholastic reported a wider first-quarter loss of $3.63 per share and revenue fell 3.9% to $216.8 million, missing estimates. The loss was driven by soft educational spending and the end of pandemic relief funding, which pressures the stock as investors worry about near-term profitability.

    This is the main negative event of the period, directly causing a double-digit share price drop.

  • Book Fairs bookings ahead of last year Management said fall Book Fairs bookings and fair counts are running ahead of last year, reaching new school communities including Christian schools. This is a positive sign for the company's biggest revenue driver, suggesting the core business is stabilizing and could lift future results.

    It provides a forward-looking positive counterweight to the weak quarter, showing demand strength in the key fall season.

  • Acquisition of Cottage Door Press Scholastic agreed to acquire children's publisher Cottage Door Press for about $71 million, expected to add revenue and profit, and to be accretive in its second year. This expands Scholastic's early childhood book business and signals growth investment, which can support the stock price.

    It is a concrete strategic move that could boost future earnings and shows management's confidence.

  • Balance sheet strengthened by sale-leaseback Scholastic's net debt fell to $86.8 million from $242.8 million a year earlier, thanks to sale-leaseback deals, and the company bought back $25.8 million of its own stock. A stronger balance sheet gives it more flexibility and supports the share price by reducing financial risk.

    It highlights a major improvement in financial health that underpins the investment case despite weak earnings.