AMC Networks (NASDAQ:AMCX) Issues Quarterly Earnings Results, Misses Estimates By $0.20 EPS

AMC Networks (NASDAQ:AMCX) issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The company reported ($0.28) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.08) by ($0.20), FiscalAI reports. AMC Networks had a net margin of 2.28% and a return on equity of 8.70%. The firm had revenue of $547.50 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $555.74 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.69 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down 8.8% on a year-over-year basis.

Here are the key takeaways from AMC Networks’ conference call:

• The Walking Dead licensing deal with Netflix covers all seven series and 371 episodes under a five-year, co-exclusive global agreement worth $500 million in contracted fees. AMC expects approximately $200 million–$225 million of revenue recognition in both 2026 and 2027, with cash payments extending through 2031.
• AMC raised its 2026 guidance to consolidated revenue of $2.4 billion–$2.45 billion, adjusted operating income of $410 million–$420 million, and free cash flow of approximately $220 million, partly reflecting the Netflix agreement.
• Second-quarter revenue fell 9% year over year to $547 million and adjusted operating income was $46 million, while domestic subscription revenue declined 5%, affiliate revenue dropped 17%, and subscriber acquisition was below expectations in the first half.
• Management cited improving engagement and retention across streaming services despite price increases, strong digital advertising growth, and ratings gains across most linear networks, including a 21% prime-time increase at WE tv.
• AMC ended the quarter with approximately $464 million of cash, $1.3 billion of net debt, and 4.1x net leverage after paying down its remaining Term Loan A; management said leverage should peak in the second quarter and remains focused on debt reduction.

AMC Networks Trading Down 5.3%

Shares of AMCX opened at $9.71 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $426.56 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.18 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75, a current ratio of 1.75 and a quick ratio of 1.75. AMC Networks has a 1-year low of $5.41 and a 1-year high of $11.13. The company has a 50-day moving average of $9.94 and a 200 day moving average of $8.59.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley set a $7.00 target price on AMC Networks in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. Zacks Research downgraded AMC Networks from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised AMC Networks from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $8.50.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AMC Networks

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Empowered Funds LLC raised its stake in shares of AMC Networks by 8.5% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 200,273 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,378,000 after acquiring an additional 15,738 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in AMC Networks by 4.0% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 933,023 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,851,000 after purchasing an additional 36,203 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers purchased a new position in AMC Networks during the 2nd quarter worth $63,000. Rhumbline Advisers raised its position in AMC Networks by 19.4% during the 2nd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 71,874 shares of the company’s stock valued at $451,000 after purchasing an additional 11,685 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its position in AMC Networks by 28,786.9% during the 2nd quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 28,598 shares of the company’s stock valued at $179,000 after purchasing an additional 28,499 shares in the last quarter. 78.51% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

More AMC Networks News

Here are the key news stories impacting AMC Networks this week:

• Positive Sentiment: AMC Networks raised its fiscal 2026 revenue outlook to $2.4 billion-$2.5 billion, above the roughly $2.3 billion analyst consensus. This suggests management expects stronger performance in the second half of the year. AMC Networks Q2 2026 earnings
• Neutral Sentiment: Management discussed the quarter and outlook during its earnings call, giving investors additional detail on operating trends and the updated guidance. However, the available reports do not specify a new EPS forecast. AMC Networks Q2 2026 earnings call transcript
• Negative Sentiment: AMC Networks reported a $0.28-per-share loss, substantially worse than the $0.08 loss analysts expected and the $0.69-per-share profit recorded a year earlier. AMC Networks reports Q2 loss
• Negative Sentiment: Revenue was $547.5 million, below the $555.7 million consensus estimate and down 8.8% year over year. The combination of weaker sales and a sharp earnings reversal is the main reason AMCX shares have decreased or remained under pressure following the report. AMC Networks misses Q2 revenue estimates

AMC Networks Company Profile

AMC Networks Inc (NASDAQ: AMCX) is a global entertainment company that specializes in the development, production and distribution of premium content for television and streaming platforms. Headquartered in New York City, the company operates a portfolio of pay television channels in the U.S. and abroad, and offers direct-to-consumer streaming services that feature both original programming and licensed fare. AMC Networks is best known for critically acclaimed series such as “Breaking Bad,” “Mad Men” and “The Walking Dead,” and it continues to invest in new scripted and unscripted content across a range of genres.

The company’s core television networks in the United States include AMC, IFC, Sundance TV and WE tv, while its joint venture with BBC Studios supports BBC America.