What happened
Shares of AMC Networks (AMCX 0.47%), the cable network operator, were climbing today on reports that the company was hiring advisors to potentially seek a sale.
As a result, the stock was up 4.6% as of 1:51 p.m. EDT after gaining as much as 12.9% earlier in the session.
A scene from The Walking Dead. Image source: AMC Networks.
So what
M&A reporting outlet CTFN said that AMC Networks was working with Morgan Stanley to explore M&A options, including a potential sale. The news follows similar reports in May, when CTFN said that AMC Networks was looking into selling itself.
The share price of the parent of AMC, IFC, and Sundance has plunged during the pandemic, and the company has been left out so far in the wave of consolidation that has swept the industry. That includes the recent merger of Viacom and CBS, Discovery's acquisition of Scripps media business, and Walt Disney's takeover of Fox. Given those circumstances and a sharp decline in ad revenue during the pandemic, it's not surprising that AMC would be seeking a buyer. Earlier in the spring, Amazon was reportedly interested in a takeover of the company, and a number of buyers could be interested in its library of critically acclaimed content and low price tag.
Now what
The fact that the stock's pop withered so quickly might show that investors aren't taking the M&A rumors very seriously. However, AMC Networks does seem like an appealing takeover target for both traditional cable networks and streamers. Its valuation is only slightly above $1 billion, making it a relative bargain, it is solidly profitable, and it trades at a trailing P/E ratio of just around 4.
The stock is down 40% year to date, and with cable audiences continuing to dwindle, finding a buyer seems to be AMC's best option.
