IMAX (NYSE:IMAX) Upgraded to Strong-Buy at Wall Street Zen

IMAX (NYSE:IMAX) was upgraded by stock analysts at Wall Street Zen from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note issued on Sunday.

Several other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on IMAX. Barrington Research raised their target price on shares of IMAX from $37.00 to $42.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, December 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised IMAX from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating and raised their price objective for the company from $22.00 to $34.00 in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Roth Capital reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $42.00 target price on shares of IMAX in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Wedbush boosted their target price on IMAX from $39.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded IMAX from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and increased their price target for the company from $32.00 to $47.00 in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, IMAX has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $41.50.

IMAX Trading Down 0.6%

Shares of IMAX opened at $37.25 on Friday. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $34.88 and its 200 day simple moving average is $30.83. IMAX has a 1-year low of $20.48 and a 1-year high of $39.98. The company has a market cap of $2.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 52.46, a PEG ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 0.41.

IMAX (NYSE:IMAX) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The company reported $0.47 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $106.65 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $102.88 million. IMAX had a net margin of 10.47% and a return on equity of 9.91%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 16.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.35 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts forecast that IMAX will post 0.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, VP Robert D. Lister sold 50,143 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.67, for a total value of $1,738,457.81. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 161,421 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,596,466.07. This represents a 23.70% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Giovanni M. Dolci sold 6,188 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.25, for a total transaction of $211,939.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 33,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,130,250. This represents a 15.79% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Corporate insiders own 23.18% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in IMAX. Aurora Investment Counsel raised its position in shares of IMAX by 0.4% in the third quarter. Aurora Investment Counsel now owns 70,235 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,300,000 after buying an additional 308 shares in the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its stake in IMAX by 43.8% during the 3rd quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 1,041 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 317 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System raised its holdings in IMAX by 2.8% in the 3rd quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 13,517 shares of the company’s stock valued at $443,000 after acquiring an additional 364 shares in the last quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. lifted its position in shares of IMAX by 125.0% during the 2nd quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 900 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares during the period. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc grew its holdings in shares of IMAX by 1.5% during the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 50,969 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,425,000 after purchasing an additional 756 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.51% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting IMAX

Here are the key news stories impacting IMAX this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Blockbuster release pull — Coverage on which format to watch for Avatar: Fire & Ash highlights premium IMAX screenings (3D/HFR/IMAX) that typically command higher ticket prices and per‑capita revenue for IMAX. ‘Avatar: Fire & Ash’ in 3D, HFR, IMAX or Dolby – What’s the best version to watch?
• Positive Sentiment: Theatrical capacity expansion — HOYTS is rolling out IMAX with Laser screens timed for Avatar, increasing IMAX’s premium footprint and near‑term box‑office capture in that chain. HOYTS Rolls Out IMAX With Lasers Just In Time For Avatar: Fire & Ash
• Positive Sentiment: New marquee screens internationally — A large IMAX installation at Yas Mall (23.2m screen, laser projection) and other luxe installs broaden IMAX’s premium offering and box‑office leverage in key markets. New IMAX at Yas Mall: 23.2m screen, laser projection, luxe seats
• Positive Sentiment: Strong financial/market narrative — Articles note IMAX just crossed ~$1B in box‑office/earnings milestones and project 2026 could be bigger, supporting multiple expansion and investor optimism. Imax just had a $1-billion year. Why 2026 looks to be even bigger
• Positive Sentiment: Content & production ecosystem — IMAX’s new film camera (used on The Odyssey) named after David and Patricia Keighley signals deeper involvement in premium content capture and marketing for IMAX‑formatted releases. IMAX’s New Film Camera, Used to Film The Odyssey, Named After David and Patricia Keighley
• Neutral Sentiment: Pre‑show and marketing tie‑ins — The Odyssey will run a prologue ahead of Avatar in IMAX, a marketing lift that increases pre‑ticket interest but is a short‑term tailwind. ‘The Odyssey’ gets new poster, its prologue to screen ahead of ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ in IMAX
• Neutral Sentiment: Format comparisons and consumer guidance — Several outlets (Forbes, reviews) compare IMAX vs Dolby/other formats; helpful for consumer choice but mixed effects on share if some viewers choose alternatives. The Best Cinema Formats For ‘Avatar: Fire And Ash’
• Neutral Sentiment: Local theatre upgrades — New cinema at San Isidro Plaza advertises upgraded experience (may include premium screens); local moves support long‑term rollout but are incremental. New cinema at San Isidro Plaza offers upgrades over standard moviegoing experience
• Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary — Roundups noting IMAX stock is up provide context but are summaries rather than new catalysts. IMAX (IMAX) stock is up, what you need to know

About IMAX

IMAX Corporation is a global leader in immersive entertainment technologies, specializing in the design, manufacture and distribution of high-resolution cameras, projectors, and proprietary software solutions that enhance both film production and theatrical exhibition. The company licenses its premium large-format system to theatre owners and filmmakers around the world, enabling audiences to experience movies with greater clarity, scale and sound fidelity. IMAX also offers turnkey theatre development services, assisting cinema operators with auditorium design, installation and custom branding to optimize the customer experience.

Founded in 1967 and headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, IMAX has built a reputation for pioneering film-format innovations, including its patented dual 15-perforation, 70-millimeter projection system.