AMC Networks (NASDAQ:AMCX) Releases Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.14 EPS

AMC Networks (NASDAQ:AMCX) issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The company reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.50 by $0.14, Zacks reports. AMC Networks had a negative net margin of 6.03% and a positive return on equity of 11.67%. The company had revenue of $594.80 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $581.83 million.

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

• Streaming is now the largest single source of domestic revenue, with 10.4 million streaming subscribers, streaming revenue growth (12% for the year, 14% in Q4), and 2025 being the most-watched year across their streaming portfolio.
• The company generated strong free cash flow of $272 million in 2025 (above guidance) and expects at least $200 million of free cash flow for 2026.
• Advertising remains a material headwind—domestic ad revenue fell ~15% for the year (10% in Q4), and management expects domestic advertising to decline in the low double-digit percent range in 2026 as linear losses outpace digital growth.
• Balance sheet improvements include reducing gross debt by ~$600 million, extending maturities, ending 2025 with ~$1.3 billion net debt, a 3.1x consolidated net leverage ratio, and approximately $675 million of liquidity.
• Content/IP monetization upside—AMC regained streaming rights to The Walking Dead, completed full ownership of RLJ Entertainment, and launched/relaunched targeted services (All Reality, Sundance Now, HIDIVE) to expand distribution and future revenue opportunities.

AMC Networks Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ AMCX traded down $0.18 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $7.50. 620,047 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 394,262. The firm has a market capitalization of $326.48 million, a P/E ratio of -2.00 and a beta of 1.12. AMC Networks has a one year low of $5.41 and a one year high of $10.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76, a quick ratio of 2.12 and a current ratio of 2.12. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $8.81 and a two-hundred day moving average of $8.00.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in AMC Networks in the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its stake in shares of AMC Networks by 133.3% during the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 4,786 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 2,735 shares during the period. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new position in AMC Networks in the third quarter worth approximately $43,000. State of Wyoming purchased a new position in AMC Networks during the 2nd quarter valued at about $51,000. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP purchased a new position in shares of AMC Networks in the 2nd quarter valued at $63,000. 78.51% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently commented on AMCX. Seaport Research Partners cut AMC Networks from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, December 14th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d)” rating on shares of AMC Networks in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on AMC Networks from $5.50 to $6.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 18th. Wells Fargo & Company raised AMC Networks from an “underweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $5.00 to $8.00 in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of AMC Networks from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Strong Sell” and a consensus price target of $6.50.

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.