tiprankstipranks
Trending News
More News >
Creative Realities Inc (CREX)
NASDAQ:CREX
US Market
Advertisement

Creative Realities (CREX) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
348 Followers

Top Page

CREX

Creative Realities

(NASDAQ:CREX)

Rating:47Neutral
Price Target:
$2.50
▲(8.23% Upside)
Creative Realities' overall stock score is primarily impacted by its financial challenges, including declining revenues and negative profitability. Technical analysis indicates bearish momentum, further weighing on the score. While the earnings call provided some positive insights into future growth and debt reduction, the overall outlook remains cautious due to valuation concerns and operational challenges.

Creative Realities (CREX) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Creative Realities Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCreative Realities, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides digital marketing technology and solutions to retail companies, individual retail brands, enterprises, and organizations in the United States and internationally. Its technology and solutions include digital merchandising systems and omni-channel customer engagement systems; interactive digital shopping assistants; advisors and kiosks; and other interactive marketing technologies, such as mobile, social media, point-of-sale transactions, beaconing, and Web-based media that enables its customers to engage with their consumers. The company also provides system hardware; professional and implementation services; software design and development; and software licensing, deployment, and maintenance and support services, as well as media management and distribution software platforms and networks; device and product management; and customized software service layers, systems, experiences, workflows, and integrated solutions. The company sells its solutions to the automotive, apparel and accessories, banking, baby/children, beauty, CPG, department stores, digital out-of-home, electronics, fashion, fitness, foodservice/quick service restaurant, financial services, gaming, luxury, mass merchants, mobile operators, and pharmacy retail industries. Creative Realities, Inc. is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.
How the Company Makes MoneyCreative Realities generates revenue through multiple streams, primarily by selling digital signage solutions, which include both hardware and software components. Key revenue streams consist of direct sales of digital displays, licensing fees for proprietary content management software, and ongoing maintenance and support services. Additionally, the company often engages in long-term contracts with clients for managed services, providing a steady income stream. Significant partnerships with technology firms and content creators also contribute to its earnings by expanding its product offerings and enhancing its market reach.

Creative Realities Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 13, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: -3.35%|
Next Earnings Date:Nov 17, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted strong revenue growth and improved EBITDA, alongside debt reduction and significant new business engagements, particularly in the QSR vertical. However, challenges such as declining gross margins, a delayed media network deployment, and increased leverage were noted. Overall, positive growth indicators and strategic progress were emphasized, though certain operational and financial challenges persist.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Revenue Growth
Revenue for Q2 2025 was $13 million, up 34% compared to Q1, and flat year-over-year despite challenges in gross margin.
Adjusted EBITDA Improvement
Adjusted EBITDA rose to $1.2 million in Q2 2025 from $0.5 million in Q1, showing improvement in financial performance.
Debt Reduction
Approximately $3.1 million in debt was reduced in Q2 2025 due to operating cash flow, enhancing financial stability.
Significant QSR Engagement
A significant engagement was announced with a well-known upscale quick service restaurant chain, expected to lead to a national rollout.
New Retail Media Network Opportunities
Increased traction and interest in the AdLogic CPM+ platform, with three customers testing for potential deployment in retail media networks.
SOC 2 Type 2 Certification
Achieved SOC 2 Type 2 certification, enhancing the trustworthiness and credibility of CRI products.
Negative Updates
Gross Margin Decline
Consolidated gross margin fell to 39% from 52% in the prior year period, largely due to revenue mix changes involving more hardware versus services.
Delayed Deployment of Digi Point Media Network
The anticipated deployment of the Digi Point Media Network is behind schedule, now expected to begin in Q4 instead of Q3.
Increased Leverage
Gross and net debt increased compared to the start of 2025, with leverage ratios rising due to settlement of contingent liability.
Bowling Alley Customer Stagnation
No new deployments scheduled for the Bowling Alley customer, potentially due to funding issues.
Company Guidance
During Creative Realities' 2025 second quarter earnings call, CEO Rick Mills provided detailed guidance on the company's financial performance and future expectations. The company reported a revenue of $13 million for Q2, representing a 34% increase from Q1 but remaining flat year-over-year. Gross profit was $5 million with a gross margin of 39%, down from 52% in the prior year, primarily due to a shift in revenue mix. The annual recurring revenue (ARR) run rate grew to $18.1 million, up from $17.3 million at the end of Q1. Adjusted EBITDA rose to $1.2 million, a significant improvement from $0.5 million in Q1. The company reduced its debt by approximately $3.1 million, lowering the balance on its line of credit to $16.1 million. Looking forward, Creative Realities anticipates increased margins in the second half of the year as it rolls out installations, and expects adjusted EBITDA as a percent of revenue to rise to 15% by year-end. The company is also optimistic about its pipeline, citing a significant engagement with a quick-service restaurant chain and plans for digital transformation projects in various sectors, including retail media networks and sports venues.

Creative Realities Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Creative Realities faces significant financial challenges, with declining revenues, negative profitability, and weak cash flow generation. While the balance sheet shows manageable leverage, the company must focus on improving its revenue growth and operational efficiency to enhance profitability and cash flow.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
Creative Realities has shown a declining revenue trend with a negative revenue growth rate of -17.6% in the TTM period. The gross profit margin is relatively stable at 45.1%, but the company is struggling with profitability, as evidenced by a negative net profit margin of -2.56% and negative EBIT and EBITDA margins. The company needs to focus on improving its cost structure and revenue generation to enhance profitability.
Balance Sheet
55
Neutral
The balance sheet shows a moderate debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, indicating manageable leverage. However, the return on equity is negative at -4.36%, reflecting challenges in generating returns for shareholders. The equity ratio is healthy, suggesting a strong capital base, but the company needs to improve its profitability to enhance shareholder value.
Cash Flow
40
Negative
The cash flow statement reveals significant challenges, with a negative free cash flow growth rate of -50.85% and negative operating cash flow. The free cash flow to net income ratio is high, indicating some ability to convert net income into cash flow, but overall cash generation is weak. Improving operational efficiency and cash management is crucial for financial stability.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue48.22M50.85M45.17M43.35M18.44M17.46M
Gross Profit21.77M24.01M22.18M17.74M8.36M8.12M
EBITDA-639.00K2.45M3.36M7.53M2.42M-14.51M
Net Income-1.23M-3.51M-2.94M1.88M232.00K-16.84M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets63.65M65.21M70.78M66.02M22.88M20.62M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments569.00K1.04M2.91M1.63M2.88M1.83M
Total Debt22.00M13.97M14.56M19.16M7.53M10.84M
Total Liabilities34.21M39.75M41.95M40.44M14.15M16.28M
Stockholders Equity29.44M25.46M28.83M25.58M8.73M4.33M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-1.47M580.00K1.14M-5.00M-688.00K-4.19M
Operating Cash Flow-52.00K3.38M5.17M-708.00K471.00K-3.53M
Investing Cash Flow-2.57M-2.80M-4.03M-21.48M-1.16M-657.00K
Financing Cash Flow-895.00K-2.45M137.00K20.93M1.75M3.48M

Creative Realities Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price2.31
Price Trends
50DMA
3.05
Negative
100DMA
2.56
Negative
200DMA
2.65
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.16
Positive
RSI
36.33
Neutral
STOCH
29.60
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CREX, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 2.31 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 2.63, below the 50-day MA of 3.05, and below the 200-day MA of 2.65, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.16 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 36.33 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 29.60 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for CREX.

Creative Realities Risk Analysis

Creative Realities disclosed 39 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Creative Realities reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Creative Realities Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
61
Neutral
$35.97B6.65-10.17%1.99%8.60%-7.54%
48
Neutral
$19.93M-41.44%-11.50%-71.52%
47
Neutral
$25.61M27.05-4.28%-6.24%24.19%
47
Neutral
$18.01M-17.07%-13.06%
42
Neutral
$14.57M-94.92%-38.89%64.99%
$231.43M-55.41%
38
Underperform
$10.12M0.61%-18.93%-1133.29%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CREX
Creative Realities
2.31
-1.84
-44.34%
SMSI
Smith Micro Software
0.68
-0.02
-2.86%
XTKG
X3 Holdings
2.30
-5.25
-69.54%
IPM
Intelligent Protection Management
1.95
-2.10
-51.85%
NXPL
NextPlat
0.71
-0.46
-39.32%
QH
Quhuo
0.10
-0.22
-68.75%

Creative Realities Corporate Events

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Creative Realities Amends Credit Agreement with Bank
Neutral
Jul 28, 2025

On July 24, 2025, Creative Realities, Inc. and its subsidiaries, in collaboration with First Merchants Bank, executed a Second Amendment to their Credit Agreement. This amendment adjusts the borrowing base margin for the company’s revolving line of credit, setting it at 95% until September 29, 2025, 90% until October 30, 2025, and 85% thereafter, impacting the company’s financial flexibility and credit availability.

Executive/Board Changes
Creative Realities Grants Stock Units to Executives
Neutral
Jul 3, 2025

On July 3, 2025, Creative Realities, Inc. granted restricted stock units to its CEO, Richard Mills, and Interim CFO, David Ryan Mudd. Mills received 450,000 units, vesting in installments by 2028, while Mudd received 50,000 units, also vesting by 2028. These grants are part of the company’s 2023 Stock Incentive Plan and are subject to specific conditions including continued service, sale transactions, or changes in control.

Executive/Board ChangesM&A Transactions
Creative Realities Resolves Dispute with CEO Stock Options
Neutral
Jun 4, 2025

On June 2, 2025, Creative Realities, Inc. fully vested an option for 333,334 shares of common stock to its CEO, Richard Mills, as a result of resolving a dispute related to the Guaranteed Consideration from a merger agreement. Additionally, the company issued stock options to Mr. Mills and Interim CFO David Ryan Mudd, with a ten-year term, under its 2023 Stock Incentive Plan, reflecting strategic incentives for leadership retention and alignment with shareholder interests.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 19, 2025