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E. W. Scripps Company Class A (SSP)
NASDAQ:SSP

E. W. Scripps Company Class A (SSP) AI Stock Analysis

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E. W. Scripps Company Class A

(NASDAQ:SSP)

73Outperform
SSP exhibits financial resilience through revenue and cash flow growth, supported by strategic debt refinancing. The stock shows technical stability and is undervalued, offering growth potential. Challenges in local media revenue and flat expectations for Scripps Networks may temper near-term performance.
Positive Factors
Earnings
E.W. Scripps managed to beat consensus across the board in 1Q and guided slightly ahead on EBITDA in 2Q.
Operational Efficiency
Management is very much on track, if not ahead of schedule, in terms of improving Networks operating margins, with broader company savings also on the table.
Negative Factors
Debt Maturity
There is still a relatively large maturity wall in 2027, although management is addressing it with lenders.
Revenue Risk
ION is expected to account for almost 40% of total revenue, presenting incremental national risk that others do not have.

E. W. Scripps Company Class A (SSP) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

E. W. Scripps Company Class A Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionThe E.W. Scripps Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a media enterprise through a portfolio of local and national media brands. The company operates through Local Media, Scripps Network, and Other segments. The Local Media segment operates broadcast television stations, which produce news, information, and entertainment content, as well as its related digital operations. This segment also runs network, syndicated, and original programming. The Scripps Network segment comprises of national television networks. The Network operates through over-the-air broadcast, cable/satellite, connected TV, and digital distribution. In addition, the company provides content and services through the internet, smartphones, and tablets. Further, the company provides Newsy, a national news network, which provides politics, entertainment, science, and technology news; and Scripps National Spelling Bee, an investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C. Additionally, the company offers ION, a national broadcast television network that delivers popular crime and justice procedural programming through over-the-air broadcast and pay TV platforms. It serves audiences and businesses. The E.W. Scripps Company operates through a network of 61 television stations. The company was founded in 1878 and is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.
How the Company Makes MoneyE. W. Scripps Company generates revenue through multiple streams primarily centered around its television broadcasting operations. The company earns significant income from advertising sales, which are driven by both national and local advertisers seeking to reach the broad audiences of Scripps' television stations. Additionally, Scripps benefits from retransmission consent fees, which are payments made by cable and satellite operators for the right to carry Scripps' broadcast signals. The company's digital media initiatives also contribute to its revenue, with monetization strategies including digital advertising and subscription-based services. Key partnerships with content creators and distributors further enhance Scripps' revenue potential by expanding its reach and content offerings.

E. W. Scripps Company Class A Financial Statement Overview

Summary
E. W. Scripps Company shows positive momentum with significant revenue and free cash flow growth. Improved leverage and cash flow generation enhance financial resilience, though volatility in profitability needs monitoring.
Income Statement
75
Positive
The company has shown significant revenue growth with a notable increase in total revenue from 2023 to 2024. The gross profit margin is strong, indicating efficient cost management. However, the net profit margin has fluctuated, reflecting volatility in profitability. Despite challenges, the return to positive EBIT in 2024 is a positive sign of recovery.
Balance Sheet
68
Positive
The debt-to-equity ratio has improved significantly from 2023 to 2024, suggesting better leverage management. However, the stockholders' equity has not grown proportionately with assets, affecting the equity ratio. The balance sheet reveals a reduction in total debt, which enhances financial stability.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
The company's cash flow statement shows strong free cash flow growth from 2023 to 2024, indicating improved cash generation. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is favorable, reflecting efficient conversion of earnings into cash. The increase in free cash flow supports future investment opportunities and debt reduction.
Breakdown
Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
2.51B2.29B2.45B2.28B1.86B
Gross Profit
1.19B1.01B596.28M582.20M754.41M
EBIT
412.49M-753.24M428.34M400.75M303.49M
EBITDA
575.55M-598.89M598.90M581.86M425.59M
Net Income Common Stockholders
146.22M-947.78M195.90M122.71M153.56M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
23.85M35.32M18.03M66.22M576.02M
Total Assets
5.20B5.41B6.43B6.66B4.86B
Total Debt
2.69B3.05B2.87B3.15B2.98B
Net Debt
2.66B3.01B2.85B3.08B2.40B
Total Liabilities
3.88B4.25B4.30B4.69B3.70B
Stockholders Equity
1.32B1.16B2.13B1.97B1.16B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
300.42M51.98M265.63M175.83M230.56M
Operating Cash Flow
365.68M111.60M311.42M237.00M277.39M
Investing Cash Flow
-26.54M-60.61M-66.39M-2.46B317.42M
Financing Cash Flow
-350.61M-33.71M-327.48M693.48M998.18M

E. W. Scripps Company Class A Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price2.55
Price Trends
50DMA
2.39
Positive
100DMA
2.20
Positive
200DMA
2.27
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.03
Negative
RSI
55.91
Neutral
STOCH
71.15
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For SSP, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 2.55 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 2.24, above the 50-day MA of 2.39, and above the 200-day MA of 2.27, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.03 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 55.91 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 71.15 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for SSP.

E. W. Scripps Company Class A Risk Analysis

E. W. Scripps Company Class A disclosed 18 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. E. W. Scripps Company Class A 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

E. W. Scripps Company Class A Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (60)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
SSSSP
73
Outperform
$219.73M2.7211.23%6.28%
GTGTN
72
Outperform
$501.66M2.019.92%6.90%9.08%
SGSGA
66
Neutral
$73.50M20.472.06%8.50%-1.65%-51.45%
60
Neutral
$13.80B7.25-2.76%3.77%2.19%-42.55%
EVEVC
48
Neutral
$182.86M-82.15%9.95%-66.94%-52.19%
35
Underperform
$15.00M-243.54%-2.92%-165.37%
* Communication Services Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
SSP
E. W. Scripps Company Class A
2.55
-1.07
-29.56%
CMLS
Cumulus Media
0.13
-2.66
-95.34%
EVC
Entravision
2.01
-0.06
-2.90%
GTN
Gray Television
4.55
-1.96
-30.11%
SGA
Saga Communications
11.97
-6.72
-35.96%
MDIA
Mediaco Holding
0.89
-0.61
-40.67%

E. W. Scripps Company Class A Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 08, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: -1.54%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 01, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted significant achievements in margin improvement and debt refinancing, complemented by strong growth in connected TV and recognition for content quality. However, these positives were partially offset by declines in local media revenue and distribution, along with a flat revenue outlook for Scripps Networks. The overall sentiment reflects both achievements and challenges faced by the company.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Successful Completion of Retransmission Negotiations
Completed retransmission negotiations covering 25% of legacy PayTV households, indicating strong progress in operational goals.
Improved Margins in Scripps Networks
Delivered 870 basis points of margin improvement in the Scripps Networks division, surpassing the expected range of 400 to 600 basis points.
Strong Connected TV Revenue Growth
Connected TV revenue increased by 42%, fueled by effective sales strategies and the popularity of sports content like the National Women's Soccer League.
Debt Refinancing and Reduction
Closed refinancing transactions and retired or extended maturity of $1.5 billion in debt, reducing leverage ratio to 4.9 times.
Recognition for News Teams
Scripps news teams received multiple prestigious journalism awards, including eight national Emmy nominations, highlighting the company's strength in content creation.
Growth in Women's Sports Programming
New broadcast partnerships with the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces and the introduction of new sports properties like the SI Women's Games emphasize strong cultural connections and growth in sports programming.
Negative Updates
Decline in Local Media Revenue
Local Media division revenue decreased by 7.8% compared to the prior year, with core advertising revenue down by 3% due to economic uncertainty.
Decrease in Local Distribution Revenue
Local distribution revenue was down 5% year over year, indicating challenges in maintaining subscriber levels.
Flat Revenue Expectation for Scripps Networks
Despite strong CTV growth, Scripps Networks division revenue is expected to be flat in Q2, reflecting challenges in sustaining overall growth.
Loss in 'Other' Segment
Reported a loss of $6.4 million in the 'Other' segment, indicating ongoing challenges in non-core business areas.
EPS Loss for the Quarter
Reported an EPS loss of $0.22 for the quarter, partially impacted by a preferred stock dividend and a $4 million restructuring charge.
Company Guidance
During the First Quarter 2025 E.W. Scripps Company Earnings Conference Call, the company provided several key metrics and guidance for the upcoming periods. In Q1, the Local Media division saw a 7.8% revenue decline from the previous year, with core advertising revenue down 3% and local distribution revenue down 5%. Despite these challenges, the company reported a Local Media segment profit of $35 million, although this was down from $66 million in the election year of 2024. Looking ahead to Q2, the company expects Local Media division revenue to decrease in the high single-digit range, with core revenue down in the low single-digit range. The Scripps Networks division reported a Q1 revenue of $198 million, down 5% from the previous year, but with a notable 42% increase in Connected TV revenue. The division achieved a 6% expense reduction, leading to a network segment profit of $64 million, up from $49.7 million in the year-ago quarter. For Q2, Scripps Networks expects revenue to remain flat and expenses to decrease in the low double-digit range. The company also completed a refinancing transaction in April, retiring or extending the maturity of up to $1.5 billion of debt, which increased the blended cost of debt by less than 1%, positioning the company well through mid-2027. The company remains focused on debt and leverage reduction as their highest capital allocation priority.

E. W. Scripps Company Class A Corporate Events

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
E.W. Scripps Completes Refinancing for Financial Flexibility
Positive
Apr 11, 2025

On April 10, 2025, The E.W. Scripps Company completed a series of refinancing transactions to enhance its financial flexibility and extend debt maturities. The company refinanced its existing term loans and revolving credit facilities, establishing new credit agreements and a $450 million accounts receivable securitization facility. These transactions eliminate previous debt obligations and provide Scripps with a stronger balance sheet, allowing it to continue executing strategic initiatives.

Spark’s Take on SSP Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, SSP is a Outperform.

E. W. Scripps Company demonstrates strong financial resilience with substantial revenue growth and improved leverage. The stock is technically strong with bullish momentum, and it appears undervalued, providing potential for appreciation. While challenges exist in core advertising, strategic initiatives in refinancing and margin improvement are promising for future growth.

To see Spark’s full report on SSP stock, click here.

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
E.W. Scripps Announces Financial Transactions for Refinancing
Positive
Mar 11, 2025

On March 10, 2025, The E.W. Scripps Company announced a series of financial transactions aimed at refinancing its existing term loans and extending its revolving credit facility. These transactions, supported by a significant portion of its lenders, include the exchange and repayment of term loans, establishment of a new accounts receivable securitization facility, and a new revolving credit facility. The initiative is designed to provide Scripps with the liquidity needed to continue its strategic initiatives and improve its financial position, with the transactions expected to be completed by April 2025.

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.