What's Driving Grupo Televisa SAB's Surprising 36% Stock Rally?

Grupo Televisa SAB (TV, Financial) has experienced a remarkable surge in its stock price, with a 13.17% gain over the past week and an impressive 36.48% gain over the past three months. The company's market capitalization now stands at $1.77 billion, with a current price of $3.18. Despite these gains, the GF Value of $9.06 suggests that investors should approach with caution, as the stock is currently considered a possible value trap, a sentiment that has remained unchanged from the past GF Value of $9.03.

Grupo Televisa SAB: A Telecommunication Powerhouse

Grupo Televisa SAB operates as a dominant player in Mexico's telecommunication sector. Its extensive cable network, Izzi, reaches 20 million homes and provides broadband to 6 million customers. As a top pay-television provider, it boasts over 4 million subscribers and holds a majority stake in Sky Mexico, the nation's sole satellite-TV provider with approximately 6 million customers. Televisa also has interests in radio, publishing, gaming, and sports, with plans to divest these segments. Following a merger with Univision, Televisa now owns a 45% stake in TelevisaUnivision. 1751971488820523008.png

Assessing Profitability

Grupo Televisa's Profitability Rank stands at 6/10, indicating a moderate level of profitability within the industry. The company's Operating Margin is 4.51%, which is competitive within its sector. However, the Return on Equity (ROE) is concerning at -10.61%, and the Return on Assets (ROA) at -4.70% also indicates challenges in asset utilization. The Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) of 1.34% suggests that the company is generating cash flow relative to the capital invested. Grupo Televisa has maintained profitability for 9 out of the past 10 years, which is a positive sign for potential investors. 1751971506805698560.png

Growth Prospects and Challenges

The company's Growth Rank is currently at 3/10, reflecting a less favorable growth trajectory. The 3-Year Revenue Growth Rate per Share has declined by 10.70%, and the 5-Year Revenue Growth Rate per Share has also decreased by 8.10%. Looking ahead, the Total Revenue Growth Rate is estimated at a modest 0.55%. Furthermore, the EPS without NRI Growth Rate is projected to plummet by 39.28% over the next 3 to 5 years, which could be a red flag for investors seeking growth. 1751971524807651328.png

Key Shareholders in Grupo Televisa

Dodge & Cox is the leading shareholder with 65,012,920 shares, representing an 11.67% stake in the company. Mario Gabelli (Trades, Portfolio) holds 9,795,478 shares, accounting for 1.76%, while Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio) has a smaller presence with 606,000 shares, equating to 0.11%. The involvement of these significant investors could influence the company's strategic decisions and potentially impact its stock performance.

Competitive Landscape

Grupo Televisa operates in a competitive environment, with Axtel SAB de CV (MEX:AXTELCPO, Financial) having a market cap of $746.313 million, China Mobile Ltd (SHSE:600941, Financial) at a massive $189.98 billion, and T-Mobile US Inc (TMUS, Financial) closely following at $193.87 billion. These competitors vary significantly in size and market cap, indicating the diverse nature of the telecommunication industry and the different scales at which these companies operate.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Grupo Televisa SAB's recent stock performance has been impressive, with significant gains over the past three months. However, the GF Valuation advises caution, labeling the stock as a possible value trap. The company's profitability metrics are mixed, with a solid Profitability Rank but negative ROE and ROA. Growth prospects are limited, with negative revenue growth rates and a concerning forecast for EPS growth. The presence of influential shareholders like Dodge & Cox, Mario Gabelli (Trades, Portfolio), and Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio) adds an interesting dynamic to the company's outlook. When compared to its competitors, Grupo Televisa's market positioning is robust, but it faces stiff competition from larger entities. Investors should weigh these factors carefully when considering Grupo Televisa SAB as a potential addition to their portfolios.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

Disclosures

I/We may personally own shares in some of the companies mentioned above. However, those positions are not material to either the company or to my/our portfolios.