Merlin Entertainments is the largest European entertainments company operating in Europe. Merlin runs 99 attractions in 22 countries across four continents. Our aim is to deliver unique, memorable and rewarding experiences to millions of visitors across our growing estate. We believe that we achieve this objective largely thanks to the commitment and passion of our team and the strength of our brands, which will never fail to be distinctive, challenging and innovative. In every respect and to every group of stakeholders, Merlin will always be an exciting company to be involved with.

http://www.merlinentertainments.biz/

3 Dec Barclays... 420.00 Overweight
3 Dec Beaufort... N/A Buy
3 Dec Deutsche Bank 440.00 Buy
3 Dec JP Morgan... 440.00 Overweight
2 Dec Kepler... 385.00 Hold
2 Dec Panmure Gordon 446.00 Buy
1 Dec Beaufort... N/A Buy

Final Results
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26 Feb Panmure Gordon 446.00 Buy
26 Feb Numis 330.00 Reduce
23 Feb Deutsche Bank 440.00 Buy
23 Feb Nomura N/A Buy

Sharecast - The recent exit of Blackstone and CVC from their investment in Merlin Entertainments was well-timed and is unsurprising. After a successful flotation and given the shares were at a record high it was to be expected. Hence, the scant reaction in the stock's price.

Were they too well-timed, perhaps? Analysts do expect like-for-like sales to revert from last year's rise of 7.1% to a more normal 4% this year. In parallel, capital expenditures are expected to pick back up. Even so, the company generates a reliable stream of income. Don't expect much immediate outperformance, "but that reliability justifies a long-term buy," says The Times's Tempus.

Merlin Entertainments: Nomura hikes target to 470p from 420p and reiterates buy.

Questor-share-tip-Merlin-has-magic-start.

Company News

Tue, 02 June 2015

Theme park ride crashes at Merlin Entertainments' Alton Towers, four seriously injured



Air ambulances were called to Alton Towers, one of the theme parks owned by Merlin Entertainments, after four people were seriously hurt in collision between two carriages of the 14-loop 'Smiler' ride.
There were 16 people involved in the crash, which happened at around 14:00 on Tuesday on the £18m ride, the world's first rollercoaster to offer 14 loop-the-loops.

The West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed an air ambulance had assessed all 16 people.

Four people have been seriously injured, Sky News said.

A spokeswoman for the ambulance service: "Ambulance staff and medics are working quickly with resort staff to gain access to the seriously injured."

Alton Towers issued a statement that said: "There has been an incident on the Smiler this afternoon involving two carriages coming together on a low section of the track. One of the carriages was empty and the other had 16 guests in."

Update :- Alton Towers closed after Smiler rollercoaster crash

i am amazed sp hasn't fallen through the floor

That's just the punters!

Interesting to note that demand for the ride, when it is put back into service, is expected to increase dramatically. It seems teenagers / twentys are already looking forward to the extra risk factor attached to the ride!

Naked Trader today -Merlin (LON:MERL) dropped a little on the roller coaster problem but it is only one coaster in one of many parks it has so I don't see it as a long-term worry.

Alton-Towers-crash-wipes-100m-owner-s-value-looks-set-lose-millions-lost-bookings.

Jefferies increased its price target, to 500p from 420p, for Alton Towers owner Merlin Entertainments (LON:MERL) and repeated a ‘buy’ recommendation.

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Shares - Merlin Entertainments is expected to give guidance on the impact of the recent similar rollercoaster crash at Alton Towers when it reports half-year results on 30 July.
Alton Towers accounts for 5%of total profits . So its five day closure , plus the subsequent closure of rides at Thorpe Park and Chessington, will have a noticeable effect. Analysts at Barclays suggest the crash , the groups first major setback since it floated in Nov 2013, could reduce its full year profit by 2%.

Trading Statement

Merlin Entertainments is today providing an update on current trading and the outlook, reflecting our revised expectations for the Resort Theme Parks Operating Group.

Whilst first half results, which will be published as planned on 30 July 2015, are expected to be in line with analyst estimates, the serious accident at Alton Towers on 2 June has had an adverse impact on trading at the start of the critical summer period and on the Board's expectations for the financial performance of the Group for the full year.

The accident at the Alton Towers Resort resulted in the temporary closure of the park, the suspension of UK theme park marketing and temporary ride closures at two of our other UK theme parks. The combination of these factors has significantly reduced volumes at Alton Towers Resort and, to a lesser extent, the UK Resort Theme Parks estate.

Action is being taken to rebuild momentum and re-engage with our customers. However, based on most recent trading and our assessment of the likely trajectory over the key summer trading period, the 2015 EBITDA for the Resort Theme Parks Operating Group is now expected to be in the range £40 to £50 million (2014: £87 million). The magnitude of the financial impact is the result of both a significant reduction in revenue and the requirement to maintain an appropriate investment in customer service and marketing through peak season.

Although difficult to assess at this stage, we believe that there may be some continued adverse impact on the Resort Theme Parks Operating Group profitability in 2016.

The lower expectations for the Resort Theme Parks Operating Group in 2015 will be partially offset by better than expected financing costs, now expected to be between £40 and £45 million, central cost savings and trading in the wider Group. Therefore, we would expect 2015 underlying profit before tax to be broadly in line with the prior year (2014: £249 million).

We have committed to support those injured as best we can and implemented additional safety protocols to be sure that a similar accident will never happen again.


more....

Near on 8% fall.


27 Jul Citigroup 475.00 Buy

Half year report

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