Finance Brief: Mattel Rises on Takeover Interest Report; Hollywood Private Capital and Auto Repair Costs in Focus

Markets and Companies

• Shares of toymaker Mattel rose Thursday after The Wall Street Journal reported that Authentic Brands Group had expressed interest in buying the toymaker. ^[1]
• Burger King is refranchising hundreds of its company-owned restaurants as part of its turnaround, while prioritizing local operators. ^[3]
• David Ellison brought in Ynon Kreiz as Skydance co-CEO. The report said the appointment answers a key governance question for Ellison's soon-to-be-combined company. ^[6]

Industry and Consumer Trends

• As Hollywood's financing structures diversify, private capital is increasingly funding the big screen and changing the types of movies that are being made. ^[2]
• High-tech vehicles are driving up auto repair costs for shops and consumers. Investments in ADAS calibration equipment, computers and software subscriptions can drive up the cost of even a windshield replacement or an oil change. ^[5]
• The Points Guy's Brian Kelly gave a crash course in travel credit card annual fees and redemptions to help offset rising travel costs; the coverage focuses on the No. 1 mistake beginners make. ^[4]