Versant (NASDAQ:VSNT) Announces Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.31 EPS

Versant (NASDAQ:VSNT) issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday. The company reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.03 by $0.31, Zacks reports. The business had revenue of $1.59 billion for the quarter.

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

• 2026 outlook reaffirmed, with revenue expected at $6.2 billion–$6.45 billion and Adjusted EBITDA of $1.9 billion–$2.05 billion; free cash flow is now expected to exceed the prior $1.0 billion–$1.2 billion forecast.
• Versant completed four major distribution renewals on favorable terms, with 75% of network subscribers contracted through 2028 or beyond, improving visibility despite ongoing pay-TV subscriber declines.
• Platforms revenue increased 10% year over year, or 17% excluding the SportsEngine divestiture and Full Swing acquisition, led by Fandango ticketing and GolfNow; the company also reported encouraging early results from Fandango AVOD and MS NOW direct-to-consumer.
• Third-quarter revenue fell 4% to $1.59 billion and Adjusted EBITDA declined 7% to $353 million, primarily because of pay-TV pressure and sports-rights timing. Fourth-quarter EBITDA will face higher programming costs from four additional NASCAR races, although management characterized this as a one-time impact.
• Versant returned $457 million to shareholders year to date through dividends and repurchases and announced an additional $100 million accelerated share repurchase for the fourth quarter, supported by approximately $1 billion in cash and an undrawn $750 million revolver.

Versant Trading Up 3.9%

Versant stock opened at $33.98 on Thursday. Versant has a 12 month low of $27.17 and a 12 month high of $59.00. The company has a current ratio of 2.08, a quick ratio of 2.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $34.12 and its 200 day simple moving average is $36.26.

Versant Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 25th. Investors of record on Monday, January 4th will be paid a $0.3750 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 4th. This represents a $1.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.4%. Versant’s dividend payout ratio is presently 43.10%.

Versant News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Versant this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Versant reported Q3 EPS of $0.34, beating the $0.03 consensus estimate, with digital platforms cited as a growth driver. Versant earnings beat expectations as digital platforms drive growth
• Positive Sentiment: The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.375 per share, equivalent to $1.50 annually and a yield of about 4.4% at the cited share price. Payment is scheduled for January 25, 2027, to shareholders of record January 4. Versant declares fourth quarterly cash dividend
• Neutral Sentiment: Versant reaffirmed its 2026 revenue outlook of $6.2 billion to $6.45 billion and expects free cash flow in the $1 billion to $1.2 billion range, providing guidance stability despite a softer revenue result. Versant affirms 2026 outlook
• Negative Sentiment: Q3 revenue was $1.59 billion and declined year over year, tempering the earnings beat. Separately, JPMorgan cut its price target from $43 to $39 and maintained a Neutral rating, though the new target still implies about 14.8% upside from $33.98. Versant Q3 earnings and revenue

Analysts Set New Price Targets

VSNT has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Zacks Research raised Versant from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, October 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $43.00 price target on shares of Versant in a report on Friday, September 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Versant from $43.00 to $39.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. TD Cowen increased their price target on shares of Versant from $35.00 to $39.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, August 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Versant from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a report on Thursday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $41.71.

Versant Company Profile

Versant, Inc (NASDAQ: VSNT) is a media and entertainment company formed from selected cable television and digital assets formerly owned by Comcast’s NBCUniversal division. The company develops, produces, distributes and markets entertainment, news, sports and lifestyle content across television networks and digital platforms.

Versant’s portfolio includes USA Network, E!, SYFY, Oxygen, Golf Channel and related digital properties. Its assets also include Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes, which provide movie-ticketing, entertainment information and media-review services.