Sep 30, 2023

Live Nation Q3 2023 Earnings Report

Delivered strongest quarter ever and are on pace for a record 2023, driven by structural growth in the live entertainment industry.

Key Takeaways

Live Nation Entertainment reported a record third quarter in 2023, with revenue up 32% to $8.2 billion and operating income up 22% to $619 million. The company is on pace for a record year, driven by the globalization of its business and a shift in consumer spending towards experiences.

Revenue increased by 32% to $8.2 billion in Q3, and by 36% to $16.9 billion year-to-date.

Operating income increased by 22% to $619 million in Q3, and by 35% to $1.1 billion year-to-date.

The company sold 140 million tickets year-to-date, surpassing the full year 2022 total of 121 million.

Event-related deferred revenue increased by 39% to $2.6 billion, reflecting continued momentum into 2024.

Total Revenue
$8.15B
Previous year: $6.15B
+32.5%
EPS
$1.78
Previous year: $1.39
+28.1%
Fee-Bearing Tickets
89.3M
Previous year: 73.43M
+21.6%
Total Estimated Fans
52.28M
Previous year: 44.29M
+18.0%
Gross Profit
$1.82B
Previous year: $1.45B
+26.0%
Cash and Equivalents
$5.95B
Previous year: $4.95B
+20.1%
Free Cash Flow
-$987M
Previous year: -$695M
+42.0%
Total Assets
$19.1B
Previous year: $15.8B
+21.2%

Live Nation

Live Nation

Live Nation Revenue by Segment

Forward Guidance

Live Nation expects continued momentum through 2023 and into 2024, based on leading indicators through mid-October.

Positive Outlook

  • Record number of fans: 140 million tickets sold year-to-date for Live Nation shows this year, up 17% year-over-year and already surpassing full year 2022 total of 121 million
  • Record Ticketmaster volume expected: 257 million fee-bearing tickets sold year-to-date, up 22% year-over-year; on track to manage over 600 million tickets this year, including well over 300 million fee-bearing tickets
  • Record Sponsorship results expected: On pace for double-digit AOI growth this year
  • Strong Projected Free Cash Flow — Adjusted: Percentage conversion for the full-year is now projected to be in the mid-60s
  • Strong concert calendar: Event-related deferred revenue up 39% to $2.6 billion (vs 3Q22), reflecting continued momentum into 2024

Challenges Ahead

  • operational challenges in achieving strategic objectives and executing on the company's plans
  • the risk that the company's markets do not evolve as anticipated
  • the potential impact of any economic slowdown
  • operational challenges associated with selling tickets
  • operational challenges associated with staging events

Revenue & Expenses

Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income