Versant (NASDAQ:VSNT) Announces Earnings Results

Versant (NASDAQ:VSNT) issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $1.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.39 by $0.10, FiscalAI reports. The company 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 Up 6.8%

NASDAQ VSNT opened at $38.22 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $37.64 and a 200 day moving average price of $36.82. Versant has a one year low of $27.17 and a one year high of $59.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 2.32 and a current ratio of 2.32. The company has a market cap of $5.39 billion and a P/E ratio of 19.21.

Versant Dividend Announcement

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Versant

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Citizens National Bank Trust Department acquired a new stake in shares of Versant in the first quarter valued at about $26,000. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in Versant during the first quarter worth about $28,000. Parallel Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Versant during the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. Advocate Investing Services LLC purchased a new stake in Versant during the 1st quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt purchased a new stake in Versant during the 1st quarter valued at about $35,000.

Versant News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Versant this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Versant reported second-quarter adjusted earnings of $1.49 per share, exceeding analysts’ consensus estimate of $1.39. Revenue totaled $1.64 billion. Versant Q2 Earnings Snapshot
• Positive Sentiment: The company raised its full-year 2026 revenue outlook to $6.2 billion-$6.5 billion, compared with the $6.4 billion analyst consensus, and also increased its adjusted EBITDA guidance. Management attributed the improved outlook to continued first-half momentum. Versant Raises 2026 Outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Advertising trends improved, supported by demand for Versant’s news and sports programming, while digital businesses and platforms such as Fandango helped offset weakness in traditional pay-TV distribution. Versant Lifts Annual Revenue Forecast
• Positive Sentiment: Versant also outlined shareholder-return plans, adding another potential catalyst for investors. Versant Moves Higher on Revenue Beat
• Neutral Sentiment: The quarter was mixed overall: revenue fell about 4% year over year to $1.64 billion, and EPS declined from $2.09 in the prior-year period, even though earnings exceeded expectations. Versant Posts Mixed Q2 Results
• Negative Sentiment: Weakness in pay-TV distribution remains a headwind, and the year-over-year declines in sales and earnings show that the company’s newer digital and advertising growth has not yet fully offset pressure on its legacy television businesses.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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