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Creative Realities Inc (CREX)
NASDAQ:CREX
US Market

Creative Realities (CREX) AI Stock Analysis

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CREX

Creative Realities

(NASDAQ:CREX)

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Neutral 54 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:54Neutral
Price Target:
$3.00
▼(-18.03% Downside)
The score is held back primarily by weak financial performance (declining revenue, negative margins, negative operating cash flow). Technicals provide support with price above key moving averages, but momentum is nearing stretched levels. The earnings call adds moderate optimism due to the transformative CDM acquisition and synergy targets, while valuation remains pressured due to losses (negative P/E) and no dividend support.
Positive Factors
Scale via CDM acquisition
Buying Cineplex Digital Media materially increases company scale, expanding revenue base and customer footprint. Doubling size supports fixed-cost absorption, improves negotiating leverage with suppliers and advertisers, and makes the stated $10M synergy target a meaningful driver of sustainable margin expansion.
High recurring revenue and network scale
CDM's large installed base and majority-recurring revenue provide a steadier revenue stream and higher visibility into future cash flows. Network scale creates advertising and platform network effects that support long-term SaaS and content monetization, improving revenue durability and margin potential.
Product expansion into drive-thru digital systems
Digital Drive-Thru 2.0 addresses a structural, growing QSR and convenience market need. Multi-screen capability increases per-location revenue potential and recurring software/content opportunities, broadening the addressable market and enabling longer-term SaaS and advertising revenue streams beyond one-time hardware sales.
Negative Factors
Declining revenue and ARR
Falling revenue and ARR reduce base-level cash generation and weaken monetization of installed systems. Sustained declines shrink scale benefits, make hitting post-acquisition >$100M revenue targets harder, and increase reliance on new large customer wins to restore recurring revenue and predictable margins.
Negative margins and operating cash flow
Persistent negative operating margins and cash flow indicate core operations currently do not generate sufficient cash. This undermines self-funding for growth, heightens dependence on external financing, and elevates execution risk for product development and integration of acquisitions until margins sustainably improve.
Higher leverage from acquisition financing
Acquisition-related debt increases interest and principal obligations, reducing financial flexibility and increasing covenant and refinancing risk. If anticipated synergies or revenue gains are delayed, leverage could constrain investment in sales, R&D, and integration, pressuring long-term balance sheet health.

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 including the sale of hardware and software solutions, service contracts for installation and maintenance, and subscription fees for its content management platform. The company also earns income from consulting services that assist clients in developing effective digital marketing strategies. Significant partnerships with technology providers and advertising agencies enhance its offerings and expand its market reach, contributing to a diversified revenue model.

Creative Realities Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 12, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Mar 13, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted significant strategic achievements such as the acquisition of Cineplex Digital Media, which is expected to double the company's size and improve revenue and EBITDA margins. However, the quarter saw a decline in revenue and gross profit, along with increased debt levels. The company's financial outlook post-acquisition appears strong, but the current quarter's financial metrics were weaker.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Acquisition of Cineplex Digital Media
Creative Realities completed the acquisition of Cineplex Digital Media (CDM) for $70 million CAD, approximately $50 million USD. This acquisition is expected to double the company's size and significantly improve bottom-line results. CDM posted revenue of just under $56 million CAD in 2024 and is on track to deliver 25% year-over-year growth in 2025.
Expansion into Canadian Market
With the acquisition of CDM, Creative Realities has significantly increased its operations outside the US. Over 60% of CDM's revenue is recurring, and approximately 84% of sales are based in Canada. CDM operates in over 6,000 locations with signage deployments in approximately 30,000 endpoints.
New Business Developments
Creative Realities has been chosen by a large QSR chain with over 4,000 locations in the US for a digital drive-through expansion. The company is also working with a c-store customer on a retail media network test involving 8,000 in-store screens that could lead to significant SaaS revenue growth.
Financial Outlook Post-Acquisition
The acquisition is anticipated to provide synergies of at least $10 million annually by 2026. Creative Realities expects total company revenue to exceed $100 million in 2026, with an adjusted EBITDA margin in the high teens.
Negative Updates
Third Quarter Revenue Decline
Revenue for the third quarter was $10.5 million, down from $14.4 million in the prior year period. Gross profit also fell from $6.6 million in 2024 to $4.8 million. A $2 million order slipped from Q3 to Q4, negatively impacting results.
Decreased Annual Recurring Revenue
Annual recurring run rate (ARR) was $12.3 million at the end of the third quarter, down from $18.1 million in the same period in 2024.
Increased Debt Levels
Gross and net debt increased to $22.2 million and $21.9 million, respectively, from $20.1 million and $19.5 million at the end of 2024. This increase is partly due to the financing of the CDM acquisition.
Company Guidance
In the third quarter of 2025, Creative Realities, Inc. reported revenue of $10.5 million, a decrease from $14.4 million in the same period in 2024, and a gross profit of $4.8 million compared to $6.6 million the previous year. The company's gross margin was 45%, slightly down from 46% in 2024, and adjusted EBITDA stood at $800,000, down from $2.3 million. As of September 30, 2025, the annual recurring run rate (ARR) was $12.3 million, a drop from $18.1 million in 2024. The acquisition of Cineplex Digital Media (CDM) for approximately $50 million USD is expected to double the company's size, aiming for over $100 million in revenue in 2026, with anticipated adjusted EBITDA margins exceeding 20% following synergies estimated to bring at least $10 million annually by 2026. The company also announced a strategic hire of Dan McAllister as Chief Revenue Officer to enhance customer acquisition in North America, aligning with their goal to accelerate growth and improve results in 2026.

Creative Realities Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Weak fundamentals driven by declining TTM revenue (-8.08%) and negative profitability (net margin -2.56% with negative EBIT/EBITDA margins). Leverage is moderate (debt-to-equity 0.75), but returns remain poor (ROE -4.36%). Cash flow quality is mixed: free cash flow growth is strong (+98.5%), yet operating cash flow is negative and FCF appears less tied to core operations.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
Creative Realities has shown a decline in revenue growth with a TTM revenue decrease of 8.08%. The gross profit margin remains relatively stable at 45.14%, but the net profit margin is negative at -2.56%, indicating profitability challenges. EBIT and EBITDA margins are also negative, reflecting operational inefficiencies.
Balance Sheet
50
Neutral
The company maintains a moderate debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75, suggesting manageable leverage. However, the return on equity is negative at -4.36%, indicating inefficiencies in generating returns from equity. The equity ratio stands at 35.73%, showing a reasonable proportion of equity financing.
Cash Flow
40
Negative
Free cash flow has grown significantly by 98.5%, but the operating cash flow is negative, indicating cash management issues. The free cash flow to net income ratio is high at 28.21, suggesting reliance on non-operational cash flows.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue44.32M50.85M45.17M43.35M18.44M17.46M
Gross Profit19.12M24.01M22.18M17.74M8.36M8.12M
EBITDA-2.81M2.45M3.36M7.53M2.42M-14.51M
Net Income-9.53M-3.51M-2.94M1.88M232.00K-16.84M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets61.27M65.21M70.78M66.02M22.88M20.62M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments314.00K1.04M2.91M1.63M2.88M1.83M
Total Debt5.80M13.97M14.56M19.16M7.53M10.84M
Total Liabilities39.38M39.75M41.95M40.44M14.15M16.28M
Stockholders Equity21.89M25.46M28.83M25.58M8.73M4.33M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-2.91M580.00K1.14M-5.00M-688.00K-4.19M
Operating Cash Flow-2.20M3.38M5.17M-708.00K471.00K-3.53M
Investing Cash Flow-2.47M-2.80M-4.03M-21.48M-1.16M-657.00K
Financing Cash Flow4.12M-2.45M137.00K20.93M1.75M3.48M

Creative Realities Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price3.66
Price Trends
50DMA
2.85
Positive
100DMA
2.71
Positive
200DMA
2.64
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.15
Negative
RSI
76.22
Negative
STOCH
87.62
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CREX, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 3.66 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 2.91, above the 50-day MA of 2.85, and above the 200-day MA of 2.64, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.15 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 76.22 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 87.62 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for CREX.

Creative Realities Risk Analysis

Creative Realities disclosed 46 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
$37.18B12.37-10.20%1.83%8.50%-7.62%
54
Neutral
$38.50M-4.21-36.46%-18.37%-1304.71%
43
Neutral
$10.46M-0.40-52.92%-48.75%-6.62%
43
Neutral
$17.55M-1.94-216.29%
41
Neutral
$17.86M>-0.01-166.00%347.74%84.88%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CREX
Creative Realities
3.66
1.06
40.77%
ANY
Sphere 3D
0.31
-0.71
-69.61%
CYN
Cyngn
2.24
-81.97
-97.34%
SPPL
Simpple Ltd.
3.09
-3.85
-55.48%
ORKT
Orangekloud Technology Inc. Class A
0.72
-3.76
-84.00%
CSAI
Cloudastructure, Inc. Class A
0.90
-32.85
-97.35%

Creative Realities Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Creative Realities Appoints Tamra Koshewa as New CFO
Positive
Dec 4, 2025

On December 1, 2025, Creative Realities, Inc. appointed Tamra Koshewa as the new Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Richard Mills who served as interim CFO until November 30, 2025. Ms. Koshewa brings over 30 years of financial leadership experience across various industries and has held significant roles in companies such as General Electric and Time Warner Cable. Her appointment includes an employment agreement with a base salary of $350,000 and stock options, reflecting the company’s strategic focus on strengthening its financial leadership.

The most recent analyst rating on (CREX) stock is a Hold with a $3.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Creative Realities stock, see the CREX Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesPrivate Placements and FinancingShareholder Meetings
Creative Realities Completes Financing with North Run Fund
Neutral
Nov 19, 2025

On November 6, 2025, Creative Realities, Inc. completed a financing transaction with North Run Strategic Opportunities Fund I, LP, issuing Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. This transaction led to a temporary change in the company’s Board of Directors, which was later adjusted to comply with Nasdaq rules. The company plans to seek shareholder approval for this change at its annual meeting on December 29, 2025, which could result in the reappointment of a director if approved.

The most recent analyst rating on (CREX) stock is a Hold with a $2.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Creative Realities stock, see the CREX Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial DisclosuresM&A TransactionsPrivate Placements and Financing
Creative Realities Completes Acquisition of Cineplex Digital Media
Positive
Nov 12, 2025

On November 6, 2025, Creative Realities, Inc. entered into an amended and restated Credit Agreement, securing a $36 million term loan and a $22.5 million revolving credit facility to finance the acquisition of Cineplex Digital Media (CDM) and refinance certain debts. The acquisition, completed on November 7, 2025, for approximately CAD $70 million, is expected to enhance Creative Realities’ growth trajectory by expanding its customer base and leveraging synergies across a broader media network. Despite a challenging third quarter with a net loss of $7.8 million and a decrease in revenue and gross profit compared to the previous year, the acquisition and new board members are anticipated to strengthen the company’s industry position and financial performance moving forward.

The most recent analyst rating on (CREX) stock is a Hold with a $3.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Creative Realities stock, see the CREX Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyM&A Transactions
Creative Realities Discusses Cineplex Digital Media Acquisition
Positive
Oct 17, 2025

On October 16, 2025, Creative Realities, Inc. held a conference call to discuss its upcoming acquisition of Cineplex Digital Media Inc. and its affiliates, contingent upon meeting certain closing conditions. This strategic move is expected to enhance Creative Realities’ market position by expanding its digital media capabilities, potentially impacting stakeholders positively by broadening the company’s operational scope.

The most recent analyst rating on (CREX) stock is a Hold with a $2.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Creative Realities stock, see the CREX Stock Forecast page.

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: Jan 08, 2026