BofA: Buy Penn National, New Data Should Boost Stock Today

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In a report published Monday, BofA Merrill Lynch analyst Shaun C. Kelley maintained a Buy rating on
Penn National Gaming, Inc.
PENN
, with a price objective of $20, citing the strong opening of the Plainridge Park casino. Penn National's Plainridge Park casino generated gross gaming revenue of $6.15M from June 24 to June 30, according to the results released by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. "We think these results are a strong early read and should be a catalyst for the stock on Monday, particularly after a bit of recent caution into this number," analyst Shaun Kelley said. In the report BofA Merrill Lynch noted, "Plainridge is one of PENN's key growth initiatives and is the first (and currently only) legal gaming facility in the state of Massachusetts…Despite some recent market fears, $6.15M translates to just over $700 win/unit/day on the property's 1,250 current gaming machines…we think the figure bodes well for the property's performance." Kelley expects the company's figures to stabilize at a lower rate going ahead, as "opening enthusiasm wears off and then pick up some as they implement their database and marketing strategies." Kelley expects Plainridge to be "a major earnings and growth driver" over the forthcoming 12-24 months. Plainridge is expected to contribute $63M in EBITDA during its first 12 months of operation, ahead of the implied run-rate in the company's 2015 guidance.
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Posted In: Analyst ColorReiterationAnalyst RatingsBofA Merrill Lynch
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