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/

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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is-the-roller-coaster-ride-coming-to-an-end-for-merlin

Joint Venture with China Media Capital
RNS
RNS Number : 8923C
Merlin Entertainments plc
21 October 2015



21 October 2015



Merlin Entertainments and China Media Capital to set up a joint venture to develop a LEGOLAND Park in Shanghai area and other attractions in China



Highlights



- Merlin Entertainments ('Merlin') and China Media Capital ('CMC') announce the formation of a partnership to explore opportunities to develop visitor attractions throughout China

- As part of the agreement Merlin and CMC plan to develop a LEGOLAND® Park in Shanghai area as well as additional Midway attractions across China; including existing and new brands

- Agreement will be announced in the presence of China's President Xi and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during the President's State Visit to the UK



Merlin, a global leader in branded, location based family entertainment, and China Media Capital ('CMC'), a most prestigious name in China's media and entertainment investment and operation, today announce that they are forming a joint venture to create world-class visitor attractions in China and to build on and expand Merlin's existing location-based entertainment expertise and brands.



The partnership will be proudly announced today in the presence of China's President Xi Jinping and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, at a high-profile creative event at Lancaster House hosted by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) as part of the President's State Visit. The event will feature different industries and will be where world-leading companies announce new collaborations in film, TV, entertainment and low-carbon technology in the presence of UK and Chinese dignitaries.



As part of the joint venture, Merlin and CMC plan to develop a LEGOLAND Park in the Shanghai area and target the roll out of various Midway brands throughout China. The new Midway opportunities to be explored by the joint venture will include both the adaption and localisation of existing and proven Merlin brands, such as 'The Dungeons' and selected 'LEGOLAND Discovery Centers' for the Chinese market as well as the development of new Midway brands and concepts including 'DreamWorks Tours - Kung Fu Panda Adventures' and others.



At present Merlin has five attractions in China (Madame Tussauds in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing and Wuhan, and Chang Feng Ocean World aquarium in Shanghai) and has announced plans for three further attractions scheduled to open in the next 18 months - LEGOLAND Discovery Center Shanghai, and a Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE aquarium in Chongqing.



Nick Varney, Chief Executive of Merlin Entertainments, said: "We are delighted to announce that we are forming a joint venture with CMC and are honoured to be able to make an announcement at such an important event to showcase British creativity and celebrate China and UK collaboration. China is a key growth market for the Group and we see this partnership as providing a significant opportunity to accelerate our plans. We're also very excited to be working with CMC on the development and roll out of new brands. By working together in partnership we will be able to combine our expertise in operating world-class attractions with CMC's insight and expertise in the Chinese market."



CMC is a leading innovator in China's location based entertainment market and creator of China's iconic urban entertainment and recreational complex - DreamCenter in Shanghai. CMC also owns many prominent media and entertainment companies and product brands.



Ruigang Li, Chairman of CMC, said: "It's a great honour to be supported by top leaders of both nations in forging this strategic partnership with Merlin. CMC has a highly diversified portfolio of entertainment content and platform. Through investing and operating across the whole spectrum of the media and entertainment sector, CMC has accumulated unique experience in aligning international know-how with local market needs. Through this partnership with Merlin, a global operator, we will be committed to creating a premium experience as well as establishing a working system in China for the development and operation of location based entertainment attractions that meet international standards."



ENDS

StockMarketWire.com
Merlin Entertainments has marginally improved its FY pretax profit to GBP250m, from GBP249m. Dividend was 6.5p a share, from 6.2p, while revenue rose to GBP1.28bn, from GBP1.25bn.

Separately, the company confirmed the investment of USD34.4m in Big Bus Tours, the global owner-operator of Hop On Hop Off city tours, and the formation of a strategic partnership allowing further cooperation across many of Merlin's city centre markets.

Referring to the FY results, CEO Nick Varney said:
"Despite a challenging year, the business delivered a robust performance in 2015. We continued to see a strong trading performance in LEGOLAND Parks and a positive contribution from New Business Development, opening seven new Midway attractions and expanding our accommodation offering with the addition of 277 new rooms.

"However, 2015 was a difficult year for Merlin following the accident at Alton Towers early in the summer season. The safety of our guests and employees must always come first and we have sought to learn every possible lesson to help ensure there is no repeat of what happened on 2 June.

"Merlin has a clear strategy, with clear competitive advantages leaving us well positioned in a dynamic marketplace. Today we have announced our New Business Development milestone targets for 2020 including 2,000 new rooms, forty new Midway Attractions and four new LEGOLAND parks.

"Whilst we remain mindful of macro-economic and geo-political factors outside of our control, we remain confident in the strength of the underlying business and the natural diversification that the growing portfolio creates."