As the craze of earnings season draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the most exciting (and some less so) results from Q2. Today, we are looking at leisure facilities stocks, starting with Dave & Buster's (NASDAQ: PLAY).

Leisure facilities companies often sell experiences rather than tangible products, and in the last decade-plus, consumers have slowly shifted their spending from "things" to "experiences". Leisure facilities seek to benefit but must innovate to do so because of the industry's high competition and capital intensity.

The 11 leisure facilities stocks we track reported a mixed Q2. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 1.4% below.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady. On average, they are relatively unchanged since the latest earnings results.

Weakest Q2: Dave & Buster's (NASDAQ: PLAY)

Founded by a former game parlor and bar operator, Dave & Buster’s (NASDAQ: PLAY) operates a chain of arcades providing immersive entertainment experiences.

Dave & Buster's reported revenues of $557.4 million, flat year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 0.9%. Overall, it was a softer quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income and EPS estimates.

“I am deeply honored to take the helm and collaborate with this talented team to drive innovation, growth, and the company’s next chapter,” said Tarun Lal, Chief Executive Officer.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 25.9% since reporting and currently trades at $17.94.

Read our full report on Dave & Buster's here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Best Q2: AMC Entertainment (NYSE: AMC)

With a profile that was raised due to meme stock mania beginning in 2021, AMC Entertainment (NYSE: AMC) operates movie theaters primarily in the US and Europe.

AMC Entertainment reported revenues of $1.40 billion, up 35.6% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 3.1%. The business had a stunning quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and adjusted operating income estimates.

AMC Entertainment delivered the fastest revenue growth among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 4.3% since reporting. It currently trades at $2.81.

Is now the time to buy AMC Entertainment? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

United Parks & Resorts (NYSE: PRKS)

Parent company of SeaWorld and home of the world-famous Shamu, United Parks & Resorts (NYSE: PRKS) is a theme park chain featuring marine life, live entertainment, roller coasters, and waterparks.

United Parks & Resorts reported revenues of $490.2 million, down 1.5% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 2.1%. It was a softer quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EPS and adjusted operating income estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 15.4% since the results and currently trades at $53.31.

Read our full analysis of United Parks & Resorts’s results here.

Live Nation (NYSE: LYV)

Owner of Ticketmaster and operator of music festival EDC, Live Nation (NYSE: LYV) is a company specializing in live event promotion, venue management, and ticketing services for concerts and shows.

Live Nation reported revenues of $7.01 billion, up 16.3% year on year. This result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 3.4%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter as it also logged a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Live Nation pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The stock is up 4.5% since reporting and currently trades at $155.34.

Read our full, actionable report on Live Nation here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Vail Resorts (NYSE: MTN)

Founded by two Aspen, Colorado ski patrol guides, Vail Resorts (NYSE: MTN) is a mountain resort company offering luxury experiences in over 30 locations across the globe.

Vail Resorts reported revenues of $271.3 million, up 2.2% year on year. This number lagged analysts' expectations by 0.5%. Overall, it was a slower quarter as it also produced a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates and .

The stock is up 3.3% since reporting and currently trades at $152.95.

Read our full, actionable report on Vail Resorts here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Market Update

The Fed’s interest rate hikes throughout 2022 and 2023 have successfully cooled post-pandemic inflation, bringing it closer to the 2% target. Inflationary pressures have eased without tipping the economy into a recession, suggesting a soft landing. This stability, paired with recent rate cuts (0.5% in September 2024 and 0.25% in November 2024), fueled a strong year for the stock market in 2024. The markets surged further after Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November, with major indices reaching record highs in the days following the election. Still, questions remain about the direction of economic policy, as potential tariffs and corporate tax changes add uncertainty for 2025.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Strong Momentum Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

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