Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights Melco Resorts, Accel Entertainment and Bally's
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 25 2025
0mins
Should l Buy MLCO?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Industry Overview: The gaming industry is facing challenges due to economic uncertainty, inflation, and geopolitical tensions, but is experiencing growth in Macau gaming revenues and U.S. commercial gaming, particularly from sports betting.
Company Highlights: Melco Resorts, Accel Entertainment, and Bally's Corp are identified as potential investment opportunities, with Melco showing strong performance in Macau, Accel expanding operations, and Bally's focusing on strategic acquisitions despite recent stock declines.
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Analyst Views on MLCO
Wall Street analysts forecast MLCO stock price to rise
4 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 5.390
Low
9.50
Averages
11.21
High
12.55
Current: 5.390
Low
9.50
Averages
11.21
High
12.55
About MLCO
Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd is a Company engaged in the development and operation of resort facilities. The Company is engaged in the operation of casinos in Macau and Philippines. The Company operates three casinos based in Macau, namely, City of Dreams, Altira Macau and Studio City. In addition, the Company is engaged in the operation of hotels in Macau and Manila.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
2026 Chinese New Year Expected to Boost Consumer Spending
- Travel Volume Surge: The 2026 Chinese New Year holiday is expected to last nine days, with passenger traffic projected to increase by over 5% year-on-year, which will invigorate the tourism sector and related consumer spending in China.
- Government Spending Stimulus: The Chinese government has allocated approximately 2.05 billion yuan for 'New Year gift packages,' including consumption vouchers and cash red envelopes, which will directly stimulate household consumption and drive growth in sectors like dining, shopping, and tourism.
- Macau Casino Benefits: Macau casino operators such as Wynn Resorts and Las Vegas Sands are expected to benefit from increased holiday visitation and gaming revenue, with analysts forecasting strong performance for the 2026 CNY period, positively impacting quarterly earnings.
- Online Travel Agency Opportunities: Online travel agency Trip.com Group is anticipated to benefit from robust travel trends during the holiday, as improved booking patterns and a shift towards premium travel options support a positive outlook for overall travel spending.
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Melco Resorts Shares Drop 12.5% Post Earnings Miss
- Earnings Miss Impact: Melco Resorts (MLCO) experienced a 12.5% drop in share price following a Q4 EBITDA miss, closing at a 2026 low of $5.39, indicating investor concerns over financial performance.
- Market Reaction Insight: Bank of America analyst Karl Choi noted that investors are unlikely to be surprised by Melco's decision not to sell City of Dreams Manila, suggesting that the company's strategic choices remain reasonable in a competitive market environment.
- Fundamental Outlook Positive: CBRE Equity Research believes that despite facing multiple challenges, the current share price is flushed out, and strong revenue trends along with stable margins in Macau are expected to drive continued EBITDA growth, maintaining a Buy rating on Melco.
- Future Growth Potential: Morgan Stanley analyst Praveen Choudhary remains bullish on Melco, pointing out a modest earnings shortfall but expressing optimism for Q1, indicating the company's potential for growth amid industry headwinds.
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Melco (MLCO) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
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Studio City International Reports Strong 2025 Financial Results
- Significant Revenue Growth: In Q4 2025, Studio City reported total operating revenues of $160.3 million, a 4.8% increase from $152.9 million in Q4 2024, primarily driven by improved performance in mass market table games, indicating strong recovery potential in the Macau market.
- Increased Gaming Revenue: The casino generated gross gaming revenues of $342.7 million in Q4 2025, up 6.5% from $321.8 million in Q4 2024, reflecting successful strategies in attracting customers and further solidifying its market position.
- Improved Adjusted EBITDA: The adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2025 was $60.2 million, a 6.2% increase from $56.7 million in Q4 2024, demonstrating the company's ability to enhance profitability while managing costs effectively, boosting confidence for future investments.
- Reduced Net Loss: The net loss for Q4 2025 was $20.5 million, significantly down from $27.7 million in Q4 2024, showcasing improvements in financial management and operational efficiency, which may enhance investor confidence.
See More
Melco Resorts Q4 2025 Earnings Report
- Revenue Growth: Melco Resorts reported total operating revenues of $1.29 billion for Q4 2025, reflecting an 8.4% year-over-year increase, exceeding market expectations by $20 million, indicating strong performance amid market recovery.
- City of Dreams Performance: The revenue from City of Dreams reached $695.7 million in Q4 2025, an 18% increase from $591.1 million in Q4 2024, showcasing a resurgence in gaming activity and increased customer demand in the region.
- Chip Performance Improvement: Rolling chip volume for Q4 2025 was $6.28 billion, slightly up from $6.24 billion in Q4 2024, with a win rate increase from 2.35% to 3.18%, surpassing the expected range, indicating enhanced competitiveness in the premium market segment.
- Market Challenges: Despite overall revenue growth, the hold percentage for mass market table games decreased from 32% to 31%, reflecting intensified market competition and shifts in customer preferences, which may impact future profitability.
See More
Melco Resorts Achieves 19 Five-Star Awards from Forbes Travel Guide
- Historic Achievement: Melco Resorts has garnered 19 Five-Star Awards in the 2026 Forbes Travel Guide, becoming the integrated resort operator with the most Five-Star Awards globally, thereby reinforcing its leadership position as a premier luxury hospitality provider in the region.
- Outstanding Performance: The company achieved a total of 107 FTG Stars across its hotel, restaurant, and spa categories, including properties such as City of Dreams, Altira Macau, and City of Dreams Manila, showcasing its excellence in luxury service delivery.
- Leadership Statement: CEO Lawrence Ho stated that receiving the most Five-Star awards globally is a testament to the team's unwavering commitment to excellence, emphasizing the company's dedication to operating world-class integrated resorts that enhance guest experiences and brand value.
- Future Outlook: Melco Resorts looks forward to continuing to attract guests and aims to enhance its portfolio of luxury entertainment and hospitality, seizing market opportunities to drive further business growth.
See More
2026 Chinese New Year Expected to Boost Consumer Spending
- Travel Volume Surge: The 2026 Chinese New Year holiday is expected to last nine days, with passenger traffic projected to increase by over 5% year-on-year, which will invigorate the tourism sector and related consumer spending in China.
- Government Spending Stimulus: The Chinese government has allocated approximately 2.05 billion yuan for 'New Year gift packages,' including consumption vouchers and cash red envelopes, which will directly stimulate household consumption and drive growth in sectors like dining, shopping, and tourism.
- Macau Casino Benefits: Macau casino operators such as Wynn Resorts and Las Vegas Sands are expected to benefit from increased holiday visitation and gaming revenue, with analysts forecasting strong performance for the 2026 CNY period, positively impacting quarterly earnings.
- Online Travel Agency Opportunities: Online travel agency Trip.com Group is anticipated to benefit from robust travel trends during the holiday, as improved booking patterns and a shift towards premium travel options support a positive outlook for overall travel spending.
See More
Melco Resorts Shares Drop 12.5% Post Earnings Miss
- Earnings Miss Impact: Melco Resorts (MLCO) experienced a 12.5% drop in share price following a Q4 EBITDA miss, closing at a 2026 low of $5.39, indicating investor concerns over financial performance.
- Market Reaction Insight: Bank of America analyst Karl Choi noted that investors are unlikely to be surprised by Melco's decision not to sell City of Dreams Manila, suggesting that the company's strategic choices remain reasonable in a competitive market environment.
- Fundamental Outlook Positive: CBRE Equity Research believes that despite facing multiple challenges, the current share price is flushed out, and strong revenue trends along with stable margins in Macau are expected to drive continued EBITDA growth, maintaining a Buy rating on Melco.
- Future Growth Potential: Morgan Stanley analyst Praveen Choudhary remains bullish on Melco, pointing out a modest earnings shortfall but expressing optimism for Q1, indicating the company's potential for growth amid industry headwinds.
See More
Melco (MLCO) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
See More
Studio City International Reports Strong 2025 Financial Results
- Significant Revenue Growth: In Q4 2025, Studio City reported total operating revenues of $160.3 million, a 4.8% increase from $152.9 million in Q4 2024, primarily driven by improved performance in mass market table games, indicating strong recovery potential in the Macau market.
- Increased Gaming Revenue: The casino generated gross gaming revenues of $342.7 million in Q4 2025, up 6.5% from $321.8 million in Q4 2024, reflecting successful strategies in attracting customers and further solidifying its market position.
- Improved Adjusted EBITDA: The adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2025 was $60.2 million, a 6.2% increase from $56.7 million in Q4 2024, demonstrating the company's ability to enhance profitability while managing costs effectively, boosting confidence for future investments.
- Reduced Net Loss: The net loss for Q4 2025 was $20.5 million, significantly down from $27.7 million in Q4 2024, showcasing improvements in financial management and operational efficiency, which may enhance investor confidence.
See More
Melco Resorts Q4 2025 Earnings Report
- Revenue Growth: Melco Resorts reported total operating revenues of $1.29 billion for Q4 2025, reflecting an 8.4% year-over-year increase, exceeding market expectations by $20 million, indicating strong performance amid market recovery.
- City of Dreams Performance: The revenue from City of Dreams reached $695.7 million in Q4 2025, an 18% increase from $591.1 million in Q4 2024, showcasing a resurgence in gaming activity and increased customer demand in the region.
- Chip Performance Improvement: Rolling chip volume for Q4 2025 was $6.28 billion, slightly up from $6.24 billion in Q4 2024, with a win rate increase from 2.35% to 3.18%, surpassing the expected range, indicating enhanced competitiveness in the premium market segment.
- Market Challenges: Despite overall revenue growth, the hold percentage for mass market table games decreased from 32% to 31%, reflecting intensified market competition and shifts in customer preferences, which may impact future profitability.
See More
Melco Resorts Achieves 19 Five-Star Awards from Forbes Travel Guide
- Historic Achievement: Melco Resorts has garnered 19 Five-Star Awards in the 2026 Forbes Travel Guide, becoming the integrated resort operator with the most Five-Star Awards globally, thereby reinforcing its leadership position as a premier luxury hospitality provider in the region.
- Outstanding Performance: The company achieved a total of 107 FTG Stars across its hotel, restaurant, and spa categories, including properties such as City of Dreams, Altira Macau, and City of Dreams Manila, showcasing its excellence in luxury service delivery.
- Leadership Statement: CEO Lawrence Ho stated that receiving the most Five-Star awards globally is a testament to the team's unwavering commitment to excellence, emphasizing the company's dedication to operating world-class integrated resorts that enhance guest experiences and brand value.
- Future Outlook: Melco Resorts looks forward to continuing to attract guests and aims to enhance its portfolio of luxury entertainment and hospitality, seizing market opportunities to drive further business growth.
See More
