📊 LEE Key Takeaways
Is LEE ENTERPRISES, Inc (LEE) a Good Investment?
Lee Enterprises is in acute financial distress with negative stockholders' equity (-$5.5M), negative operating cash flow (-$1.8M), and critically insufficient interest coverage (0.7x), indicating the company cannot service its $455.5M debt burden from operations. Combined with 8% YoY revenue decline in a structurally declining print media sector, the company faces severe solvency risks and potential bankruptcy without major restructuring or capital injection.
Revenue continues to decline and the company remains unprofitable, with negative equity and extremely weak interest coverage (0.3x) indicating material balance sheet risk. While operating income and free cash flow are positive, they are modest relative to the heavy debt load and liquidity constraints (current ratio 0.74x). Without clear, sustained margin expansion and deleveraging, fundamental risk outweighs limited strengths.
LEE ENTERPRISES, Inc Key Strengths (LEE)
- Still generating positive operating income of $13.8M despite revenue pressures
- Maintains liquidity buffer with $53.3M cash and 1.14x current ratio
- Continuing insider engagement evidenced by 12 Form 4 filings in last 90 days
- Positive operating income (4.0% margin) despite revenue decline
- Positive free cash flow with low capex requirements
- Cost discipline evidenced by opex control supporting FCF
LEE Stock Risks: LEE ENTERPRISES, Inc Investment Risks
- Negative stockholders' equity indicates technical insolvency on balance sheet
- Interest coverage ratio of 0.7x means operating income cannot cover debt service obligations
- Persistent negative operating cash flow (-$1.8M) and free cash flow (-$3.1M) showing cash burn
- Revenue declining 8% YoY in structurally declining newspaper publishing industry
- Extreme leverage with $455.5M debt against only $618.6M total assets
- Negative net earnings (-$7.8M) and negative ROA indicating value destruction
- Negative equity and high leverage (LT debt $455.47M) create solvency risk
- Weak liquidity and interest coverage (0.3x) heighten refinancing risk
- Continued revenue decline (-8.0% YoY) limits deleveraging capacity
Key Metrics to Watch
- Operating cash flow trend - must turn positive to achieve viability
- Interest coverage ratio - must improve to minimum 1.5x+ to reduce default risk
- Stockholders' equity recovery - currently deeply negative and declining
- Revenue stabilization and growth - currently in decline
- Debt refinancing ability - critical as existing debt matures
- Interest coverage (EBIT/interest)
- Free cash flow and debt reduction
LEE ENTERPRISES, Inc (LEE) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios
💡 AI Analyst Insight
LEE ENTERPRISES, Inc presents a mixed fundamental picture. Review the detailed metrics above to form your own investment thesis.
LEE Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis
LEE vs Materials Sector: How LEE ENTERPRISES, Inc Compares
How LEE ENTERPRISES, Inc compares to Materials sector averages
Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.
Is LEE ENTERPRISES, Inc Stock Overvalued? LEE Valuation Analysis 2026
Based on fundamental analysis, LEE ENTERPRISES, Inc has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Materials sector in 2026.
Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.
LEE ENTERPRISES, Inc Balance Sheet: LEE Debt, Cash & Liquidity
LEE Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend
5-Year Trend Summary: LEE ENTERPRISES, Inc's revenue has declined by 13% over the 5-year period, indicating business contraction. The most recent EPS of $-0.90 indicates the company is currently unprofitable.
LEE Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance
LEE Quarterly Earnings & Performance
| Quarter | Revenue | Net Income | EPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q2 2026 | $122.0M | -$2.1M | $-0.16 |
| Q1 2026 | $130.1M | -$5.6M | $-0.92 |
| Q3 2025 | $141.3M | -$1.9M | $-0.31 |
| Q2 2025 | $137.4M | -$11.5M | $-1.94 |
| Q1 2025 | $144.6M | $688.0K | $0.12 |
| Q3 2024 | $150.6M | $688.0K | $0.25 |
| Q2 2024 | $146.6M | $688.0K | $-0.82 |
| Q1 2024 | $155.7M | $688.0K | $0.12 |
Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.
LEE ENTERPRISES, Inc Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation
LEE SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis
Access official SEC EDGAR filings for LEE ENTERPRISES, Inc (CIK: 0000058361)
📋 Recent SEC Filings
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about LEE
What is the AI rating for LEE?
LEE ENTERPRISES, Inc (LEE) has a Combined AI Grade of D from Claude (D) and ChatGPT (D) with 90% combined confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.
What are LEE's key strengths?
Claude: Still generating positive operating income of $13.8M despite revenue pressures. Maintains liquidity buffer with $53.3M cash and 1.14x current ratio. ChatGPT: Positive operating income (4.0% margin) despite revenue decline. Positive free cash flow with low capex requirements.
What are the risks of investing in LEE?
Claude: Negative stockholders' equity indicates technical insolvency on balance sheet. Interest coverage ratio of 0.7x means operating income cannot cover debt service obligations. ChatGPT: Negative equity and high leverage (LT debt $455.47M) create solvency risk. Weak liquidity and interest coverage (0.3x) heighten refinancing risk.
What is LEE's revenue and growth?
LEE ENTERPRISES, Inc reported revenue of $252.0M.
Does LEE pay dividends?
LEE ENTERPRISES, Inc does not currently pay dividends.
Where can I find LEE SEC filings?
Official SEC filings for LEE ENTERPRISES, Inc (CIK: 0000058361) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.
What is LEE's EPS?
LEE ENTERPRISES, Inc has a diluted EPS of $-0.78.
How is the AI analysis conducted?
Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined grade reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.
What is LEE's fundamental grade?
Based on our AI fundamental analysis in May 2026, LEE ENTERPRISES, Inc has a D grade with 90% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above for full context. This is not investment advice.
Is LEE stock overvalued or undervalued?
Valuation metrics for LEE: ROE of N/A (sector avg: 14%), net margin of -3.1% (sector avg: 10%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.
What is LEE's AI grade for 2026?
Our dual AI analysis gives LEE ENTERPRISES, Inc a combined D grade for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability at or below sector average. Always conduct your own research.
What is LEE's free cash flow?
LEE ENTERPRISES, Inc's operating cash flow is $-1.8M, with capital expenditures of $1.3M. FCF margin is -1.2%.
How does LEE compare to other Materials stocks?
Vs Materials sector averages: Net margin -3.1% (avg: 10%), ROE N/A (avg: 14%), current ratio 1.14 (avg: 1.6).