Shutterstock, Inc (SSTK) AI Stock Analysis

NYSE: SSTKAI research summary: business, growth, valuation, analysts, bull and bear case.

SSTK AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

Shutterstock, Inc (SSTK) is a creative technology provider delivering visual assets, footage, and music workflow solutions. Over the trailing twelve months, the company generated $901.3M in revenue but posted a net profit margin of -22.9% and diluted EPS of -$5.72. Following an 81.1% stock decline over the past year, its market capitalization stands at $164.0M.

Market cap
$164.0M
Revenue (TTM)
$901.3M
P/E
—
fwd 42.2x
1Y return
-81.1%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$28.85
549.8% vs last close

Bull case

  • Free cash flow rebounded to $123.8M in FY2025 after falling to -$14.6M in FY2024.
  • The company's EV-to-EBITDA ratio of 2.7x trades well below the peer median of 10.0x for US-listed Communication Services companies.
  • The consensus analyst price target of $28.85 sits 549.8% above the stock's closing price of $4.44.

Bear case

  • Revenue in the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, dropped 16.9% year-over-year.
  • Trailing twelve-month diluted EPS sits at -$5.72 alongside a net profit margin of -22.9%.
  • The stock has dropped 81.1% over the past 12 months and trades 63.6% below its 200-day moving average.

What Shutterstock does

Shutterstock, Inc. is a creative technology company that specializes in delivering content and creative workflow solutions across North America, Europe, and international markets. The company provides image services featuring photographs, vectors, and illustrations used in digital and print marketing, corporate communications, and websites. Its footage services encompass video clips, cinema-grade visual effects, and HD/4K assets for social media and cinematic productions. Shutterstock also offers music tracks and sound effects. Operating brands including Shutterstock, Bigstock, Offset, TurboSquid, and PremiumBeat, the company serves corporate professionals, media companies, small to medium-sized businesses, and individual creators.

Growth and profitability

Annual revenue rose from $773.4M in FY2021 to $989.9M in FY2025, representing a 5-year revenue CAGR of 8.2%. Gross margin contracted from 64.1% in FY2021 to 58.2% in FY2025, while operating margin fell from 14.0% to 11.1%. Net income declined from $91.9M in FY2021 to $45.5M in FY2025. Over the trailing twelve months, revenue reached $901.3M with an operating margin of 12.3% and a profit margin of -22.9%. In the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue fell 16.9% year-over-year and quarterly earnings declined 26.0%.

SSTK income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of June 30, 2026, Shutterstock held $133.2M in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $286.8M, resulting in net debt of $153.6M. Total assets stood at $1.09B and shareholders' equity was $363.7M, giving a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 0.48. In FY2025, operating cash flow was $166.7M and free cash flow reached $123.8M. Cash deployment in FY2025 included $42.9M in capital expenditures, $9.4M in share buybacks, and $46.5M in dividends paid.

SSTK balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

At a last close of $4.44, Shutterstock trades at a forward P/E of 42.2x, above the 14.1x median of its US-listed Communication Services peers. However, its enterprise value to EBITDA multiple is 2.7x versus the peer median of 10.0x, and its price-to-sales multiple is 0.2x compared to the peer median of 0.8x. Over the past year, the stock fell 81.1%, trailing the S&P 500 gain of 16.8%. Over five years, the shares declined 95.6% against an 83.0% increase for the S&P 500.

SSTK key metrics →

What analysts expect

Analysts maintain a mean price target of $28.85 for Shutterstock, which is 549.8% above its last close of $4.44. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates project EPS of -$1.02, representing a 181.6% earnings decline. For the next fiscal year, one analyst projects revenue of $721.0M and EPS of $0.49. Shutterstock beat earnings estimates in 2 of the last 4 quarters, and its next earnings report is scheduled for November 5, 2026.

SSTK forecast and price target →

Key risks and what to watch

  • Short-term liquidity is constrained, as reflected by a current ratio of 0.48 as of June 30, 2026.
  • Net debt totaled $153.6M at quarter-end, with total debt of $286.8M exceeding cash of $133.2M.
  • Short interest accounts for 12.3% of the float, indicating elevated negative sentiment.
  • Analysts forecast current fiscal year EPS to fall 181.6% to -$1.02.

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 SSTK AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of Shutterstock, Inc (SSTK). 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: SSTK income statement, SSTK balance sheet, SSTK key metrics, SSTK analyst forecast, SSTK chart. See the SSTK stock overview for the latest quote and news.

SSTK AI stock analysis FAQ

What are Shutterstock's current market cap and enterprise value?

As of October 16, 2026, Shutterstock has a market capitalization of $164.0M and an enterprise value of $312.5M.

How do Shutterstock's valuation multiples compare to its peer group?

Shutterstock trades at an EV/EBITDA of 2.7x and a price-to-sales of 0.2x, below the US-listed Communication Services peer medians of 10.0x and 0.8x. However, its forward P/E of 42.2x is higher than the peer median of 14.1x.

How has SSTK performed compared to the S&P 500?

Over the past year, SSTK dropped 81.1% while the S&P 500 gained 16.8%. Over a 5-year period, the stock fell 95.6% compared to an 83.0% return for the benchmark.

When does Shutterstock report earnings next?

Shutterstock is scheduled to report its next quarterly financial results on November 5, 2026.

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