Barclays sets an $8 target on Paramount Skydance

On 17 September, shares of Paramount Skydance Corporation fell 3.2% in afternoon trading and were down 4.2% from the prior close to trade at $10.66. The decline followed a report via TipRanks stating that Barclays reinstated coverage on the media company with an Underweight rating and an $8 price target.

Barclays warned that the planned merger may fail to deliver expected cost savings or rapid debt reduction. The brokerage also highlighted risks surrounding potential further asset sales and a possible exit from California. An Underweight rating indicates an expectation that the stock could underperform the broader market or industry peers.

The company has experienced high volatility, recording 20 moves greater than 5% over the past year. Seven months prior, the stock gained 20.5% after competitor Netflix withdrew from bidding for Warner Bros. Discovery. Paramount had raised its bid to $31 per share, valuing Warner Bros. Discovery at over $110 billion including debt, alongside a $7 billion breakup fee if regulatory approval failed.

Paramount Skydance has dropped 19.1% since the start of the year. At $10.66 per share, the stock trades 46% below its 52-week peak of $19.73 recorded in September 2025. An investment of $1,000 made five years ago would now be worth $266.49.