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Imax Corp. (IMAX)
NYSE:IMAX

IMAX (IMAX) AI Stock Analysis

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IMAX

(NYSE:IMAX)

Rating:70Outperform
Price Target:
IMAX's overall score is driven by its strong financial performance and positive earnings outlook, despite high valuation and mixed technical signals. The company's robust cash flow and profitability, along with strategic expansion and leadership appointments, support a favorable long-term view. However, the high P/E ratio and absence of dividend yield temper short-term enthusiasm.
Positive Factors
Box Office Performance
IMAX delivered a strong start to 2025, setting a new Q1 global box office record of $298M, with China playing a dominant role in the result.
Revenue Growth
IMAX reported strong Q1 2025 results with total revenue of $86.7M, marking a 10 percent YoY increase.
Strategic Positioning
IMAX is poised to benefit from structural tailwinds in premium theatrical content due to improved screen utilization, deepening filmmaker partnerships, and expanding system installations across underpenetrated markets.
Negative Factors
Hollywood Film Slate
Despite recent rhetoric from China on reducing its Hollywood film slate, IMAX remains well-positioned to thrive in the current environment, given its robust upcoming release slate and strong positioning with China.
Market Challenges
Despite recent rhetoric from China on reducing its Hollywood film slate, IMAX remains well-positioned to thrive in the current environment, given its robust upcoming release slate and strong positioning with China.

IMAX (IMAX) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

IMAX Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionIMAX Corporation is a Canadian-American company that specializes in motion picture technologies and large-format film presentations. Founded in 1967, the company is renowned for its high-resolution cameras, film formats, projectors, and immersive theater systems that deliver an unparalleled cinematic experience. IMAX operates in the entertainment sector, providing its technology to both commercial multiplexes and institutional theaters, such as museums and science centers, worldwide.
How the Company Makes MoneyIMAX Corporation generates revenue primarily through several key streams: technology licensing, theater system sales and maintenance, and film distribution. The company licenses its proprietary projection and sound systems to movie theaters, which pay for the installation and ongoing use of IMAX technology. This includes both the initial sale or lease of the equipment and subsequent maintenance and service contracts. Additionally, IMAX earns revenue by distributing specially formatted films and co-producing IMAX-specific content, often partnering with major film studios to release blockbusters in the IMAX format. These partnerships enhance the company's earnings through box office revenue shares and distribution fees. Thus, IMAX's business model capitalizes on its unique technological offerings and strategic alliances within the global film industry.

IMAX Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Apr 23, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 16.56%|
Next Earnings Date:Jul 24, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
IMAX Corporation reported a record-breaking first quarter with significant box office growth and expansion in system signings. While concerns about Hollywood imports to China exist, the company's local language strategy and strong financial performance paint a positive outlook.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record-Breaking Global Box Office
IMAX Corporation achieved nearly $300 million in global box office, marking its best first quarter ever. Chinese New Year exceeded expectations with $182 million, triple the previous record.
Significant Growth in System Signings
IMAX signed agreements for 101 new and upgraded systems worldwide, compared to 130 for all of 2024. This includes a major agreement with AMC and international expansion in Japan, Europe, and North America.
Strong Financial Performance
The company reported a 10% increase in revenue to $87 million and a 17% increase in technology products and services revenue. Adjusted EBITDA grew by 15% with a margin of 42.7%.
Successful Local Language Strategy
Local language films accounted for 68% of the box office in Q1 2025. IMAX set records in China and Japan with local language releases and is expanding its content portfolio in fast-growing markets.
Negative Updates
Moderate Reduction in Hollywood Imports to China
There is a moderate reduction in Hollywood imports announced by the China Film Administration, targeting films with limited box office potential.
Potential Economic Concerns in China
Questions arose about the potential impact of an economic slowdown in China on consumer attendance, though recent performance has been strong.
Company Guidance
During the IMAX Corporation's First Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, CEO Richard Gelfond highlighted the company's strong start to the year with nearly $300 million in global box office revenue, marking their best first quarter ever. The company achieved double-digit growth in revenue and adjusted EBITDA, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 43%. IMAX signed agreements for 101 new and upgraded systems worldwide, compared to 130 for all of 2024, and installed 21 systems, marking their second-best first quarter for installations. The Chinese New Year box office hit $182 million, triple their previous record, contributing to a growth in local language films, which accounted for 68% of the box office in Q1 2025. The company maintained its guidance for a record $1.2 billion in global box office for the year, driven by a strong slate of upcoming releases and a promising outlook for 2026 and beyond.

IMAX Financial Statement Overview

Summary
IMAX shows a promising financial trajectory with improving profitability, stable leverage, and strong cash flow generation. However, the company should continue to monitor its debt levels and focus on sustaining revenue growth to maintain its upward momentum.
Income Statement
75
Positive
IMAX has shown solid improvement in its profitability metrics. The TTM gross profit margin stands strong at 54.6%, and the net profit margin has improved to 12.6% from a negative position in prior years. Revenue growth has stabilized post-pandemic, with a slight increase in TTM revenue compared to the previous year. EBIT and EBITDA margins are healthy, indicating efficient operations.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company maintains a stable financial position with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, indicating a balanced leverage. ROE improved to 15.2% in the TTM, showcasing enhanced profitability for shareholders. The equity ratio slightly decreased to 35.3%, reflecting a cautious approach to asset financing.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
IMAX demonstrated strong cash flow management with a significant increase in free cash flow, growing by 79.0% in the TTM. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is robust at 1.95, and free cash flow to net income ratio stands at 1.17, indicating effective cash conversion from profits.
Breakdown
TTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
359.75M352.21M374.84M300.81M254.88M137.00M
Gross Profit
196.49M190.20M214.34M156.35M134.41M21.54M
EBIT
48.53M43.86M50.40M-4.83M10.98M-121.82M
EBITDA
100.33M111.28M112.96M52.77M74.16M-69.41M
Net Income Common Stockholders
25.11M26.06M25.34M-22.80M-22.33M-143.78M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
97.07M100.59M76.20M97.40M189.71M317.38M
Total Assets
848.30M830.40M814.67M821.15M883.25M997.75M
Total Debt
279.60M266.26M252.06M263.02M226.11M305.68M
Net Debt
182.53M165.66M175.85M165.62M36.40M-11.70M
Total Liabilities
464.01M452.18M469.08M491.39M452.88M532.98M
Stockholders Equity
299.50M299.47M273.14M263.36M356.08M385.49M
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
53.03M29.62M25.78M-15.30M-11.71M-32.27M
Operating Cash Flow
88.76M70.84M58.62M17.32M6.07M-23.01M
Investing Cash Flow
-48.70M-41.22M-31.79M-53.29M-7.00K-9.26M
Financing Cash Flow
-24.60M-6.04M-48.53M-58.51M-132.72M240.57M

IMAX Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price28.09
Price Trends
50DMA
25.11
Positive
100DMA
24.89
Positive
200DMA
23.65
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.83
Negative
RSI
73.08
Negative
STOCH
73.88
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For IMAX, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 28.09 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 26.02, above the 50-day MA of 25.11, and above the 200-day MA of 23.65, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.83 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 73.08 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 73.88 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for IMAX.

IMAX Risk Analysis

IMAX disclosed 29 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. IMAX 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

IMAX Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
CNCNK
74
Outperform
$3.87B22.2471.46%0.25%-0.80%13.07%
70
Outperform
$1.45B58.219.00%-1.98%-1.18%
63
Neutral
$1.76B13.531222.83%5.81%133.05%
61
Neutral
$14.08B5.95-4.18%3.68%2.79%-36.29%
AMAMC
55
Neutral
$1.40B20.03%-5.43%26.07%
* Communication Services Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
IMAX
IMAX
28.09
11.75
71.91%
CNK
Cinemark Holdings
33.69
16.66
97.83%
AMC
AMC Entertainment
4.01
-0.87
-17.83%
MSGE
Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.
36.99
1.73
4.91%

IMAX Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
IMAX Appoints Jose Zlatar as New Accounting Officer
Positive
Apr 25, 2025

On April 23, 2025, IMAX Corporation’s Board of Directors appointed Jose Zlatar as the new principal accounting officer, effective April 30, 2025. Zlatar, who joined the company in February 2025 as Senior Vice President, Finance, will take over the accounting responsibilities from CFO Natasha Fernandes, who will continue as the principal financial officer. Zlatar brings extensive experience from his previous roles at Canadian National Railway and Yamana Gold Inc., and his appointment is expected to strengthen IMAX’s financial leadership and operations.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

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.