Live Nation Q2 2026: revenue up 9.0%, EPS beats, concert profit slips
Live Nation's second quarter looked strong on the top line and on EPS, but the profit engine behind the concerts business stalled. Revenue of $7.67 billion rose 9.0% and GAAP EPS of $1.05 beat the $0.67 consensus, yet adjusted operating income grew just 2.0% and Concerts AOI fell 14.0%. Read the quarter as demand-rich and margin-poor: the case now rests on the second half.
1 · Expected vs. Actual
Free preview belowGAAP diluted EPS of $1.05 beat the $0.67 consensus and last year's $0.41. Two things matter: last year's quarter was dragged down by $147.8 million of accretion on redeemable noncontrolling interests, and this quarter's $294.4 million of net income already absorbs $108.4 million paid out to noncontrolling partners. The beat is real, but operating profit grew far less than the EPS jump implies.
Revenue of $7.67 billion rose 9.0% from $7.01 billion a year earlier, but currency swings cut $77.3 million and constant-currency growth was 8.0%. Concerts supplied $6.44 billion, or 84.1% of the total, while Ticketing grew 15.0% to $852.2 million and Sponsorship & Advertising grew 12.0% to $383.0 million. Note the mix: the fastest-growing pieces are still the smallest.
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Figures on this page come from the company's original SEC filings. The analysis is generated automatically and checked against validation rules, but may still contain errors or omissions. Not investment advice. · Generated 2026-09-17
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