By Dominic Chopping


Shares in Universal Music fell Friday after second-quarter earnings and free cash flow missed expectations.

In early European trade shares were 6.4% lower at 23.75 euros.

The record label behind Taylor Swift reported earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization that missed expectations by an estimated 2.8% when excluding a 15 million euro ($17.1 million) boost from an internet service provider settlement, analysts at ING said.

Negative free cash flow of 179 million euros compares with consensus that was looking for a positive figure of 412 million euros, while free cash flow visibility at the full-year level remains low, the bank added.

Investors had high hopes heading into the results following a strong first quarter, and ING said this second-quarter report could serve as a reminder of the volatility of quarterly Ebitda and free cash flow performance.

In the company's music publishing business, the adjusted Ebitda margin fell to 23.0% from 23.9%, pressured by revenue and repertoire mix.

"While streaming demonstrated a welcome resurgence and publishing continued its impressive double-digit growth trajectory, subscription revenue [growth], though solid at 8.5% in the second quarter, lacked the element of positive surprise to consensus that characterized last quarterly results," analysts at Deutsche Bank said.


Write to Dominic Chopping at dominic.chopping@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

08-01-25 0436ET