National CineMedia (NASDAQ:NCMI) Issues Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.02 EPS

National CineMedia (NASDAQ:NCMI) announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday. The business services provider reported ($0.23) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.25) by $0.02, FiscalAI reports. National CineMedia had a negative net margin of 4.32% and a negative return on equity of 2.29%. The business had revenue of $34.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations 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

Shares of NASDAQ NCMI traded down $0.33 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $3.05. 112,670 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 409,964. The company has a market cap of $284.50 million, a PE ratio of -30.34 and a beta of 1.43. National CineMedia has a twelve month low of $2.86 and a twelve month high of $5.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03, a current ratio of 2.22 and a quick ratio of 2.22. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $3.39 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $3.70.

National CineMedia Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 4th. Investors of record on Friday, May 22nd will be issued a dividend of $0.03 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 22nd. This represents a $0.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.9%. National CineMedia’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -120.00%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other National CineMedia news, EVP Maria Vg Woods sold 12,066 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $3.04, for a total value of $36,680.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 143,097 shares in the company, valued at approximately $435,014.88. This trade represents a 7.78% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 1.70% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of National CineMedia

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd raised its holdings in National CineMedia by 79.5% in the 4th quarter. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd now owns 9,523,889 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $37,048,000 after buying an additional 4,218,288 shares during the last quarter. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC increased its position in National CineMedia by 34.2% in the 3rd quarter. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC now owns 6,151,313 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $27,742,000 after acquiring an additional 1,568,376 shares during the period. Barclays PLC raised its stake in shares of National CineMedia by 30.1% during the fourth quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 2,003,352 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $7,793,000 after acquiring an additional 463,112 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of National CineMedia by 17.6% during the third quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,774,325 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $8,003,000 after purchasing an additional 266,032 shares during the period. Finally, Squarepoint Ops LLC lifted its holdings in shares of National CineMedia by 217.0% during the second quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 280,509 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $1,359,000 after purchasing an additional 192,031 shares during the period. 69.49% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

NCMI has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Barrington Research decreased their price target 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. B. Riley Financial dropped their price objective on National CineMedia from $5.00 to $4.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Weiss Ratings upgraded National CineMedia from a “sell (d-)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research report on Friday, February 27th. Finally, Wedbush lowered their target price on National CineMedia from $6.50 to $6.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $5.38.

More National CineMedia News

Here are the key news stories impacting National CineMedia this week:

• Positive Sentiment: National CineMedia beat first-quarter expectations, reporting a loss of $0.23 per share versus the expected $0.25 loss, while revenue of $34.0 million also came in ahead of estimates. National CineMedia, Inc. Reports Results for Fiscal First Quarter 2026
• Positive Sentiment: The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share, which may support investor sentiment by signaling continued capital returns.
• Neutral Sentiment: National CineMedia shareholders approved all proposals at the annual meeting, removing some corporate uncertainty but likely not changing the near-term trading outlook. National CineMedia Shareholders Approve Proposals at Annual Meeting
• Neutral Sentiment: The company’s earnings call transcript and post-earnings commentary suggest management is focused on monetizing a stronger theatrical audience, but the market is still assessing execution. National CineMedia, Inc. (NCMI) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Wedbush lowered its price target on National CineMedia to $6.00 from $6.50, which can weigh on sentiment even though the firm kept an outperform rating. National CineMedia (NASDAQ:NCMI) Price Target Lowered to $6.00 at Wedbush
• Negative Sentiment: Management’s second-quarter revenue guidance of $57 million to $63 million brackets the Street’s estimate of about $60.4 million, leaving investors focused on whether growth will accelerate enough to justify the recent rally.

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.