Back to top

Image: Bigstock

AMC Networks (AMCX) Q4 Earnings: Is Disappointment in Store?

Read MoreHide Full Article

AMC Networks Inc. (AMCX - Free Report) is slated to report fourth-quarter 2016 financial numbers before the opening bell on Feb 23.

Over the past three months, shares of AMC Networks returned 6.46% compared with the Zacks categorized Broadcast Radio and Television industry’s gain of 11.77%.

Last quarter, the company posted a negative earnings surprise of 2.88%. Moreover, the company’s earnings lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the previous four quarters, with an average miss of 5.39%.

Let’s see how things are shaping up for this announcement.

Factors Likely to Influence this Quarter

AMC Networks owns and operates various cable television stations and is engaged in the production of programming and movie content. Its programming network channels include AMC, IFC, Sundance, WE and BBC America.

AMC Networks’ strength lies in programs with original content for which it holds ownership rights. In this regard, shows like Breaking Bad and Mad Men have been major hits, driving commercial success for the company. However, one of the biggest drags for AMC Networks is that its network is entirely dependent on The Walking Dead franchise. The seventh season of The Walking Dead was ranked the number one show on television for the fifth consecutive season, averaging 16.1 million viewers per episode and 10.1 million 18–49 adults in its first eight episodes. The second half of the season will resume on Feb 12, 2017. Meanwhile, horror video streaming services are doing well.

AMC Networks’ plans to launch the Telenovela channel Eva+ in Africa on MultiChoice’s digital pay TV satellite platform also bode well. AMC and BBC Worldwide North America inked a new co-production deal for McMafia, an epic drama series set in the international world of organized crime starring James Norton (Happy Valley, War & Peace) as the lead character, Alex Godman. We believe these new deals to bring up new series in the entertainment world will boost its subscriber base in the to-be reported quarter.

Additionally, serious competitive threat from over-the-top (OTT) online video streaming service providers and other media companies coupled with the recent trend of the bulk of ad revenues skewed toward Internet TV are factors which may mar the quarter’s performance.

Earnings Whispers

Our proven model does not conclusively show that AMC Networks is likely to beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate this quarter. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) for this to happen. Unfortunately, that is not the case here as elaborated below.

Zacks ESP: AMC Networks has an Earnings ESP of -4.65%. This is because the Most Accurate estimate stands at $1.23 while the Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged higher at $1.29. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Zacks Rank: AMC Networks has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Please note that we caution against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 or 5 (Strong Sell) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions.

AMC Networks Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

 

AMC Networks Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | AMC Networks Inc. Quote

Key Picks

Here are some companies in the Zacks-categorized broader ‘Consumer Discretionary’ sector that have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter.

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. is expected to release fourth-quarter earnings on Feb 22, 2017. The company has an Earnings ESP of +57.14% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the previous four quarters.

Cinemark Holdings Inc. (CNK - Free Report) is expected to release fourth-quarter earnings on Feb 23, 2017. The company has an Earnings ESP of +2.38% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Cinemark’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the previous four quarters, with an average beat of 4.29%.

Tribune Media Company is expected to release fourth-quarter earnings on Mar 1, 2017. The company has an Earnings ESP of +4.44% and a Zacks Rank #3. Tribune Media’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the previous four quarters.

The Best Place to Start Your Stock Search

Today, you are invited to download the full list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buy" stocks – absolutely free of charge. Since 1988, Zacks Rank #1 stocks have nearly tripled the market, with average gains of +26% per year. Plus, you can access the list of portfolio-killing Zacks Rank #5 "Strong Sells" and other private research. See these stocks free >>


See More Zacks Research for These Tickers


Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:


AMC Networks Inc. (AMCX) - free report >>

Cinemark Holdings Inc (CNK) - free report >>

Published in