AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. surprised analysts with its fourth-quarter financial report released on Wednesday, showcasing better-than-expected revenue and a narrower loss than forecasted. The standout performers contributing to this success were the concert films of music icons Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.
Financial Highlights
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Net Loss: A net loss of $182 million, or 83 cents per share, was reported, a significant improvement from the $287.7 million loss, or $2.64 per share, recorded in the previous year. Excluding one-time charges, AMC posted a loss of 54 cents per share, surpassing analyst expectations of a 70-cent loss.
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Revenue Growth: AMC’s revenue experienced an 11.5% uptick to $1.104 billion, exceeding the FactSet consensus of $1.058 billion. Moreover, the company’s adjusted Ebitda saw a staggering 193% rise to $42.5 million.
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Revenue Breakdown: Admissions revenue reached $614.6 million, surpassing expectations, while food-and-beverage revenue stood at $370.2 million, also exceeding projections.
Market Response
Despite the positive results, AMC shares took a hit in after-hours trading, dropping by 7.8%. The company has faced challenges with its stock price plummeting by 91.4% over the past year, following the decline from its meme-stock peaks in 2021.
Influence of Concert Films
CEO Adam Aron credited the impressive fourth-quarter performance to the showing of Taylor Swift and Beyoncé’s concert films in AMC theaters. Aron emphasized, “Literally, all of that increase in AMC’s Revenue and EBITDA is attributable to our having shown these two movies in our theatres in the U.S. and internationally.”
Overall, AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc.’s latest financial results underscore its ability to leverage unique content offerings and navigate market fluctuations effectively.
AMC Faces Challenges Amid Industry Upheaval
Aron expressed frustration over the decline in AMC’s share price due to last year’s Hollywood strikes that impacted box office results. He promised insights during the upcoming earnings call.
Financial Struggles and Debt Concerns
Investors fear stock dilution as AMC seeks to bolster finances through share offerings, owing around $4.1 billion in net debt. This debt was accumulated for expansion and survival during the pandemic.
Mixed Views on AMC’s Performance
AMC has avoided bankruptcy by cutting costs, emphasizing its membership program, and benefiting from hit movies like “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” However, consistent profitability remains a challenge, leaving many investors fatigued.
Analysts Predict Turbulent Future
Wedbush analyst Alicia Reese foresees a rough year for AMC, citing uncertainties in new film releases. Despite this, anticipated blockbusters like “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” and “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé” are expected to boost AMC’s market share in the movie-theater industry.