Cash generation is highly inconsistent, with free cash flow margins swinging from a peak of 22.0% in 2023Q4 to a low of -9.3% in 2025Q1, complicating the company's ability to fund operations and dividends.
| Metric | TTM | Dec'25 | Dec'24 | Dec'23 | Dec'22 | Dec'21 | Dec'20 | Dec'19 | Dec'18 | Dec'17 | Dec'16 | Dec'15 | Dec'14 | Dec'13 | Dec'12 |
|---|
| Cash from Operations | 34.83M | 30.6M | 48.75M | 67.83M | 50.19M | 61.08M | 31.49M | 39.99M | 36.63M | 50.68M | 59.8M | 25.94M | 45.26M | 26.2M | 19.85M |
| Operating CF Margin % | - | 7.16% | 10.81% | 14.93% | 10.84% | 14.61% | 8.48% | 9.27% | 8.51% | 9.99% | 11.57% | 5.88% | 12.11% | 9.76% | 8.91% |
| Operating CF Growth % | 126.3% | -37.22% | -28.13% | 35.15% | -17.84% | 93.99% | -21.26% | 9.16% | -27.72% | -15.25% | 130.51% | -42.68% | 72.73% | 32.03% | - |
| Net Income | -6.76M | -9.75M | -10.93M | -43.02M | 14.39M | 18.78M | -80.55M | -57.5M | -494K | -10.27M | 23.29M | 10.25M | -16.95M | 10.11M | 6.4M |
| Depreciation & Amortization | 19.43M | 18.41M | 24.56M | 24.07M | 23.36M | 19.1M | 20.11M | 25.84M | 18.96M | 25.68M | 23.98M | 17.58M | 16.88M | 15.19M | 14.82M |
| Stock-Based Compensation | 9.53M | 13.78M | 17.17M | 8.03M | 3.8M | 3.72M | 2.08M | 2.59M | 1.5M | 748K | 4.25M | 4.28M | 37.74M | 0 | 0 |
| Deferred Taxes | 1.67M | 0 | 644K | -6.89M | -1.33M | 9.76M | -24.21M | -15.03M | 699K | -13.81M | 15.89M | 7.74M | 10.51M | 0 | 0 |
| Other Non-Cash Items | 7.99M | 14M | 34.07M | 85.36M | 29.03M | 2.27M | 117.24M | 93.94M | 19.43M | 49.56M | 7.85M | -5.31M | 5.25M | 2.25M | 5.3M |
| Working Capital Changes | 1.94M | -5.83M | -16.77M | 279K | -19.06M | 7.46M | -3.18M | -9.85M | -3.47M | -1.22M | -15.46M | -8.58M | -8.16M | -1.35M | -6.68M |
| Change in Receivables | -2.4M | 3.16M | -5M | -3.9M | -7.18M | -3.07M | 171K | -6.42M | -1.23M | -864K | -5.81M | -2.02M | -6.76M | -4.2M | -7.51M |
| Change in Inventory | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10.1M | 0 | 1.91M | -194K | -6.12M | -9.48M | 640K | 3.41M | 3.47M |
| Change in Payables | -22K | 2.5M | -751K | 982K | -1.61M | -3.35M | -5.14M | 2.39M | -3.31M | 669K | -2.46M | 33K | -2.09M | 385K | -106K |
| Cash from Investing | -3.01M | -4.46M | -9.93M | -3.57M | -37.76M | -10.64M | -14.04M | -5.88M | -18.26M | -28.93M | -20.97M | -71.78M | -39.71M | -286.17M | -142.2M |
| Capital Expenditures | -14.38M | -15.22M | -17.44M | -14.98M | -15.83M | -12.42M | -15.19M | -19.68M | -18.12M | -22.97M | -20.94M | -15.1M | -14.04M | -9.53M | -10.15M |
| CapEx % of Revenue | 3.38% | 3.56% | 3.87% | 3.3% | 3.42% | 2.97% | 4.09% | 4.56% | 4.21% | 4.53% | 4.05% | 3.42% | 3.76% | 3.55% | 4.56% |
| Acquisitions | 6.22M | 0 | 0 | 0 | -18.48M | 0 | 157K | -787K | -24.79M | -5.51M | -2.16M | -76.21M | -26.08M | -276.8M | -133.78M |
| Investments | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Other Investing | 3.14M | 205K | 2.4M | 5.7M | -3.45M | 1.35M | 1.55M | 14.01M | 24.64M | 1.24M | 2.13M | 19.54M | 408K | 155K | 2.22M |
| Cash from Financing | -35.17M | -54.32M | -67.38M | -46.62M | -19.51M | -83.17M | -18.89M | -10.34M | -18.06M | -7.95M | -19.71M | 54.43M | -26.74M | 283.31M | 119.67M |
| Debt Issued (Net) | -19.94M | -34.56M | -36.02M | -25.62M | -18.85M | -240K | -13.52M | 0 | -11.34M | -6.75M | -19.38M | 66.45M | -113.9M | 286M | 117.73M |
| Equity Issued (Net) | 163K | 853K | -23.55M | -16.64M | -225K | -1.4M | 0 | -400K | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 98.16M | -159K | 0 |
| Dividends Paid | -13.74M | -13.21M | -12.31M | -9.34M | 0 | -60K | -4.2M | -8.28M | -6.18M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Share Repurchases | 0 | 0 | -23.55M | -16.64M | -225K | -1.4M | -49K | -400K | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -159K | 0 |
| Other Financing | -1.66M | -7.4M | 4.51M | 4.99M | -432K | -81.47M | -1.17M | -1.67M | -545K | -1.2M | -340K | -12.02M | -11M | -2.53M | 1.94M |
| Net Change in Cash | -3.35M | -28.17M | -28.56M | 17.64M | -7.09M | -32.72M | -1.44M | 23.77M | 185K | 13.76M | 18.24M | 8.84M | -21.18M | 23.34M | -2.69M |
| Free Cash Flow | 20.45M | 15.38M | 31.31M | 52.85M | 29.36M | 48.66M | 16.3M | 19.53M | 18.51M | 27.71M | 38.87M | 10.84M | 31.22M | 16.68M | 9.7M |
| FCF Margin % | 4.81% | 3.6% | 6.94% | 11.63% | 6.34% | 11.64% | 4.39% | 4.53% | 4.3% | 5.46% | 7.52% | 2.46% | 8.35% | 6.21% | 4.35% |
| FCF Growth % | -17.8% | -50.87% | -40.76% | 80% | -39.66% | 198.55% | -16.53% | 5.48% | -33.19% | -28.7% | 258.47% | -65.27% | 87.2% | 71.99% | - |
| FCF per Share | 1.15 | 0.95 | 2.01 | 3.15 | 1.61 | 2.29 | 0.59 | 1.05 | 0.67 | 1.50 | 1.42 | 0.39 | 2.60 | 2.11 | 1.23 |
| FCF Conversion (FCF/Net Income) | -3.03x | -2.66x | -3.84x | -1.51x | 4.07x | 3.65x | -0.38x | -0.59x | -1.11x | -4.53x | 2.59x | 2.64x | -2.61x | 4.10x | 3.10x |
| Interest Paid | 11.38M | 0 | 35.79M | 37.55M | 38.6M | 28.7M | 28.52M | 33.52M | 34.03M | 29.92M | 32.37M | 38.98M | 43.36M | 31.39M | 19.76M |
| Taxes Paid | 123K | 0 | 1.14M | 1.41M | 1.2M | 595K | 1.56M | 818K | 1.2M | 722K | 1.13M | 622K | 446K | 493K | 236K |
Liquidity and debt constraints
Based on reported financial statements, the relationship between net income and operating cash flow is highly erratic, with the OCF/NI ratio swinging from -12.33 in 2023Q4 to 6.49 in 2025Q2, indicating that accounting earnings are frequently decoupled from the company's actual cash-generating capacity.
The significant volatility in this ratio suggests that non-cash charges, such as impairments or stock-based compensation, are heavily distorting the bottom line. Investors should monitor this divergence, as it implies that net income is a poor proxy for the company's ability to fund its ongoing debt obligations and operational requirements.
As reported in recent filings, free cash flow margins have demonstrated extreme instability, ranging from a peak of 22.0% in 2023Q4 to a low of -9.3% in 2025Q1, reflecting the company's struggle to maintain consistent cash generation amidst a contracting revenue environment.
This trajectory suggests that the business model remains highly sensitive to seasonal advertising cycles and operational cost spikes. The inability to sustain positive free cash flow in multiple quarters warrants further investigation into whether the current cost structure is fundamentally misaligned with the company's revenue potential.
According to quarterly data, capital expenditures have remained relatively consistent, averaging roughly 3.5% to 4.5% of revenue, which suggests that the company is prioritizing essential maintenance of its broadcast infrastructure despite the ongoing strategic pivot toward digital marketing solutions.
While these levels appear manageable, the persistent capital intensity in the broadcast segment may be limiting the resources available for higher-growth digital initiatives. Analysts should evaluate whether this level of spending is sufficient to prevent the obsolescence of legacy assets while simultaneously supporting the digital platform's competitive position.
Based on reported figures, working capital changes have been a significant source of cash flow volatility, with swings as large as $10.8 million in 2023Q4 followed by an $8.1 million outflow in 2025Q1, highlighting the company's difficulty in managing collections and payables effectively.
These fluctuations may indicate inconsistent collection cycles from local advertising clients or timing mismatches in digital fulfillment costs. Such instability in working capital management suggests that the company's cash position is highly vulnerable to even minor delays in client payments or shifts in vendor credit terms.
As evidenced by recent SEC filings, the company has continued to prioritize dividend payments despite negative net margins and limited cash reserves, which appears to be a questionable use of capital given the company's underlying operational challenges and debt-servicing requirements.
The decision to maintain dividends while cash and equivalents remain at a low level of $4.7 million may indicate a desire to signal stability to shareholders at the expense of balance sheet flexibility. This strategy warrants further investigation, as it may limit the company's ability to navigate future economic downturns.
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying TSQ stock.
Townsquare Media, Inc. (TSQ) generated $30.6M in net cash from operating activities in 2025. This reflects the cash generated directly from core business operations.
Townsquare Media, Inc. (TSQ) generated $15.4M in free cash flow in 2025. Free cash flow is the cash left over after capital expenditures, which can be used to pay dividends, repurchase shares, or pay down debt.
Townsquare Media, Inc. (TSQ) spent $15.2M on capital expenditures in 2025. CapEx represents the cash invested in physical assets like property, plant, and equipment to maintain or grow the business.
In 2025, Townsquare Media, Inc. (TSQ) returned $13.2M to shareholders via cash dividends. This shows the company's commitment to returning capital to its equity investors.