UPDATE: Nomura Upgrades MGM Resorts Following Recent Pullback

In a report published Wednesday, Nomura analyst Harry C. Curtis upgraded the rating on MGM Resorts MGM from Neutral to Buy, and raised the price target from $16.00 to $18.00.

In the report, Nomura noted, “We are raising our rating to Buy after the stock's recent pullback (-15% since mid May vs. S&P 500 -4%) and believe the shares could reach $18 in the next 12 months. Our target could be conservative by $2-$3/share. Given the recent pullback, we believe that if MGM reports ANY upside to Q2 EBITDA, and if it comments positively about the balance of 2013, the shares should at least recover to the prior high of ~$16. Our $18 target price is based on: 1) $50M higher Vegas EBITDA in 2014E; and 2) lifting our conservative multiple on Vegas EBITDA to 10x from 9.5x given that upper-tier hotels are valued at 12x or more.”

MGM Resorts closed on Tuesday at $13.70.