Six Flags Reports Q4 Earnings with Mixed Results
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 3 hours ago
0mins
Should l Buy FUN?
Source: seekingalpha
- Attendance Decline: Six Flags reported a 13% drop in attendance during Q4, with 9.3 million guests, largely due to the cancellation of winter holiday events in 2025, resulting in approximately 425,000 fewer visits, indicating challenges in attracting visitors.
- Per Capita Spending Growth: Despite the decline in attendance, per capita spending increased by 8% to $66.41, with admissions at $35.32 and in-park products at $31.10, reflecting the positive impact of pricing and promotional strategies.
- Rising Operating Expenses: Operating expenses rose by 2% to $534 million in Q4, while adjusted EBITDA fell from $208 million to $165 million year-over-year, yet exceeded the consensus estimate of $159 million, showcasing efforts in cost management.
- Future Investment Plans: CEO John Reilly highlighted that despite 2025 results falling short, the company will continue to invest heavily in 2026 in family-oriented attractions and food and beverage upgrades, aiming to enhance long-term competitiveness.
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Analyst Views on FUN
Wall Street analysts forecast FUN stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
6 Buy
4 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 16.220
Low
14.77
Averages
22.43
High
35.00
Current: 16.220
Low
14.77
Averages
22.43
High
35.00
About FUN
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is an amusement-resort operator with approximately 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks and nine resort properties across 17 states in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Company has a portfolio of intellectual property, such as Looney Tunes, DC Comics and PEANUTS. Its parks are family-oriented, with recreational facilities for people of all ages. The Company's parks include Cedar Point Shores, Valleyfair, Dorney Park, Knott's Berry Farm Soak City, Canada's Wonderland, Kings Dominion, Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Resort New Braunfels, Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Oklahoma City, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord, Six Flags St. Louis, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Oaxtepec, Six Flags Great Adventure, Six Flags New England, and others.
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.
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- Market Reaction Analysis: Given the downward revisions in both EPS and revenue forecasts, investors may adopt a cautious stance ahead of the earnings report, which could negatively impact the stock price and reflect concerns about the company's future growth prospects.
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- Per Capita Spending Growth: Despite the decline in attendance, per capita spending increased by 8% to $66.41, with admissions at $35.32 and in-park products at $31.10, reflecting the positive impact of pricing and promotional strategies.
- Rising Operating Expenses: Operating expenses rose by 2% to $534 million in Q4, while adjusted EBITDA fell from $208 million to $165 million year-over-year, yet exceeded the consensus estimate of $159 million, showcasing efforts in cost management.
- Future Investment Plans: CEO John Reilly highlighted that despite 2025 results falling short, the company will continue to invest heavily in 2026 in family-oriented attractions and food and beverage upgrades, aiming to enhance long-term competitiveness.
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- Earnings Forecast Adjustments: Over the last three months, there have been no upward revisions to EPS estimates, with two downward adjustments, while revenue estimates have also seen no upward revisions and six downward adjustments, indicating a pessimistic market outlook.
- Market Reaction Analysis: Given the downward revisions in both EPS and revenue forecasts, investors may adopt a cautious stance ahead of the earnings report, which could negatively impact the stock price and reflect concerns about the company's future growth prospects.
- Industry Dynamics: Amidst this backdrop, Six Flags is facing activist pressure regarding its merger, while Disney is advancing its theme park plans in Abu Dhabi, potentially affecting Legacy Cedar Fair's competitive position in the market.
See More
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- Per Capita Spending Growth: Despite the decline in attendance, per capita spending increased by 8% to $66.41, with admissions at $35.32 and in-park products at $31.10, reflecting the positive impact of pricing and promotional strategies.
- Rising Operating Expenses: Operating expenses rose by 2% to $534 million in Q4, while adjusted EBITDA fell from $208 million to $165 million year-over-year, yet exceeded the consensus estimate of $159 million, showcasing efforts in cost management.
- Future Investment Plans: CEO John Reilly highlighted that despite 2025 results falling short, the company will continue to invest heavily in 2026 in family-oriented attractions and food and beverage upgrades, aiming to enhance long-term competitiveness.
See More
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- Revenue Performance: The company generated $650 million in revenue, down 5.4% year-over-year, although it beat expectations by $51.95 million; however, the ongoing revenue decline may impact future capital expenditures and expansion plans.
- Attendance Decline: Total attendance for Q4 was 9.3 million guests, a decrease of approximately 1.4 million visitors or 13% compared to Q4 2024, highlighting challenges in attracting customers that could affect overall market share.
- Per Capita Spending Increase: Despite the drop in attendance, per capita spending rose to $66.41, an 8% increase year-over-year, indicating some success in enhancing customer spending power, which may support future revenue growth.
See More
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- Theme Park Launch: iQiyi opened its first theme park in Yangzhou, featuring virtual reality and live performances to meet the rising demand for offline entertainment, positioning it as a new growth driver for the company amid fierce competition in the streaming market.
- Luxury Market Trends: Despite retail sales in China growing only 0.9% in December, Louis Vuitton opened two new stores in the past year, emphasizing the use of social media and celebrity endorsements to attract consumers, showcasing the resilience of luxury brands during the festive shopping season.
See More
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- Family-Friendly Design: This roller coaster is designed for guests of all ages, providing an exhilarating experience that allows young adventurers to enjoy their first coaster ride while enhancing interaction and shared excitement among family members.
- Themed Experience Enhancement: Speedway Stunt Coaster immerses guests in a vibrant setting inspired by racing and stunt action, making them feel like stars in an action-packed movie, which further enhances the brand appeal of Six Flags México.
- Ongoing Investment in Family Fun: Six Flags México continues to invest in experiences that strengthen family connections, and the opening of Speedway Stunt Coaster not only enriches the park's entertainment offerings but also creates lasting memories for visitors, reflecting the company's mission to deliver joyful experiences.
See More
