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Warner Music Group Corp. (WMG) Stock Fundamental Analysis & AI Rating 2026

WMG Nasdaq Services-Amusement & Recreation Services DE CIK: 0001319161
Recently Updated • Analysis: Apr 19, 2026 • SEC Data: 2025-12-31
HOLD
42% Conf
Pending
Analysis scheduled

📊 WMG Key Takeaways

Revenue: $1.8B
Net Margin: 9.6%
Free Cash Flow: $420.0M
Current Ratio: 0.70x
Debt/Equity: 6.07x
EPS: $-0.68
AI Rating: HOLD with 42% confidence
Warner Music Group Corp. (WMG) receives a HOLD rating with 42% confidence from our AI fundamental analysis based on SEC 10-K filings. With revenue of $1.8B, net profit margin of 9.6%, and return on equity (ROE) of 24.4%, Warner Music Group Corp. demonstrates mixed fundamentals in the Services sector. Below is our complete WMG stock analysis for 2026.

Is Warner Music Group Corp. (WMG) a Good Investment?

Claude

Warner Music Group generates exceptional free cash flow (420M annually, 22.8% margin) and maintains manageable interest coverage (6.3x), providing operational stability. However, net income declined 16.1% YoY despite 4.4% revenue growth, combined with extreme leverage (6.07x Debt/Equity), negative diluted EPS (-0.68), and weak liquidity (0.70x current ratio) present significant financial risks that offset cash generation strengths.

Why Buy Warner Music Group Corp. Stock? WMG Key Strengths

Claude
  • + Exceptional free cash flow generation of 420M annually with 22.8% FCF margin, providing robust debt servicing capacity
  • + Strong interest coverage ratio of 6.3x demonstrates ability to service 4.4B debt burden under current operations
  • + Asset-light business model with minimal capex (20M) enables high cash conversion and low reinvestment requirements

WMG Stock Risks: Warner Music Group Corp. Investment Risks

Claude
  • ! Net income declining 16.1% YoY despite 4.4% revenue growth indicates severe margin compression and deteriorating profitability trends
  • ! Negative diluted EPS (-0.68) combined with extreme leverage (6.07x Debt/Equity) and minimal equity cushion (720M) creates limited financial flexibility for adverse scenarios
  • ! Liquidity stress with current ratio (0.70x) and quick ratio (0.69x) below 1.0 indicates working capital constraints and potential refinancing vulnerability

Key Metrics to Watch

Claude
  • * Operating margin and net margin trajectory - critical to confirm if profitability decline is temporary or structural
  • * Free cash flow sustainability and conversion rate - any deterioration would strain debt servicing capacity
  • * Debt maturity profile and refinancing capability - monitor upcoming maturities given tight leverage and market conditions

Warner Music Group Corp. (WMG) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios

Revenue
$1.8B
Net Income
$176.0M
EPS (Diluted)
$-0.68
Free Cash Flow
$420.0M
Total Assets
$10.0B
Cash Position
$751.0M

💡 AI Analyst Insight

The 22.8% free cash flow margin provides substantial flexibility for dividends, buybacks, and strategic investments. The current ratio below 1.0x warrants monitoring of short-term liquidity.

WMG Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis

Gross Margin N/A
Operating Margin 15.7%
Net Margin 9.6%
ROE 24.4%
ROA 1.8%
FCF Margin 22.8%

WMG vs Services Sector: How Warner Music Group Corp. Compares

How Warner Music Group Corp. compares to Services sector averages

Net Margin
WMG 9.6%
vs
Sector Avg 10.0%
WMG Sector
ROE
WMG 24.4%
vs
Sector Avg 16.0%
WMG Sector
Current Ratio
WMG 0.7x
vs
Sector Avg 1.5x
WMG Sector
Debt/Equity
WMG 6.1x
vs
Sector Avg 0.7x
WMG Sector

Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.

Is Warner Music Group Corp. Stock Overvalued? WMG Valuation Analysis 2026

Based on fundamental analysis, Warner Music Group Corp. has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Services sector in 2026.

Return on Equity
24.4%
Sector avg: 16%
Net Profit Margin
9.6%
Sector avg: 10%
Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Debt/Equity
6.07x
Sector avg: 0.7x

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.

Warner Music Group Corp. Balance Sheet: WMG Debt, Cash & Liquidity

Current Ratio
0.70x
Quick Ratio
0.69x
Debt/Equity
6.07x
Debt/Assets
91.7%
Interest Coverage
6.26x
Long-term Debt
$4.4B

WMG Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend

WMG 5-year financial data: Year 2021: Revenue $5.3B, Net Income $256.0M, EPS N/A. Year 2022: Revenue $5.9B, Net Income -$475.0M, EPS N/A. Year 2023: Revenue $6.0B, Net Income $304.0M, EPS N/A. Year 2024: Revenue $6.4B, Net Income $551.0M, EPS N/A. Year 2025: Revenue $6.7B, Net Income $430.0M, EPS N/A.
Revenue
Net Income
EPS (right axis)

5-Year Trend Summary: Warner Music Group Corp.'s revenue has grown significantly by 27% over the 5-year period, indicating strong business expansion.

WMG Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance

Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Net Income Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
EPS Growth
N/A
Earnings per share
FCF Margin
22.8%
Free cash flow / Revenue

WMG Quarterly Earnings & Performance

Quarterly financial performance data for Warner Music Group Corp. including revenue, net income, and earnings per share.
Quarter Revenue Net Income EPS
Q1 2026 $1.7B $176.0M N/A
Q3 2025 $1.6B -$16.0M N/A
Q2 2025 $1.5B $36.0M N/A
Q1 2025 $1.7B $159.0M N/A
Q3 2024 $1.6B $122.0M N/A
Q2 2024 $1.4B $34.0M N/A
Q1 2024 $1.5B $122.0M N/A
Q3 2023 $1.4B $122.0M N/A

Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.

Warner Music Group Corp. Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation

Operating Cash Flow
$440.0M
Cash generated from operations
Stock Buybacks
$26.0M
Shares repurchased (TTM)
Capital Expenditures
$20.0M
Investment in assets
Dividends Paid
$100.0M
Returned to shareholders

WMG SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis

Access official SEC EDGAR filings for Warner Music Group Corp. (CIK: 0001319161)

📋 Recent SEC Filings

Date Form Document Action
Mar 11, 2026 8-K d115111d8k.htm View →
Mar 6, 2026 4 xslF345X05/ownership.xml View →
Mar 6, 2026 4 xslF345X05/ownership.xml View →
Mar 6, 2026 4 xslF345X05/ownership.xml View →
Mar 6, 2026 4 xslF345X05/ownership.xml View →

Frequently Asked Questions about WMG

What is the AI rating for WMG?

Warner Music Group Corp. (WMG) has an AI rating of HOLD with 42% confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.

What are WMG's key strengths?

Claude: Exceptional free cash flow generation of 420M annually with 22.8% FCF margin, providing robust debt servicing capacity. Strong interest coverage ratio of 6.3x demonstrates ability to service 4.4B debt burden under current operations.

What are the risks of investing in WMG?

Claude: Net income declining 16.1% YoY despite 4.4% revenue growth indicates severe margin compression and deteriorating profitability trends. Negative diluted EPS (-0.68) combined with extreme leverage (6.07x Debt/Equity) and minimal equity cushion (720M) creates limited financial flexibility for adverse scenarios.

What is WMG's revenue and growth?

Warner Music Group Corp. reported revenue of $1.8B.

Does WMG pay dividends?

Warner Music Group Corp. pays dividends, with $100.0M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.

Where can I find WMG SEC filings?

Official SEC filings for Warner Music Group Corp. (CIK: 0001319161) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.

What is WMG's EPS?

Warner Music Group Corp. has a diluted EPS of $-0.68.

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 WMG a good stock to buy right now?

Based on our AI fundamental analysis in April 2026, Warner Music Group Corp. has a HOLD rating with 42% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above before making a decision. This is not investment advice.

Is WMG stock overvalued or undervalued?

Valuation metrics for WMG: ROE of 24.4% (sector avg: 16%), net margin of 9.6% (sector avg: 10%). Higher ROE suggests strong returns relative to peers.

Should I buy WMG stock in 2026?

Our dual AI analysis gives Warner Music Group Corp. a combined HOLD rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability at or below sector average. Always conduct your own research.

What is WMG's free cash flow?

Warner Music Group Corp.'s operating cash flow is $440.0M, with capital expenditures of $20.0M. FCF margin is 22.8%.

How does WMG compare to other Services stocks?

Vs Services sector averages: Net margin 9.6% (avg: 10%), ROE 24.4% (avg: 16%), current ratio 0.70 (avg: 1.5).

Is Warner Music Group Corp. carrying too much debt?

WMG has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.07x, which is above the Services sector average of 0.7x. Combined with a current ratio below 1, this warrants careful monitoring of the balance sheet.

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Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by Claude AI (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) based on publicly available SEC EDGAR filings. It does not include stock price data and should not be considered financial advice. All fundamental data is sourced from SEC public domain filings. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Data Source: SEC EDGAR | Analysis Date: Apr 19, 2026 | Data as of: 2025-12-31 | Powered by Claude AI