Value
7.4/10data confidence 100%| Component | Sub-score |
|---|---|
| P/E | 3.8 |
| P/S | 8.9 |
| EV/EBITDA | 4.6 |
| Fwd P/E | 8.2 |
| PEG | 10.0 |
| Analyst target | 7.5 |
- ▸Forward P/E: 14.4x
- ▸PEG: 0.51
- ▸Attractively valued
WMG · Why this verdict
Why Warner Music Group (WMG) is rated SELL
Updated
Model-generated analysis — not investment advice. Not a registered investment advisor. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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VerdictSELL
Overall score5.9/10
ConfidenceMEDIUM
MacroNEUTRAL
Thesis pillars
| Pillar | Expectation | Trend |
|---|---|---|
The company generates a 51% return on equity, placing it among the superior performers in its peer group, driven by the high-margin nature of music rights ownership and digital distribution economics. Quality breakdown | Return on equity remains above 40% over the next 12 months, confirming the structural profitability advantage of the music rights model. | →Stable |
| CounterA high return on equity partly reflects a highly leveraged balance sheet at a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.1; the underlying return on assets is more modest, and debt servicing costs could pressure net income. | ||
Warner Music Group has beaten analyst earnings estimates in 3 of the last 4 quarters with an average positive surprise of approximately 23%, and the most recent November 2025 quarter delivered a 54% positive surprise, indicating strong operational execution. Earnings | The company beats earnings estimates in at least 3 of the next 4 quarters, maintaining the positive surprise trajectory above 10% on average. | →Stable |
| CounterThe one miss quarter in August 2025 was a meaningful negative 17% surprise, and estimates trending sideways rather than upward could reduce the runway for future positive surprises. | ||
Recorded music accounts for approximately 81% of total revenues, meaning the company is heavily dependent on a single segment, and any structural shift in music streaming economics or royalty rates could disproportionately affect total results. Bear case | Recorded music segment revenue grows at least 5% annually over the next 12 months, while the music publishing segment grows faster, gradually improving diversification. | →Stable |
| CounterDominant exposure to recorded music is also a concentration in the segment that benefits most from global streaming growth, which remains structurally positive for the foreseeable future. | ||
The stock's RSI near 9 is at an extreme oversold level well below the 30 threshold, and the price is below the 200-day moving average with falling volume accumulation, indicating severe near-term selling pressure that could reflect either capitulation or fundamental deterioration. Momentum breakdown | Price momentum recovers over 12 months with RSI rising above 40 and price reclaiming the 200-day moving average, signaling the acute selling pressure has resolved. | →Stable |
| CounterExtremely low RSI readings often mark short-term bottoms and can precede sharp reversals, particularly in entertainment companies with quality franchises that attract value buyers. | ||
The company generates a 51% return on equity, placing it among the superior performers in its peer group, driven by the high-margin nature of music rights ownership and digital distribution economics.
→StableQuality breakdown
- Expectation
- Return on equity remains above 40% over the next 12 months, confirming the structural profitability advantage of the music rights model.
CounterA high return on equity partly reflects a highly leveraged balance sheet at a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.1; the underlying return on assets is more modest, and debt servicing costs could pressure net income.
Warner Music Group has beaten analyst earnings estimates in 3 of the last 4 quarters with an average positive surprise of approximately 23%, and the most recent November 2025 quarter delivered a 54% positive surprise, indicating strong operational execution.
→StableEarnings
- Expectation
- The company beats earnings estimates in at least 3 of the next 4 quarters, maintaining the positive surprise trajectory above 10% on average.
CounterThe one miss quarter in August 2025 was a meaningful negative 17% surprise, and estimates trending sideways rather than upward could reduce the runway for future positive surprises.
Recorded music accounts for approximately 81% of total revenues, meaning the company is heavily dependent on a single segment, and any structural shift in music streaming economics or royalty rates could disproportionately affect total results.
→StableBear case
- Expectation
- Recorded music segment revenue grows at least 5% annually over the next 12 months, while the music publishing segment grows faster, gradually improving diversification.
CounterDominant exposure to recorded music is also a concentration in the segment that benefits most from global streaming growth, which remains structurally positive for the foreseeable future.
The stock's RSI near 9 is at an extreme oversold level well below the 30 threshold, and the price is below the 200-day moving average with falling volume accumulation, indicating severe near-term selling pressure that could reflect either capitulation or fundamental deterioration.
→StableMomentum breakdown
- Expectation
- Price momentum recovers over 12 months with RSI rising above 40 and price reclaiming the 200-day moving average, signaling the acute selling pressure has resolved.
CounterExtremely low RSI readings often mark short-term bottoms and can precede sharp reversals, particularly in entertainment companies with quality franchises that attract value buyers.
TrendMatrix Research · core thesis
Engine thesis — one sentence
Warner Music Group has beaten earnings estimates in 3 of the last 4 quarters with an average positive surprise near 23%, and carries strong quality metrics including a 51% return on equity, but deeply negative price momentum with RSI near 9 and heavy recorded music segment concentration create a challenging near-term setup.
Falsifiable statement — pillar-level invalidators below. Engine-derived; not personalized advice.
Per-dimension breakdown
Quality
6.0/10data confidence 100%| Component | Sub-score |
|---|---|
| ROE | 10.0 |
| ROA | 4.9 |
| Gross margin | 5.2 |
| Op margin | 6.2 |
| Net margin | 3.2 |
| Current ratio | 2.9 |
| FCF quality | 6.7 |
| Moat | 6.8 |
| Piotroski F | 7.8 |
- ▸Excellent ROE: 51%
- ▸Strong Piotroski F-Score: 7/9
Growth
6.7/10data confidence 33%| Component | Sub-score |
|---|---|
| Rev growth | 6.7 |
Momentum
5.6/10data confidence 100%| Component | Sub-score |
|---|---|
| RSI | 4.5 |
| MACD | 6.9 |
| OBV | 10.0 |
| MA position | 4.0 |
| Volume | 2.4 |
- ▸Volume accumulation (rising OBV)
- ▸Below 200-MA, MA slope -1.1%/30d — confirmed downtrend
Sentiment
6.3/10data confidence 100%| Component | Sub-score |
|---|---|
| Analyst rating | 5.0 |
| Price target | 8.9 |
| erm sentiment | 5.0 |
- ▸Analyst upside: 35%
Insider
5.0/10data confidence 50%| Component | Sub-score |
|---|---|
| materiality | 5.0 |
| holder change | 5.0 |
- ▸No net insider activity — $0 (0.000% of mkt cap)
Peer rank
4.7/10data confidence 80%| Component | Sub-score |
|---|---|
| value rank | 5.0 |
| quality rank | 8.0 |
| growth rank | 5.9 |
- ▸Superior ROE vs peers
Technical
5.4/10data confidence 100%| Component | Sub-score |
|---|---|
| bollinger | 4.8 |
| support resistance | 5.2 |
| 52w position | 6.1 |
Risk (lower is worse)
3.4/10data confidence 100%| Component | Sub-score |
|---|---|
| short interest | 5.5 |
| days to cover | 6.7 |
| volatility | 5.2 |
| put call | 0.0 |
| implied vol | 0.3 |
| beta | 5.9 |
| debt equity | 0.0 |
- ▸Elevated put/call: 738.12
- ▸High IV: 78%
- ▸Concentration risks: 2 HIGH, 1 MED (10-K Item 1A — sized via position_sizing, validated via buy_confidence)
Catalyst
6.4/10data confidence 100%| Component | Sub-score |
|---|---|
| erm | 5.0 |
| earnings history | 6.7 |
| earnings timing | 5.0 |
| surprise avg | 10.0 |
| dividend safety | 5.2 |
- ▸Strong earnings: 3B/1M
- ▸Dividend: 269.0%
How the verdict was assembled
Engine trigger
Multiple concerning factors. Consider reducing position.
Engine technical detail
verdict_path:
L4:PATH_F_SELLPassed (8)
- MOMENTUM:5.6>=5.5
- ASYMMETRY:2.9>=1.5
- INSIDER:OK
- 8K:CLEAN
- NEWS_EVENTS:NONE_RECENT
- EARNINGS_PROXIMITY:34d clear
- SEMI_CYCLE_PEAK:CLEAR
- MATERIALS_CYCLE_PEAK:CLEAR
Failed (0)
none
Warning (0)
none
Reward-to-Risk
2.90
Upside
+21.3%
Downside
7.4%
Sizing output
AVOID
SetupRange Bound — RSI 48 mid-range, Bollinger mid-band
EdgeNo clear edge — No clear edge identified
SuitabilityModerate — Balanced profile
Investment implication
The F-path SELL output reflects an overall score of 4.4 below the 5.6 soft trigger — multiple weakening dimensions accumulated rather than a single hard-floor breach. The strongest dimension ( Value at 7.4) was not enough to lift the adjusted overall above the threshold. Current asymmetry R:R is 2.90 — supplementary context, not the trigger for this path.
The strongest dimensions are Value at 7.4, Growth at 6.7, and Catalyst at 6.4; the weakest are Risk (lower is worse) at 3.4, Peer rank at 4.7, and Insider at 5.0. The V9 engine cleared all gates, producing an asymmetric reward-to-risk of 2.90 and an engine sizing output of AVOID.
What would invalidate the thesis
Falsifying conditions — when triggered, the corresponding pillar's thesis is invalidated.
- P1Earnings Beat Quality Streak
Trip ifEPS surprise falls below 0% in at least 2 of the next 4 quarters, breaking the established beat streak.
- P2Exceptional Return On Equity
Trip ifReturn on equity falls below 30% in any reported fiscal year, signaling leverage-adjusted profitability is deteriorating.
- P3Recorded Music Concentration Risk
Trip ifRecorded music segment revenue declines by more than 5% year-over-year in any reported quarter.
- P4Momentum Capitulation Risk
Trip ifStock price drops below $27, more than 5% below the current $28.49, confirming the momentum decline has continued.