Universal Music Group to Sell Half of Its Spotify Stake, Increase Share Buybacks

Universal Music Group says it will monetize half of its Spotify stake to help fund an increased share buyback program as it looks to help boost its stock price. "Given the importance of capital discipline, the expected returns from buying back UMG's shares, and the Company's confidence in the the long-term growth of the ecosystem, in March 2026 the Board authorized the monetization of half of the Company's equity stake in Spotify," UMG said in a statement on Wednesday along with its first quarter earnings results. "Consistent with the Company's approach to artist . . .