Seek Returns logo

NWSA vs. WMG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on

Here’s a clear look at NWSA and WMG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

SymbolNWSAWMG
Company NameNews CorporationWarner Music Group Corp.
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorCommunication ServicesCommunication Services
GICS IndustryMediaEntertainment
Market Capitalization15.83 billion USD17.02 billion USD
ExchangeNasdaqGSNasdaqGS
Listing DateJune 19, 2013June 3, 2020
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of NWSA and WMG by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

NWSA vs. WMG: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolNWSAWMG
5-Day Price Return-5.36%-4.50%
13-Week Price Return-8.06%8.87%
26-Week Price Return3.64%5.56%
52-Week Price Return3.96%6.18%
Month-to-Date Return-12.02%-4.14%
Year-to-Date Return-1.89%5.32%
10-Day Avg. Volume5.06M1.53M
3-Month Avg. Volume3.68M1.85M
3-Month Volatility22.45%22.78%
Beta1.001.30

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

NWSA

14.14%

Media Industry

Max
31.00%
Q3
15.18%
Median
10.91%
Q1
4.47%
Min
-5.88%

NWSA’s Return on Equity of 14.14% is on par with the norm for the Media industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

WMG

53.54%

Entertainment Industry

Max
42.50%
Q3
24.06%
Median
13.69%
Q1
5.35%
Min
-17.95%

WMG’s Return on Equity of 53.54% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Entertainment industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

NWSA vs. WMG: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Media and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

NWSA

13.21%

Media Industry

Max
20.69%
Q3
11.93%
Median
6.49%
Q1
2.47%
Min
-4.90%

A Net Profit Margin of 13.21% places NWSA in the upper quartile for the Media industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

WMG

4.59%

Entertainment Industry

Max
45.33%
Q3
24.40%
Median
13.94%
Q1
4.28%
Min
-23.67%

WMG’s Net Profit Margin of 4.59% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Entertainment industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

NWSA vs. WMG: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Media and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

NWSA

10.27%

Media Industry

Max
24.30%
Q3
13.57%
Median
9.15%
Q1
4.63%
Min
-6.28%

NWSA’s Operating Profit Margin of 10.27% is around the midpoint for the Media industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

WMG

10.73%

Entertainment Industry

Max
41.77%
Q3
28.26%
Median
16.13%
Q1
8.03%
Min
-3.93%

WMG’s Operating Profit Margin of 10.73% is around the midpoint for the Entertainment industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

NWSA vs. WMG: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Media and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolNWSAWMG
Return on Equity (TTM)14.14%53.54%
Return on Assets (TTM)7.24%3.16%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)13.21%4.59%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)10.27%10.73%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)54.70%46.64%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

NWSA

1.84

Media Industry

Max
3.59
Q3
1.97
Median
1.28
Q1
0.86
Min
0.33

NWSA’s Current Ratio of 1.84 aligns with the median group of the Media industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

WMG

0.66

Entertainment Industry

Max
6.76
Q3
4.02
Median
1.55
Q1
0.86
Min
0.38

WMG’s Current Ratio of 0.66 falls into the lower quartile for the Entertainment industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

NWSA vs. WMG: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Media and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

NWSA

0.22

Media Industry

Max
2.13
Q3
1.11
Median
0.55
Q1
0.25
Min
0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Media industry, NWSA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.22 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

WMG

7.41

Entertainment Industry

Max
1.54
Q3
0.77
Median
0.16
Q1
0.02
Min
0.00

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 7.41, WMG operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Entertainment industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

NWSA vs. WMG: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Media and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

NWSA

3.05

Media Industry

Max
58.38
Q3
25.12
Median
4.52
Q1
2.14
Min
-10.82

NWSA’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.05 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Media industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

WMG

4.73

Entertainment Industry

Max
87.17
Q3
35.59
Median
7.06
Q1
1.13
Min
-44.74

WMG’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.73 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Entertainment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

NWSA vs. WMG: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Media and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolNWSAWMG
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.840.66
Quick Ratio (MRQ)1.720.45
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.227.41
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)3.054.73

Growth

Revenue Growth

NWSA vs. WMG: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

NWSA vs. WMG: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

NWSA

1.15%

Media Industry

Max
8.07%
Q3
3.69%
Median
1.37%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

NWSA’s Dividend Yield of 1.15% is consistent with its peers in the Media industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

WMG

2.20%

Entertainment Industry

Max
2.90%
Q3
1.29%
Median
0.59%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 2.20%, WMG offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Entertainment industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

NWSA vs. WMG: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Media and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

NWSA

15.68%

Media Industry

Max
199.37%
Q3
102.15%
Median
47.09%
Q1
12.24%
Min
0.00%

NWSA’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 15.68% is within the typical range for the Media industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

WMG

82.30%

Entertainment Industry

Max
82.30%
Q3
38.45%
Median
29.74%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

WMG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 82.30% is in the upper quartile for the Entertainment industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.

NWSA vs. WMG: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Media and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolNWSAWMG
Dividend Yield (TTM)1.15%2.20%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)15.68%82.30%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

NWSA

13.67

Media Industry

Max
73.10
Q3
36.19
Median
15.22
Q1
11.43
Min
5.11

NWSA’s P/E Ratio of 13.67 is within the middle range for the Media industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

WMG

57.58

Entertainment Industry

Max
92.09
Q3
54.51
Median
28.92
Q1
19.75
Min
2.96

A P/E Ratio of 57.58 places WMG in the upper quartile for the Entertainment industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

NWSA vs. WMG: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Media and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

NWSA

1.81

Media Industry

Max
3.52
Q3
2.14
Median
1.10
Q1
0.85
Min
0.21

NWSA’s P/S Ratio of 1.81 aligns with the market consensus for the Media industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

WMG

2.64

Entertainment Industry

Max
12.34
Q3
7.67
Median
5.06
Q1
2.72
Min
0.67

In the lower quartile for the Entertainment industry, WMG’s P/S Ratio of 2.64 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

NWSA vs. WMG: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Media and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

NWSA

2.02

Media Industry

Max
4.43
Q3
2.53
Median
1.71
Q1
1.21
Min
0.56

NWSA’s P/B Ratio of 2.02 is within the conventional range for the Media industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

WMG

24.11

Entertainment Industry

Max
22.84
Q3
10.54
Median
6.60
Q1
2.30
Min
0.65

At 24.11, WMG’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Entertainment industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

NWSA vs. WMG: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Media and Entertainment industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolNWSAWMG
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)13.6757.58
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)1.812.64
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)2.0224.11
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)21.2829.43