Live Nation Entertainment Stock: Is Wall Street Bullish or Bearish?
Beverly Hills, California-based Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (LYV) operates as a live entertainment company worldwide. With a market cap of $33.9 billion, Live Nation operates through Concerts, Ticketing, and Sponsorship & Advertising segments.
The entertainment giant has significantly outperformed the broader market over the past year. LYV stock has soared 65.9% over the past 52 weeks and 16.8% on a YTD basis, outpacing the S&P 500 Index’s ($SPX) 18.4% surge over the past year and 7.6% returns on a YTD basis.
Narrowing the focus, LYV has also outperformed the Communication Services Select Sector SPDR ETF Fund’s (XLC) 27.6% surge over the past year and 11.7% gains in 2025.
Live Nation Entertainment’s stock prices gained 1.9% in the trading session following the release of its mixed Q1 results on May 1. While the company experienced a drop in concerts and ticketing sales, it observed a slight improvement in sponsorship and advertising revenues. Overall, its topline declined 11% year-over-year to $3.4 billion, missing Street expectations.
However, Live Nation’s operating cash flows surged 33.6% year-over-year to $1.3 billion. Furthermore, the company reported an operating income of $114.8 million, notably up from $41.4 million operating loss.
For the full fiscal 2025, ending in December, analysts expect LYV to report an EPS of $2.35, down 14.2% year-over-year. On the positive note, the company has a solid earnings surprise history. It has surpassed the Street’s bottom-line estimates in each of the past four quarters by notable margins.
The stock has a consensus “Strong Buy” rating overall. Of the 21 analysts covering the stock, opinions include 19 “Strong Buys,” one “Moderate Buy,” and one “Hold” rating.
This configuration is slightly more bullish than two months ago, when 18 analysts gave “Strong Buy” recommendations.
On Jun. 18, Guggenheim analyst Curry Baker reiterated a “Buy” rating on LYV and maintained the price target of $170.
Live Nation’s mean price target of $168.85 suggests an 11.6% upside potential. Meanwhile, the Street-high target of $185 represents a notable 22.3% premium to current price levels.
On the date of publication, Aditya Sarawgi did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
