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/

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).