Story perspectives

UMG sells half Spotify stake for $1.4 B, honors Swift contract

4/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

Universal Music Group's board approved selling half its 3 percent Spotify stake for up to $1.4 billion on April 29.
Taylor Swift's 2018 contract forces Universal Music Group to pass Spotify stock sale proceeds to artists, which UMG confirmed it will honor.
Bill Ackman valued the stake at €2.7 billion ($3.1 billion) and suggested $750 million, noting Warner Music's $126 million payout from a 2018 Spotify sale and Sony's millions to thousands of artists.

1 of 1

Story summary

Universal Music Group's board approved selling half its 3 percent Spotify stake for up to $1.4 billion on April 29.
Taylor Swift's 2018 contract forces Universal Music Group to pass Spotify stock sale proceeds to artists, which UMG confirmed it will honor.
Bill Ackman valued the stake at €2.7 billion ($3.1 billion) and suggested $750 million, noting Warner Music's $126 million payout from a 2018 Spotify sale and Sony's millions to thousands of artists.