SPOILER ALERT: This article discusses a major plot development in the first episode of “And Just Like That,” the “Sex and the City” revival series now streaming on HBO Max.
Shares of Peloton, the fitness equipment company, fell 11.3% Thursday — tumbling to a 19-month low — after a key character in HBO Max’s “Sex and the City” revival, “And Just Like That,” was shown dying of a heart attack after a 45-minute workout on one of the company’s exercise bikes.
The stock continued its slide Friday, down 2.6% in midmorning trading.
According to Peloton, the company had approved the use of the bike as well as the appearance of “Allegra,” a fictional instructor played by real-life Peloton instructor Jess King in the show. However, Peloton did not know the “And Just Like That” would show [SPOILER ALERT] Mr. Big, played by Chris Noth, collapsing after a Peloton workout.
“I’m sure ‘SATC’ fans, like me, are saddened by the news that Mr. Big dies of a heart attack,” Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, a cardiologist who is a member of Peloton’s health and wellness advisory group, in a statement provided by the company. “Mr. Big lived what many would call an extravagant lifestyle — including cocktails, cigars, and big steaks — and was at serious risk as he had a previous cardiac event in season 6. These lifestyle choices and perhaps even his family history, which often is a significant factor, were the likely cause of his death. Riding his Peloton Bike may have even helped delay his cardiac event.”
In a research note to clients, BMO Capital Markets analysts discussed the “And Just Like That” scene with the Peloton bike, writing, “Although unlikely to impact sales, it does question whether [Peloton] is losing degrees of control over its storytelling, perhaps its greatest achievement to date.”
Peloton stock had experienced a surge during COVID lockdowns, as people stopped going to gyms. Part of the pressure on the stock is related to expectations that consumers
On Friday, Credit Suisse analyst Kaumil Gajrawala downgraded the stock from “outperform” to “neutral” in a research note and cut his 12-month price target on the stock from $112 to $50 per share. The analyst cited headwinds for Peloton related to “Higher mobility, a shift in consumer spending, and the return of in-person fitness” after the company experienced “a breakneck” fiscal 2021.
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