Larry Ellison's 41% Oracle stake underpins $40.4 bn guarantee for Paramount media deal
Larry Ellison, through his family trust, holds roughly 40.6% of Oracle Corporation—about 1.16 billion shares worth around $139 billion at the current share price, down from a peak valuation of roughly $400 billion. In December, Ellison provided an irrevocable personal guarantee covering $40.4 billion of equity financing for Paramount's $81 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, pledging not to revoke or move trust assets while the transaction is pending. The guarantee remains in force until the merger closes, which cannot occur before June 1 2027 or five days after a final court ruling.
Oracle’s stock has fallen about 50% from its 2025 high, decreasing the relative weight of the guarantee. Meanwhile, Kentucky Retirement Systems boosted its Oracle position by 178.7% in the first quarter, now holding 289,728 shares valued at $42.6 million, making Oracle its eighth‑largest portfolio holding.
Entities: Kentucky Retirement Systems · Larry Ellison · Oracle Corporation · Paramount Global
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Kentucky Retirement Systems raised its Oracle holdings by 178.7% in Q1, owning 289,728 shares worth $42.6 million. (Article c45e24a7 reports the increase.)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Oracle's stock price has fallen about 50% from its 2025 peak. (Article 416e6008 provides the decline figure.)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The guarantee remains effective until the deal closes, not before June 1 2027 or five days after a court ruling. (Article 26201340 mentions the timeline.)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Larry Ellison owns about 40.6% of Oracle Corporation through his family trust. (Ellison's stake is reported as 40.6% in article 26201340 and described as roughly 41% in article 416e6008.)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ellison provided an irrevocable personal guarantee covering $40.4 billion of equity financing for Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. (Detailed in article 26201340.)