Lionsgate Studios’ Stock (NYSE:LION) Jumps on Bullish New Analyst Coverage

Lionsgate Studios stock (NYSE: LION) has been given a boost today, as the bullish initiation of coverage by Wells Fargo with an “Overweight” rating and a $9 price target filters through. The stock, which closed yesterday at $5.99, down 1.32%, is reacting positively to the bullish outlook, with the stock up 2.17% in the pre-market.

Wells Fargo's bullish stance centers on Lionsgate's position as a “pure-play” studio asset. The firm anticipates that Lionsgate will be a prime beneficiary of ongoing mergers and acquisitions (M&A) within the media landscape, as companies look to bolster their content libraries. The improving content slate expected in fiscal year 2027 is also cited as a key driver for future growth. Wells Fargo sees a favorable risk/reward profile, with a bull case scenario projecting a $13 share price.

The potential acquisition of Lionsgate by Legendary Entertainment, backed by Apollo Global Management, which surfaced in July, also fueled market speculation and contributed to a temporary rise in the stock price. Such a deal would allow Legendary to expand its content offerings through Lionsgate’s established distribution network and library.

Lionsgate officially became a standalone, publicly traded company on May 14, 2024, separating from Starz under the NASDAQ ticker symbol LION. The separation aimed to create one of the world's largest pure-play content companies, raising $350 million in the process and valuing Lionsgate Studios at an enterprise value of $4.6 billion.

Other analysts share a generally positive outlook on LION. Raymond James, for example, initiated coverage with an “Outperform” rating and a $10 price target in May. The consensus among analysts remains a “Strong Buy,” with a 12-month average price target of $9.43, representing an upside potential of approximately 54.6% from current levels.

Our commitment to delivering high-quality content remains unwavering, and we are confident in our ability to capitalize on the evolving media landscape.– Jon Feltheimer, CEO