Music Stocks Fall in Chaotic Week for Markets

Only four of the 20 stocks in Billboard’s Global Music Index were in positive territory this week: Spotify climbed 4.5% to $127.09, Tencent Music Entertainment rose 4.4% to $7.85, Warner Music Group increased 1.5% to $30.21 and Reservoir Media improved 0.2% to $6.15.

Stock markets were rattled again this week by problems in the banking sector. Following a run at Silicon Valley Bank last week, Signature Bank and First Republic faltered this week. Credit Suisse required the backing of the Swiss National Bank on Wednesday after its biggest shareholder refused to inject money to provide much-needed stability. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.1% this week after dropping 1.2% on Friday (March 17). The S&P 500 improved 1.4% on the week despite falling 1.1% on Friday.

The Global Music Index declined just 0.4% to 1,188.02 despite most stocks falling into negative territory. Spotify and Warner Music Group are two of the most valuable companies in the index. Other large companies had only small declines: Universal Music Group dropped 1.7% to 21.38 euros, SiriusXM fell 0.8% to $3.64 and Live Nation declined 0.4% to $66.36.

The biggest loser of the week was K-pop company SM Entertainment, which fell 23.5% to 113,000 won after HYBE canceled its bid to take control of the company. Last week, SM Entertainment was the Global Music Index’s biggest gainer, improving 14.4% to 147,800 won, after Kakao announced a tender offer to acquire up to a 35% stake from minority shareholders at 150,000 won per share. 

The soft advertising market continued to be a problem for radio companies’ stocks. iHeartMedia dropped 12% to $4.31 and Audacy fell 12.5% to $0.14. Morgan Stanley analysts cut the price target for iHeartMedia to $5 from $8 due to “concerns regarding the long-term growth potential of broadcast radio,” according to a March 16 investor note. Year to date, iHeartMedia is down 29.7%, Cumulus Media is off 35.9% and Audacy has declined 39.1%.