News Corp - NWSA STOCK NEWS

Evocalize has secured $12 million in Series A funding, led by Move, Inc., alongside Second Century Ventures and Habanero Ventures. This investment will enhance Evocalize's automation and machine learning capabilities, aiding local businesses in digital marketing. Evocalize aims to simplify marketing processes, allowing users to launch programs efficiently. Clients have reported significant improvements, such as a 400% increase in digital marketing results and a reduction in weekly marketing time from 9 hours to 9 minutes. The funding will expand their reach and capabilities in various industries.

On January 11, 2022, HarperCollins announced the acquisition of global publishing rights for the authorized biography of Ratan N. Tata, written by Dr. Thomas Mathew. Scheduled for release in November 2022, the biography aims to provide a comprehensive insight into Tata's life, business strategies, and leadership. The Tata Group, under his leadership, grew into a global powerhouse with a market capitalization exceeding $250 billion. The biography will be published in India by HarperCollins India, in the US by HarperCollins Leadership, and in the UK by William Collins.

Realtor.com has announced its first annual Best Markets for First-Time Homebuyers Report for 2022, identifying the top ten cities that offer a desirable balance of affordability and lifestyle for new buyers. Key findings include an average unemployment rate of just 2.7% in these markets and a home-price-to-income ratio of 3.9, significantly lower than the national average of 5.0. The leading market, Magna, Utah, shows strong sales growth potential, with a forecasted increase of 15.2% in sales and 8.5% in prices.

Realtor.com's December 2021 Housing Report reveals that U.S. home listing prices surged back into double-digit growth, reaching a median of $375,000. This marks a 10% increase from December 2020. Buyer competition is intensifying as mortgage rate hikes loom, pushing buyers to act quickly despite a 26.8% decrease in active listings year-over-year. The report highlights significant price increases in hot markets like Las Vegas and Austin, while overall inventory challenges persisted, signaling possible affordability issues in 2022.

News Corp has announced an agreement to acquire the Base Chemicals business from S&P Global and IHS Markit for $295 million. This acquisition aims to enhance Dow Jones’ information services by integrating Base Chemicals with OPIS, which specializes in energy and renewables data. Base Chemicals, expected to generate $65 million in revenues, offers strong digital and recurring revenue streams. The acquisition is anticipated to strengthen Dow Jones’ competitive position amidst growing demand for chemical pricing and insights in a transitioning energy landscape.

Realtor.com® forecasts the Top Housing Markets of 2022, highlighting areas likely to experience significant home price appreciation and sales growth. Key markets include Salt Lake City, Boise, and Spokane, with projected home sales growth of 11.6% year-over-year, nearly double the national average of 6.6%. The average home price increase in these areas is expected to be 7.4%, substantially higher than the national rate of 2.9%. Factors driving this growth include strong local economies, job opportunities, and the migration of remote workers seeking affordability and quality of life.

Realtor.com®'s 2022 Housing Forecast predicts a competitive market for home buyers as demand from first-time buyers exceeds inventory recovery. Home sales are expected to rise by 6.6% year-over-year, reaching 6.0 million, marking the highest level in 16 years. Listing prices and rents will increase, with rents projected to grow by 7.1% and home prices by 2.9%. While affordability challenges persist, a recovering economy and increased flexibility in work arrangements may help buyers. The homeownership rate is expected to rise to 65.8% by year-end 2022.

News Corp announced that Chief Financial Officer Susan Panuccio will participate in the UBS Global TMT Virtual Conference on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at 5:00pm EST. Interested parties can listen to the live webcast on the News Corp website, with a replay available afterward. News Corp, listed on Nasdaq under NWS and NWSA, is a diversified media and information services company, engaged in various sectors including digital real estate, subscription video services, and book publishing, primarily in the U.S., Australia, and the UK.