📊 SSP Key Takeaways
Is E.W. SCRIPPS Co (SSP) a Good Investment?
E.W. Scripps faces severe financial distress with collapsing profitability (net margin -0.3%), declining revenue (-14.3% YoY), and critical debt service risk (interest coverage 0.5x indicating inability to cover interest from operations). Minimal free cash flow ($350K) combined with high leverage (Debt/Equity 2.05x) and negative returns on equity create unsustainable capital structure requiring urgent deleveraging or restructuring.
E.W. SCRIPPS Co Key Strengths (SSP)
- Positive operating income of $24.8M provides thin buffer
- Adequate liquidity ratios (Current 1.58x, Quick 1.56x) for near-term obligations
- Established broadcasting asset base with $4.9B in total assets
SSP Stock Risks: E.W. SCRIPPS Co Investment Risks
- Interest coverage ratio of 0.5x indicates operating income cannot service debt obligations
- Revenue declining sharply (-14.3%) in secular decline industry
- Free cash flow of $350K insufficient to support $2.5B long-term debt burden
- Negative net income and negative ROE/ROA indicate value destruction
- High leverage (2.05x Debt/Equity) with limited cash ($83.7M) creates refinancing risk
Key Metrics to Watch
- Interest coverage trend and debt service covenant compliance
- Revenue stabilization and cable/broadcast subscriber trends
- Free cash flow generation and capital structure actions
- Operating margin sustainability and cost rationalization
E.W. SCRIPPS Co (SSP) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios
💡 AI Analyst Insight
The relatively thin 0.1% FCF margin may limit capital allocation flexibility.
SSP Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis
SSP vs Telecom Sector: How E.W. SCRIPPS Co Compares
How E.W. SCRIPPS Co compares to Telecom sector averages
Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.
Is E.W. SCRIPPS Co Stock Overvalued? SSP Valuation Analysis 2026
Based on fundamental analysis, E.W. SCRIPPS Co 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.
E.W. SCRIPPS Co Balance Sheet: SSP Debt, Cash & Liquidity
SSP Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend
5-Year Trend Summary: E.W. SCRIPPS Co's revenue has shown modest growth of 10% over the 5-year period. The most recent EPS of $-11.84 indicates the company is currently unprofitable.
SSP Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance
SSP Quarterly Earnings & Performance
| Quarter | Revenue | Net Income | EPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | $516.9M | -$1.8M | $-0.20 |
| Q3 2025 | $525.9M | -$33.0M | $0.08 |
| Q2 2025 | $540.1M | $1.4M | $-0.15 |
| Q1 2025 | $524.4M | $1.6M | $-0.15 |
| Q3 2024 | $566.5M | N/A | $0.08 |
| Q2 2024 | $573.6M | N/A | $-0.15 |
| Q1 2024 | $527.8M | N/A | $-0.15 |
| Q3 2023 | $566.5M | N/A | $-0.19 |
Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.
E.W. SCRIPPS Co Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation
SSP SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis
Access official SEC EDGAR filings for E.W. SCRIPPS Co (CIK: 0000832428)
📋 Recent SEC Filings
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about SSP
What is the AI rating for SSP?
E.W. SCRIPPS Co (SSP) has an AI grade of D with 88% confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.
What are SSP's key strengths?
Claude: Positive operating income of $24.8M provides thin buffer. Adequate liquidity ratios (Current 1.58x, Quick 1.56x) for near-term obligations.
What are the risks of investing in SSP?
Claude: Interest coverage ratio of 0.5x indicates operating income cannot service debt obligations. Revenue declining sharply (-14.3%) in secular decline industry.
What is SSP's revenue and growth?
E.W. SCRIPPS Co reported revenue of $516.9M.
Does SSP pay dividends?
E.W. SCRIPPS Co pays dividends, with $36.0M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.
Where can I find SSP SEC filings?
Official SEC filings for E.W. SCRIPPS Co (CIK: 0000832428) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.
What is SSP's EPS?
E.W. SCRIPPS Co has a diluted EPS of $-0.20.
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 SSP's fundamental grade?
Based on our AI fundamental analysis in May 2026, E.W. SCRIPPS Co has a D grade with 88% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above for full context. This is not investment advice.
Is SSP stock overvalued or undervalued?
Valuation metrics for SSP: ROE of -0.1% (sector avg: 15%), net margin of -0.3% (sector avg: 14%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.
What is SSP's AI grade for 2026?
Our dual AI analysis gives E.W. SCRIPPS Co a combined D grade for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability at or below sector average. Always conduct your own research.
What is SSP's free cash flow?
E.W. SCRIPPS Co's operating cash flow is $3.5M, with capital expenditures of $3.2M. FCF margin is 0.1%.
How does SSP compare to other Telecom stocks?
Vs Telecom sector averages: Net margin -0.3% (avg: 14%), ROE -0.1% (avg: 15%), current ratio 1.58 (avg: 1).
Is E.W. SCRIPPS Co carrying too much debt?
SSP has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.05x, which is above the Telecom sector average of 1.2x. However, the current ratio of 1.58 suggests adequate short-term liquidity.