AMC Networks (AMCX) Misses Q1 Earnings, Beats Revenues

AMC Networks Inc. (NASDAQ:AMCX) reported mixed financial results in the first quarter of 2016. While revenues outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate, net earnings missed the same.

GAAP net income was $113.4 million or $1.55 per share compared with $120.9 million or $1.66 per share in the year-ago quarter. First-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $1.64 were well short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.84.

Quarterly total revenue of $706.6 million was up 5.7% year over year and ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $693 million. National Networks revenues were $598.6 million, up 6.4% year over year. International and Other revenues were $109 million, up 2.5% year over year.

Quarterly total adjusted operating cash flow (ACOF) was $286.6 million, up 10.6% year over year. National Networks AOCF was $281 million, up 10.9% and International and Other AOCF was $5.1 million, down 10.1%.

First-quarter operating costs and expenses totaled $447.8 million, up 2.2% year over year. Operating income was $258.8 million, up 12.2% year over year. Operating margin was 36.6% compared with 34.5% in the prior-year quarter.

In the first quarter of 2016, AMC Networks generated $167.4 million of cash from operations compared with $80.2 million in the year-ago quarter. Free cash flow in the reported quarter was $146 million compared with $61.9 million in the year-ago quarter. At the end of the reported quarter, AMC Networks had $702.8 million of cash and cash equivalents and $2,356 million of net debt outstanding.

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

AMC Networks currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the industry include Cumulus Media Inc. (NASDAQ:CMLS) , Entercom Communications Corp. (NYSE:ETM) and Gray Television Inc. (NYSE:GTN) . While Cumulus and Entercom currently sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Gray Television holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).