National Research Corporation (NRC) AI Stock Analysis
NRC AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchNational Research Corporation provides analytics and insights designed to improve patient and employee experiences for healthcare organizations. The company has seen multi-year revenue contractions, with FY2025 revenue falling 4.0% to $137.4M alongside declining net margins. TTM operating margin stands at -0.2%, while the stock offers a forward dividend yield of 3.18%.
- Market cap
- $445.7M
- Revenue (TTM)
- $140.0M
- P/E
- 80.6x fwd 17.2x
- 1Y return
- 78.4% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $26.00 29.0% vs last close
Bull case
- Quarterly revenue returned to growth in the latest quarter ending June 30, 2026, rising 4.0% year-over-year.
- The 1 analyst tracking the firm anticipates FY2027 revenue to expand 8.3% to $154.5M alongside EPS growth of 7.1% to $1.05.
- The company maintains a 13-year track record of regular dividend payments, delivering a forward yield of 3.18%.
Bear case
- Operating margins have dropped sharply from 34.0% in FY2021 to -0.2% on a trailing-twelve-month basis.
- The balance sheet carries $86.7M in net debt with only $3.3M in cash and short-term investments as of June 30, 2026.
- The dividend payout ratio has climbed to 89.6% as annual net income fell from $37.5M in FY2021 to $11.6M in FY2025.
What National Research does
National Research Corporation operates as a provider of analytics and insights that drive improvements in patient and employee experiences across the United States and Canada. Through subscription-based solutions, the company assists healthcare organizations in areas such as service recovery, care transitions, health risk assessments, employee engagement, reputation management, and brand loyalty. It also delivers market insights solutions that enable healthcare brands to track awareness, perception, and competitive differentiators through real-time assessments and segmentation tools. Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, the organization provides tailored experience solutions that help providers manage populations and enhance preventive care.
Growth and profitability
National Research Corporation experienced annual revenue declines from FY2023 through FY2025, dropping from $151.6M in FY2022 to $137.4M in FY2025. Gross margin shrank from 64.6% in FY2021 to 56.3% in FY2025, while operating margin fell from 34.0% to 16.4% over the same timeframe. Net income decreased from $37.5M in FY2021 to $11.6M in FY2025, resulting in an EPS drop from $1.47 to $0.50. For the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2026, revenue stood at $140.0M with an operating margin of -0.2% and EPS of $0.25. In the latest quarter, quarterly revenue grew 4.0% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings contracted by 44.0%.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, National Research Corporation held $3.3M in cash and short-term investments against $90.0M in total debt, yielding net debt of $86.7M. Shareholders' equity was $6.5M, resulting in a debt-to-equity ratio of 13.75 and a current ratio of 0.65. Operating cash flow in FY2025 was $26.4M, producing free cash flow of $15.7M after capital expenditures of $10.7M. In FY2025, the company deployed capital by paying $11.0M in dividends and spending $20.2M on share buybacks, contributing to a 14.0% reduction in share count over 5 years.
Valuation and performance
National Research Corporation trades at a trailing P/E of 80.6x, compared to 24.6x for the median of its US-listed Healthcare peers. Its forward P/E is 17.2x, close to the peer median of 17.3x. The company holds an enterprise value of $564.0M, trading at an EV to EBITDA multiple of 24.1x versus the peer median of 12.0x, and a price-to-sales ratio of 3.2x compared to the peer median of 4.1x. Over the past year, NRC shares gained 78.4%, outpacing the S&P 500 return of 16.8%, but over a 5-year period, the stock declined 46.2% while the S&P 500 gained 83.0%.
NRC dividend
National Research Corporation pays a quarterly dividend with an annualized forward rate of $0.64 per share, translating to a dividend yield of 3.18%. The company has paid consecutive dividends for 13 years and generated a 5-year annualized dividend growth rate of 19.9%. Its payout ratio stands at 89.6%, and the last ex-dividend date was September 25, 2026.
What analysts expect
Wall Street coverage includes 1 Buy rating, with 0 Strong Buy, Hold, Sell, or Strong Sell ratings. The mean price target is $26.00, representing a 29.0% upside over the last close of $20.15. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates project revenue of $142.6M and EPS of $0.33, reflecting an EPS decrease of 34.0%. For the following fiscal year, 1 analyst projects revenue of $154.5M and EPS of $1.05. Over the last four quarters, the company topped EPS estimates 3 times. The next earnings date is October 26, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- A current ratio of 0.65 and debt-to-equity ratio of 13.75 indicate tight near-term liquidity and high leverage.
- Short interest represents 28.5% of the float, pointing to substantial market skepticism.
- Quarterly earnings fell 44.0% year-over-year in the quarter ended June 30, 2026, reflecting persistent profit pressure.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this NRC AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of National Research Corporation (NRC). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: NRC income statement, NRC balance sheet, NRC key metrics, NRC analyst forecast, NRC chart. See the NRC stock overview for the latest quote and news.
NRC AI stock analysis FAQ
What dividend does National Research Corporation pay?
National Research Corporation pays an annual forward dividend of $0.64 per share, distributed quarterly, which equals a dividend yield of 3.18% as of October 16, 2026.
What is NRC's current debt level?
As of June 30, 2026, NRC reported total debt of $90.0M and cash and short-term investments of $3.3M, leaving net debt at $86.7M.
How did NRC perform financially in FY2025?
In FY2025, revenue declined 4.0% to $137.4M, net income dropped to $11.6M, and diluted EPS was $0.50, compared to $24.8M and $1.04 in FY2024.
When is National Research Corporation's next earnings report?
The company's next earnings report is scheduled for October 26, 2026.