IMAX (NYSE:IMAX – Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $2.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.02 by $1.19, FiscalAI reports. The company had revenue of $174.55 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $168.53 million. IMAX had a return on equity of 15.47% and a net margin of 9.84%. The firm’s revenue was up 63.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.47 EPS.
Here are the key takeaways from IMAX’s conference call:
- IMAX reported its strongest quarter ever, with $175 million in revenue, $121 million in adjusted EBITDA and $712 million in global box office. Adjusted EPS was $2.21, including a $36.7 million tax benefit; excluding that one-time benefit, adjusted EPS was still a quarterly and full-year record at $1.58.
- Management expects 2026 box office to significantly exceed its $1.4 billion guidance and adjusted EBITDA margin to reach approximately 50%, above its prior mid-40s outlook. The company remains on track for 160–175 system installations this year.
- Demand is driving network expansion: IMAX has signed 105 systems year-to-date, 65% at new locations, and is negotiating a pipeline of roughly 150 potential new or upgraded theaters. Management is also exploring faster installation timelines, smaller-format auditoriums and 10–15 additional IMAX 70mm locations.
- Management highlighted a strong upcoming film slate, including Dune: Part Three, Avengers releases and multiple Filmed for IMAX titles, as support for continued box-office growth. It is also pursuing merchandise, licensing and technology partnerships, though executives said these opportunities are early and not yet quantifiable.
- Installations eased to 32 systems in the quarter, compared with 38 a year earlier, as exhibitors prioritized keeping auditoriums open during major releases. The company said the installation schedule is weighted toward the fourth quarter and depends on construction and opening timelines.
IMAX Trading Down 0.8%
Shares of IMAX stock opened at $47.74 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $52.12 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $43.21. IMAX has a twelve month low of $32.71 and a twelve month high of $57.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 0.54.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
Several research analysts have issued reports on the company. HC Wainwright reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of IMAX in a report on Friday, July 24th. Wedbush restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $62.00 price objective on shares of IMAX in a research report on Friday. Barrington Research raised their target price on shares of IMAX from $46.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on IMAX from $42.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, September 4th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised IMAX from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, October 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $58.08.
Get Our Latest Analysis on IMAX
Insider Buying and Selling at IMAX
In other IMAX news, VP Robert Lister sold 22,500 shares of IMAX stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.58, for a total transaction of $1,160,550.00. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 182,375 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $9,406,902.50. The trade was a 10.98% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Kenneth Weissman sold 8,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.54, for a total value of $436,320.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 28,205 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,538,300.70. The trade was a 22.10% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 507,257 shares of company stock worth $26,673,571. Company insiders own 20.55% of the company’s stock.
IMAX News Summary
Here are the key news stories impacting IMAX this week:
- Positive Sentiment: IMAX posted the best quarter in its history: third-quarter revenue was $174.55 million, up 63.6% year over year and ahead of estimates, while EPS of $2.21 substantially exceeded analysts’ roughly $1.02 consensus. The blockbuster performance of The Odyssey helped drive record box office and results. IMAX third-quarter results
- Positive Sentiment: The Odyssey is set to return to theaters, including IMAX 70mm, in December, offering a potential boost to ticket sales and illustrating demand for premium-format re-releases. The Odyssey IMAX re-release
- Neutral Sentiment: Wells Fargo cut its IMAX price target from $55 to $52 and maintained an “equal weight” rating. The revised target still implies 8.9% upside from the cited $47.74 share price, but the reduction signals less analyst optimism. Wells Fargo rating information
IMAX Company Profile
IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) is a global entertainment technology company that specializes in premium large-format cinema experiences. The company designs and supplies specialized theater systems that combine large screens, high-resolution projection, advanced sound, and immersive theater design to present feature films, documentaries, live events, and other content.
IMAX supports its theater partners with projection and sound equipment, theater design and installation services, and technology and maintenance support.
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