UK Regulator Raises Concerns Over Getty-Shutterstock Merger
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 hour ago
0mins
Should l Buy GETY?
Source: seekingalpha
- Merger Competition Concerns: The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) stated that the proposed merger between Getty Images (GETY) and Shutterstock (SSTK) may reduce competition in the supply of editorial content in the region, although global stock content supply remains unaffected, highlighting regulatory vigilance over market concentration.
- Company Disagreement: Getty expressed disappointment with the CMA's provisional findings, arguing that the analysis does not accurately reflect the UK market's composition or the level of regional competition, indicating the company's ongoing confidence in the merger and potential efforts to secure regulatory approval.
- Transaction Scale: The merger is valued at $3.7 billion and has been under review by the CMA since August last year, following its announcement in January 2025, illustrating the complexity of regulatory scrutiny and the stringent oversight of large transactions.
- Poor Stock Performance: Over the past 12 months, GETY has lost more than two-thirds of its value, while SSTK has declined by over 40%, reflecting market concerns about the future prospects of both companies, which may impact merger negotiations and the final outcome.
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Analyst Views on GETY
Wall Street analysts forecast GETY stock price to rise
2 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 0.825
Low
7.00
Averages
7.00
High
7.00
Current: 0.825
Low
7.00
Averages
7.00
High
7.00
About GETY
Getty Images Holdings, Inc. is a global visual content creator and marketplace company. The Company offers a full range of content solutions to meet the needs of any customer around the globe. Through its Getty Images, iStock and Unsplash brands, websites and application programming interfaces (APIs), the Company serves customers and discovers, purchases and shares visual content from photographers and videographers. The Company covers approximately 160,000 news, sport and entertainment events, providing depth and breadth of coverage. The Company also maintains photographic archives in the world with millions of images dating back to the beginning of photography. It works with approximately 557,000 contributors and more than 320 content partners to deliver a range of content. Its Getty Images, iStock, and Unsplash brands categorize its content and services into three categories: Creative, Editorial, and Other. Its Gettyimages.com offers premium creative content and editorial coverage.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Getty Images and Shutterstock Merger Update
- Merger Progress Statement: Getty Images expressed satisfaction with the UK Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) provisional decision regarding its merger with Shutterstock, indicating that the merger is not expected to pose competition issues in the global stock content market, suggesting a potentially smooth progression of the merger.
- Opposition to Competition Concerns: Despite disappointment over the CMA's preliminary conclusion that the merger may lead to a 'substantial lessening of competition' in the UK editorial market, Getty Images argues that this analysis fails to reflect the true competitive landscape of the UK market, which could impact the merger's smooth execution.
- Proactive Communication Plans: Getty Images stated it will continue to engage constructively with the CMA and plans to file its response to the interim report in line with the CMA's timeline, demonstrating the company's commitment and proactive stance towards the merger.
- Market Impact Assessment: If the merger is successfully completed, it will further solidify Getty Images' leadership position in the global visual content market, enhancing its market share and competitiveness, while potentially influencing the strategic positioning of other industry players.
See More
UK Regulator Raises Concerns Over Getty-Shutterstock Merger
- Merger Competition Concerns: The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) stated that the proposed merger between Getty Images (GETY) and Shutterstock (SSTK) may reduce competition in the supply of editorial content in the region, although global stock content supply remains unaffected, highlighting regulatory vigilance over market concentration.
- Company Disagreement: Getty expressed disappointment with the CMA's provisional findings, arguing that the analysis does not accurately reflect the UK market's composition or the level of regional competition, indicating the company's ongoing confidence in the merger and potential efforts to secure regulatory approval.
- Transaction Scale: The merger is valued at $3.7 billion and has been under review by the CMA since August last year, following its announcement in January 2025, illustrating the complexity of regulatory scrutiny and the stringent oversight of large transactions.
- Poor Stock Performance: Over the past 12 months, GETY has lost more than two-thirds of its value, while SSTK has declined by over 40%, reflecting market concerns about the future prospects of both companies, which may impact merger negotiations and the final outcome.
See More
Smartsheet Expands Partnership with Getty Images for Brandfolder Deployment
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- Real-Time Processing Capability: Brandfolder technology enables zero-latency asset processing, ensuring high-fidelity, professional-grade content is delivered instantly to global audiences, thereby meeting the immediate demands of major events and enhancing customer market responsiveness.
- Intelligent Automation: The AI-driven features of Brandfolder automatically detect and suggest descriptive tags, allowing users to quickly organize millions of assets, significantly improving content discovery efficiency and providing clients with a competitive edge.
- Global Distribution Capability: The technology boasts a robust infrastructure that maintains uptime during peak traffic events, providing a reliable
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- Designing for Randomness: Research indicates that overly smooth or symmetrical images raise doubts about authenticity, leading SMBs to embrace simplicity and genuine visuals that showcase process over perfection, aligning with audience desires for authenticity.
- Importance of Comfort: Amid economic pressures and global crises, consumer focus on physical and mental well-being is rising, prompting SMBs to reflect this trend through visuals that convey comfort and restorative experiences, signaling the balance and renewal audiences seek.
- Opportunity to Build Trust: As skepticism towards AI-generated content grows, SMBs can enhance brand trust by providing real images and narratives, allowing them to stand out in a competitive landscape and seize market opportunities.
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BLACK PEARL Launches Sustainable Cultural Fashion Campaign with Getty Images and Canon
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- Partnerships: The campaign collaborates with Getty Images, a global visual content creator, and Canon U.S.A., leveraging their advanced photography technology to capture high-end portraits of cultural figures, further promoting the narrative of sustainable fashion.
- Cultural Expression: Featuring prominent figures like Jack Dylan Grazer, Tati Gabrielle, and Sebastian Chacon, the campaign highlights cultural identity through personal styling, emphasizing that sustainability is not just about materials and production but also about people, identity, and belonging.
- Global Impact: By partnering with Getty Images and Canon, BLACK PEARL aims to tell global cultural stories through photography, enhancing awareness and acceptance of cultural diversity and sustainable fashion themes in society.
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Profit Over Conflict: Trump's True Strategy for Peace in Ukraine
Businessmen's Meeting: Three influential businessmen, including two Americans and a Russian, met in Miami Beach to discuss a plan to end the war in Ukraine.
Economic Strategy: Their discussions extended beyond the war, focusing on reintegrating Russia's $2 trillion economy into the global market, with American businesses aiming to outpace European competitors.
See More
Getty Images and Shutterstock Merger Update
- Merger Progress Statement: Getty Images expressed satisfaction with the UK Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) provisional decision regarding its merger with Shutterstock, indicating that the merger is not expected to pose competition issues in the global stock content market, suggesting a potentially smooth progression of the merger.
- Opposition to Competition Concerns: Despite disappointment over the CMA's preliminary conclusion that the merger may lead to a 'substantial lessening of competition' in the UK editorial market, Getty Images argues that this analysis fails to reflect the true competitive landscape of the UK market, which could impact the merger's smooth execution.
- Proactive Communication Plans: Getty Images stated it will continue to engage constructively with the CMA and plans to file its response to the interim report in line with the CMA's timeline, demonstrating the company's commitment and proactive stance towards the merger.
- Market Impact Assessment: If the merger is successfully completed, it will further solidify Getty Images' leadership position in the global visual content market, enhancing its market share and competitiveness, while potentially influencing the strategic positioning of other industry players.
See More
UK Regulator Raises Concerns Over Getty-Shutterstock Merger
- Merger Competition Concerns: The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) stated that the proposed merger between Getty Images (GETY) and Shutterstock (SSTK) may reduce competition in the supply of editorial content in the region, although global stock content supply remains unaffected, highlighting regulatory vigilance over market concentration.
- Company Disagreement: Getty expressed disappointment with the CMA's provisional findings, arguing that the analysis does not accurately reflect the UK market's composition or the level of regional competition, indicating the company's ongoing confidence in the merger and potential efforts to secure regulatory approval.
- Transaction Scale: The merger is valued at $3.7 billion and has been under review by the CMA since August last year, following its announcement in January 2025, illustrating the complexity of regulatory scrutiny and the stringent oversight of large transactions.
- Poor Stock Performance: Over the past 12 months, GETY has lost more than two-thirds of its value, while SSTK has declined by over 40%, reflecting market concerns about the future prospects of both companies, which may impact merger negotiations and the final outcome.
See More
Smartsheet Expands Partnership with Getty Images for Brandfolder Deployment
- Deepening Technical Collaboration: Smartsheet's ongoing strategic partnership with Getty Images is strengthened through the expanded deployment of Brandfolder, which will enhance Getty Images' Media Manager and set industry standards in global visual content management.
- Real-Time Processing Capability: Brandfolder technology enables zero-latency asset processing, ensuring high-fidelity, professional-grade content is delivered instantly to global audiences, thereby meeting the immediate demands of major events and enhancing customer market responsiveness.
- Intelligent Automation: The AI-driven features of Brandfolder automatically detect and suggest descriptive tags, allowing users to quickly organize millions of assets, significantly improving content discovery efficiency and providing clients with a competitive edge.
- Global Distribution Capability: The technology boasts a robust infrastructure that maintains uptime during peak traffic events, providing a reliable
See More
iStock Unveils 2026 Marketing Trends, Emphasizing Authenticity and Differentiation
- Risk of Visual Sameness: As generative tools become prevalent in everyday marketing, 44% of people report increased use of generative AI, which accelerates content production; however, 83% of respondents believe higher-quality images are more likely to stand out, prompting SMBs to balance AI use with authenticity.
- Designing for Randomness: Research indicates that overly smooth or symmetrical images raise doubts about authenticity, leading SMBs to embrace simplicity and genuine visuals that showcase process over perfection, aligning with audience desires for authenticity.
- Importance of Comfort: Amid economic pressures and global crises, consumer focus on physical and mental well-being is rising, prompting SMBs to reflect this trend through visuals that convey comfort and restorative experiences, signaling the balance and renewal audiences seek.
- Opportunity to Build Trust: As skepticism towards AI-generated content grows, SMBs can enhance brand trust by providing real images and narratives, allowing them to stand out in a competitive landscape and seize market opportunities.
See More
BLACK PEARL Launches Sustainable Cultural Fashion Campaign with Getty Images and Canon
- Campaign Launch: BLACK PEARL has launched its latest Culture@ storytelling campaign today, aimed at enhancing global awareness of sustainable impact through the intersection of fashion, sustainability, and cultural identity, running until December 9.
- Partnerships: The campaign collaborates with Getty Images, a global visual content creator, and Canon U.S.A., leveraging their advanced photography technology to capture high-end portraits of cultural figures, further promoting the narrative of sustainable fashion.
- Cultural Expression: Featuring prominent figures like Jack Dylan Grazer, Tati Gabrielle, and Sebastian Chacon, the campaign highlights cultural identity through personal styling, emphasizing that sustainability is not just about materials and production but also about people, identity, and belonging.
- Global Impact: By partnering with Getty Images and Canon, BLACK PEARL aims to tell global cultural stories through photography, enhancing awareness and acceptance of cultural diversity and sustainable fashion themes in society.
See More
Profit Over Conflict: Trump's True Strategy for Peace in Ukraine
Businessmen's Meeting: Three influential businessmen, including two Americans and a Russian, met in Miami Beach to discuss a plan to end the war in Ukraine.
Economic Strategy: Their discussions extended beyond the war, focusing on reintegrating Russia's $2 trillion economy into the global market, with American businesses aiming to outpace European competitors.
See More
