iHeartMedia Q4 revenue beats expectations on podcast strength
IHEARTMEDIA INC IHRT | 3.73 | -4.96% |
Overview
US audio company's Q4 revenue rose 0.8%, beating analyst expectations
Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 missed analyst expectations, declining 10.5% yr/yr
Digital Audio Group revenue grew 14%, driven by podcast demand
Outlook
iHeartMedia expects Q1 2026 revenue to increase high-single digits
Company projects full-year 2026 adjusted EBITDA of approximately $800 mln
iHeartMedia anticipates 2026 programmatic revenue to grow 50% to $200 mln
Result Drivers
PODCAST DEMAND - Digital Audio Group revenue increased 14.1% driven by higher demand for podcast advertising
POLITICAL REVENUE DECLINE - Multiplatform Group revenue decreased 2.8% primarily due to lower political revenues
STRATEGIC MARKETING - Non-cash trade revenue increased due to strategic marketing initiatives
Company press release: ID:nBw9V1Gjfa
Key Details
Metric |
Beat/Miss |
Actual |
Consensus Estimate |
Q4 Revenue |
Beat |
$1.13 bln |
$1.10 bln (4 Analysts) |
Q4 Adjusted EBITDA |
Miss |
$220 mln |
$226.85 mln (4 Analysts) |
Q4 Free Cash Flow |
|
$138 mln |
|
Q4 Operating Income |
|
$86 mln |
|
Analyst Coverage
The current average analyst rating on the shares is "hold" and the breakdown of recommendations is no "strong buy" or "buy", 2 "hold" and 2 "sell" or "strong sell"
The average consensus recommendation for the broadcasting peer group is "buy."
Wall Street's median 12-month price target for iHeartMedia Inc is $4.25, about 30% above its February 27 closing price of $3.27
The stock recently traded at 6 times the next 12-month earnings vs. a P/E of 15 three months ago
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