Fintel reports that on October 3, 2023, UBS upgraded their outlook for Warner Music Group Corp – (NASDAQ:WMG) from Neutral to Buy.

Analyst Price Forecast Suggests 15.06% Upside

As of August 31, 2023, the average one-year price target for Warner Music Group Corp – is 35.77. The forecasts range from a low of 15.55 to a high of $54.60. The average price target represents an increase of 15.06% from its latest reported closing price of 31.09.

See our leaderboard of companies with the largest price target upside.

The projected annual revenue for Warner Music Group Corp – is 6,801MM, an increase of 14.34%. The projected annual non-GAAP EPS is 1.34.

Warner Music Group Corp – Declares $0.17 Dividend

On August 14, 2023 the company declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.17 per share ($0.68 annualized). Shareholders of record as of August 24, 2023 received the payment on September 1, 2023. Previously, the company paid $0.16 per share.

At the current share price of $31.09 / share, the stock’s dividend yield is 2.19%.

Looking back five years and taking a sample every week, the average dividend yield has been 1.78%, the lowest has been 1.23%, and the highest has been 2.86%. The standard deviation of yields is 0.41 (n=145).

The current dividend yield is 0.99 standard deviations above the historical average.

Additionally, the company’s dividend payout ratio is 0.82. The payout ratio tells us how much of a company’s income is paid out in dividends. A payout ratio of one (1.0) means 100% of the company’s income is paid in a dividend. A payout ratio greater than one means the company is dipping into savings in order to maintain its dividend – not a healthy situation. Companies with few growth prospects are expected to pay out most of their income in dividends, which typically means a payout ratio between 0.5 and 1.0. Companies with good growth prospects are expected to retain some earnings in order to invest in those growth prospects, which translates to a payout ratio of zero to 0.5.

The company’s 3-Year dividend growth rate is 0.42%, demonstrating that it has increased its dividend over time.

What is the Fund Sentiment?

There are 392 funds or institutions reporting positions in Warner Music Group Corp -. This is a decrease of 22 owner(s) or 5.31% in the last quarter. Average portfolio weight of all funds dedicated to WMG is 0.34%, a decrease of 13.31%. Total shares owned by institutions increased in the last three months by 0.48% to 142,789K shares. The put/call ratio of WMG is 0.29, indicating a bullish outlook.

What are Other Shareholders Doing?

Darlington Partners Capital Management holds 6,061K shares representing 1.17% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 4,097K shares, representing an increase of 32.40%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in WMG by 5.49% over the last quarter.

Caledonia (Private) Investments Pty holds 6,026K shares representing 1.17% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 5,458K shares, representing an increase of 9.42%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in WMG by 15.49% over the last quarter.

FIL holds 5,532K shares representing 1.07% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 515K shares, representing an increase of 90.68%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in WMG by 1,349.26% over the last quarter.

Capital World Investors holds 5,483K shares representing 1.06% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 5,956K shares, representing a decrease of 8.64%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in WMG by 33.04% over the last quarter.

Cooke & Bieler holds 4,819K shares representing 0.93% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 1,931K shares, representing an increase of 59.93%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in WMG by 84.76% over the last quarter.

Warner Music Group Background Information
(This description is provided by the company.)

With a legacy extending back over 200 years, Warner Music Group (WMG) today brings together artists, songwriters and entrepreneurs that are moving entertainment culture across the globe. Operating in more than 70 countries through a network of affiliates and licensees, WMG’s Recorded Music division includes renowned labels such as Asylum, Atlantic, Big Beat, Canvasback, Elektra, Erato, First Night, Fueled by Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Spinnin’, Warner Records, Warner Classics and Warner Music Nashville. WMG’s music publishing arm, Warner Chappell Music, has a catalog of more than 1.4 million musical compositions spanning every musical genre, from the standards of the Great American Songbook to the biggest hits of the 21st century. Warner Music Group is also home to ADA, the independent artist and label services company, as well as consumer brands such as Songkick, the live music app; EMP, the merchandise e-tailer; and UPROXX, the youth culture destination.

This article originally appeared on Fintel

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