National CineMedia (NASDAQ:NCMI) Announces Earnings Results

National CineMedia (NASDAQ:NCMI) posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday. The business services provider reported ($0.23) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.26) by $0.03, FiscalAI reports. National CineMedia had a negative return on equity of 1.78% and a negative net margin of 3.47%.The company had revenue of $34.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $32.92 million.

Here are the key takeaways from National CineMedia’s conference call:

• National CineMedia reported Q1 revenue of $34 million and adjusted OIBDA of negative $10.5 million, both within its prior guidance range. Management said results were weighed down by seasonality, the Winter Olympics, and a one-week fiscal calendar shift.
• Attendance across the network reached 83 million, up 15% year over year, and management said underlying demand improved as the quarter progressed. The company pointed to a stronger box office slate and late-quarter momentum as signs 2026 could be a more durable theatrical year.
• Advertising demand remained solid, with total ad revenue of $31.9 million and six advertisers spending at least $1 million on cinema campaigns. National revenue was roughly flat, while local advertising remained softer in reported results but improved on a comparable basis after adjustments.
• The company announced a new AMC lobby digital display partnership covering high-traffic locations in 77% of AMC theaters nationwide. Management sees the initiative as largely incremental inventory that can expand access to digital out-of-home budgets and deepen advertiser relationships.
• NCM highlighted progress on NCMx, including a new VideoAmp partnership and expanded coverage to Spotlight inventory, which it says improves cross-platform planning and premium advertiser appeal. Management also said an operational transformation should generate about $11 million in annualized cost savings, with up to $6 million expected in 2026.

National CineMedia Price Performance

NCMI opened at $3.00 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $279.84 million, a P/E ratio of -33.33 and a beta of 1.43. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $3.38 and a 200-day moving average of $3.69. The company has a quick ratio of 2.22, a current ratio of 2.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. National CineMedia has a 12-month low of $2.86 and a 12-month high of $5.55.

National CineMedia Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 4th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 22nd will be given a dividend of $0.03 per share. This represents a $0.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 22nd. National CineMedia’s payout ratio is presently -120.00%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have issued reports on NCMI shares. B. Riley Financial cut their price objective on National CineMedia from $5.00 to $4.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Barrington Research cut their target price on National CineMedia from $6.50 to $5.50 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of National CineMedia from a “sell (d-)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a report on Friday, February 27th. Finally, Wedbush reduced their target price on shares of National CineMedia from $6.50 to $6.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, National CineMedia has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $5.38.

Insider Transactions at National CineMedia

In other National CineMedia news, EVP Maria Vg Woods sold 12,066 shares of National CineMedia stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $3.04, for a total transaction of $36,680.64. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 143,097 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $435,014.88. The trade was a 7.78% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.70% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On National CineMedia

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Zazove Associates LLC lifted its stake in National CineMedia by 42.8% in the fourth quarter. Zazove Associates LLC now owns 257,375 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $1,001,000 after acquiring an additional 77,136 shares during the last quarter. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd increased its stake in shares of National CineMedia by 79.5% during the 4th quarter. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd now owns 9,523,889 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $37,048,000 after purchasing an additional 4,218,288 shares during the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of National CineMedia during the 4th quarter valued at $53,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its holdings in National CineMedia by 16.2% in the fourth quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 38,712 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $151,000 after purchasing an additional 5,390 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Graham Capital Management L.P. bought a new stake in National CineMedia in the fourth quarter worth $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.49% of the company’s stock.

National CineMedia Company Profile

National CineMedia, Inc is a leading U.S. out-of-home media company specializing in cinema advertising. The firm operates a proprietary network that delivers high-impact advertising content to moviegoers across a broad footprint of theaters, offering brands a targeted and immersive way to engage audiences in a captive, distraction-free environment.

Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Centennial, Colorado, National CineMedia began as a joint venture among several major exhibition chains.