E.W. SCRIPPS Co (SSP) Stock Analysis — April 2026 Rating, Price, and Forecast
Company Overview — What Does E.W. SCRIPPS Co Do?
The E.W. Scripps Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a media enterprise through a portfolio of local and national media brands. The company operates through Local Media, Scripps Network, and Other segments. The Local Media segment operates broadcast television stations, which produce news, information, and entertainment content, as well as its related digital operations. This segment also runs network, syndicated, and original programming. The Scripps Network segment comprises of national television networks. The Network operates through over-the-air broadcast, cable/satellite, connected TV, and digital distribution. In addition, the company provides content and services through the internet, smartphones, and tablets. Further, the company provides Newsy, a national news network, which provides politics, entertainment, science, and technology news; and Scripps National Spelling Bee, an investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C. Additionally, the company offers ION, a national broadcast television network that delivers popular crime and justice procedural programming through over-the-air broadcast and pay TV platforms. It serves audiences and businesses. The E.W. Scripps Company operates through a network of 61 television stations. The company was founded in 1878 and is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. E.W. SCRIPPS Co (SSP) is classified as a small-cap stock in the Communication Services sector, specifically within the Communication industry. The company is led by CEO Adam P. Symson and employs approximately 5,700 people, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. With a market capitalization of $326M, SSP is one of the notable companies in the Communication Services sector.
E.W. SCRIPPS Co (SSP) Stock Rating — Hold (April 2026)
As of April 2026, E.W. SCRIPPS Co receives a Hold rating with a composite score of 44.1/100 and 3 out of 5 stars from the Blank Capital Research quantitative model.SSP ranks #1,298 out of 4,446 stocks in our coverage universe. Within the Communication Services sector, E.W. SCRIPPS Co ranks #36 of 134 stocks, placing it in the upper half of its Communication Services peers. The rating is generated by a multi-factor model that weighs quality (30%), momentum (25%), value (15%), investment (10%), stability (10%), and short interest (10%).
SSP Stock Price and 52-Week Range
E.W. SCRIPPS Co (SSP) currently trades at $4.11. The stock gained $0.10 (2.5%) in the most recent trading session. The 52-week high for SSP is $4.98, which means the stock is currently trading -17.5% from its annual peak. The 52-week low is $1.91, putting the stock 115.7% above its annual trough. Recent trading volume was 359K shares, suggesting relatively thin trading activity.
Is SSP Overvalued or Undervalued? — Valuation Analysis
E.W. SCRIPPS Co (SSP) carries a value factor score of 68/100 in the Blank Capital model, indicating fair valuation relative to historical norms. The price-to-book ratio stands at 0.29x, versus the sector average of 1.87x. The price-to-sales ratio is 0.16x, compared to 0.55x for the average Communication Services stock. On an enterprise value basis, SSP trades at 1.38x EV/EBITDA, versus 4.98x for the sector.
Overall, SSP's valuation appears roughly in line with sector benchmarks, suggesting the market is pricing the stock fairly given its current fundamentals and growth trajectory. Neither deep value nor significantly overpriced, the stock occupies a middle ground on valuation.
E.W. SCRIPPS Co Profitability — ROE, Margins, and Quality Score
E.W. SCRIPPS Co (SSP) earns a quality factor score of 41/100, signaling below-average profitability metrics relative to the broader market. The return on equity (ROE) is -2.0%, compared to the Communication Services sector average of 1.0%, which is below typical expectations for high-quality companies. Return on assets (ROA) comes in at -0.5% versus the sector average of -0.0%.
On a margin basis, E.W. SCRIPPS Co reports gross margins of 41.0%, compared to 56.4% for the sector. The operating margin is 11.4% (sector: 0.4%). Net profit margin stands at -1.6%, versus -0.9% for the average Communication Services stock. Revenue growth is running at -8.3% on a trailing basis, compared to 3.0% for the sector. Profitability is below benchmark levels, which may reflect industry headwinds, elevated reinvestment, or structural challenges.
SSP Debt, Balance Sheet, and Financial Health
E.W. SCRIPPS Co has a debt-to-equity ratio of 302.0%, compared to the Communication Services sector average of 82.0%. This elevated leverage warrants close monitoring, as it increases the company's sensitivity to rising interest rates and economic downturns. The current ratio is 1.65x, suggesting adequate working capital coverage. Total debt on the balance sheet is $2.65B. Cash and equivalents stand at $55M.
SSP has a beta of 1.31, meaning it is more volatile than the broader market — a $10,000 investment in SSP would be expected to move 31.3% more than the S&P 500 on any given day. The stability factor score for E.W. SCRIPPS Co is 26/100, suggesting elevated price swings that may be unsuitable for conservative portfolios.
E.W. SCRIPPS Co Revenue and Earnings History — Quarterly Trend
In TTM 2026, E.W. SCRIPPS Co reported revenue of $2.24B and earnings per share (EPS) of $-1.87. Net income for the quarter was $-25M. Gross margin was 41.0%. Operating income came in at $263M.
In FY 2025, E.W. SCRIPPS Co reported revenue of $2.15B and earnings per share (EPS) of $-1.87. Net income for the quarter was $-101M. Revenue grew -14.3% year-over-year compared to FY 2024. Operating income came in at $184M.
In Q3 2025, E.W. SCRIPPS Co reported revenue of $526M and earnings per share (EPS) of $-0.55. Net income for the quarter was $-33M. Revenue grew -18.6% year-over-year compared to Q3 2024. Operating income came in at $38M.
In Q2 2025, E.W. SCRIPPS Co reported revenue of $540M and earnings per share (EPS) of $-0.59. Net income for the quarter was $-36M. Revenue grew -5.8% year-over-year compared to Q2 2024. Operating income came in at $77M.
Over the past 8 quarters, E.W. SCRIPPS Co has demonstrated a growth trajectory, with revenue expanding from $574M to $2.24B. Investors analyzing SSP stock should weigh these quarterly trends alongside the valuation and quality metrics discussed above.
SSP Dividend Yield and Income Analysis
E.W. SCRIPPS Co (SSP) does not currently pay a dividend. This is common among smaller companies in the Communication industry that prefer to reinvest cash flows into business expansion rather than returning capital to shareholders. Income-focused investors looking for Communication Services dividend stocks may want to explore other Communication Services stocks or use the stock screener to filter by dividend yield.
SSP Momentum and Technical Analysis Profile
E.W. SCRIPPS Co (SSP) has a momentum factor score of 53/100, reflecting neutral trend characteristics. The stock is neither significantly outperforming nor underperforming the broader market on a momentum basis. The investment factor score is 36/100, which measures capital allocation efficiency and asset growth patterns. The short interest score of 22/100 signals elevated short interest, which can indicate bearish sentiment among institutional investors.
SSP vs Competitors — Communication Services Sector Ranking and Peer Comparison
Within the Communication Services sector, E.W. SCRIPPS Co (SSP) ranks #36 out of 134 stocks based on the Blank Capital composite score. This places SSP in the upper half of all Communication Services stocks in our coverage universe. Key competitors and sector peers include MILLICOM INTERNATIONAL CELLULAR SA (TIGO) with a score of 61.6/100, TEGNA INC (TGNA) with a score of 49.6/100, VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC (VZ) with a score of 54.2/100, DELUXE CORP (DLX) with a score of 53.8/100, and NEW YORK TIMES CO (NYT) with a score of 53.2/100.
Comparing SSP against the S&P 500 benchmark is also instructive for understanding relative performance. Investors can view the full SSP vs S&P 500 (SPY) comparison to assess how E.W. SCRIPPS Co stacks up against the broader market across all factor dimensions.
SSP Next Earnings Date
No upcoming earnings date has been announced for E.W. SCRIPPS Co (SSP) at this time. Check the earnings calendar for the latest scheduling updates across all stocks in our coverage universe.
Should You Buy SSP? — Investment Thesis Summary
E.W. SCRIPPS Co presents a balanced picture with arguments on both sides. The value score of 68/100 suggests attractive pricing relative to fundamentals. High volatility (stability score 26/100) increases portfolio risk.
In summary, E.W. SCRIPPS Co (SSP) earns a Hold rating with a composite score of 44.1/100 as of April 2026. The rating is derived from the Blank Capital Research methodology, which combines six factor dimensions into a single quantitative ranking. Investors should consider these quantitative signals alongside their own fundamental research, risk tolerance, and investment time horizon before making buy or sell decisions on SSP stock.
Related Resources for SSP Investors
Explore more research and tools: SSP vs S&P 500 comparison, top Communication Services stocks, stock screener, our methodology, quality factor explained, value factor explained, momentum factor explained. Compare SSP head-to-head with peers: SSP vs TIGO, SSP vs TGNA, SSP vs VZ.