Why Is Vail Resorts (MTN) Up 2% Since Last Earnings Report?

Core Insights - Vail Resorts reported a wider-than-expected net loss for Q4 fiscal 2025, with revenues missing estimates despite a year-over-year increase [2][3] - The company experienced a decline in skier visits, yet managed to maintain a stable EBITDA margin for the full year [5][9] - There has been a downward trend in estimates for the company's performance, leading to a Zacks Rank of 5 (Strong Sell) [12][13] Financial Performance - Q4 fiscal 2025 revenues were $271.3 million, up 2.2% from $265.3 million year-over-year, but below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $272 million [2] - The net loss attributable to shareholders was $185.5 million, or $5.08 per share, compared to a loss of $176.6 million, or $4.70 per share, in the previous year [3] - Full-year fiscal 2025 revenues reached $2.96 billion, a 2.7% increase year-over-year, with net income rising to $280 million ($7.53 per share) from $231.1 million ($6.09 per share) in fiscal 2024 [3] Margins and Profitability - Resort Reported EBITDA for Q4 was a loss of $123.6 million, compared to a loss of $114.6 million in the prior-year period, influenced by higher costs related to CEO transition and resource efficiency [4] - The full-year Resort Reported EBITDA margin was 28.5%, showing modest expansion despite a 3% decline in skier visits [5] Segment Performance - The Mountain segment net revenues increased by 2.9% year-over-year to $180.9 million in Q4, driven by dining and ski school [6] - Lodging segment net revenues were $90.3 million, up 0.9%, with Lodging Reported EBITDA growing 48% to $4.1 million [6] Balance Sheet and Capital Management - As of July 31, 2025, Vail Resorts had $440 million in cash and total liquidity of approximately $1.4 billion, with net debt at $2.75 billion [7] - The company repurchased 1.29 million shares for $200 million in Q4, totaling $270 million for the full year, representing 4.5% of outstanding shares [8] Guidance and Outlook - For fiscal 2026, Vail Resorts anticipates net income between $201 million and $276 million, with Resort Reported EBITDA projected at $842 million to $898 million, indicating a margin of roughly 28.8% [9] - The guidance reflects expected efficiency savings and normalized weather conditions, but is tempered by lower pass unit sales and cost inflation [9]