$AMC ENT(AMC.US) 🍿🎬

AMC Entertainment surged after reporting a much stronger-than-expected second quarter.

Revenue increased 14.2% year-on-year to a record US$1.60 billion, while adjusted earnings reached US$0.14 per share, beating expectations for a loss. Adjusted EBITDA also jumped approximately 70% to US$321.4 million, and AMC generated US$190.1 million in free cash flow as cinema attendance recovered strongly.

The results were supported by a stronger blockbuster slate and higher demand for premium cinema formats. More than 4.3 million moviegoers also visited AMC and Odeon locations during the opening weekend of The Odyssey, providing further momentum heading into the next quarter.

AMC still carries substantial debt and dilution risk, so one record quarter does not completely resolve its longer-term challenges. However, the sharp improvement in earnings, attendance and free cash flow suggests that the cinema recovery is finally translating into stronger operating performance.

I will be watching whether this momentum can continue through the upcoming film slate.