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Lionsgate Studios (LION)
NYSE:LION
US Market

Lionsgate Studios (LION) AI Stock Analysis

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LION

Lionsgate Studios

(NYSE:LION)

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Neutral 52 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:52Neutral
Price Target:
$10.00
▲(12.61% Upside)
The score is held back primarily by weak financial performance—declining revenue, ongoing losses, negative equity, and negative operating/free cash flow—despite positive technical momentum with the stock trading above major moving averages. The earnings call adds moderate support via strong library performance and upbeat growth guidance, but leverage and cash burn remain key constraints, and valuation is difficult to justify with a negative P/E and no dividend yield.
Positive Factors
Library Revenue Strength
A $1B trailing library with 13% growth underpins durable, recurring licensing income across streaming, pay-TV and other windows. Strong library monetization smooths revenue volatility from new releases and enhances long-term cash generation and margin stability.
TV Content Pipeline
Award-winning TV output and a planned doubling of scripted deliveries create a sustained pipeline of commissioned fees, renewals and backend upside. This generates contracted, repeatable revenue and makes the business less cyclically tied to theatrical performance.
Talent/3 Arts Diversification
Expansion of 3 Arts into talent management and sports creates recurring agency and production revenue streams, cross-sells IP rights, and diversifies earnings away from pure studio cycles, improving structural revenue mix and potential margin uplift over time.
Negative Factors
Negative Equity
Negative shareholders' equity reflects cumulative losses or capital deficits and signals structural balance-sheet weakness. It raises refinancing cost, limits strategic flexibility, distorts return metrics and increases the likelihood of dilutive or costly capital raises over the medium term.
High Leverage
Elevated net debt and 6.4x leverage constrain financial flexibility, heighten interest and refinancing risk, and force prioritization of cash-generative projects. This limits the firm's ability to invest aggressively in content or pursue M&A without deleveraging first.
Operating Cash Burn
Consistent operating losses and negative operating/free cash flow indicate ongoing cash burn. Without sustained margin improvement or higher recurring licensing cash, liquidity pressures may force asset sales, cost cuts or external financing, undermining long-term cash-generation plans.

Lionsgate Studios (LION) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Lionsgate Studios Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionLionsgate Studios is one of the world’s leading standalone, pure play, publicly-traded content companies. It brings together diversified motion picture and television production and distribution businesses, a world-class portfolio of valuable brands and franchises, a talent management and production powerhouse and a more than 20,000-title film and television library, all driven by Lionsgate’s bold and entrepreneurial culture.
How the Company Makes MoneyLionsgate generates revenue through several key streams, including theatrical distribution of films, television licensing, and digital streaming. The company earns money by producing and distributing films that perform well at the box office, as well as through licensing content to television networks and streaming platforms. Additionally, Lionsgate benefits from home entertainment sales, including DVD and Blu-ray sales, as well as digital downloads and rentals. The company has established significant partnerships with various streaming services, which provide a steady revenue influx through licensing agreements. Furthermore, Lionsgate's extensive catalog of intellectual properties allows it to monetize its content through merchandising and ancillary products, contributing to its overall earnings.

Lionsgate Studios Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 06, 2025
(Q2-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 21, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted record-breaking library revenue, a strong TV and film slate, and strategic growth in talent management, indicating a positive outlook. However, operating losses, headcount reductions, and debt levels pose challenges that need addressing.
Q2-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Record-Breaking Library Revenue
Trailing 12-month library revenue reached $1 billion for the first time, marking a record performance with a 13% year-over-year growth.
Successful TV Business and Renewals
The television business won a record 13 Emmys and secured renewals for key shows like The Hunting Wives, Rainmaker, and Ghosts, promising a doubling of scripted series deliveries from fiscal '26 to fiscal '27.
Strong Motion Picture Slate
The Motion Picture Group prepared a robust film slate with three major holiday season releases and upcoming tentpoles like Michael, Hunger Games, and Resurrection, promising strong growth.
3 Arts Diversification and Growth
3 Arts expanded into sports, adding NFL stars like Travis Kelce and Miles Garrett, and continued strong growth in its talent management and production business.
Increased Use of AI for Efficiency
Lionsgate is applying AI to increase productivity, generate cost savings, and expand creative capabilities, while protecting its intellectual property from unauthorized AI use.
Negative Updates
Operating Losses and Cash Flow Challenges
Lionsgate reported an operating loss of $46 million and a net cash flow used in operating activities of $104 million, with adjusted free cash flow use of $129 million.
Headcount Reductions
The company reduced its headcount by approximately 5% this quarter, bringing the overall reduction to more than 20% over the past 18 months to align with market realities.
Leverage and Debt Concerns
Net debt stood at $1.7 billion with a leverage ratio of 6.4x, reflecting content spend timing and highlighting the need for future deleveraging.
Company Guidance
During the Lionsgate Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Call, the company provided guidance indicating significant growth expectations for the upcoming quarters and fiscal year 2027. Lionsgate reported a record trailing 12-month library revenue of $1 billion, highlighting the value of its intellectual property portfolio. The Motion Picture segment recorded a revenue of $276 million and a segment profit of $31 million, while the TV segment achieved $199 million in revenue and a $13 million segment profit. The company's net debt stood at $1.7 billion, with leverage at 6.4x, and ended the quarter with $247 million in cash. Lionsgate anticipates strong adjusted OIBDA growth in fiscal 2027, supported by a robust slate of tentpole films and an anticipated doubling of scripted TV series deliveries. The company is also leveraging AI for increased productivity and cost savings while protecting its intellectual property from unauthorized use. Additionally, Lionsgate is exploring M&A opportunities and expects continued investment in its library to yield substantial returns.

Lionsgate Studios Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Financial health is pressured by declining revenue (-11.13% TTM) and negative net margin (-6.97%). The balance sheet is a major concern with negative stockholders’ equity, signaling elevated financial risk despite a positive ROE that is distorted by the negative equity base. Cash flow shows mixed signals: free cash flow growth is positive (18.60%), but operating and free cash flows are negative, indicating continued funding and timing challenges.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
Lionsgate Studios has experienced a decline in revenue, with a negative revenue growth rate of -11.13% in the TTM period. The gross profit margin has decreased to 26.73%, and the net profit margin is negative at -6.97%, indicating challenges in profitability. The EBIT margin is slightly positive at 3.12%, but the EBITDA margin remains strong at 43.95%, suggesting some operational efficiency despite the losses.
Balance Sheet
30
Negative
The company has a negative stockholders' equity, resulting in a negative debt-to-equity ratio, which is concerning. The return on equity is positive at 17.12%, but this is due to the negative equity. The equity ratio is not calculable due to negative equity, indicating financial instability.
Cash Flow
40
Negative
Lionsgate Studios shows a positive free cash flow growth rate of 18.60%, but both operating and free cash flows are negative. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is negative, indicating cash flow challenges. However, the free cash flow to net income ratio is above 1, suggesting some ability to cover net losses with free cash flow.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.78B3.20B2.99B3.08B2.72B1.91B
Gross Profit919.00M985.50M1.10B875.90M794.20M692.90M
EBITDA1.41B1.77B334.80M1.84B1.68B922.30M
Net Income-194.10M-128.50M-93.50M-300.00K11.10M-19.60M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets5.16B5.12B5.10B4.41B4.33B3.69B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments202.40M205.70M277.00M210.90M256.90M361.30M
Total Debt3.89B3.66B3.72B3.18B2.76B2.35B
Total Liabilities6.28B6.04B6.13B4.85B4.26B3.71B
Stockholders Equity-1.26B-1.05B-1.15B-780.40M-261.30M-236.90M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-53.70M-120.30M479.00M339.60M-441.10M-242.60M
Operating Cash Flow-42.10M-106.80M488.90M346.10M-435.00M-232.40M
Investing Cash Flow-7.40M-35.40M-331.80M31.30M-180.70M-300.00K
Financing Cash Flow52.40M84.50M-74.90M-394.50M525.50M365.00M

Lionsgate Studios Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price8.88
Price Trends
50DMA
8.58
Positive
100DMA
7.59
Positive
200DMA
7.04
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.16
Positive
RSI
45.00
Neutral
STOCH
12.75
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For LION, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 8.88 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 9.27, above the 50-day MA of 8.58, and above the 200-day MA of 7.04, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.16 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 45.00 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 12.75 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for LION.

Lionsgate Studios Risk Analysis

Lionsgate Studios disclosed 38 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Lionsgate Studios 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

Lionsgate Studios Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
69
Neutral
$189.64B15.3611.65%1.10%3.61%152.34%
69
Neutral
$338.45B31.7242.76%15.49%35.54%
68
Neutral
$28.44B16.9116.87%0.75%14.91%9.30%
68
Neutral
$66.99B144.081.36%-4.29%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
52
Neutral
$2.57B-12.8197.19%-21.46%
50
Neutral
$11.86B-1.90%1.48%-0.48%97.09%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
LION
Lionsgate Studios
8.82
1.37
18.39%
PSKY
Paramount Skydance
10.75
0.07
0.67%
DIS
Walt Disney
107.05
-3.81
-3.44%
NFLX
Netflix
80.16
-21.41
-21.08%
FOXA
Fox
65.92
13.18
24.99%
WBD
Warner Bros
26.76
16.56
162.35%

Lionsgate Studios Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Lionsgate Studios Adds Mnuchin, Strikes Governance Pact
Positive
Jan 26, 2026

On January 26, 2026, Lionsgate Studios entered into a governance, standstill and voting agreement with Liberty 77-affiliated funds and MHR Fund Management that installs Liberty Strategic Capital’s managing partner and former U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin as a Liberty-designated independent director on its board, bringing the total number of directors to eleven. Under the deal, Liberty 77 and MHR have agreed to mutual voting support for each other’s board nominees and to refrain from activist measures such as increasing their stakes above 17.5%, launching proxy contests or other actions that could challenge Lionsgate’s governance structure for a defined multi-year period, while receiving pre-emptive, registration and “most favored nation” rights aligned with existing major shareholders; the company does not anticipate Mnuchin’s appointment will materially alter its operations but expects his financial, regulatory and entertainment experience, as well as the alignment with significant shareholders, to reinforce board oversight and governance stability for investors.

The most recent analyst rating on (LION) stock is a Hold with a $10.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Lionsgate Studios stock, see the LION Stock Forecast page.

Regulatory Filings and ComplianceShareholder Meetings
Lionsgate Studios Sets Timetable for 2026 Shareholder Meeting
Neutral
Jan 9, 2026

Lionsgate Studios Corp. has scheduled its initial annual general and special meeting of shareholders for March 17, 2026, to be held at its Canadian head office, with further details to be provided in a forthcoming proxy statement. The company has established January 20, 2026, as the deadline for shareholder proposals to be included in the proxy materials under Rule 14a-8, and February 13, 2026, as the cutoff for eligible shareholders to submit director nominations, reinforcing formal governance processes and providing a clear timetable for investor participation in corporate decision-making.

The most recent analyst rating on (LION) stock is a Buy with a $11.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Lionsgate Studios stock, see the LION 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 26, 2026