Baird R W Upgrades Lionsgate Studios (NYSE:LION) to "Strong-Buy"

Key Points

• Lionsgate Studios was upgraded to a "strong-buy" rating by Baird R W, with other analysts giving ratings ranging from "buy" to "sell" and setting various target prices.
• The company reported a loss of ($0.34) EPS in its latest quarterly earnings, missing the analysts' expectations, which projected a loss of ($0.16).
• Major shareholder Liberty 77 Capital L.P. significantly increased their position by acquiring 500,000 shares at an average price of $5.63, indicating confidence in the company's prospects.

Lionsgate Studios (NYSE:LION - Get Free Report) was upgraded by analysts at Baird R W to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other equities analysts also recently commented on LION. Wall Street Zen downgraded Lionsgate Studios from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Sunday, August 10th. Robert W. Baird assumed coverage on Lionsgate Studios in a report on Friday, September 5th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $8.00 price objective on the stock. Rosenblatt Securities dropped their target price on Lionsgate Studios from $13.00 to $9.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, June 4th. Raymond James Financial assumed coverage on Lionsgate Studios in a report on Tuesday, May 20th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $10.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on Lionsgate Studios in a report on Tuesday, August 5th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $9.00 target price on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Lionsgate Studios currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $8.75.

Lionsgate Studios Trading Up 3.2%

Shares of Lionsgate Studios stock traded up $0.21 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $6.82. The stock had a trading volume of 948,616 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,396,129. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $6.27 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $7.29. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.18 and a beta of -0.21. Lionsgate Studios has a 1 year low of $5.55 and a 1 year high of $8.50.

Lionsgate Studios (NYSE:LION - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 7th. The company reported ($0.34) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.16) by ($0.18). Sell-side analysts forecast that Lionsgate Studios will post 0.08 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Lionsgate Studios

In related news, major shareholder Liberty 77 Capital L.P. acquired 500,000 shares of Lionsgate Studios stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 7th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $5.63 per share, for a total transaction of $2,815,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 37,476,036 shares of the company's stock, valued at $210,990,082.68. This trade represents a 1.35% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In the last ninety days, insiders purchased 1,559,489 shares of company stock worth $8,950,186. Insiders own 9.40% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Lionsgate Studios

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its stake in Lionsgate Studios by 3.1% during the second quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 113,934 shares of the company's stock valued at $662,000 after buying an additional 3,455 shares in the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. bought a new stake in Lionsgate Studios in the second quarter worth about $25,000. JTC Employer Solutions Trustee Ltd bought a new stake in Lionsgate Studios in the second quarter worth about $26,000. Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its position in Lionsgate Studios by 4,852.0% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 4,952 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 4,852 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FNY Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lionsgate Studios in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000.

About Lionsgate Studios

Lionsgate Studios Corp. engages in the provision of motion picture and studio operations that bring a varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers. The company is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA.