Nexstar Media Group (NXST)
NASDAQCommunication ServicesBroadcastingSnapshot 2026-11-05
$187.97+1.54%
Close 2026-11-05 · 1-day change
NASDAQCommunication ServicesBroadcastingSnapshot 2026-11-05
QuarterlyIQ Insights · NXST
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within communication services on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-11-05.
The screen ranks NXST against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 4 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 3 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Communication Services names rated strong grew net income 52% of the time over the next year (vs 52% for the rest of the cohort, n=1899).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
A guidance track record builds as the company issues and delivers on guidance.
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
Looking forward, we are well positioned for strong free cash flow generation in the second half of 2026 and we remain confident that the case challenging our acquisition of TEGNA is without merit and…
Stated in 3 of 4 supplied quarters. Management reported: “SOOK, FOUNDER, CHAIRMAN AND CEO || “In a record second quarter, Nexstar generated all-time high quarterly revenue driven by our acquisition of TEGNA Inc., strong political advertising revenue, incremental advertising revenue from highly rated FIFA World Cup events on our FOX-affiliated stations and continued streaming advertising revenue growth in Nexstar’s legacy local markets.” “Looking forward, we are well positioned for strong free cash flow generation in the second half of 2026 and we remain confident that the case challenging our acquisition of TEGNA is without merit and we will continue to vigorously defend it.”” Revenue was $2.133 billion in 2026-Q3.
“Looking forward, we are well positioned for strong free cash flow generation in the second half of 2026 and we remain confident that the case challenging our acquisition of TEGNA is without merit and…”
“Exhibit 99.1 FIRST QUARTER 2026 EARNINGS RELEASE May 7, 2026 NEXSTAR MEDIA GROUP REPORTS FIRST QUARTER RESULTS Closed acquisition of TEGNA Inc. on March 19, 2026, following FCC and DOJ regulatory app…”
“Our 2026 plan includes closing our acquisition of TEGNA, capitalizing on the political advertising opportunities presented by the mid-term elections, and continuing to optimize our business operation…”
• Continued to advance The CW's strategy to expand its audience and programming.
Stated in 3 of 4 supplied quarters. Management reported: “– Grew total day audience 10% year-over-year and remained the #9 rated ad-supported network in June.” “(June 2026) – Extended access and reach of CW Sports programming to new audiences and advertisers by partnering with ESPN , the leading digital destination for sports, to make the ESPN App the exclusive streaming home for all CW Sports live events beginning in Summer 2026.”
“• Continued to advance The CW's strategy to expand its audience and programming.”
During the quarter, NewsNation maintained its position as the fastest-growing ad-supported cable news network in prime time and total day viewership.
Stated in 1 of 4 supplied quarters. Management reported: “(April 2026) • NewsNation remained the # 1 fastest-growing cable news network in prime time and total day in June 2026 , growing 44% in total viewers compared to June 2025.” “During the quarter, NewsNation maintained its position as the fastest-growing ad-supported cable news network in prime time and total day viewership.”
Given the limited time between the resolution of the trial and the Outside Synergies Date, we have removed the synergies from the leverage calculation.
Stated in 3 of 4 supplied quarters. Management reported: “If conditions change, we may revisit this assessment and calculation.” “Given the limited time between the resolution of the trial and the Outside Synergies Date, we have removed the synergies from the leverage calculation.”
“Given the limited time between the resolution of the trial and the Outside Synergies Date, we have removed the synergies from the leverage calculation.”
Nexstar’s dividend remains a core element of its capital allocation strategy and reflects the Company’s long-term financial strength.
Stated in a supplied disclosure. Management reported: “Nexstar’s dividend remains a core element of its capital allocation strategy and reflects the Company’s long-term financial strength.” “In anticipation of the pending accretive acquisition of TEGNA, Inc., Nexstar’s Board of Directors elected to maintain its current dividend rate.”
Over the trailing year it converted 2.24x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Communication Services names rated neutral grew net income 40% of the time over the next year (vs 44% for the rest of the cohort, n=1197).
Not enough signal yet.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the US dollar, the broad stock market, real (inflation-adjusted) rates, long-term interest rates, Fed net liquidity (low R² over the window).
23 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by capital-allocation actions. Historically, Communication Services names rated volatile grew net income 52% of the time over the next year (vs 52% for the rest of the cohort, n=1775).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-11-05.
“(July 2026) • Continued to advance CW's growth strategy by expanding its audience, securing new programming, and launching new streaming distribution partnerships.”
“(March 2026) • The CW Network announced a multi-year broadcast partnership with the Mountain West Conference beginning with the 2026-27 season and continuing through 2030-31 to air 13 football games,…”
“During the quarter, NewsNation maintained its position as the fastest-growing ad-supported cable news network in prime time and total day viewership.”
“Exhibit 99.1 FIRST QUARTER 2026 EARNINGS RELEASE May 7, 2026 NEXSTAR MEDIA GROUP REPORTS FIRST QUARTER RESULTS Closed acquisition of TEGNA Inc. on March 19, 2026, following FCC and DOJ regulatory app…”
“• Nexstar continues its disciplined approach to capital allocation, conserving cash that would otherwise have been used for share repurchases to fund the announced acquisition of TEGNA Inc. ($ in mil…”