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/

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."

4 Oct
Barclays...
520.00
Overweight

3 Oct
HSBC
530.00
Buy

Nearing new highs, since the rollercoaster accident.


15:40 26/04/2017
Broker Forecast - Morgan Stanley issues a broker note on Merlin Entertainments PLC
Morgan Stanley today reaffirms its overweight investment rating on Merlin Entertainments PLC (LON:MERL) and raised its price target to 580p (from 560p). Story provided by StockMarketWire.com

Ex divi 11 May 4.9 p payed 19 June

2017 Interim results

Summary
 
•    Group revenue grew by 19.4% (9.6% on a constant currency basis), reflecting a strong contribution from new accommodation and attractions, and continued like for like revenue growth;
•    LEGOLAND Parks revenue increased by 34.6% at actual FX rates. On a constant currency basis, revenue grew by 20.8% due to the opening of LEGOLAND Japan, a strong Easter trading period driving 8.0% like for like growth and the positive contribution from new accommodation including the new 'Beach Retreat' in LEGOLAND Florida; 
•    Midway Attractions delivered 11.3% revenue growth or 2.3% on a constant currency basis. The opening of new Midway attractions offset a decline in like for like revenue of 0.4%, which reflected a more subdued London market as well as the expected phasing of growth;
•    Resort Theme Parks revenue grew by 12.7%. Revenue growth of 7.7% at constant currency was driven by a 6.2% growth in like for like revenue, due to a strong Easter and a soft comparative period;
•    Profit before tax was stable in part due to a number of adverse timing effects which will normalise in the second half of 2017;
•    Good progress towards the 2020 strategic milestones:
-     Five new Midway attractions opened in the period, including our new brand 'Little BIG City' in Berlin;
-     381 new accommodation rooms opened to date across four of our theme parks (including 305 during the period);
-     LEGOLAND Japan opened on 1 April 2017, ahead of schedule and on budget.

What's caused this drop?

StockMarketWire.com
Merlin Entertainments said like-for-like revenue growth slipped to 0.3% in the third quarter after terror attacks and wet weather kept customers away from its theme-park attractions.

Total revenue grew 12.4%, boosted by favourable currency movements and the opening of new facilities abroad, such as Legoland Japan.

Merlin said trading in recent weeks has remained "mixed". It forecast like-for-like revenue growth for 2017 to be flat on 2016.

"Reflecting this, and careful management of the cost base, 2017 EBITDA is expected to be in the range of £470 to £480 million," the company said.

As for the 2018 financial year, the company was similarly cautious.

"Whilst it is too early to predict the outlook for 2018, it is likely that the recent trends experienced in London will persist for the foreseeable future," it said.

it was an obvious short which i failed to latch on to, though i knew their figureswere due

Obvious buy now?

Might be worth waiting for the dust to settle CD.

Barclays Capital today reaffirms its overweight investment rating on Merlin Entertainments PLC (LON:MERL) and set its price target at 480p.

Credit Suisse today upgrades its investment rating on Merlin Entertainments PLC (LON:MERL) to outperform (from neutral) and cut its price target to 440p (from 500p).

my gut reaction was AVOID
however, the 5 year chart below is an interesting view

Goldman Sachs today reaffirms its neutral investment rating on Merlin Entertainments PLC (LON:MERL) and cut its price target to 400p (from 470p).