Cumulus Media faces NASDAQ delisting over equity shortfall

Published 07/03/2025, 23:38
Cumulus Media faces NASDAQ delisting over equity shortfall

ATLANTA, GA - Cumulus Media Inc. (NASDAQ:CMLS), a leading radio broadcasting company trading near its 52-week low of $0.50, received a notification from NASDAQ on March 6, 2025, regarding non-compliance with the stockholders’ equity requirement for continued listing on the NASDAQ Global Market. The company reported stockholders’ equity of $6,951,000 as of December 31, 2024, falling short of the NASDAQ’s minimum requirement of $10 million. According to InvestingPro data, the company’s market capitalization has declined to approximately $9.1 million, reflecting broader financial challenges.

The notice from NASDAQ does not immediately affect the listing or trading of Cumulus Media’s Class A common stock. However, the company must submit a compliance plan by April 21, 2025, detailing how it intends to meet the NASDAQ’s minimum stockholders’ equity standard. If the plan is accepted, NASDAQ may allow up to 180 days for Cumulus Media to demonstrate compliance. InvestingPro analysis reveals the company operates with a significant debt burden, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 114.68, though it maintains a current ratio of 1.85, indicating adequate short-term liquidity.

Should NASDAQ reject the compliance plan, Cumulus Media’s stock will be at risk of delisting. The company would have the right to appeal the decision to a NASDAQ hearings panel, which would delay any further action. Cumulus Media has expressed its intention to submit the required plan within the stipulated timeframe.

The company is exploring potential solutions to address the equity deficiency, including the option of transferring to the NASDAQ Capital Market, which may have more accommodating listing requirements. InvestingPro data shows the company faces significant challenges, with negative earnings per share of -$16.79 and analysts projecting continued losses in 2025. For detailed insights and 14 additional ProTips about Cumulus Media’s financial health and market position, investors can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro.

This development was disclosed in an 8-K filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, where Cumulus Media also cautioned that there is no guarantee that NASDAQ will accept its compliance plan or that the company will be able to regain or maintain compliance with NASDAQ’s listing requirements in the future.

The news follows the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on February 27, 2025, which included detailed risk factors and forward-looking statements, emphasizing that actual results could vary significantly from projections. Cumulus Media has committed to keeping stakeholders informed as the situation evolves.

In other recent news, Cumulus Media Inc. reported a notable earnings miss for the fourth quarter of 2024, with earnings per share (EPS) at -13.6, falling short of the forecasted -0.37. Revenue also missed expectations, coming in at $218.58 million compared to the anticipated $224.85 million. Despite these results, the company saw a 5% growth in digital revenue year-over-year, with Digital Marketing Services (DMS) increasing by 27%. Cumulus Media has been actively managing costs by reducing fixed costs and refinancing debt to extend maturities, which may have contributed to investor optimism. The company is facing challenges in the advertising sector, particularly in automotive and mortgage products, but continues to focus on digital growth and cost management. The company’s CEO, Mary Berner, emphasized efforts to mitigate broadcast radio trends through digital investments and cost reductions. Looking forward, Cumulus Media anticipates ongoing challenges in national and local advertising for the first quarter of 2025, but remains focused on its digital business and potential benefits from media deregulation.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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