AOL INC. (AOL)

[Joemoney]

RESEARCH ALERT-Weisel says Harry Potter to boost AOL Time Warner

NEW YORK, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Thomas Weisel Partners analyst Gordon Hodge on Monday said the upcoming release of the film ''Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'' could generate $300 million in profit for AOL Time Warner Inc. (NYSE:AOL - news) in the next 12 months.

In a research note, Hodge reiterated his buy rating on the world's largest Internet and media company.

``Assuming the film lives up to expectations, we believe the seven-film franchise could generate nearly $10 billion in gross revenues and roughly $2 billion in profit for AOL Time Warner,'' Hodge said.

The company's shares have taken a beating recently amid concerns about revenue growth as it contends with the advertising slump and a slowdown in subscriber growth prospects at its Internet unit.

However, Hodge said this quarter could highlight the powerful content engine within the company, specifically at Warner Brothers Studios.

Shares of AOL Time Warner were last up $1.83, or 5.7 percent, at $33.84.

http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/011105/nb5183635_2.html