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Lamar Advertising Co.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net revenue rose 6.5%: Net revenues were $616.7 million versus $579.3 million a year earlier. Diluted EPS was $1.58 against $1.52, and net income rose 6.2% to $164.6 million. Source
  • AFFO grew faster than FFO: AFFO was $247.9 million, up 10.1%, while FFO was $236.8 million, up 5.1%. Diluted AFFO per share rose 8.1% to $2.40 from $2.22. Source
  • Outdoor operating income up 8.4%: Outdoor operating income was $331.3 million for the quarter, up from $305.5 million. Six-month outdoor operating income rose 7.8% to $584.2 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA up 9.0%: Adjusted EBITDA was $303.4 million, up 9.0% from $278.4 million. That growth was above the 6.5% rise in net revenues. Source
  • Pacings for rest of 2026: Management attributed the quarter to results above its expectations and to pacings for the balance of 2026, which underlie the guidance raise. Source
  • Full-year AFFO per share raised: Diluted AFFO per share guidance was raised to a range of $8.75 to $8.90 for the full year. Source

“Our business is in a great place right now.”

Lamar chief executive Sean Reilly

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Diluted AFFO per share SourceFull year 2026$8.75 to $8.90Raised
Diluted earnings per share SourceFull year 2026$5.95 to $5.99
Net income SourceFull year 2026$604,380 to $609,380 (thousands)
Funds from operations SourceFull year 2026$885,620 to $890,620 (thousands)
Adjusted funds from operations SourceFull year 2026$902,970 to $917,970 (thousands)
Stock-based compensation expense SourceFull year 2026$45,000 to $55,000 (thousands)
Maintenance capital expenditures SourceFull year 2026$65,000 (thousands)

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year diluted AFFO per share guidance was raised, from a prior-quarter position of trending at the top end of earlier guidance. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net revenue rose 6.5%: Net revenues were $616.7 million versus $579.3 million a year earlier. Diluted EPS was $1.58 against $1.52, and net income rose 6.2% to $164.6 million. Source
  • AFFO grew faster than FFO: AFFO was $247.9 million, up 10.1%, while FFO was $236.8 million, up 5.1%. Diluted AFFO per share rose 8.1% to $2.40 from $2.22. Source
  • Acquisition-adjusted revenue up 6.1%: Adjusted for acquisitions and divestitures to match the 2026 ownership period, net revenue rose 6.1% over the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Six-month net income fell on Vistar gain: Six-month net income fell 9.4% to $266.5 million, mainly because a $67.8 million gain on the Vistar equity sale was recorded in 2025, partly offset by an additional $8.0 million gain in 2026. Source
  • Six-month revenue up 5.5%: Net revenues for the six months were $1.14 billion, up 5.5%. Six-month diluted EPS was $2.58 against $2.87 in the prior-year period. Source

Segments and regions

  • Outdoor operating income up 8.4%: Outdoor operating income was $331.3 million for the quarter, up from $305.5 million. Six-month outdoor operating income rose 7.8% to $584.2 million. Source
  • Acquisition-adjusted outdoor income up 6.9%: On an acquisition-adjusted basis, outdoor operating income rose 6.9% to $331.3 million from $309.9 million in the prior-year quarter. Source
  • Operating income rose $10.3 million: Quarter operating income was $208.0 million. Six-month operating income was $354.0 million, down $34.9 million from $388.9 million. Source

“With second-quarter results that exceeded our expectations and strong pacings for the balance of 2026, we are raising our guidance for full-year diluted AFFO per share to a range of $8.75 to $8.90.”

Lamar chief executive Sean Reilly

Products and customers

  • Display count passed 360,000: The company describes itself as having over 360,000 displays across the United States and Canada, up from over 359,000 in the prior release. Source
  • Digital network over 5,700 displays: The company says it has the largest digital billboard network in the United States, with over 5,700 displays, up from over 5,600 in the prior release. Source
  • Advertising formats offered: Formats include billboards, interstate logo, transit and airport advertising, serving local businesses and national brands. Source

Costs

  • Direct and G&A expenses rose: Direct advertising expenses were $194.7 million and general and administrative expenses were $90.8 million, against $187.2 million and $86.7 million a year earlier. Source
  • Stock-based compensation rose to $14.1 million: Stock-based compensation was $14.1 million, against $7.1 million a year earlier. Corporate expenses were $27.9 million against $27.1 million. Source
  • Depreciation and amortization increased: Depreciation and amortization was $84.4 million against $78.1 million. The quarter included a $2.7 million gain on disposition of assets and investments, against $4.2 million. Source

Margins and profit measures

  • Adjusted EBITDA up 9.0%: Adjusted EBITDA was $303.4 million, up 9.0% from $278.4 million. That growth was above the 6.5% rise in net revenues. Source
  • Acquisition-adjusted EBITDA up 7.3%: Acquisition-adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was up 7.3% over the prior-year period, on the same ownership basis. Source
  • Six-month adjusted EBITDA up 8.4%: Six-month adjusted EBITDA was $529.7 million, up from $488.6 million in the prior-year period. Source

Demand and the order book

  • Pacings for rest of 2026: Management attributed the quarter to results above its expectations and to pacings for the balance of 2026, which underlie the guidance raise. Source
  • Local and national demand cited earlier: The prior-quarter release cited demand from local and particularly national customers as shaping the year.
  • Customers value audience reach: Management said customers appreciate the company's ability to connect them with audiences and deliver messages that resonate. Source

Capital, cash and liquidity

  • Free cash flow up $19.6 million: Free cash flow was $218.7 million against $199.1 million. Operating cash flow was $252.4 million against $229.5 million. Source
  • Capital spending rose to $42.7 million: Total capital expenditures were $42.7 million against $38.2 million, including $21.5 million on digital billboards and $5.0 million on logo displays. Source
  • Liquidity totaled $720.2 million: Total liquidity was $720.2 million, including $652.2 million available under the revolver and $68.0 million in cash. Revolver borrowings were $90.0 million, up from $40.0 million in the prior release. Source
  • Total debt increased: Total debt, net of deferred financing costs, was $3,514.5 million at June 30, 2026, up from $3,418.9 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Investing outflow fell: Cash used in investing activities was $83.1 million for the quarter, against $99.2 million a year earlier. Financing outflows were $140.6 million. Source

Full-year 2026 guidance

  • Full-year AFFO per share raised: Diluted AFFO per share guidance was raised to a range of $8.75 to $8.90 for the full year. Source
  • Full-year EPS range set: The revised update covers guidance issued in February 2026, with diluted EPS now expected between $5.95 and $5.99. Source
  • Net income and FFO ranges: Projected 2026 net income is $604.4 million to $609.4 million, and projected funds from operations is $885.6 million to $890.6 million. Source
  • AFFO range and share count: Projected 2026 AFFO is $903.0 million to $918.0 million, based on 101,650,000 weighted average diluted common shares. Source
  • Stock comp and maintenance spend: Projected 2026 stock-based compensation is $45.0 million to $55.0 million, and maintenance capital expenditures are $65.0 million. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
FFO Source$236.8 million (Q2 2026)
Diluted AFFO per share Source$2.40 (Q2 2026)
Acquisitions and dispositions SourceNo 2026 adjustment; $1.7 million in Q2 2025 comparable revenue
Leverage (total debt) Source$3,514.5 million at June 30, 2026

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: The prior-quarter release said first-quarter results surpassed internal forecasts.
  • Not stated: The prior-quarter release described pacings as trending at the top end of previously provided full-year AFFO per diluted share guidance.

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.