Theme Park Operator Reports Mixed Q4 Results Amid Attendance Decline
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 hour ago
0mins
Should l Buy FUN?
Source: Benzinga
- Attendance Decline: The theme park operator reported attendance of 9.3 million in Q4, down 13% year-over-year, equating to approximately 1.4 million fewer guests, indicating potential challenges in revenue growth moving forward.
- Increased Per Capita Spending: Per capita spending rose by 8% to $66.41, with admissions contributing $35.32 and in-park purchases $31.10, reflecting successful pricing actions and promotional initiatives that may help offset attendance declines.
- Widening Operating Loss: The company reported an operating loss of $25 million for the quarter, a stark contrast to the $51 million operating income from the previous year, highlighting the financial strain from ongoing investments in infrastructure and new attractions.
- Elevated Short Interest: The company has a short float of 23.57 million shares, representing 27.57% of its publicly traded float, indicating significant investor skepticism regarding the company's future performance, which could impact stock price stability.
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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.
Theme Park Operator Reports Mixed Q4 Results Amid Attendance Decline
- Attendance Decline: The theme park operator reported attendance of 9.3 million in Q4, down 13% year-over-year, equating to approximately 1.4 million fewer guests, indicating potential challenges in revenue growth moving forward.
- Increased Per Capita Spending: Per capita spending rose by 8% to $66.41, with admissions contributing $35.32 and in-park purchases $31.10, reflecting successful pricing actions and promotional initiatives that may help offset attendance declines.
- Widening Operating Loss: The company reported an operating loss of $25 million for the quarter, a stark contrast to the $51 million operating income from the previous year, highlighting the financial strain from ongoing investments in infrastructure and new attractions.
- Elevated Short Interest: The company has a short float of 23.57 million shares, representing 27.57% of its publicly traded float, indicating significant investor skepticism regarding the company's future performance, which could impact stock price stability.
See More
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- Blue Owl Loan Sale: Blue Owl Capital's stock dropped nearly 10% after announcing the sale of $1.4 billion in loans at 99.7% of par value, with proceeds aimed at debt repayment and capital return, highlighting liquidity pressures and a halt on redemptions for retail investors.
- Omnicom Buyback Plan: Omnicom's shares surged 13% after reporting fourth-quarter revenue of $5.5 billion, a nearly 28% year-over-year increase, alongside a $5 billion share buyback authorization, reflecting strong financial performance and confidence in future growth.
- Deere Earnings Beat: Deere's stock rose 13% as it reported first-quarter earnings of $2.42 per share on $8 billion in revenue, both exceeding analyst expectations, indicating robust demand for agricultural equipment and potential market share growth ahead.
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Six Flags Reports Q4 Earnings with Mixed Results
- 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.
See More
Walmart's Fiscal Outlook Falls Short of Expectations
- Walmart's Fiscal Outlook: Walmart anticipates net sales growth of only 3.5% to 4.5% and adjusted earnings per share of $2.75 to $2.85, falling short of analysts' expectations of $2.96, resulting in a 3.7% drop in stock price, reflecting market concerns about future growth.
- Hims & Hers Acquisition: Hims & Hers Health announced its acquisition of Australian digital health company Eucalyptus for up to $1.15 billion, leading to a nearly 7% increase in stock price, indicating a proactive strategy in expanding market presence and service offerings.
- Deere Earnings Beat: Deere reported first-quarter earnings of $2.42 per share on revenues of $8 billion, exceeding analyst expectations, which drove a 5.3% increase in stock price, showcasing its strong performance and profitability in the agricultural equipment sector.
- DoorDash Order Growth: DoorDash reported a 32% year-over-year increase in total orders for the fourth quarter, and despite missing overall earnings estimates, the stock surged 10%, highlighting its growth potential in the competitive food delivery market.
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Cedar Fair Q4 Earnings Report Analysis
- Disappointing Earnings: Cedar Fair reported a Q4 GAAP EPS of -$0.91, missing estimates by $0.62, indicating pressure on profitability that could undermine investor confidence.
- 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
Legacy Cedar Fair to Announce Q4 Earnings on February 19
- Earnings Announcement Date: Legacy Cedar Fair is set to release its Q4 earnings on February 19 before the market opens, with consensus EPS estimates at -$0.19 and revenue expectations at $598.41 million, reflecting a 12.9% year-over-year decline.
- 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
Theme Park Operator Reports Mixed Q4 Results Amid Attendance Decline
- Attendance Decline: The theme park operator reported attendance of 9.3 million in Q4, down 13% year-over-year, equating to approximately 1.4 million fewer guests, indicating potential challenges in revenue growth moving forward.
- Increased Per Capita Spending: Per capita spending rose by 8% to $66.41, with admissions contributing $35.32 and in-park purchases $31.10, reflecting successful pricing actions and promotional initiatives that may help offset attendance declines.
- Widening Operating Loss: The company reported an operating loss of $25 million for the quarter, a stark contrast to the $51 million operating income from the previous year, highlighting the financial strain from ongoing investments in infrastructure and new attractions.
- Elevated Short Interest: The company has a short float of 23.57 million shares, representing 27.57% of its publicly traded float, indicating significant investor skepticism regarding the company's future performance, which could impact stock price stability.
See More
Significant Stock Movements Among Multiple Companies
- Klarna Guidance Miss: Klarna's shares plummeted about 25% as its first-quarter operating income guidance of $5 million to $35 million fell significantly short of Wall Street's expectation of $61.9 million, indicating potential challenges in future financing capabilities.
- Blue Owl Loan Sale: Blue Owl Capital's stock dropped nearly 10% after announcing the sale of $1.4 billion in loans at 99.7% of par value, with proceeds aimed at debt repayment and capital return, highlighting liquidity pressures and a halt on redemptions for retail investors.
- Omnicom Buyback Plan: Omnicom's shares surged 13% after reporting fourth-quarter revenue of $5.5 billion, a nearly 28% year-over-year increase, alongside a $5 billion share buyback authorization, reflecting strong financial performance and confidence in future growth.
- Deere Earnings Beat: Deere's stock rose 13% as it reported first-quarter earnings of $2.42 per share on $8 billion in revenue, both exceeding analyst expectations, indicating robust demand for agricultural equipment and potential market share growth ahead.
See More
Six Flags Reports Q4 Earnings with Mixed Results
- 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.
See More
Walmart's Fiscal Outlook Falls Short of Expectations
- Walmart's Fiscal Outlook: Walmart anticipates net sales growth of only 3.5% to 4.5% and adjusted earnings per share of $2.75 to $2.85, falling short of analysts' expectations of $2.96, resulting in a 3.7% drop in stock price, reflecting market concerns about future growth.
- Hims & Hers Acquisition: Hims & Hers Health announced its acquisition of Australian digital health company Eucalyptus for up to $1.15 billion, leading to a nearly 7% increase in stock price, indicating a proactive strategy in expanding market presence and service offerings.
- Deere Earnings Beat: Deere reported first-quarter earnings of $2.42 per share on revenues of $8 billion, exceeding analyst expectations, which drove a 5.3% increase in stock price, showcasing its strong performance and profitability in the agricultural equipment sector.
- DoorDash Order Growth: DoorDash reported a 32% year-over-year increase in total orders for the fourth quarter, and despite missing overall earnings estimates, the stock surged 10%, highlighting its growth potential in the competitive food delivery market.
See More
Cedar Fair Q4 Earnings Report Analysis
- Disappointing Earnings: Cedar Fair reported a Q4 GAAP EPS of -$0.91, missing estimates by $0.62, indicating pressure on profitability that could undermine investor confidence.
- 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
Legacy Cedar Fair to Announce Q4 Earnings on February 19
- Earnings Announcement Date: Legacy Cedar Fair is set to release its Q4 earnings on February 19 before the market opens, with consensus EPS estimates at -$0.19 and revenue expectations at $598.41 million, reflecting a 12.9% year-over-year decline.
- 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
