Frank Fantini is the editor and publisher of Fantini’s Gaming Report. A free 30-day trial subscription is available by calling toll free: 1-866-683-4357 or online at www.gaminginvestments.com.
Sun, Aug 23, 2009
While things are looking bad, reports of the decline of the American economy may be a bit premature, as Fortune Magazine’s Top 100 fastest-growing companies is still made up chiefly of U.S. concerns.
Thu, Oct 30, 2008
When election returns flash across television screens on Tuesday, a number of casino executives will be watching more than John McCain and Barack Obama. They will be watching to see whether voters in several states hand them an election night treat, in some cases potentially big ones.
Wed, Dec 10, 2008
The old saying, which is getting a lot of use these days, as in every 30 seconds on CNBC, is that the stock market looks forward six months. So, if the economists predicting the recession will bottom in mid 2009 are correct, now is the time to buy stocks.
Sun, Dec 21, 2008
THE NEXT STEPS: Cost cutting, layoffs and cancellations only go so far…
Sun, Jan 11, 2009
Pessimism is now officially the Wall Street theme for gaming stocks. A few days ago, many of the leading gaming analysts took out their crystal balls and peered into 2009. What they saw isn’t pretty.
Sat, Jan 17, 2009
While the new president’s views on gaming are unknown, there are some positive signs.
Mon, Jan 26, 2009
Casino companies will soon report fourth quarter earnings, and they aren’t expected to be pretty.
Fri, Jan 30, 2009
It was once a given that a casino resort would generate cash flow exceeding 20 percent of the cost to build it. Resorts were relatively inexpensive to build and they quickly filled with gamblers in a world where demand exceeded supply. Times have changed.
Sun, Feb 15, 2009
This bear market, which for gamers is nearly two years old, has burned a lot of value investors who sensed a bottom. And with economic statistics worsening daily, and more gaming companies now facing the prospect of considerably higher interest expense as they refinance loans or rewrite debt covenants, now is not the time to blow the all-clear signal.
Fri, Mar 06, 2009
Revenues up; local jurisdictions moving; stock prices increasing…. Could it be a sign that the bottom has been hit?
Fri, Mar 13, 2009
Replacement cycle, server-based gaming, new jurisdictions… what is going to be the main driver that will create profitability for slot manufacturers?
Sun, Mar 29, 2009
Why gaming investors need to get back to basics when evaluating gaming companies.
Fri, Apr 03, 2009
Balance sheets, not the operating statement, have been driving stock prices.
Fri, Apr 17, 2009
Are gaming stocks so depressed that they have sunk below where they really should be? If so, here’s a list of possible winners to come.
Sat, Apr 25, 2009
The highly anticipated first quarter reports for the gaming industry are due next week and should reveal a lot about the direction of the gaming industry—both operators and vendors.
Fri, May 01, 2009
Non-Las Vegas or Atlantic City casinos have proven to be most resilient during this economic downturn, and we can still fall back on them.
Fri, May 08, 2009
Four stocks fit our criteria that could be a good buy in comparison to many gaming stocks that have soared in the past few months.
Fri, May 22, 2009
The grind of the recession has gotten down to the value of gaming companies and how to determine which companies will likely gain value in upcoming months.
Sat, May 30, 2009
Ups and downs will continue, but improvement might need to wait until the fall, as we mark time in what might be a somnolent summer.
Sat, Jun 06, 2009
As credit frees up, it opens many options for operators that have solid balance sheets and great location.
Sun, Jun 21, 2009
With states looking for tax revenues, the pressure to legalize gaming may be too hard to resist, bringing the value of slot companies to the forefront.
Sun, Jun 28, 2009
MGM Mirage’s backs of its ‘going concern’ language giving hope to investors of that company, Las Vegas and gaming as a whole.
Sat, Jul 04, 2009
First half of 2009 is a good period for gaming stocks as they outpace the market during the period.
Fri, Jul 24, 2009
CityCenter must ramp up efforts to entice Americans to America’s most expensive resort.
Fri, Jul 31, 2009
Is the day of reckoning for Las Vegas mega-resorts just around the corner or years away? When operations becomes the prime revenue driver, the shake out should begin.
Fri, Aug 07, 2009
Earnings reports by three American companies involved in Macau reveal weakness in almost all segments of their business operations, yet the response from investors was varied when it came to the stock prices. Go figure!?
Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Adding revenue and streamlining operations will produce increased profits, the only sure-fire way to grow a gaming company—operator or manufacturer.
Fri, Aug 28, 2009
With the legalization and/or expansion of gaming in many different states and jurisdictions, the big beneficiaries should be the slot manufacturers. Despite a spooky upcoming month, there are two companies that are poised to make big strides: Aristocrat and Konami.
Fri, May 14, 2010
The up-and-down nature of casino revenues may be with us for a while, as players stayed home in April after a strong March. Could gas prices be part of the reason?
Fri, Sep 11, 2009
Will the move by the chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot tribe to provide payments to his tribal members before the lenders get paid have any impact on lending by commercial financial institutions in Indian Country?
Fri, Sep 25, 2009
There is good and bad news about the current state of the gaming economy and it’s come down to a debate between the bull and the bear.
Fri, Jan 15, 2010
Volatility is the word when it comes to gaming stocks, especially in light of last year’s collapse. But how far can they come back before another “correction” hits?
Fri, Oct 09, 2009
Referendums are never a sure thing—just look at what happened in Taiwan last month—and in Ohio, casino votes are surely a toss up.
Fri, Oct 16, 2009
When governments get too involved in the gaming industry, it can cause headaches for operators, shareholders, employees and patrons.
Sun, Nov 01, 2009
Buying gaming stocks for the long term seemed like a good idea until the sector imploded earlier this year. While they may rebound, it could take years and then investors are only even. Is there a better strategy?
Sun, Nov 08, 2009
Even when the people approve a referendum favoring a specific company, the government can come in and change the circumstances remarkably. Just look at Ohio this week.
Sun, Nov 29, 2009
G2E may have been a seminal moment in the industry for the next few years. Optimism and morale have improved over the last couple of shows, while technology seems to be the driving force.
Sun, Dec 06, 2009
Discussion about the fate of CityCenter moves from the speculation phase to reality as the first element of the nation’s most costly private development ever launches in Las Vegas.
Sat, Feb 12, 2011
Glamorous growth strategies that open new properties every year or expand into new jurisdictions are nice, but when you get right down to it, a casino company must operate efficiently to create value for the shareholders.
Fri, Dec 11, 2009
The gaming industry appears rudderless as the new year approaches. Good and bad inhabit all sectors of the gaming industry, giving investors a real quandary when considering where to put their money.
Sun, Dec 27, 2009
It was the worst of times, 2009. Early in the year, most stock prices collapsed and companies spent the rest of the year trying to recover. And 2009 saw the end of trends that had held for a decade.
Fri, Jan 22, 2010
The beginning of the year can be very informative of the direction many companies will take for the following three quarters, not matter if it’s operators or suppliers.
Fri, Jan 29, 2010
With the long-awaited replacement cycle supposedly about to kick in, technology upgrades long overdue and many new jurisdictions coming online, the future of the slot manufacturing industry rarely has looked brighter.
Sat, Feb 06, 2010
Rosy forecasts are a thing of the past as the recession reaches the mid-American casinos and executives are cautious.
Sat, Feb 13, 2010
From a crusading governor in Alabama to a overachieving gaming commission in Missouri and beyond, the interference of the government and its agencies into business actions of casino companies and their service companies can have dire consequences.
Fri, Feb 19, 2010
Regional casinos were able to withstand the early stages of the recession much better than destination resorts. But now that economic woes have visited the heartland, how profitable can they remain?
Sat, Mar 06, 2010
Regional casinos post best numbers in months, giving hope that the mid-American casinos will return soon rather than later. The same cannot be said, however, of the slot manufacturers. Hope that the long touted replacement cycle would begin in 2010 is slowly fading.
Fri, Mar 12, 2010
At the one-year anniversary of the stock market’s worst gaming slide in history, we take a look back on the past year and discover that not everyone has bounced back and where the value still is.
Fri, Mar 26, 2010
Long dormant, mergers and acquisitions are being considered in both the operator and the manufacturer sector. Can it succeed against deep odds?
Fri, Apr 02, 2010
It’s a rarity for gaming companies to pay dividends to shareholder, but that may change as successful companies look for ways to create value for their investors.
Fri, Apr 09, 2010
Two events last week make it clear that investors who want to take advantage of small moves in stock prices must be aware and move quickly.
Sun, Apr 25, 2010
The big Vegas operators are experiencing different pressures, opportunities and challenges. Hints about how they performed during the first quarter are often confusing.
Fri, Apr 30, 2010
In addition to the new reality of operating following the “great recession,” increased competition is altering the ways operators now do business, and it will mean dramatic changes.
Fri, May 28, 2010
What’s happening in the financial markets? Where is the economy going? Are your investment dollars safe in gaming stocks? Or should you think about new strategies?
Fri, Jun 11, 2010
If the gaming industry recession is behind us, what can we expect from the different sectors and how will it be seen?
Fri, Jul 02, 2010
While the headlines usually boast of gaming legalization in large jurisdictions, it’s the small moves that can often make the difference for slot makers. Slot machines in bars and restaurants has the possibility of making a huge impact on the suppliers.
Fri, Jun 18, 2010
Macau and Singapore grab the headlines when Asian gaming is discussed but there’s much more to the story, when you view it from the suppliers’ perspective.
Fri, Jul 16, 2010
Not much has changed in the last quarter when it comes to the gaming industry so the scheduled quarterly earnings call should be uninteresting.
Fri, Jul 30, 2010
Are older gamblers a market casinos can count on or will decreasing home values affect their disposable income?
Fri, Aug 13, 2010
Is business travel going to be the first harbinger of an improved environment in Las Vegas? Some of the numbers suggest it is.
Fri, Aug 20, 2010
Ameristar has waited almost four years since the passing of its founder, Craig Neilsen, to put itself on the market. Was it a gamble to wait so long?
Fri, Sep 17, 2010
Slot manufacturers wait… and wait… and wait… for the replacement cycle to kick in. What’s an investor to do?
Sat, Sep 25, 2010
Although the recession might technically be over, the pain still remains, particularly in the gaming industry and its jurisdictions. When will it end for them?
Fri, Oct 08, 2010
Is the recession slowly grinding to a halt? If so, how should investors prepare and who is likely to come back first and fastest?
Fri, Oct 29, 2010
It may be too early to declare the war is over, but recent revenue reports have at least indicated that the bottom has been reached.
Sun, Nov 07, 2010
What do the results of last week’s mid-term elections in the U.S. mean to investors? In general, there’s money to be made!
Fri, Nov 12, 2010
The bells and whistles at G2E are always the important part, but the one thing attendees bring home with them is the atmosphere and how the industry is faring.
Sat, Nov 27, 2010
The trade show is often an indicator of what the industry will look like in the next year. Let’s hope that’s true for 2011.
Sun, Dec 05, 2010
Positives and negatives still describe the U.S. economy, but when it comes to gaming, the positives are starting to outweigh the negatives.
Fri, Dec 10, 2010
Globalization and the internet are the two most powerful forces in gaming today, linking the industry in every corner of the world.
Fri, Dec 17, 2010
Preparing for the new year, here are some issues that are becoming clear as we end the difficult year of 2010.
Fri, Dec 24, 2010
While 2010 wasn’t as bad as 2009-09, it still wasn’t a banner year by any estimation. Will 2011 be any better? There are several reasons to think it will be; by a good measure.
Sat, Jan 22, 2011
Casino stock prices take time to cool off after a long run of positive news boosted the value. But the fear of a renewed recession still leaves some wondering what’s next.
Sun, Jan 30, 2011
Arguments that convenience gambling can produce millions in tax revenue miss the point. Descriptions of gaming as entertainment centers, infrastructure improvers and job creators make a better and more logical case.
Fri, Feb 04, 2011
The once-understandable world of slot manufacturers is now a collection of impressive technology companies that provide state-of-the-art products and services to casino owners.
Fri, Feb 18, 2011
The changes going on in Atlantic City are demonstrating how a depressed market, combined with a supportive government can make a difference in developing a new image and direction.
Sat, Mar 05, 2011
There recently has been a series of good news and bad news situations for gaming investors. We’ll break down what it means and how to use your money most wisely.
Sat, Mar 26, 2011
Questions about the company’s actions in light of the firing of Sands China CEO Steve Jacobs last year have impacted the share price. Is it low enough to buy now?
Sat, Apr 02, 2011
As state legislatures meet, discussions about legalizing or expanding gaming take on a heightened urgency. Too many times, however, the talk is just that and nothing happens. Reign in your enthusiasm.
Fri, Apr 22, 2011
The Mid-America and mid-cap gaming companies are on a roll. Improved results, expansion and better margins may make these companies one of the best buys in the industry.
Sun, Apr 17, 2011
A weak first quarter and warnings about future earnings have sunk the price of WMS shares, creating speculation about other slot companies and the future of that supplier sector.
Sat, Apr 30, 2011
Earnings season always bring some indicators about where the industry is going, halfway through, confusion reigns. But maybe there’s some light peeking through the clouds.
Sun, May 29, 2011
Any forward thinking gaming company must consider Asia. The hottest growth region in gaming, Asian players continue to dominate the market, and operators and suppliers need to have a presence there.
Sat, Jun 04, 2011
Politics is an important factor in many businesses, but nothing like it is in the gaming business. Savvy investors need to understand how the decisions made by politicians and public officials can impact their financial stakes.
Sun, Jun 26, 2011
Flooding in the middle part of America depressed revenues in May. But is it weather related or is it a more endemic problem that signals more difficulties for the regional gaming industry. Let’s find out!
Sat, Jul 02, 2011
Genting moves out of Malaysia and seeks to make a serious impact on the gaming industry in the United States with casino plans in Florida and New York.
Sun, Jul 17, 2011
Third quarter financial reports have emphasized the huge revenues being produced in Macau and brings up the question of how long can they be sustained.
Fri, Jul 29, 2011
IGT is regaining momentum as ship share decline slows and confidence returns to gaming’s largest slot manufacturer.
Sun, Aug 21, 2011
For the first time in a while, casino companies and gaming manufacturers are talking about growth, not cost cutting. Here’s a few things we’ve learned from recent earnings calls.
Sat, Aug 27, 2011
With the stock market going crazy the past several weeks, volatility breeds confusion. Let’s take a look at what is really happening so we can make rational, sensible decisions.
Sat, Sep 03, 2011
Back from holiday, ready to tackle the real world, gaming stocks are exhibiting the same uncertainty that surrounds the overall economy. What do you do?
Sun, Sep 18, 2011
How will the gaming industry create growth going forward? Can we count on traditional methods like gaming expansion or the replacement slot market? Or will it be something new?
Sun, Sep 25, 2011
The disparity between the sensational headlines predicting economic disaster and actual business performance, which is generally improving, should make investors nervous. So what’s going on?
Sat, Oct 01, 2011
How can you tell whether executives at gaming organizations have faith in the strategies and operations they implement at their companies? Check out who’s buying shares and you might get a very good hint.
Sun, Oct 23, 2011
Investor quarterly reports and the conference calls that accompany them are usually boring and mundane. But there are several “personalities” who make it worthwhile to listen in and learn.
Sun, Oct 30, 2011
Slot makers have been buffeted and shaken during the economic downturn. Casinos were not buying and slots machines were not being replaced. But with new technology and new jurisdictions, things have changed.
Sun, Nov 06, 2011
You might not know it from the doom-and-gloom headlines, but there is light at the end of the tunnel for the gaming industry. Increasing gaming revenues coupled with higher room rates and upgraded growth prospects look good for gaming worldwide.
Sat, Nov 19, 2011
What happens when gas prices go up? Customers stay closer to home and don’t go as often to casinos, compounding the problems casinos face during this economic dive.
Sat, Dec 24, 2011
Gaming stocks had a miserable year in 2011, with only three stocks showing an increase for the year. Why did that happen? And what does it mean for 2012? Depends on your strategies.
Sun, Jan 08, 2012
For several years, investors have shied away from the slot manufacturers. The replacement cycle, server-based gaming and service windows have promised increased sales, but have not fully delivered. But hope springs eternal.
Sat, Jan 21, 2012
With a new drive for gaming legalization in many U.S. states, the motivations remain the same but the logic may differ. How will that impact the success of new casinos?
Sun, Jan 29, 2012
No, it’s not a phone number but it could be the revenues of one of the state’s casinos. The reports of the state’s casinos exceeding the Atlantic City revenues are misleading and may even be bogus.
Sat, Feb 04, 2012
In the past, most gaming companies did not pay dividends to shareholders because they claimed to be plowing the profits back into growth for the company. Today, that has changed and many of gaming’s most popular companies are now rewarding shareholders with dividends.
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