Golden Leisure (NASDAQ:GDEN) slid 9.39% right this moment after the Arizona Charlie’s operator reported second-quarter earnings that missed Wall Road estimates, however some analysts stay bullish on the title.
The on line casino operator notched earnings per share of 67 cents through the April by way of June interval on income of $289.37 million. Analysts anticipated earnings of 90 cents on gross sales of $287.62 million. Though gaming firm is exceeding 2019 efficiency metrics, traders took the inventory to job right this moment, extending an 18.64% year-to-date decline. Even with that weak point, some analysts stay enthusiastic concerning the shares.
We proceed to imagine GDEN’s Nevada-centric portfolio is undervalued because it captures structural Strip out-of-COVID upside drivers and vital, property-specific zero-capex amenity additions,” wrote B. Riley analyst David Bain in a word to shoppers right this moment.
He charges Golden inventory a “purchase” with a $70 value goal. That suggests upside of greater than 70% from right this moment’s shut.
Traders Might Be Lacking Golden Inventory’s Finer Factors
Other than the Rocky Hole casino-hotel in Maryland, Golden’s properties are positioned all through the Las Vegas Valley, levering the operator to vibrancy in that market.
That features a huge inflow of residents from larger tax states which might be paying money for actual property and having fun with Nevada’s decrease price of residing with a few of these financial savings being funneled to leisure gaming at native casinos. Whereas that catalyst is essentially priced into shares of operators with publicity to the Las Vegas locals market, Golden has different favorable traits that the funding neighborhood could at the moment be glossing over.
These embody the factors that for the reason that finish of final yr, the gaming trimmed debt by $200 million and repurchased practically $50 million price of its personal shares.
“Administration indicated the return of capital stays its core focus. Nonetheless, it additionally indicated a willingness to think about acquisitions,” provides Bain. “We don’t imagine something is imminent or in superior phases of debate. Nonetheless, given GDEN’s sturdy steadiness sheet/entry to capital, mixed with potential draw back valuation volatility of particular person on line casino properties in a weakened macro, GDEN is seemingly extra keen to be opportunistic ought to a strategic NV on line casino acquisition alternative current itself on the proper value.”
Strat Contributions
The off-Strip Strat is Golden’s marquee venue in Las Vegas and whereas it struggled with some provide chain points which hindered its second-quarter occupancy price, issues are again heading in the right direction on the property. That would propel Golden inventory as 2022 strikes ahead.
“We calculate a further $12M to $16M of further every year EBITDA (nicely over half of which, on the mid-point, is upside to our forecast) from occupancy charges rising again to normalized ranges,” notes Bain.
The analyst factors out his forecasts for Strat don’t embody the addition of the Atomic Vary golf facility, which may drive one other $10 million or extra in annual income when it debuts in early 2023.