Nexstar Media Group, Inc (NXST): A Bull Case Theory

We came across a bullish thesis on Nexstar Media Group, Inc on Pitchstack Investing Substack . In this article, we will summarize the bulls’ thesis on NXST. Nexstar Media Group, Inc’s share was trading at $ 166.59 as of 18^th June. NXST’s trailing and forward P/E were 8.49  and 12.39 respectively according to Yahoo Finance.

Nexstar Media Group stands out as a dominant force in U.S. television broadcasting, operating one of the largest portfolios of local TV stations and digital media assets, with reach extending to nearly 70% of U.S. households. This unmatched scale grants Nexstar a commanding position in the local broadcast market, fostering strategic leverage in affiliate relationships and setting the stage for future M&A opportunities.

The company’s 2024 performance marked a milestone, with record-breaking revenue primarily fueled by robust distribution fees—underscoring the financial strength and recurring nature of its business model. A core pillar of Nexstar’s strategy lies in its focus on live local news and NFL content, which remains essential for cable bundles and continues to attract reliable viewership. These programming priorities, combined with strong network affiliations, bolster subscriber retention and drive consistent demand from political advertisers, especially in key election cycles.

Nexstar’s proven ability to monetize its scale while maintaining relevance in an evolving media landscape makes it a compelling media asset. With a business model built around high-margin content and contractual revenue streams, the company is well-positioned to withstand industry headwinds, such as cord-cutting and digital disruption.

Its scale, political revenue tailwinds, and potential for consolidation activity provide further upside optionality. As legacy broadcasters continue to seek operational efficiency and competitive advantage, Nexstar’s infrastructure, reach, and cash-generating ability make it both a formidable consolidator and a prime candidate for rerating by investors seeking exposure to resilient, cash-rich media platforms with growth levers still intact.

Previously we covered a bullish thesis on Nexstar Media Group, Inc. by Value Don’t Lie in April 2024, which highlighted the company’s strong free cash flow profile, disciplined capital allocation, and potential regulatory tailwinds for M&A-led growth. The company’s stock price has depreciated approximately by 7% since our coverage. This is because the thesis has not yet played out, as regulatory catalysts and capital return benefits remain longer-term. The thesis still stands as Nexstar continues to generate robust FCF and trades at compelling valuation multiples. Pitchstack Investing shares a similar view but emphasizes Nexstar’s operational scale and affiliate relationships as key drivers of strategic positioning and upside.

Nexstar Media Group, Inc is not on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 31 hedge fund portfolios held NXST at the end of the first quarter which was 31 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of NXST as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

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Disclosure: None.