Nexstar (NXST) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 3 days ago
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Should l Buy NXST?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
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Analyst Views on NXST
Wall Street analysts forecast NXST stock price to fall
4 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 246.160
Low
204.00
Averages
232.25
High
250.00
Current: 246.160
Low
204.00
Averages
232.25
High
250.00
About NXST
Nexstar Media Group, Inc. is a diversified media company with television broadcasting, television network and digital media assets operating in the United States. The Company produces and distributes engaging local and national news, sports and entertainment content across its television and digital platforms. The Company’s reportable broadcast segment includes television stations and related local websites that Nexstar owns, operates, programs or provides sales and other services to in various markets across the United States, NewsNation, a national cable news network, two owned and operated multicast networks and other multicast network services, and WGN-AM, a Chicago radio station. The other operating segments, The CW and digital businesses, focused on the national marketplace. The Company’s portfolio of digital assets, including its local TV station websites, The Hill and NewsNationNow.com. Its national television properties include The CW, NewsNation, Antenna TV, and Rewind TV.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Strategic Execution Success: In 2025, Nexstar successfully reviewed and renewed over 60% of its distribution agreements, further elevating The CW and NewsNation's network status, with the TEGNA acquisition expected to close by Q2 2026, demonstrating the company's proactive progress in market consolidation.
- Strong Digital Revenue Growth: Digital revenue grew in the high single digits in 2025 and is projected to surpass national advertising revenue in 2026, marking a strategic milestone in the company's digital transformation and enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Robust Financial Performance: Q4 net revenue was $1.29 billion, a 13.4% decline year-over-year primarily due to reduced political advertising, yet distribution revenue slightly increased to $720 million, reflecting the company's efforts to diversify its revenue streams.
- Optimistic Profit Outlook: Nexstar projects 2026 adjusted EBITDA in the range of $1.95 billion to $2.05 billion, with The CW expected to achieve profitability by Q4 2026, reflecting the company's confidence in future growth and focus on cost control.
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- Disappointing Earnings: Nexstar's Q4 EPS of -$5.63 significantly underperformed against the consensus estimate of $3.55, indicating substantial challenges in profitability that may undermine investor confidence.
- Revenue Decline: The fourth quarter revenue of $1.29 billion fell 13.4% year-over-year, primarily due to reduced political advertising revenue, reflecting the negative impact of the election cycle on the company's financials and potentially leading to future revenue instability.
- Slight Distribution Revenue Growth: Despite the overall revenue decline, distribution revenue reached $720 million in Q4, up 0.8% year-over-year, primarily driven by rate increases and growth in vMVPD subscribers, demonstrating resilience in certain areas of the business.
- Future Outlook: Nexstar is guiding for 2026 Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $1.95 billion to $2.05 billion, although various factors could positively or negatively affect this outlook, indicating a cautiously optimistic stance towards future performance.
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- New Investment Dynamics: Penn Capital Management established a new position in ACM Research during Q4 2025, acquiring 435,843 shares, with a quarter-end value increase of $17.21 million, reflecting strong confidence in the semiconductor equipment market.
- Asset Allocation Shift: This new position accounts for 1.37% of Penn Capital's 13F reportable assets under management, indicating a strategic focus on the semiconductor industry, particularly in the context of AI and advanced chip manufacturing.
- Outstanding Stock Performance: As of February 6, 2026, ACM Research shares were priced at $62.48, up 171.5% over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 by 157.6 percentage points, showcasing market recognition of its growth potential.
- Industry Outlook Analysis: ACM Research specializes in providing advanced cleaning and plating equipment for semiconductor manufacturing, and with the surge in AI processor demand, the company’s revenue from the Chinese market is significant, facing dual challenges of self-sufficiency and export controls.
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- New Investment Position: Penn Capital initiated a position in ACM Research during Q4 2025 by purchasing 435,843 shares for an estimated $17.21 million, reflecting confidence in the semiconductor sector.
- Value Appreciation: As of December 31, 2025, the position's quarter-end value stood at $17.21 million, indicating a positive impact from both the share purchase and price movements, showcasing market recognition of ACM Research.
- Strong Market Performance: As of February 6, 2026, ACM Research shares were priced at $62.48, representing a 171.5% increase over the previous year, generating 157.6 percentage points of alpha compared to the S&P 500, highlighting its robust performance in the semiconductor equipment market.
- Promising Industry Outlook: ACM Research focuses on advanced wafer cleaning and plating equipment, and with the rising demand for AI processors, its products are becoming increasingly vital in semiconductor manufacturing, positioning the company for greater market share amidst China's push for semiconductor self-sufficiency.
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- Earnings Announcement: Nexstar Media (NXST) is set to announce its Q4 earnings on February 26 before market open, with consensus EPS estimate at $3.55 and revenue at $1.25 billion, indicating strong investor interest in the company's performance.
- Performance Beat Record: Over the past year, NXST has beaten EPS estimates 75% of the time and revenue estimates 50% of the time, reflecting the company's stability in profitability and market confidence.
- Estimate Revisions: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen one upward revision with no downward adjustments, while revenue estimates have experienced two upward revisions and no downward changes, showcasing analysts' optimism about the company's future performance.
- Market Dynamics: The Nexstar-TEGNA deal has received endorsement from Trump, potentially paving the way for further growth opportunities, while the company presented its market strategy at the 2025 UBS Global Media and Communications Conference.
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