Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE:LYV) posted mixed first-quarter results, with earnings missing expectations but revenue rising sharply year-over-year, supported by strong consumer demand across its live events and ticketing segments. Shares rose more than 2% pre-market today.
The company reported an adjusted loss of $0.32 per share, wider than the $0.22 loss analysts had anticipated. Revenue came in at $3.38 billion, up from $2.5 billion in the same period last year, though slightly below the $3.62 billion consensus estimate.
Despite the earnings miss, management struck an optimistic tone. CEO Michael Rapino highlighted that 2025 is off to a strong start and projected double-digit growth in both operating income and adjusted operating income (AOI) for the full year.
Deferred revenue levels hit record highs, signaling strong forward bookings. Concerts-related deferred revenue grew 24% year-over-year to $5.4 billion, while Ticketmaster deferred revenue rose 13% to $270 million—both key indicators of healthy ticket sales and future event pipeline.
While the Q1 earnings fell short, Live Nation’s growing backlog and resilient consumer appetite for live experiences suggest a promising trajectory for the remainder of the year.
