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Warner Music Group (WMG)
NASDAQ:WMG
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Warner Music Group (WMG) AI Stock Analysis

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WMG

Warner Music Group

(NASDAQ:WMG)

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Neutral 63 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:63Neutral
Price Target:
$34.00
▲(21.39% Upside)
Warner Music Group's strong earnings call and strategic initiatives drive a positive outlook, despite technical analysis indicating a bearish trend and valuation concerns. Financial performance shows growth, but profitability pressures and cash flow sustainability need attention.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Warner Music Group's strong revenue growth indicates effective market strategies and increased demand for its offerings, supporting long-term business expansion.
AI Partnerships
Strategic AI partnerships position Warner Music Group at the forefront of technological innovation, opening new revenue streams and enhancing competitive advantage.
Market Share Gains
Gaining market share demonstrates Warner Music Group's strong competitive position and effectiveness in capturing audience interest, which is crucial for sustained growth.
Negative Factors
Profitability Margins
Declining profitability margins suggest increased operational costs or pricing pressures, which could impact long-term financial health if not addressed.
Debt Levels
High debt levels may limit Warner Music Group's financial flexibility and increase risk, potentially affecting its ability to invest in growth opportunities.
Cash Flow Sustainability
A decrease in cash flow sustainability could hinder Warner Music Group's ability to fund operations and growth initiatives, posing a risk to long-term stability.

Warner Music Group (WMG) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Warner Music Group Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionWarner Music Group Corp. operates as a music entertainment company in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and internationally. The company operates through Recorded Music and Music Publishing segments. The Recorded Music segment is involved in the discovery and development of recording artists, as well as related marketing, promotion, distribution, sale, and licensing of music created by such recording artists; markets its music catalog through compilations and reissuances of previously released music and video titles, as well as previously unreleased materials; and conducts its operation primarily through a collection of record labels, such as Warner Records and Atlantic Records, as well as Asylum, Big Beat, Canvasback, East West, Erato, FFRR, Fueled by Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Reprise, Roadrunner, Sire, Spinnin' Records, Warner Classics, and Warner Music Nashville. This segment markets, distributes, and sells music and video products to retailers and wholesale distributors; independent labels to retail and wholesale distributors; and various distribution centers and ventures, as well as retail outlets, online physical retailers, streaming services, and download services. The Music Publishing segment owns and acquires rights to approximately one million musical compositions comprising pop hits, American standards, folk songs, and motion picture and theatrical compositions. Its catalog includes approximately 100,000 songwriters and composers; and various genres, including pop, rock, jazz, classical, country, R&B, hip-hop, rap, reggae, Latin, folk, blues, symphonic, soul, Broadway, electronic, alternative, and gospel. This segment also administers the music and soundtracks of various third-party television and film producers and studios. The company was founded in 1929 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
How the Company Makes MoneyWMG generates revenue through multiple streams. The primary sources of income include recorded music sales, which encompass physical sales (CDs, vinyl) and digital downloads, as well as streaming services. Music publishing is another significant revenue stream, where WMG earns money by licensing songs for use in films, television, advertisements, and more. Additionally, WMG benefits from live performances and merchandising through partnerships with artists and event organizers. The company has established partnerships with major streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, which provide a substantial source of revenue through streaming royalties. Moreover, WMG's investment in emerging technologies and platforms enhances its ability to monetize music in the digital landscape, contributing to its overall earnings.

Warner Music Group Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Revenue by Geography
Revenue by Geography
Breaks down revenue across different regions, revealing where Warner Music Group is strongest and where it may face risk or growth potential due to local economic conditions or market share shifts.
Chart InsightsWarner Music Group's revenue growth is driven by strong performance in both US and international markets, particularly in recorded music. Despite challenges in physical and ad-supported streaming revenues, the company is leveraging strategic initiatives, including a joint venture with Bain Capital and a reorganization plan, to enhance market share and efficiency. These efforts are expected to yield significant cost savings and margin expansion. The focus on streaming growth and notable artist successes underpins the company's positive outlook, although cash flow constraints remain a concern.
Data provided by:The Fly

Warner Music Group Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 20, 2025
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 05, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call showed strong financial performance with significant revenue growth and market share gains. The company is proactively addressing future challenges, particularly with AI, and has secured beneficial agreements with key partners. However, there are concerns regarding debt levels and slight margin declines. Overall, the positive highlights significantly outweigh the lowlights, indicating a robust financial and strategic position.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record-Breaking Revenue and Growth
Total revenue grew 13% with recorded music subscription streaming increasing 8.4%. This marks the highest year-over-year growth in nearly two years.
Market Share Gains
Warner Music Group increased its market share in the US by 0.6 percentage points and globally by around six percentage points in the Spotify top 200.
Successful DSP Renewals
Signed renewals with four of the largest DSPs, which include wholesale price increases, ensuring future revenue growth.
AI Agreements
Warner Music Group has made proactive deals with AI platforms like Oudio, Stability AI, and Clay, highlighting the company's forward-thinking approach to technological advancements.
Global Catalog and New Releases Success
Revitalized catalog successes with Fleetwood Mac's 'Tusk' reaching number 11 on Billboard and new releases from artists like Cardi B and Ed Sheeran securing number one spots in major markets.
Negative Updates
Margin Decline
Adjusted OIBDA margins declined slightly due to revenue mix as artist service revenue carries a lower margin profile.
Debt Levels
Total debt stands at $4.4 billion with a net debt of $3.8 billion, despite a cash balance of $532 million.
Company Guidance
During the call, Warner Music Group Corp. provided positive guidance and numerous metrics that highlight their strong performance and strategic initiatives. The company reported a 13% increase in total revenue for Q4, with adjusted recorded music subscription streaming up by 8.4%. They made significant market share gains, up 0.6 percentage points in the U.S. and six percentage points globally on Spotify's top 200 charts compared to fiscal 2024. Warner Music also achieved record high quarterly revenue and 64% growth in artist services, with a focus on revitalizing their global catalog division. They expect to continue their momentum into fiscal 2026, driven by strategic investments in core markets, new DSP agreements, and a robust M&A pipeline. The company anticipates $200 million in annualized cost savings by 2026, increasing to $300 million by 2027, and projects 150-200 basis points of adjusted OIBDA margin improvement next year. Additionally, Warner Music emphasized the potential of AI in creating new revenue streams, having already secured deals with companies like Oudio and Stability AI.

Warner Music Group Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Warner Music Group shows solid revenue growth and improved leverage management, but profitability margins have faced pressure. The company demonstrates strong cash generation, though cash flow sustainability needs monitoring.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Warner Music Group has shown consistent revenue growth over the years, with a 3.68% increase in the latest year. The gross profit margin remains strong at 45.85%, although it has slightly decreased from previous years. Net profit margin has decreased to 5.44% from 6.77% last year, indicating some pressure on profitability. EBIT and EBITDA margins have also seen a decline, suggesting increased operational costs or other expenses.
Balance Sheet
60
Neutral
The company's debt-to-equity ratio has improved significantly to 0.38 from 8.28 last year, indicating better leverage management. However, the return on equity has decreased to 56.41% from 83.98%, reflecting reduced profitability relative to equity. The equity ratio stands at 6.58%, suggesting a low proportion of equity financing, which could pose risks if debt levels increase.
Cash Flow
70
Positive
Warner Music Group's free cash flow has grown by 24.77%, showing strong cash generation capabilities. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 1.86, indicating efficient cash conversion from earnings. However, the free cash flow to net income ratio has decreased slightly to 0.79, suggesting a need to monitor cash flow sustainability.
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022
Income Statement
Total Revenue6.71B6.71B6.71B6.43B6.04B5.92B
Gross Profit3.08B3.08B3.08B3.07B2.86B2.84B
EBITDA1.02B1.07B1.07B1.09B1.08B1.20B
Net Income621.00M365.00M365.00M435.00M430.00M551.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets9.83B9.83B9.83B9.15B8.54B7.83B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments532.00M532.00M532.00M694.00M641.00M584.00M
Total Debt4.61B4.61B4.61B4.29B4.26B4.01B
Total Liabilities9.07B9.07B9.07B8.48B8.12B7.66B
Stockholders Equity647.00M647.00M647.00M518.00M307.00M152.00M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow428.00M539.00M539.00M638.00M446.00M416.00M
Operating Cash Flow678.00M678.00M678.00M754.00M687.00M742.00M
Investing Cash Flow-340.00M-340.00M-340.00M-311.00M-300.00M-824.00M
Financing Cash Flow-497.00M-497.00M-497.00M-396.00M-325.00M188.00M

Warner Music Group Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price28.01
Price Trends
50DMA
31.71
Negative
100DMA
31.64
Negative
200DMA
30.49
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.79
Positive
RSI
32.69
Neutral
STOCH
14.16
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For WMG, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 28.01 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 30.02, below the 50-day MA of 31.71, and below the 200-day MA of 30.49, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.79 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 32.69 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 14.16 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for WMG.

Warner Music Group Risk Analysis

Warner Music Group disclosed 43 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Warner Music Group 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

Warner Music Group Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (60)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
63
Neutral
$14.63B40.3861.97%2.64%4.37%-16.22%
61
Neutral
$489.29M51.342.64%11.17%
60
Neutral
$48.67B4.58-11.27%4.14%2.83%-41.78%
54
Neutral
$7.04B7.548.86%5.16%-2.80%
53
Neutral
$19.76M-2.99-55.09%3.86%81.68%
41
Neutral
$19.19M-0.2688.72%-85.54%
39
Underperform
-36.94%15.41%
* Communication Services Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
WMG
Warner Music Group
28.01
-3.73
-11.75%
SIRI
Sirius XM Holdings
20.91
-4.77
-18.57%
DLPN
Dolphin Entertainment
1.63
0.51
45.54%
ANGH
Anghami Inc.
2.87
-4.55
-61.32%
RSVR
Reservoir Media
7.46
-1.98
-20.97%
KUKE
Kuke Music Holding
1.39
-2.61
-65.25%

Warner Music Group Corporate Events

Warner Music Group Reports Record Quarterly Revenue
Nov 21, 2025

Warner Music Group Corp. is a leading global music entertainment company involved in recorded music and music publishing, known for its extensive catalog and iconic labels such as Atlantic, Elektra, and Warner Records.

Warner Music Group Reports Strong Growth and Strategic Advances
Nov 21, 2025

Warner Music Group Corp. recently held an earnings call that painted a picture of strong financial performance and strategic foresight. The company reported significant revenue growth and market share gains, while also addressing future challenges, particularly with artificial intelligence (AI). Despite some concerns regarding debt levels and slight margin declines, the overall sentiment was positive, indicating a robust financial and strategic position for Warner Music Group.

Dividends
Warner Music Group Declares Quarterly Dividend Announcement
Positive
Nov 7, 2025

On November 7, 2025, Warner Music Group announced a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.19 per share for its Class A and Class B Common Stock, payable on December 2, 2025, to shareholders recorded by November 19, 2025. This decision reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to providing shareholder value and may influence its financial strategy and stakeholder relations.

The most recent analyst rating on (WMG) stock is a Buy with a $38.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Warner Music Group stock, see the WMG 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: Nov 21, 2025