Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation (NASDAQ:AENT) is one of the most undervalued penny stocks to buy right now. On February 12, Alliance Entertainment reported earnings for FQ2 2026, which was marked by a net income of $9.4 million and an adjusted EBITDA of $18.5 million. Performance was particularly supported by a 33% surge in physical movie revenue, which was driven by premium 4K Ultra HD and collectible editions and a 31% increase in the collectibles segment. Partnerships with major studios lik ...

Core Insights - The company reported strong earnings in Q2 2026, with net income rising to $9.4 million and adjusted EBITDA increasing to $18.5 million, reflecting a solid profitability profile [1][20] - Gross margin expanded by 210 basis points to 12.8%, driven by a favorable product mix and operational discipline [19][20] Financial Performance - For Q2 2026, net revenue was $369 million, down from $394 million year-over-year, primarily due to lower-margin categories but offset by a shift towards higher-value products [19] - Gross profit increased to $47.1 million from $42.3 million, with gross margin improving to 12.8% [19][20] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter rose to approximately $18.5 million, up $2.4 million year-over-year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of about 5% [20] Strategic Initiatives - The company is focusing on higher-value products, particularly in premium physical media and collectibles, with physical movie revenue increasing by 33% year-over-year to $114 million [8][12] - Exclusive partnerships, such as with Paramount Pictures and Amazon MGM Studios, are enhancing access to high-quality content and improving retail visibility [9][10] - The collectibles segment saw a 31% revenue increase year-over-year, driven by premium and licensed offerings [12] Operational Efficiency - The margin expansion is attributed to structural improvements in product mix and disciplined operating execution, rather than short-term actions [5][6] - The company maintains a disciplined approach to cost management, with stable distribution and fulfillment costs as a percentage of revenue [20][21] Future Outlook - The company is optimistic about the long-term trajectory, focusing on scaling initiatives like Alliance Authentic and expanding its collectibles portfolio [31][32] - There is a commitment to maintaining profitability discipline while investing selectively in areas that support long-term growth [34][35]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net income increased year-over-year to $9.4 million, up from $7.1 million, representing an increase of 32.4% [5][17] - Adjusted EBITDA rose to $18.5 million, an increase of $2.4 million year-over-year [5][17] - Gross margin expanded by 210 basis points to 12.8% [5][16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Physical movie revenue increased 33% year-over-year to $114 million, driven by premium formats [9] - Collectibles revenue increased 31% year-over-year, reflecting growth in premium and licensed offerings [11][12] - Gross profit for the six-month period increased to $84.3 million, compared with $67.8 million a year ago [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Overall net revenue for the quarter was $369 million, down from $394 million in the prior year, reflecting softness in lower margin categories [16] - The collectibles business is expected to grow as the company expands its portfolio and licensing agreements [12][27] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on building a business that generates sustainable profitability and positions itself for long-term value creation [8] - The strategy emphasizes higher quality revenue, stronger margins, and disciplined growth, particularly in premium physical media and collectibles [7][8] - The acquisition of Endstate Authentic is aimed at enhancing the collectibles market through technology-enabled trust and authentication [13][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the durability of the margin profile and the ongoing shift towards higher value products [25] - The company is not providing formal guidance but is optimistic about the pipeline of premium and exclusive content [25][27] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining operational rigor while investing selectively in growth areas [24][29] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with approximately $74 million in working capital, reflecting disciplined management of inventory and payables [22] - A new $120 million senior secured revolving credit facility was established, reducing borrowing costs and extending maturity [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about your ability to sign additional exclusive deals with studios? - Management is in active conversations with various studios and believes that the recent partnerships with Paramount and MGM position the company as a premier solution for licensing physical DVD products [32][33] Question: Can you discuss the gaming hardware revenue performance? - The gaming hardware segment has been affected by supply issues with Microsoft consoles, while Nintendo has performed well [34][35] Question: What are your thoughts on strategic M&A opportunities? - Management is optimistic about ongoing M&A conversations and is focused on finding the right opportunities that are financially accretive [36][37] Question: Can you provide an update on the gaming division's performance? - The gaming hardware and arcade business saw significant declines, but management expects improvements as inventory issues are resolved [44][45] Question: What is the status of the Alliance Authentic initiative? - The company is launching products with NFC digital chips and expects to see traction in sales soon [53][69]

INVESTOR PRESENTATION For the Quarter Ended December 31, 2025 WE BUILD YOUR COLLECTION PRESENTED FEBRUARY 12, 2026 Nasdaq: AENT LEGAL DISCLAIMER This presentation (together with oral statements made in connection herewith, this "Presentation") is for informational purposes only. This Presentation shall not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any states or jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation or sale woul ...

Core Viewpoint - Ryan Cohen is attempting to transform GameStop into a conglomerate akin to Berkshire Hathaway, drawing comparisons to Warren Buffett's early career moves, despite significant differences in their investment training and backgrounds [5][19]. Group 1: Ryan Cohen's Investment Background - Ryan Cohen's investment journey began after selling Chewy for $3.35 billion in 2017, netting him approximately $1 billion, which he invested primarily in Apple and Wells Fargo stocks [7][9]. - Cohen co-founded Chewy, which became the leading online specialty pet products retailer, growing the U.S. pet industry from $48 billion in 2010 to $70 billion in 2017, with projections of $150 billion by 2024 and $350 billion globally [10][11]. Group 2: GameStop's Financial Position - GameStop's standard deviation was 2.81, placing it among the top 100 bullish price surprises, indicating high volatility and investor interest [5][6]. - The company has undergone significant changes, including a reduction in store count from 4,816 in January 2021 to approximately 2,733 by January 2026, a 43% decrease [15]. - GameStop's long-term debt increased from $14.9 million to $4.16 billion following share offerings and convertible notes, while cash and short-term investments rose from $1.08 billion to $8.83 billion [17]. Group 3: Investment Strategy and Future Outlook - Cohen's strategy involves leveraging the meme stock phenomenon to raise cash for potential acquisitions, with a focus on transforming GameStop into a more profitable entity [14][18]. - Michael Burry suggests that Cohen's acquisition of GameStop stock is a strategic move to position the company for a significant acquisition that could enhance future cash flow [18]. - The tangible book value of GameStop is currently at 2.2x, with expectations that it will double, indicating an aggressive growth outlook [18].

Core Insights - GameStop (GME) stock is seeing increased trading volume and price appreciation, driven by retail trader interest and insider buying [1][2] - Lawrence Cheng, a director at GameStop, purchased an additional 5,000 shares at $22.87, bringing his total to 88,000 shares [1] - Michael Burry disclosed his investment in GameStop, emphasizing a long-term value perspective rather than meme-stock sentiment [2] Company Overview - GameStop is the world's largest specialty retailer of video games, headquartered in Grapevine, Texas, and also operates in collectibles and a trade-in program for used video games [4] - The company has a strong capital structure, holding $8.83 billion in cash against total debt of $4.39 billion, despite a forward earnings growth projection of -18% [7] Financial Performance - In the last 12 months, GME has not delivered significant returns, with volatility characteristic of its stock [5] - GameStop's Q3 earnings report showed revenue of $821 million, falling short of Wall Street expectations of $987 million, although net income increased to $77.1 million from $17.4 million the previous year [9]

Core Insights - Ryan Cohen has redefined GameStop's business model and invested company funds beyond traditional retailing [1] - Michael Burry's recent investment in GameStop stock is based on his belief in CEO Ryan Cohen rather than the company's underlying business [2][3] Company Strategy - Cohen has introduced digital commerce to GameStop's previously declining retail video game business and has diversified investments into collectibles and Bitcoin [4] - Cohen owns approximately 42.1 million shares of GameStop, representing about 9% of outstanding shares, and has the potential to acquire options on over 171.5 million shares based on performance [5] Market Performance - Since Cohen joined GameStop's board in January 2021, the company has outperformed the S&P 500 [5] - GameStop's current market capitalization is $11 billion, with a stock price of $23.88, reflecting a 4.69% increase on the day [9] Comparisons to Berkshire Hathaway - Burry compares Cohen to Warren Buffett, suggesting that GameStop could evolve into a business similar to Berkshire Hathaway, although this comparison may be premature [3][7] - Cohen's investment strategy has yet to include significant outside investments comparable to Buffett's historical purchases, such as American Express or Coca-Cola [8] Future Outlook - While Cohen has successfully transformed GameStop into a market leader, the long-term potential for the company to become a conglomerate remains uncertain [10][11] - Investors may need to adopt a speculative approach until Cohen makes further outside investments that could enhance GameStop's stock value [11]

Core Viewpoint - GameStop is attempting to transform from a struggling video game retailer into a $100 billion-plus business through strategic acquisitions, as envisioned by CEO Ryan Cohen, who aims to modernize the company beyond its traditional offerings [2][3]. Group 1: Company Strategy - CEO Ryan Cohen plans to acquire a publicly traded company to expand GameStop's business model, aiming for a significant increase in market capitalization from $11 billion to over $100 billion [2][5]. - The company is looking to modernize in response to the decline of physical video games, indicating a shift in strategy to adapt to changing market conditions [3]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Under Cohen's leadership, GameStop's market capitalization has increased from $1.3 billion in 2021 to approximately $9.3 billion, representing a 615% increase in shareholder value [5]. - Cohen's compensation package is tied to achieving a market cap of $100 billion and $10 billion in Cumulative Performance EBITDA, with a potential payout of over $35 billion in stock options [5]. Group 3: Market Sentiment - The stock of GameStop experienced a dramatic rise of 2,700% in 2021, driven by retail investor enthusiasm and hedge fund short-selling, but the company is now perceived as facing obsolescence [3]. - Experts express skepticism regarding the feasibility of Cohen's ambitious goals, with some analysts suggesting a very low probability of reaching the $100 billion target due to a lack of demonstrated competitive advantage [6].

Company Overview - Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: AENT) is a leading distributor and logistics provider in the entertainment and pop culture collectibles industry, offering over 340,000 unique SKUs across various categories including physical media, video games, toys, and exclusive collectibles [1][4] - The company serves more than 35,000 retail and e-commerce storefronts, making it a significant player in the market [1][4] Upcoming Conference Call - A conference call is scheduled for February 12, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, which ended on December 31, 2025 [1][2] - The call will be hosted by CEO Jeff Walker, CFO Amanda Gnecco, and Executive Chairman Bruce Ogilvie, and will include a question-and-answer session [2] Access Information - Participants can access the call via a toll-free number (1-877-407-0784) or an international dial-in number (1-201-689-8560) using Conference ID 13758224 [2] - The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay on the company's website [3] Product Offerings - Alliance Entertainment boasts a vast catalog that includes over 57,300 exclusive titles across various formats such as compact discs, vinyl LPs, DVDs, and Blu-rays [4] - The company also operates proprietary collectibles brands, including Handmade by Robots™ and Alliance Authentic™, which focus on licensed characters and premium collectibles [4]

Core Viewpoint - Tesla shareholders have approved a substantial pay package for CEO Elon Musk, contingent on achieving specific financial goals, which GameStop is now emulating with a similar performance award for CEO Ryan Cohen [1] Group 1: Compensation Structure - Ryan Cohen's compensation plan does not guarantee salary, cash bonuses, or stock vesting, but he could earn tens of billions if he meets growth targets [2] - GameStop plans to grant Cohen stock options to purchase over 171.5 million shares at $20.66, potentially worth over $3.5 billion [3] - To receive the full award, GameStop must achieve $10 billion in EBITDA and a market cap of $100 billion, making Cohen's award worth over $35 billion at that level [3] Group 2: Financial Performance - GameStop generated approximately $136 million in EBITDA through the first ten months of 2025, with a current market cap of about $10.3 billion [4] - Portions of Cohen's incentive will vest upon reaching specific thresholds, such as a $20 billion market cap and $2 billion in EBITDA for the first tranche [4] - GameStop has improved its financial profile by reducing its physical store presence and expanding its collectibles business, which now accounts for nearly 28% of total revenue [5] Group 3: Business Challenges - The software business, which sells new and pre-owned video games, has experienced a significant decline, while hardware sales are also decreasing but at a slower rate [6] - Despite these challenges, GameStop has seen improvements in operating cash flow, EBITDA, and earnings this year [6] Group 4: Leadership Background - Ryan Cohen became involved with GameStop prior to its 2021 surge and was appointed CEO in 2023, implementing various operational improvements [7] - GameStop's board aims to incentivize Cohen to significantly increase the stock value [7]