Sirius XM Q3 Earnings: Net Income Hit by $3.4 Billion Liberty Impairment Charge, Revises Annual Outlook By 1%

Sirius XM Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: SIRI) reported a fiscal third-quarter 2024 revenue decline of 4% year-on-year to $2.17 billion, marginally missing the analyst consensus estimate of $2.19 billion. Adjusted EPS of $1.17 beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.78. 

Subscriber revenue was $1.65 billion in the quarter, down from $1.73 billion a year ago. Advertising revenue was $450 million, down from $460 million a year ago.

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For the year, SiriusXM self-pay subscribers decreased by 314,000 to 31.5 million total subscribers, a 1% decline year over year.

The self-pay monthly churn remained firm Y/Y at 1.6% for the quarter. SiriusXM self-pay subscribers increased by 110,000 in the quarter.

SiriusXM segment revenue declined 5% year over year to $1.63 billion during the quarter, driven by a lower average base of self-pay subscribers and a $0.53 year-over-year decrease in average revenue per user (ARPU).

ARPU decreased to $15.16 from $15.69 Y/Y. SiriusXM segment gross margin declined 100 bps to 60% Y/Y.

Pandora segment advertising revenue declined 2% Y/Y at $409 million for the quarter. 

Pandora's Monthly Active Users (MAUs) were 43.72 million, down from 46.50 million in 2023. The total number of ad-supported listener hours was 2.47 billion in the quarter, down from 2.64 billion Y/Y. 

The Pandora segment gross margin improved to 34% for the quarter from 33% a year ago, while the gross profit improved by 4% year over year.

The adjusted EBITDA declined 7% Y/Y at $693 million due to lower subscriber revenue.

The company reported a net loss of $2.96 billion due to an impairment charge of $3.36 billion associated with the Liberty Media transaction.

In September, Liberty Media Corp FWONA FWONK and Sirius XM Holdings announced the completion of their split-off of Liberty Sirius XM Holdings.

Shortly after, a subsidiary of New Sirius merged with Sirius XM Inc (formerly Sirius XM Holdings, "Old Sirius"), with Old Sirius continuing as a wholly owned subsidiary of New Sirius. These transactions now position New Sirius as an independent public company, fully separated from Liberty Media and renamed Sirius XM Holdings Inc.

Sirius generated $93 million in free cash flow in the quarter, down from $258 million in the prior year due to the impact from transaction-related expenses. It held $127 million in cash and equivalents as of September 30, 2024.

FY24 Outlook: Sirius XM expects revenue of $8.675 billion (prior $8.75 billion) versus the consensus of $8.75 billion. It also maintained an adjusted EBITDA of $2.70 billion and expects a free cash flow of $1.00 billion (prior $1.20 billion).

Sirius XM stock has lost 51% year-to-date.

Price Action: SIRI stock is down 0.93% at $27.14 at the last check on Thursday.

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