IMAX (NYSE:IMAX) Reaches New 12-Month High on Earnings Beat

Shares of IMAX Corporation (NYSE:IMAX) reached a new 52-week high on Friday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The stock traded as high as $45.76 and last traded at $44.5540, with a volume of 171194 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $43.96.

The company reported $0.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.30 by $0.13. IMAX had a net margin of 9.84% and a return on equity of 15.65%. The company had revenue of $102.84 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $96.09 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.26 earnings per share. IMAX’s revenue was up 12.2% on a year-over-year basis.

IMAX News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting IMAX this week:

• Positive Sentiment: IMAX reported better-than-expected second-quarter results, with EPS and revenue both topping Wall Street estimates, while management reaffirmed full-year guidance and highlighted margin expansion and network growth. IMAX Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Strong box-office traction for The Odyssey is boosting confidence that IMAX can sustain higher ticket sales and premium-screen utilization, with reports suggesting the film could be a transformational release for the company. The Odyssey is cleaning up for IMAX. Expect the momentum to continue
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts turned more bullish after earnings, with JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, Barrington, and Wedbush all raising price targets, and Wedbush reiterating Outperform on expectations for a stronger film pipeline, market-share gains, and international expansion. IMAX price target boosted by Wedbush on growth outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Investor attention is also being reinforced by unusual call-option activity and multiple stories about sold-out IMAX 70mm showings, signaling strong near-term demand sentiment around the stock. Imax’s CEO says it’s time to hike prices as tickets to ‘The Odyssey’ resell for $1,000
• Neutral Sentiment: IMAX disclosed a new regulatory risk tied to geopolitical, trade, and other global expansion challenges, which could matter over time but does not appear to be driving near-term trading. IMAX Confronts Rising Geopolitical, Regulatory and Trade Risks Threatening Global Expansion

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of IMAX from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on IMAX from $41.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday. Wedbush upped their price objective on IMAX from $46.00 to $54.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday. HC Wainwright reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of IMAX in a research note on Friday. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reiterated a “market perform” rating and issued a $60.00 target price on shares of IMAX in a report on Friday, May 22nd. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, IMAX currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $50.36.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Richard L. Gelfond sold 8,943 shares of IMAX stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.33, for a total transaction of $333,842.19. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 765,002 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $28,557,524.66. The trade was a 1.16% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Company insiders own 20.55% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of IMAX

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd boosted its position in shares of IMAX by 31.7% during the second quarter. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd now owns 5,113,033 shares of the company’s stock valued at $142,960,000 after buying an additional 1,230,267 shares during the period. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP grew its stake in shares of IMAX by 44.6% during the fourth quarter. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP now owns 2,346,486 shares of the company’s stock valued at $86,726,000 after buying an additional 723,861 shares during the last quarter. Marsico Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of IMAX in the fourth quarter worth approximately $18,149,000. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. purchased a new stake in shares of IMAX in the second quarter worth approximately $12,568,000. Finally, Nuveen LLC lifted its stake in shares of IMAX by 253.0% during the 4th quarter. Nuveen LLC now owns 507,377 shares of the company’s stock worth $18,753,000 after acquiring an additional 363,658 shares during the last quarter. 93.51% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

IMAX Trading Down 1.7%

The stock has a 50 day moving average of $39.99 and a 200-day moving average of $38.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 60.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 0.37.

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.