Versant (NASDAQ:VSNT) Announces Earnings Results

Versant (NASDAQ:VSNT) issued its earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $1.99 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.69 by $0.30, FiscalAI reports. The business had revenue of $1.69 billion during the quarter.

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

• Versant said it had a strong start to 2026, with first-quarter adjusted EBITDA of $704 million, margins above 30%, and $558 million in free cash flow. Management emphasized disciplined execution and continued profitability despite pay TV headwinds.
• Total revenue was down 1% year over year to about $1.69 billion, as declines in linear distribution and advertising were partially offset by growth in platforms and content licensing. Linear distribution fell 7% and advertising declined 5%, but ad trends improved versus last year.
• The company highlighted strong audience performance across key brands, including CNBC posting its highest-rated quarter in four years and MS NOW delivering its most-watched quarter since 2024. Golf Channel, the Olympics coverage, and women’s sports also contributed to engagement gains.
• Platforms revenue rose 9%, driven by GolfNow and Fandango, and management said new initiatives like the MS NOW direct-to-consumer product and Fandango AVOD service are on track to launch later this year. The company also said it is expanding beyond TV with acquisitions like StockStory and Fandango One.
• Versant reiterated its full-year outlook of $6.15 billion to $6.4 billion in revenue, $1.85 billion to $2.0 billion in adjusted EBITDA, and $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion in free cash flow. It also continued capital returns with a $0.375 quarterly dividend, $100 million of share repurchases in Q1, and a new $100 million accelerated share repurchase.

Versant Trading Up 9.9%

Shares of NASDAQ:VSNT traded up $3.99 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $44.43. 4,769,628 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,787,044. The company has a current ratio of 4.02, a quick ratio of 4.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09. Versant has a 52 week low of $27.17 and a 52 week high of $59.00. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $38.32.

Versant Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 22nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 1st were paid a dividend of $0.375 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, April 1st.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on VSNT shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on Versant in a research report on Tuesday. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $43.00 target price for the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded Versant to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, January 24th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Versant from a “sell (d)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 7th. Seaport Research Partners assumed coverage on Versant in a research note on Tuesday, March 31st. They set a “buy” rating and a $45.00 price target for the company. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on Versant in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $34.00 price target for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Versant currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and an average price target of $38.80.

Insider Buying and Selling at Versant

In other news, Director Gerald L. Hassell purchased 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 9th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $36.07 per share, with a total value of $360,700.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 12,680 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $457,367.60. This trade represents a 373.13% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director David C. Novak purchased 143,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 5th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $36.85 per share, for a total transaction of $5,269,550.00. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 158,560 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,842,936. This represents a 919.02% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have bought 154,350 shares of company stock valued at $5,679,039 over the last 90 days. 7.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Versant

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA bought a new position in Versant in the 4th quarter worth approximately $24,134,000. Cheviot Value Management LLC bought a new position in Versant in the 4th quarter worth approximately $795,000. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC bought a new position in Versant in the 4th quarter worth approximately $646,000. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC bought a new position in Versant in the 4th quarter worth approximately $203,000. Finally, Barclays PLC bought a new position in Versant in the 4th quarter worth approximately $112,000.

More Versant News

Here are the key news stories impacting Versant this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Versant beat earnings expectations in Q1 2026, reporting $1.99 EPS versus the $1.69 consensus, which suggests stronger profitability than analysts expected. Conference Call / Earnings Report
• Positive Sentiment: Investors are focusing on bright spots in platforms and licensing, where Versant said growth helped offset weakness elsewhere and pointed to stronger content licensing sales. CNBC Article
• Positive Sentiment: CEO Mark Lazarus said Versant can pursue sports rights opportunities as larger rivals prioritize the NFL, potentially creating a path for the company to expand its content portfolio. Deadline Article
• Positive Sentiment: Management also signaled an accelerated buyback plan, which can support the stock by returning more capital to shareholders. Seeking Alpha Article
• Neutral Sentiment: Versant’s Q1 revenue was slightly down overall, with lower linear distribution and advertising revenue continuing to pressure results, reflecting the ongoing decline in traditional pay-TV economics. Wall Street Journal Article
• Negative Sentiment: Profit fell 22% as lower linear ad revenue and higher standalone company costs weighed on margins, underscoring the challenges of operating post-spinoff. MSN Article
• Negative Sentiment: J.P. Morgan noted Versant faces an uncertain path as a standalone company, even though it has more cash to invest in itself. Seeking Alpha Article

Versant Company Profile

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.