Versant (NASDAQ:VSNT) Posts Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.10 EPS

Versant (NASDAQ:VSNT) announced its earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $1.49 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.39 by $0.10, FiscalAI reports. The business had revenue of $1.64 billion for the quarter.

Here are the key takeaways from Versant’s conference call:

• Full-year guidance was raised, with revenue now expected at $6.2 billion–$6.45 billion and adjusted EBITDA at $1.9 billion–$2.05 billion, reflecting confidence in first-half momentum and the broader portfolio.
• Second-quarter adjusted EBITDA increased 3% to $624 million despite a 4% revenue decline, supported by disciplined expense management, strong audience engagement, and broad-based advertising demand.
• Linear distribution revenue fell 6% year over year as subscriber declines continued, although contractual rate increases and recent multi-year renewals helped mitigate the pressure. Management expects programming costs to rise in the second half, making Q3 and Q4 adjusted EBITDA growth unlikely.
• Platforms remained the fastest-growing business, with revenue up 9% excluding the SportsEngine divestiture, driven by Fandango and GolfNow. The company is expanding Fandango into an AVOD entertainment platform and expects the Full Swing acquisition to create revenue synergies across its golf ecosystem.
• Versant announced an additional $100 million accelerated share repurchase while maintaining its quarterly dividend, having returned $305 million to shareholders year to date. Management said the capital return is compatible with investments in direct-to-consumer products, platforms, acquisitions, and maintaining a healthy balance sheet.

Versant Stock Performance

Versant stock traded up $2.43 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $38.22. The company had a trading volume of 4,958,191 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,620,955. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $37.64 and a 200 day moving average of $36.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 2.32 and a quick ratio of 2.32. The firm has a market cap of $5.39 billion and a PE ratio of 19.21. Versant has a one year low of $27.17 and a one year high of $59.00.

Versant Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 22nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 1st were paid a $0.375 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, July 1st. Versant’s dividend payout ratio is 75.38%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Hsbc Holdings PLC bought a new position in Versant in the 1st quarter valued at about $6,518,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in Versant in the first quarter valued at approximately $26,331,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Versant during the first quarter valued at approximately $1,043,000. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund bought a new stake in Versant during the first quarter worth $1,230,000. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA acquired a new stake in shares of Versant in the 4th quarter valued at $24,134,000.

Versant News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Versant this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Versant reported second-quarter adjusted EPS of $1.49, beating the analyst consensus of $1.39 by $0.10. Versant quarterly earnings results
• Positive Sentiment: The company raised its 2026 revenue outlook to $6.2 billion-$6.5 billion, broadly surrounding the $6.4 billion consensus estimate, and also increased its adjusted EBITDA guidance. Management cited strength in its platforms segment and continued growth during the first half of the year. Versant raises 2026 outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Advertising sales benefited from demand for Versant’s news and sports programming, while digital properties and platforms helped offset pressure in the traditional pay-TV business. The company also discussed shareholder-return plans, adding to the positive investor reaction. Versant moves higher on revenue beat and shareholder return plans
• Neutral Sentiment: Second-quarter revenue was $1.64 billion, slightly below the prior-year period but in line with the broader narrative that newer digital businesses are increasingly offsetting declines in legacy distribution revenue. Versant Media reports second-quarter results
• Negative Sentiment: Revenue declined about 4% year over year, while EPS fell from $2.09 to $1.49. Weak pay-TV distribution revenue remains a risk, and the outlook’s range includes a midpoint near current analyst expectations rather than a clear upside surprise. Versant posts mixed second-quarter results

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VSNT has been the subject of several analyst reports. Weiss Ratings upgraded Versant from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Thursday, May 21st. Zacks Research raised Versant from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, July 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on Versant in a research note on Tuesday, May 12th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $43.00 price objective on the stock. Arete Research raised shares of Versant from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $40.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Finally, Seaport Research Partners reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $46.00 price target on shares of Versant in a research note on Monday, May 18th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Versant presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $41.80.

About Versant

Versant Corporation is a provider of data management software. The Company designs, develops, markets and supports database management system products that companies use to solve data management and data integration issues. It also provides related product support, training and consulting services to assist users of the Company’s products in developing and deploying software applications based on its products. The Company’s Versant Object Database product is used primarily by enterprises, which have data management requirements, such as technology providers, telecommunications carriers, Government defense agencies, defense contractors, healthcare companies and companies in the financial services and transportation industries.