Visual China Files For Hong Kong IPO As It Reframes For An AI Era

Visual China, China's largest licensed image platform, has filed for a Hong Kong IPO as it pivots toward AI-enabled design services. The company faces headwinds with core content licensing revenue declining 14% year-over-year and falling below 70% of total revenue. To offset this decline, Visual China is expanding into customized content services and AI training, leveraging its portfolio of 700+ million content assets. The company competes with Getty Images and Shutterstock, which are also repositioning themselves as AI-integrated platforms.

06/18/2026, 12:08 PM • Benzinga

Stock Market Today: S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow Futures Gain As Trump Demands Help To Reopen Strait Of Hormuz— Strategy, Urgent.ly, Adobe In Focus (UPDATED)

U.S. stock futures rose on Monday with the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq 100 all gaining ground. President Trump urged NATO allies to deploy military assets to secure the Strait of Hormuz, while Middle East tensions and sticky inflation at 3.1% continue to weigh on markets. Crude oil futures rose 2.21% amid geopolitical concerns, and the Fed is expected to hold rates steady in March.

03/16/2026, 8:42 AM • Benzinga

Stock Market Today: S&P 500, Dow Jones Futures Gain As Trump Urges Allies To Help Reopen Strait Of Hormuz— Strategy, Urgent.ly, Adobe In Focus

U.S. stock futures rose on Monday with the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq 100 all gaining ground. President Trump urged NATO allies to deploy military assets to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Markets are pricing in a 99.1% likelihood of unchanged Fed rates in March. Key economic data including PPI, factory orders, and the FOMC decision are expected this week. Crude oil futures rose 2.21% amid Middle East tensions, while Bitcoin climbed 2.37%.

03/16/2026, 4:55 AM • Benzinga

Getty Images and Shutterstock Receive Unconditional Antitrust Clearance from U.S. Department of Justice for Proposed Merger

Getty Images and Shutterstock have received unconditional antitrust clearance from the U.S. Department of Justice for their proposed merger of equals. The companies expect to deliver substantial synergies across SG&A and CAPEX following close. They are awaiting final approval from the UK's Competition and Markets Authority, with a decision expected by April 19, 2026.

02/23/2026, 8:00 AM • Benzinga

Stock Music Research Report 2025: Market to Reach $2.4 Billion by 2030 from $1.45 Billion in 2024 with Shutterstock, Artlist, Getty Images, Musicbed, and Epidemic Sound Leading

The global stock music market is projected to grow from $1.45 billion in 2024 to $2.40 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 8.76%. North America leads with 50% market share, while Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region. Key growth drivers include AI-enhanced music creation, subscription models, and demand for culturally authentic soundscapes. Major platforms like Shutterstock, Epidemic Sound, and Artlist compete in an increasingly consolidated market, though oversupply and generic content pose challenges.

02/16/2026, 4:41 AM • GlobeNewswire

Getty Images and NASCAR Renew Multi-Year Agreement

Getty Images has renewed its long-standing partnership with NASCAR, extending its role as the Official Photography Partner since 2006. The agreement includes Getty Images providing high-quality, real-time imagery from all NASCAR series races and events, with exclusive behind-the-scenes access and distribution through gettyimages.com. Getty Images' motorsport collection comprises 190,000 NASCAR-owned assets and 1.2 million NASCAR images.

02/12/2026, 8:00 AM • GlobeNewswire

UK Competition and Markets Authority Refers Proposed Merger of Getty Images and Shutterstock for Phase 2 Review

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has referred the proposed merger between Getty Images and Shutterstock to a Phase 2 review process, despite Getty Images offering comprehensive remedies to avoid the review.

11/03/2025, 6:21 AM • Benzinga

Getty Images and Perplexity strike multi-year image partnership

Getty Images and Perplexity have signed a global multi-year licensing agreement allowing Perplexity to display Getty Images' content across its AI-powered search tools, with a focus on proper image attribution and creator recognition.

10/31/2025, 8:00 AM • GlobeNewswire

Getty Images Prices $628.4 Million of 10.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2030

Getty Images is pricing $628.4 million in senior secured notes to support its proposed merger with Shutterstock, with proceeds intended to pay cash consideration and refinance Shutterstock's debt.

10/06/2025, 5:20 PM • GlobeNewswire

Getty Images Announces Successful Results of Early Participation in Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation

Getty Images successfully completed an early exchange offer for its 9.750% Senior Notes due 2027, with 98.22% of notes tendered, to be replaced by new 14.000% Senior Notes due 2028.

10/02/2025, 5:19 PM • GlobeNewswire

Shutterstock Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Shutterstock reported strong Q2 2025 financial performance, with revenues of $267.0 million (up 21% year-over-year), net income of $29.4 million, and record levels in both revenue and adjusted EBITDA. The company also highlighted its pending merger with Getty Images.

07/29/2025, 7:05 AM • Benzinga