UBS projects rate hikes, Middle East conflict to hit Australian media

News Corp

01/05/2026 03:28

** UBS updates outlook on Australian media to reflect impact on ad spend due to the Middle East conflict and likelihood of further rate hikes in Australia

** UBS prefers Rupert Murdoch's News Corp NWSA.O, NWS.AX, sees Dow Jones well-placed to benefit from both AI, given need for trusted data, and reliance on corporate compliance/commodities pricing data during the geopolitical conflict

** Brokerage, however, trims outlook for Nine Entertainment NEC.AX, reflecting weakening macro outlook and two more rate hikes in the country to hit the Australian Financial Review owner

** Also cuts outlook for ARN Media A1N.AX due to recent talent loss and macro disruptions

** Shares of NWS up 0.3%, Nine down 1.6%, and AR1 were little changed

** UBS rates NWS at 'buy', 'neutral' for Nine, and 'sell' for ARN

 (Reporting by Nichiket Sunil in Bengaluru)

 ((Nichiket.Sunil@thomsonreuters.com))