📊 SALM Key Takeaways
Is Salem Media Group, Inc.. /DE/ (SALM) a Good Investment?
Salem Media Group faces an imminent financial crisis with zero cash reserves and a current ratio of 0.66x, indicating inability to meet short-term obligations. The company is structurally unprofitable at -23.1% operating margin with negative free cash flow of -$4.8M, while carrying $179.9M in debt it cannot service from operations (interest coverage: -4.2x). The combination of severe liquidity constraints, persistent operating losses, and high leverage creates substantial default risk.
Why Buy Salem Media Group, Inc.. /DE/ Stock? SALM Key Strengths
- Modest positive revenue growth of 3.4% year-over-year
- Maintained revenue base of $192.8M despite industry headwinds
- Asset base of $471.3M provides some liquidation value
SALM Stock Risks: Salem Media Group, Inc.. /DE/ Investment Risks
- Critical liquidity crisis: zero cash with current ratio of 0.66x; unable to meet short-term obligations
- Structural unprofitability: -23.1% operating margin means losses on every revenue dollar
- Negative cash generation: operating cash flow -$1.5M and free cash flow -$4.8M; burning cash to survive
- Unsustainable debt burden: $179.9M long-term debt with -4.2x interest coverage; cannot service debt from operations
- Equity destruction: -33% ROE indicating management destroying shareholder value
- Secular industry decline: radio broadcasting facing structural disruption from digital media
Key Metrics to Watch
- Cash position and liquidity developments; any debt restructuring or covenant violations
- Operating cash flow trend; path to positive cash generation
- Operating margin improvement or further deterioration
Salem Media Group, Inc.. /DE/ (SALM) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios
💡 AI Analyst Insight
The current ratio below 1.0x warrants monitoring of short-term liquidity.
SALM Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis
SALM vs Telecom Sector: How Salem Media Group, Inc.. /DE/ Compares
How Salem Media Group, Inc.. /DE/ compares to Telecom sector averages
Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.
Is Salem Media Group, Inc.. /DE/ Stock Overvalued? SALM Valuation Analysis 2026
Based on fundamental analysis, Salem Media Group, Inc.. /DE/ shows some fundamental concerns relative to the Telecom 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.
Salem Media Group, Inc.. /DE/ Balance Sheet: SALM Debt, Cash & Liquidity
SALM Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend
5-Year Trend Summary: Salem Media Group, Inc.. /DE/'s revenue has shown modest growth of 1% over the 5-year period. The most recent EPS of $1.52 reflects profitable operations.
SALM Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance
SALM Quarterly Earnings & Performance
| Quarter | Revenue | Net Income | EPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2023 | $63.5M | -$1.0M | $-0.04 |
| Q2 2023 | $65.8M | $1.7M | $-0.26 |
| Q1 2023 | $62.6M | $1.7M | $0.06 |
| Q3 2022 | $66.0M | $323.0K | $-0.04 |
| Q2 2022 | $63.8M | $323.0K | $0.08 |
| Q1 2022 | $59.4M | $323.0K | $0.01 |
| Q3 2021 | $60.6M | $323.0K | $0.01 |
| Q2 2021 | $52.9M | $323.0K | $0.08 |
Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.
Salem Media Group, Inc.. /DE/ Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation
SALM SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis
Access official SEC EDGAR filings for Salem Media Group, Inc.. /DE/ (CIK: 0001050606)
📋 Recent SEC Filings
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about SALM
What is the AI rating for SALM?
Salem Media Group, Inc.. /DE/ (SALM) has an AI rating of STRONG SELL with 95% confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.
What are SALM's key strengths?
Claude: Modest positive revenue growth of 3.4% year-over-year. Maintained revenue base of $192.8M despite industry headwinds.
What are the risks of investing in SALM?
Claude: Critical liquidity crisis: zero cash with current ratio of 0.66x; unable to meet short-term obligations. Structural unprofitability: -23.1% operating margin means losses on every revenue dollar.
What is SALM's revenue and growth?
Salem Media Group, Inc.. /DE/ reported revenue of $192.8M.
Does SALM pay dividends?
Salem Media Group, Inc.. /DE/ does not currently pay dividends.
Where can I find SALM SEC filings?
Official SEC filings for Salem Media Group, Inc.. /DE/ (CIK: 0001050606) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.
What is SALM's EPS?
Salem Media Group, Inc.. /DE/ has a diluted EPS of $-1.60.
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 rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.
Is SALM a good stock to buy right now?
Based on our AI fundamental analysis in April 2026, Salem Media Group, Inc.. /DE/ has a STRONG SELL rating with 95% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above before making a decision. This is not investment advice.
Is SALM stock overvalued or undervalued?
Valuation metrics for SALM: ROE of -33.0% (sector avg: 15%), net margin of -22.6% (sector avg: 14%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.
Should I buy SALM stock in 2026?
Our dual AI analysis gives Salem Media Group, Inc.. /DE/ a combined STRONG SELL rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability at or below sector average. Always conduct your own research.
What is SALM's free cash flow?
Salem Media Group, Inc.. /DE/'s operating cash flow is $-1.5M, with capital expenditures of $3.3M. FCF margin is -2.5%.
How does SALM compare to other Telecom stocks?
Vs Telecom sector averages: Net margin -22.6% (avg: 14%), ROE -33.0% (avg: 15%), current ratio 0.66 (avg: 1).