iQIYI (IQ) Beneish M-Score: -2.34 (As of Jun. 25, 2026)


IQ iQIYI Inc IQ
38 GF Score
Price $0.96
GF Value $2.25
Valuation Possible Value Trap
! 3 Warning Signs
View Full Analysis

What is iQIYI Beneish M-Score?

iQIYI IQ -4.83% 38 Beneish M-Score is -2.34 as of Jun. 25, 2026. GuruFocus rates IQ with a GF Score™ of 38/100 and a GF Value™ of $2.25 (Possible Value Trap). The stock has 3 warning signs investors should review. Among 989 Media - Diversified companies, iQIYI ranks worse than 65.42% on this metric.

The zones of discrimination for M-Score is as such:

An M-Score of equal or less than -1.78 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator.
An M-Score of greater than -1.78 signals that the company is likely to be a manipulator.

Good Sign:

Beneish M-Score -2.34 no higher than -1.78, which implies that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator.

The historical rank and industry rank for iQIYI's Beneish M-Score or its related term are showing as below:

IQ' s Beneish M-Score Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: -5.44   Med: -2.82   Max: -2.11
Current: -2.34

During the past 11 years, the highest Beneish M-Score of iQIYI was -2.11. The lowest was -5.44. And the median was -2.82.


iQIYI Beneish M-Score Historical Data

* Premium members only.

The historical data trend for iQIYI's Beneish M-Score can be seen below:

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

iQIYI Beneish M-Score Chart

iQIYI Annual Data
Trend Dec16 Dec17 Dec18 Dec19 Dec20 Dec21 Dec22 Dec23 Dec24 Dec25
Beneish M-Score
Get a 7-Day Free Trial Premium Member Only Premium Member Only -2.56 -2.83 -2.35 -2.81 -2.34

iQIYI Quarterly Data
Jun21 Sep21 Dec21 Mar22 Jun22 Sep22 Dec22 Mar23 Jun23 Sep23 Dec23 Mar24 Jun24 Sep24 Dec24 Mar25 Jun25 Sep25 Dec25 Mar26
Beneish M-Score Get a 7-Day Free Trial Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only -2.88 -2.52 -2.50 -2.34 -2.34

IQ vs AMC, RSVR, MCS: Beneish M-Score Comparison

For the Entertainment subindustry, iQIYI's Beneish M-Score, along with its competitors' market caps and Beneish M-Score data, can be viewed below:

* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.


iQIYI Beneish M-Score vs Media - Diversified Industry

For the Media - Diversified industry and Communication Services sector, iQIYI's Beneish M-Score distribution charts can be found below:

* The bar in red indicates where iQIYI's Beneish M-Score falls into.


IQ
38GF Score
iQIYI Inc IQ
Beneish M-Score is just one metric. See GF Score™, valuation, warning signs, and more.
View Full Analysis

iQIYI Beneish M-Score Calculation

The M-score was created by Professor Messod Beneish. Instead of measuring the bankruptcy risk (Altman Z-Score) or business trend (Piotroski F-Score), M-score can be used to detect the risk of earnings manipulation. This is the original research paper on M-score.

The M-Score Variables:

The M-score of iQIYI for today is based on a combination of the following eight different indices:

M=-4.84+0.92 * DSRI+0.528 * GMI+0.404 * AQI+0.892 * SGI+0.115 * DEPI
=-4.84+0.92 * 1.1618+0.528 * 1.2595+0.404 * 1.0265+0.892 * 0.9443+0.115 * 1
-0.172 * SGAI+4.679 * TATA-0.327 * LVGI
-0.172 * 1.0421+4.679 * -0.021126-0.327 * 1.0146
=-2.34

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

This Year (Mar26) TTM:Last Year (Mar25) TTM:
Total Receivables was $401 Mil.
Revenue was 903.32 + 964.646 + 938.076 + 923.103 = $3,729 Mil.
Gross Profit was 143.975 + 201.346 + 170.612 + 185.972 = $702 Mil.
Total Current Assets was $1,411 Mil.
Total Assets was $6,700 Mil.
Property, Plant and Equipment(Net PPE) was $200 Mil.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization(DDA) was $0 Mil.
Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) was $516 Mil.
Total Current Liabilities was $3,134 Mil.
Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation was $1,546 Mil.
Net Income was -42.742 + -0.826 + -34.945 + -18.621 = $-97 Mil.
Non Operating Income was 15.313 + 15.423 + 7.332 + 11.92 = $50 Mil.
Cash Flow from Operations was 27.052 + 6.696 + -37.563 + -1.773 = $-6 Mil.
Total Receivables was $366 Mil.
Revenue was 991.333 + 908.349 + 1023.98 + 1025.375 = $3,949 Mil.
Gross Profit was 245.559 + 222.403 + 225.529 + 242.662 = $936 Mil.
Total Current Assets was $1,491 Mil.
Total Assets was $6,500 Mil.
Property, Plant and Equipment(Net PPE) was $199 Mil.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization(DDA) was $0 Mil.
Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) was $525 Mil.
Total Current Liabilities was $3,262 Mil.
Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation was $1,213 Mil.




1. DSRI = Days Sales in Receivables Index

Measured as the ratio of Revenue in Total Receivables in year t to year t-1.

A large increase in DSR could be indicative of revenue inflation.

DSRI=(Receivables_t / Revenue_t) / (Receivables_t-1 / Revenue_t-1)
=(401.193 / 3729.145) / (365.673 / 3949.037)
=0.107583 / 0.092598
=1.1618

2. GMI = Gross Margin Index

Measured as the ratio of gross margin in year t-1 to gross margin in year t.

Gross margin has deteriorated when this index is above 1. A firm with poorer prospects is more likely to manipulate earnings.

GMI=GrossMargin_t-1 / GrossMargin_t
=(GrossProfit_t-1 / Revenue_t-1) / (GrossProfit_t / Revenue_t)
=(936.153 / 3949.037) / (701.905 / 3729.145)
=0.237059 / 0.188221
=1.2595

3. AQI = Asset Quality Index

AQI is the ratio of asset quality in year t to year t-1.

Asset quality is measured as the ratio of non-current assets other than Property, Plant and Equipment to Total Assets.

AQI=(1 - (CurrentAssets_t + PPE_t) / TotalAssets_t) / (1 - (CurrentAssets_t-1 + PPE_t-1) / TotalAssets_t-1)
=(1 - (1410.808 + 200.242) / 6699.638) / (1 - (1491.442 + 199.194) / 6499.81)
=0.759532 / 0.739895
=1.0265

4. SGI = Sales Growth Index

Ratio of Revenue in year t to sales in year t-1.

Sales growth is not itself a measure of manipulation. However, growth companies are likely to find themselves under pressure to manipulate in order to keep up appearances.

SGI=Sales_t / Sales_t-1
=Revenue_t / Revenue_t-1
=3729.145 / 3949.037
=0.9443

5. DEPI = Depreciation Index

Measured as the ratio of the rate of Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization in year t-1 to the corresponding rate in year t.

DEPI greater than 1 indicates that assets are being depreciated at a slower rate. This suggests that the firm might be revising useful asset life assumptions upwards, or adopting a new method that is income friendly.

DEPI=(Depreciation_t-1 / (Depreciaton_t-1 + PPE_t-1)) / (Depreciation_t / (Depreciaton_t + PPE_t))
=(0 / (0 + 199.194)) / (0 / (0 + 200.242))
=0 / 0
=1

Note: If the Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization data is not available, we assume that the depreciation rate is constant and set the Depreciation Index to 1.

6. SGAI = Sales, General and Administrative expenses Index

The ratio of Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) to Sales in year t relative to year t-1.

SGA expenses index > 1 means that the company is becoming less efficient in generate sales.

SGAI=(SGA_t / Sales_t) / (SGA_t-1 /Sales_t-1)
=(516.31 / 3729.145) / (524.666 / 3949.037)
=0.138453 / 0.132859
=1.0421

7. LVGI = Leverage Index

The ratio of total debt to Total Assets in year t relative to yeat t-1.

An LVGI > 1 indicates an increase in leverage

LVGI=((LTD_t + CurrentLiabilities_t) / TotalAssets_t) / ((LTD_t-1 + CurrentLiabilities_t-1) / TotalAssets_t-1)
=((1546.442 + 3133.659) / 6699.638) / ((1213.436 + 3261.884) / 6499.81)
=0.69856 / 0.688531
=1.0146

8. TATA = Total Accruals to Total Assets

Total accruals calculated as the change in working capital accounts other than cash less depreciation.

TATA=(IncomefromContinuingOperations_t - CashFlowsfromOperations_t) / TotalAssets_t
=(NetIncome_t - NonOperatingIncome_t - CashFlowsfromOperations_t) / TotalAssets_t
=(-97.134 - 49.988 - -5.588) / 6699.638
=-0.021126

An M-Score of equal or less than -1.78 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator. An M-Score of greater than -1.78 signals that the company is likely to be a manipulator.

iQIYI has a M-score of -2.34 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator.

Frequently Asked Questions Learn more about Beneish M-Score →
What does a Beneish M-Score of -2.34 mean?
iQIYI (IQ) has a Beneish M-Score of -2.34 as of Jun. 25, 2026. The Beneish M-score measures the likelihood of earnings manipulation. View historical data on iQIYI and its competitors. According to the industry distribution chart, iQIYI ranks #647 out of 989 companies in the Media - Diversified industry, placing it in the top 65.4%.
Is iQIYI's Beneish M-Score too high?
iQIYI's current Beneish M-Score is -2.34. Based on the distribution chart, iQIYI ranks #647 out of 989 companies in the Media - Diversified industry, which is below the industry midpoint. Overall, iQIYI has a GF Score™ of 38/100 and is considered Possible Value Trap, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does iQIYI's Beneish M-Score compare to AMC and RSVR?
According to the Media - Diversified industry distribution chart, iQIYI ranks #647 out of 989 companies for Beneish M-Score. This places iQIYI in the lower half of its industry. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Beneish M-Score for a Media - Diversified company?
A good Beneish M-Score depends on the Media - Diversified industry context. However, Beneish M-Score should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Beneish M-Score mean?
A high Beneish M-Score can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. The Beneish M-score measures the likelihood of earnings manipulation. View historical data on iQIYI and its competitors. iQIYI's current Beneish M-Score is -2.34. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is iQIYI stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, iQIYI (IQ) is currently considered Possible Value Trap. The stock's GF Value™ is $2.25, compared to a current price of $0.96 — trading 57.3% below its estimated fair value. The current Beneish M-Score is -2.34. iQIYI's overall GF Score™ is 38/100 with 3 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Beneish M-Score calculated?
Beneish M-Score is calculated from a company's financial statements. For iQIYI (IQ), the current Beneish M-Score is -2.34 as of Jun. 25, 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.

Is iQIYI (IQ) Overvalued in 2026?

Based on GuruFocus' analysis, iQIYI stock appears to be undervalued. The current stock price of $0.96 is trading 57.3% below its estimated GF Value™ of $2.25. GuruFocus considers iQIYI to be Possible Value Trap.

Key valuation signals for IQ:

  • Beneish M-Score: -2.34
  • GF Value™: $2.25 vs. price of $0.96 (57.3% below fair value)
  • GF Score™: 38/100 with 3 warning signs

No single metric tells the full story. See the IQ stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.


iQIYI Business Description

Address No. 21, North Road of Workers\' Stadium, 4th Floor, iQIYI Youth Center, Yoolee Plaza, Chaoyang District, Beijing, CHN, 100027
Iqiyi is a leading streaming video-on-demand company in China that generates revenue mostly through a subscription basis. The platform also provides user-generated content to nonpaying users, monetized through ads. The company self-produces much of the subscription content and also generates revenue through content distribution, gaming, and IP licensing. Iqiyi competes directly with Tencent Video, Alibaba's Youku, ByteDance's MangoTV, and Bilibili. The company is 45% and 5% owned by Baidu and Xiaomi, respectively.
38GF Score

Get the complete analysis for IQ

Beneish M-Score is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.

$0.96
Price
$2.25
GF Value