AMC Networks (NASDAQ:AMCX) Releases Quarterly Earnings Results, Misses Expectations By $0.16 EPS

AMC Networks (NASDAQ:AMCX) posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The company reported ($0.28) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.12) by ($0.16), FiscalAI reports. AMC Networks had a negative net margin of 0.88% and a positive return on equity of 3.76%. The business had revenue of $547.50 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $555.74 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.69 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year.

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 Stock Up 15.3%

AMCX opened at $11.20 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76, a quick ratio of 1.75 and a current ratio of 1.76. The company has a market cap of $492.02 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -13.66 and a beta of 1.31. AMC Networks has a one year low of $5.41 and a one year high of $11.66. The business’s fifty day moving average is $9.98 and its two-hundred day moving average is $8.61.

More AMC Networks News

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

• Positive Sentiment: AMC Networks issued 2026 revenue guidance of $2.4 billion to $2.5 billion, above the roughly $2.3 billion Wall Street consensus. The stronger outlook may be supporting the stock by suggesting improved performance later in the year. AMC Networks Second Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: A deep-dive report highlighted AMC Networks’ Netflix licensing deal as part of a broader strategic shift. Investors may view expanded licensing opportunities as a way to monetize the company’s content library and strengthen its streaming-related business. AMCX Q2 Deep Dive
• Neutral Sentiment: Management’s earnings commentary and the latest results provide additional detail on the company’s plans, but the near-term benefits of the licensing strategy remain dependent on execution and content demand. AMC Networks Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Second-quarter results missed expectations: adjusted loss was $0.28 per share versus the expected $0.08 loss, while revenue of $547.5 million fell short of the $555.7 million consensus. Revenue declined 8.8% year over year, compared with earnings of $0.69 per share in the prior-year quarter. AMC Networks Reports Q2 Loss

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on AMC Networks from $7.00 to $10.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a report on Friday. Zacks Research cut shares of AMC Networks from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of AMC Networks from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of AMC Networks from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $10.50.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of AMC Networks in the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its holdings in AMC Networks by 133.3% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 4,786 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 2,735 shares in the last quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC acquired a new position in AMC Networks during the third quarter worth about $43,000. State of Wyoming acquired a new position in AMC Networks during the second quarter worth about $51,000. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP purchased a new stake in shares of AMC Networks in the second quarter valued at about $63,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.51% of the company’s stock.

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.