Lionsgate Studios Corp. (NYSE:LION) shares are in the spotlight Wednesday after Netflix denied a report that it was interested in acquiring the Hollywood studio.

The Report

Semafor reported Tuesday that Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) is one of several companies that may be interested in buying Lionsgate Studios, citing a person familiar with the matter. No formal indication of interest has been submitted, and spokespeople for both companies declined to comment at the time of the report. A Netflix spokesperson later told TheWrap that the streamer is “not interested” and has no plans to pursue an acquisition. Despite the denial, Lionsgate closed up 14% on Tuesday and fell only around 5% in premarket on Wednesday after Netflix’s denial — suggesting investors aren’t entirely taking the denial at face value. 

Netflix’s M&A Appetite

The report came in the context of Netflix’s broader M&A activity — the streamer has been increasingly active in the acquisition market after failing in its bid for Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. (NASDAQ:WBD) and losing Roku Inc. (NASDAQ:ROKU) to Fox Corporation (NASDAQ:FOX) in a $22 billion deal.

Lionsgate Shares Retreat

LION Price Action: At the time of publication, Lionsgate shares are trading 5.55% higher at $15.45, according to data from Benzinga Pro.

This illustration was generated using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.