Oprah Winfrey takes big financial hit as Weight Watchers stock tanks

Fox ^ | 2/27/19 | Dom Calicchio

[jeannineinsd]

Oprah Winfrey was likely feeling a lot lighter Tuesday evening – in her investment portfolio.

After the stock of WW (formerly Weight Watchers) nosedived in after-hours trading, the wellness company’s single biggest individual investor was down anywhere from $39 million to nearly $48 million, according to reports.

The stock, which was priced around $103 per share last June, sank to about $22 per share late Tuesday, reports said.

The drop followed WW Chief Executive Mindy Grossman’s disclosure to analysts that WW would have fewer members in 2019 than in 2018, the New York Post reported.

Grossman blamed the company’s winter advertising efforts, saying they “did not drive consumers in the way we had hoped.”

“Our marketing … needed to be more weight-loss focused, especially in the January season,” Grossman said.

Winfrey, who famously shared stories of her personal struggles with weight during her days as an afternoon talk-show host from 1986 to 2011, owns more than 5 million shares in WW, according to CNBC, which cited a January filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

That translates to more than 8 percent of the company, Bloomberg reported.

Grossman said Tuesday that Winfrey herself will be featured in WW’s future advertising.

“Looking ahead, I’m happy to say that Oprah Winfrey will play a central role in our upcoming TV and digital marketing campaign for spring, bringing to life a clear message on how WW is the program that works,” Grossman said in a statement. “Together with Oprah, we are also working on an initiative to galvanize and bring together communities through a series of digital and live experiences and events to accelerate WW’s impact and allow us to reach new and diverse audiences.”

[eyeamok]

I thought it was because Oprah failed to lose any weight after becoming the Big Cheese of their stock and people realized it didn’t work for her, so why bother

[caww]

I'd agree but I really never have watched Oprah....but realize she had popularity for several years.

I've ceased watching any ‘host’ that isn't supportive of our President....especially any Hollywood types. ....the nonsense is sooooooo ridiculous and bizarre. Had they actually had positions I'd listen but what they say is anything but that.

Oprahs spoken of her faith which flies in the face of Christianity so she will view life thru these eastern religions she has incorporated into her life and mind.

[SamAdams76]

Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure why people on the Weight Watchers diet remain fat. Check out the diet below... Rice, potatoes, deli meats, breads, bagels, biscuits, salad dressings!

What is this, the Tony Soprano diet?

[nascarnation]

All things in moderation is the only long term plan, IMHO

[maggief]

Handler/beard

[BDParrish]

Calorie counting has failed every time. As Dr. Fung says "It has a perfect spotless record untarnished by success." I have lost 50 pounds on the Carbohydrate Addicts Diet and have kept it off for over two years. The poor simple minded woman just could not grasp the concept of the diet. "I just want to eat a %#$& apple!" she said. Anyone ready to give up on the failed calorie counting fallacy, please check out Fung's book, The Obesity Code.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Cauliflower in pizza crust actually NOT a winner, eh?