Analyst: Discovery Communications COO Departure No Cause of Alarm

NY - Following news early Wednesday that Discovery Communications COO Peter Liguori could leave his publish after 2 yrs, Davenport & Co. analyst Michael Morris stated "we don't view [the departure] as suggestive of [a] bigger problem." Inside a note to traders, Morris authored: "We feel that Mr. Liguori's departure is friendly and reflects his somewhat limited creative role within Discovery because of the hands-on approach of highly-respected Boss David Zaslav along with a strong network management team." He stated the confirming lines from segment leaders, for example Mark Hollinger, Boss of Discovery Systems Worldwide, and Eileen O'Neill, group leader, Discovery and TLC Systems, to Zaslav "limited the chance that Mr. Liguori is seeking." For the reason that context, it didn't come like a surprise that the organization are not committed to refill the COO role, "reflecting confidence within the operating link between Boss and division leadership," Morris stated. Coupled with this summer time's announcement that CFO Kaira Singer could leave Discovery Communications in March, Morris stated that some traders may see the Liguori exit as reason to be concerned. "However, we percieve both Mr. Singer and Mr. Liguori too-respected and relatively youthful leaders in media industry who will probably seek responsibility increases with time," he contended. "Considering the fact that Mr. Zaslav can also be relatively youthful (early 50s), we expect him to stay in the Boss role to have an extended time period.Inch Meanwhile, S&P Capital IQ analyst Tuna Amobi stated that Discovery Communications "seems in steady hands under Boss David Zaslav," however the Singer and Liguori exits "could kindle some emergency to share management stability." Among a larger stock exchange decline, Discovery Communications shares were lower 3.9 % to $43.30 by 10:15am ET. In the last year, the stock has exchanged between $34.75 this August and $45.81 in May. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Subjects Discovery Communications