Balanced News: : HBO Max to raise ad-free monthly sub rate to $15.99 a month from $14.99

HBO Max said Thursday it is raising the price of its ad-free monthly subscription to $15.99 a month plus applicable taxes from $14.99 a month, effective today. Discovery Inc. WBD, +3.06%, said subscribers will see the rate increase from their next billing cycler on or after Saturday, Feb. 11. Warner shares were up 1.8% Thursday, but are down 55% in the last 12 months, while the S&P 500 SPX, +0.58% has fallen 16%.