Marcus Corporation (The) (NYSE:MCS) Receives Average Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from Analysts

Key Points

• Analyst consensus: Six analysts give Marcus an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" (four buys, two holds) with a 12‑month average price target of $23.25.
• Mixed Q1 results: Adjusted EPS of ($0.51) and revenue of $154.4M beat estimates, but the company still posted a GAAP loss with thin profitability (net margin ~1.85%, ROE ~0.79%) and low liquidity (current ratio 0.35, quick ratio 0.40).
• Insider selling: Company insiders sold 32,708 shares worth about $579,646 over the last quarter (including Michael Reade Evans and VP Thomas F. Kissinger), leaving insiders with roughly 16.53% ownership.

Shares of Marcus Corporation (The) (NYSE:MCS - Get Free Report) have earned an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the six ratings firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $23.25.

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Barrington Research reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $24.00 target price on shares of Marcus in a report on Monday, March 2nd. Zacks Research raised Marcus from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, March 23rd. Wedbush increased their price objective on Marcus from $22.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, B. Riley Financial reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Marcus in a research report on Friday, April 17th.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Michael Reade Evans sold 7,671 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.04, for a total value of $146,055.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 45,801 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $872,051.04. This trade represents a 14.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP Thomas F. Kissinger sold 25,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.32, for a total transaction of $433,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 199,700 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,458,804. This trade represents a 11.13% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 32,708 shares of company stock worth $579,646 over the last quarter. 16.53% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Marcus

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Navalign LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Marcus in the fourth quarter valued at about $33,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its holdings in Marcus by 550.6% during the third quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 2,264 shares of the company's stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 1,916 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its position in Marcus by 60.2% during the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,494 shares of the company's stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 937 shares during the last quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue boosted its position in Marcus by 656.0% during the fourth quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 5,761 shares of the company's stock valued at $88,000 after purchasing an additional 4,999 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in Marcus by 67.6% in the fourth quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 10,109 shares of the company's stock valued at $157,000 after purchasing an additional 4,076 shares in the last quarter. 81.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marcus Stock Down 0.4%

Marcus stock opened at $17.56 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $17.47 and a 200-day moving average of $16.00. The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. Marcus has a twelve month low of $12.85 and a twelve month high of $20.02. The stock has a market capitalization of $540.34 million, a PE ratio of 40.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 0.53.

Marcus (NYSE:MCS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported ($0.51) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.54) by $0.03. The business had revenue of $154.40 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $148.78 million. Marcus had a net margin of 1.85% and a return on equity of 0.79%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Marcus will post 0.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marcus Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 16th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 25th were paid a dividend of $0.08 per share. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 25th. Marcus's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 80.00%.

Marcus News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Marcus this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly results beat expectations: adjusted EPS of ($0.51) topped the consensus loss of ($0.54), and revenue of $154.4M exceeded estimates — evidence of demand recovery across businesses. Marcus Corporation Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Management: Marcus Theatres and Marcus Hotels & Resorts outperformed peers in Q1; theaters benefited from a strong film slate (cited example: Project Hail Mary), supporting hopes for continued box‑office momentum. Marcus Corp. Earnings Call Shows Theater-Led Rebound
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call/transcripts available for detail‑minded investors — useful to parse guidance, cost trends and segment cadence across theaters vs. hotels. The Marcus Corporation (MCS) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Corporate governance update: leadership succession at Marcus Theatres (previously announced) remains in place — monitor for any operational changes tied to the transition. Marcus Announces Leadership Succession at Marcus Theatres
• Negative Sentiment: Despite beats, the company still posted a GAAP loss and thin profitability — net margin ~1.7% and ROE near 0.5% — leaving valuation and path to sustained profitability in question. Marcus (MCS) Reports Q1 Loss, Beats Revenue Estimates
• Negative Sentiment: Liquidity and leverage metrics remain a concern for some investors (low current/quick ratios noted), which can limit investor appetite despite improving operations. Marcus Stock Snapshot

About Marcus

The Marcus Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates movie theatres, and hotels and resorts in the United States. It operates a family entertainment center and multiscreen motion picture theatres under the Big Screen Bistro, Big Screen Bistro Express, BistroPlex, and Movie Tavern by Marcus brand names. The company also owns and operates full-service hotels and resorts, as well as manages full-service hotels, resorts, and other properties. In addition, it provides hospitality management services, including check-in, housekeeping, and maintenance for a vacation ownership development; and manages condominium hotels under long-term management contracts.

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