Company
Merlin Entertainments
LON:MERL
Merlin Entertainments Group casts its spell on tourists looking for amusement. The company is a leading operator of amusement parks and other entertainment venues with a total of more than 85 attractions in nearly 20 countries. It runs the LEGOLAND chain of theme parks with five locations in Europe and the US, along with the well-known Madame Tussauds wax museums. Other operations include Alton Towers Resort, the SEA LIFE aquariums in Europe, and the giant Ferris wheel known as The London Eye. Formed in 1999 through a buyout of Vardon Attractions, Merlin Entertainments is owned by a consortium of investors that includes private equity giant The Blackstone Group, LEGO Holding, and CVC Capital Partners.
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Last 'super Thursday' before Brexit as BoE, Shell and LSE updates eyed
On 1 August, other half-year updates include British American Tobacco, Barclays, Standard Chartered and Capita
After Merlin, is Cineworld the next UK entertainment group to be taken private?
Possibly, says RBC, which thinks Cineworld’s current investors are too short-term focused which has left the stock undervalued
Merlin Entertainments holds near level of £4.8bn takeover offer as brokers adjust ratings, target prices
KIRKBI AG, the investment vehicle of Lego’s founding Kirk Kristiansen family, private equity giant Blackstone, and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, is offering 455p in cash per Merlin share
Merlin Entertainments accepts takeover deal from Lego family and Blackstone
Kirkbi AG, the vehicle of the Lego founding family, and private equity giant Blackstone, with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board as a co-investor, have offered 455p cash per share
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes higher on day and week as world leaders meet
The mid-cap FTSE 250 added over 147 points to close at 19,462 on Friday
Merlin Entertainments urged to go private by activist investor ValueAct
Publishing letter might be attempt to flush out bidder say brokers
Merlin Entertainments shares fall as HSBC downgrades to 'reduce' from 'buy
Ultimately, HSBC does not see an obvious reason for Merlin to trade at a premium to UK-listed leisure groups such as Carnival or Cineworld
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes higher after strong US jobs report boosts markets
Footsie closed up over 29 points on the day to close at 7,380, while the FTSE 250 added over 18 at 19,795
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HSBC to post weaker first quarter earnings as it tackles China slowdown
The day ahead includes first quarter earnings from HSBC and the all-important US non-farm payrolls report
Greene King toasts market outperformance but investors look to have hoped for more
In a trading update for the year ended 28 April, the FTSE 250 group said like-for-like sales were up 2.9%, helped by a strong Easter that saw LFL sales jump 4.6%
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Impressive first quarter performance needed from oil giant BP after recent share price rally
The Day Ahead also brings updates from the likes of blue-chip lender Standard Chartered, Premier Inn owner Whitbread and pubs group Greene King
Immotion to install its virtual reality pods at two major US aquariums
Immotion will install a range of VR cinematic motion pods on a revenue-share basis at Odysea Aquarium, in Scottsdale, Arizona, and The Maritime Aquarium, in Norwalk, Connecticut
accesso Technology raised to ‘buy’ from ‘add’ by Peel Hunt to reflect current valuation and future prospects
The City broker's analysts pointed out that the group’s re-platforming strategy will increase its ability to fulfil future deals in a more timely and cost-efficient way
Merlin Entertainments cut to ‘sell’ from ‘hold’ by Berenberg, which says stock “priced for perfection”
Berenberg analysts said they “struggle to see the company achieving EBIT growth in any division this year, despite its cost-savings plan and continued investment in new sites and hotels”
Merlin shares rise as theme park growth offsets LEGOLAND slowdown
The 0.3% decline in like-for-like revenues at LEGOLAND was blamed on a lack of “new news” as well as no LEGO movies being released during the year
FTSE 100 closes lower as Chinese data dents sentiment
The UK's premier share index closed down around 32 points at 7,074
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IAG, Rolls Royce and British American Tobacco on the agenda for busy blue chip Thursday
Its set to be a busy day for blue-chip news in London on Thursday.
Merlin Entertainments shares dip as it sells Australian ski resorts to Vail Resorts for £95mln
The FTSE 250 owner of LEGOLAND and Madame Tussauds said the £95mln (A$174mln) deal was expected to close by June 2019
FTSE 100 closes higher on trade talk optimism; miners big winners
President Trump is due to sit down for talks with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He at around 7.30pm UK time
Hardware & electrical equipment
Immotion raises funds to accelerate growth after landing significant new deals
"We believe we are well placed to take advantage of the opportunities ahead of us and remain extremely confident that Immotion Group is set to become the leading out of home immersive VR operator in the world," said Martin Higginson, the CE
Merlin Entertainments skids lower as UBS cuts its rating, target and estimates on concerns over Midway customer review data
The Swiss bank's analysts said: “We are incrementally more cautious around the Midway recovery with the latest UBS Evidence Lab customer review data showing a continued decline in average reviews across Midway, including among the key attra
Hardware & electrical equipment
Accesso off on a Bear Grylls Adventure
Nothing says a wild and dangerous wilderness environment more than ... er ... Birmingham, home to Spaghetti Junction and soon, the Bear Grylls Adventure ...
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Merlin Entertainments showing the survival skills of Bear Grylls
The hot summer was good for the Resort Theme Parks and bad for the Midway division, which is London-biased.
Canadian Overseas Petroleum Ltd. shares fall after update; JD Sports Fashion PLC declines
A look at some of the winners and losers in the UK equity market on Tuesday
Merlin Entertainments like-for-like revenue grows, expects to meet 2018 outlook
Favourable weather and product investment contributes to 9% rise in organic revenue growth at Resort Theme Parks
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes higher after fairly unevenful traading; May gets cabinet support
The FTSE 250, a more UK company focused index, added around 328 points to 19,131
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Bellway to provide gauge of the strength of the housing market
Bellway's prelims look like they will be the main event although it is rumoured theme parks group Merlin is scheduled to issue a trading update - probably what it loses on the roundabouts it will gain on the swings.
Accesso Technology reports strong earnings growth in first half as it continues eCommerce and ticketing technology rollout
The electronic ticketing and queuing technology firm reported an adjusted EBITDA of US$15.1mln, up 73.6% on the previous year, while revenues climbed 16.7% to US$54.4mln
UBS turns cautious on Merlin amid review score decline and Midway uncertainty
The bank said that customer review data for the FTSE 250 attractions operator had highlighted a correlation between a decline in average review scores and a fall in admissions
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HSBC will ring down the curtain on the bank's interim reporting season, but other financials also in focus
Aside from HSBC's numbers, Prudential, L&G, Standard Life Aberdeen, and Hargreaves Lansdown are all on the results docket in the coming week
Merlin Entertainments sees challenging London market and weak dollar dent earnings
The theme park operator reported that underlying earnings had fallen 1.3% to £143mln despite organic revenue growth of 4.5% to £694mln and visitor numbers rising 0.8%
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FTSE 100 joins European stocks to close lower as trade worries weigh
FTSE 100 lost almost 77 points to close the day at 7,575, while FTSE 250 was also down, off over 252 points at 20,548
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Bank of England widely expected to hike rates but will the decision be unanimous?
A month ago, a rate hike of a quarter of a point seemed nailed on. Most economists still think it is the most likely outcome but the decision may not be unanimous given some recent iffy economic data
Morgan Stanley upgrades UK equities to ‘overweight’ despite Brexit uncertainty
Equities should benefit from higher commodity prices and rising corporate activity, Morgan Stanley said.
Merlin Entertainments says terror attacks continue to dampen visitor numbers ahead of interims
The FTSE 250 theme park operator said despite the reduction, it remained confident of a recovery over time
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RBS first quarter results to be overshadowed by impending US mortgage mis-selling fine
Litigation and conduct costs have held back RBS from resuming dividend payments and returning to private ownership
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Lloyds, Barclays, RBS, GSK and Shire kick off earnings season for banks and pharmas
The week ahead in includes updates from Lloyds, Barclays, RBS, Shire, GSK, Whitbread, Persimmon and Shell
Burberry names Gerry Murphy as its chairman designate
The FTSE 100-listed firm said Murphy will start on 17 May and will succeed John Peace as chairman after the company’s annual shareholder meeting on 12 July
Legoland owner Merlin Entertainments sees shares leap on solid 2017 results, positive 2018 outlook
Merlin said revenue growth from Legoland Parks was strong, rising by 25% at actual rates and by 4.7% on a like-for-like basis to £609.0mln
Investments and investor services
Markets nervous ahead of Capita finals, is it ‘the next Carillion’?
Capita will be a focus on Thursday, others include Bovis House, Cobham, and National Express.
Merlin Entertainments shares rise after US activist investor takes stake
The investor that pushed for changes at Rolls-Royce and Microsoft has bought a stake in Merlin Entertainments but the company is understood to be "not alarmed"
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 ends in red after lacklustre session
The FTSE 100 extended the morning's losses toe end the day 47 points lower at 7,247
JPMorgan ups Just Eat's price target a day after its promotion to the FTSE 100 was confirmed
In a review of the European takeaway sector, the US bank reiterated an ‘overweight’ stance on the UK firm with an increased price target of 967p, up from 841p previously
Just Eat set to be promoted to FTSE 100 just three years after listing, but Merlin looks set to get the boot
Just Eat has seen its share price more than treble to 820p over the past three years, as it continues to deliver impressive order, revenue and user growth
FTSE 100 close down as sterling firms and retailers disappoint
Around 3.10pm, the FTSE 100 index was down about 6 points at 7,411, below the day’s peak of 7,425.19, but above the low of 7,389.54
Merlin Entertainments plans to open third North American Legoland theme park in New York state
Merlin, which operates attractions such as Madame Tussauds waxworks museum and the London Eye, said the new Legoland was planned to open in 2020 and would welcome customers between April and November
Now is a good time to buy Merlin after Tuesday’s sell-off, says Credit Suisse
“We have often struggled with valuation but see the significant share price fall of 30% since June (vs sector down 6%) and cheapest ever valuation as an attractive entry point”
FTSE 100 closing in on record high; Pearson top riser
FTSE 100 closed at 7,542, below last Thursday’s closing high of 7,556.24 while the Dow soared above the 23,000 level today
Merlin Entertainments short of magic says City
The trading update overshadowed seemingly very good news of a roll-out of Peppa Pig styled attractions
Greatland Gold surges again after Ernest Giles project extension move
A look at some of the biggest risers and fallers today in London
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 ends in the red amid Brexit jitters and rise in UK inflation
The FTSE 100 index closed down 10.8 at 7,516 on the day
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ASOS's guidance for current year the main focus
We already know revenues for the year just gone will be at the top end of analysts' forecasts
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UK inflation and jobs data to show real wages remain under pressure
The Week Ahead includes economic data on UK jobs, inflation and retail sales along with full year results from ASOS and Bellway and trading updates from Travis Perkins, Merlin Entertainments, Unilever and Intercontinental Hotels Group
SeaWorld Entertainment shares sink as Merlin Entertainments closes lid on takeover talk
"We can confirm that Merlin is not involved in any discussions that might lead to an acquisition of SeaWorld or any of its constituent parts."
SeaWorld shares jump 6% on reports Madame Tussauds owner Merlin Entertainments looking at a potential deal
Merlin Entertainments - the owner of Legoland and Madame Tussauds - is however interested in just buying part of SeaWorld, and a split of the water park by venues may not be possible, according to a New York Post report
SeaWorld Entertainment, FLIR Systems, Zumiez and more - AFTER HOURS
SeaWorld Entertainment Inc saw shares splash 4.46% higher to US$14.74 after hours on Wednesday after it was reported in various media that it was considering a sale
FTSE 100 closes firmly in positive territory as sterling slides
The FTSE 100 rose to within a couple of points of 7,500 after US markets opened higher
Investments and investor services
Investors cautiously await DFS Furniture financials
DFS in August cautioned that earnings would be at the lower end of guidance.
What’s in store for Kingfisher investors on Thursday?
The B&Q owner's French business has overshadowed recent decent performances, will it blight the next figures?
FTSE 100 receives boost from US jobless figures
The blue-chip index closed at 7,512, up 37 points on the day and 143 on the week
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RBS to wrap up banking results season as it delivers half-year numbers
The bank's second quarter is expected to have followed a similar pattern to those that preceded it: decent underlying performance overshadowed by legacy issues
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Banks to dominate another busy earnings week, including numbers from HSBC and RBS
Week ahead: HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, Royal Dutch Shell, Next, Centrica, Shire, US jobs, Bank of England policy meeting ...
Accesso Technology boss believes Experience Engine can take it to new dimension
“They are a fantastically talented group of people doing cutting edge work in the hospitality business”
Alton Towers owner Merlin Entertainments warns on outlook after UK terrorist attacks deter visitors
Merlin is cautious on its outlook over the coming months in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in London and Manchester
FTSE 100 ends lower as inflation jump hits consumers
FTSE 100 closed down 11.88, or 0.15%, to 7,499 on Tuesday
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Merlin Entertainments faces uncertain outlook after UK terrorist attacks as it posts trading update
A look at the day ahead including a trading update from Merlin Entertainments, full year results from Ashtead and UK inflation data
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Tesco set for strongest quarter in seven years
Week ahead: Tesco, Merlin Entertainments, Capita, Bellway,
Spotify signs another major licensing deal with Merlin Enertainments
Spotify is reportedly mulling an initial public offering in the US but is trying to build up its balance sheet first
Merlin slides after Berenberg hurls a few brickbats at Legoland
Is the Legoland format running out of steam? Berenberg thinks it might be.
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100, 250 and smallcaps all mark record highs after Fed rate hike and cap
FTSE 100 stocks ended solidly higher on Thursday after chalking a fresh record high as investors reacted to a tempered rate hike outlook in the US and relief at the defeat of the anti-immigration Freedom party in the Dutch election
Alton Towers operator Merlin Entertainments sees 2016 profits beat expectations, confident for year ahead
The world's second‐largest visitor attractions operator reported pre-tax profits of £277mln for the year to December 31, up from £250mln in 2015 and above forecasts for £273mln.
FTSE shares end flat, give back record peaks, except Vesuvius
FTSE 100 stocks ends flat on Thursday after falling back from a fresh record high as shares in outsourcing group Capita slumped 9%
Investments and investor services
Can Cobham avoid a sixth profit warning when it releases full year results?
Cobham, Sportech, Travis Perkins, Capita and GoCompare are among the names on Thursday's list.
Merlin Entertainments PLC a growing attraction
According to UBS and its impressive sounding "Evidence Lab", queues are lengthening at Merlin Entertainments' attractions.
Sirius Minerals named among the ‘top tips’ for 2017
Here we take a look at the medium and small cap companies included among Fleet Street's top stock market tips for 2017.
FTSE 100 shares drift south from 2-month highs on debt fears
FTSE 100 shares drifted lower on Wednesday, retreating from the previous session’s two-month highs after official UK public borrowing figures came in worse than expected
Take a ride on the Merlin rollercoaster, says Peel Hunt
The City broker reckons that now could be a good time to buy into the Alton Towers owner
FTSE 100 shares dragged lower by miners and oil stocks
FTSE 100 shares ended down on Tuesday, led by miners and oil companies
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What will Merlin Entertainments pull out the hat on Tuesday?
Merlin Entertainments is due to release fourth quarter trading update on Tuesday.
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Week Ahead: Are overseas buyers returning to Berkeley's London homes?
Big names reporting this week: Aberdeen Asset, Merlin Entertainments, Daily Mail, Sage Group and Berkeley Group
Tussauds woe weighs on Merlin Entertainments revenue
Theme park group said like-for-like revenue in the 38 weeks to September 17 rose 1.3%.
FTSE 100 ends in suspended animation above 6,900 after OPEC deal
London’s blue-chip FTSE 100 ticker closed above 6,900 on Thursday thanks to a deal to curb oil supply but after the break higher at the opening it just held those levels to the end of the day.
PREVIEW - Sainsbury's sales swing into view
A look at this week' corporate offerings, which include Sainsbury's
London shares recover thanks to financials
London shares recovered to close firm on Friday, after a session most spent in negative territory, after a strong performance from financial stocks, especially bank Barclays
PREVIEW: Investors look for signs of synergies from Shell's acquisition of BG
To misquote Prince, it’s just another frantic Thursday with around one-sixth of the FTSE 100 companies set to update the market.
Magic lies beyond Merlin for Accesso, says Peel Hunt
Broker Peel Hunt provides a comprehensive look at accesso today
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Merlin’s potential is intact, says UBS
"While we cut our forecasts by 1-3% to reflect weaker trends in London for the Midway division, we remain confident in Merlin's recovery potential in 2016/17," said the broker
Merlin Entertainments faces tough London market
Attraction and theme park operator said market conditions in the capital remained challenging
PREVIEW: Royal Mail tipped to deliver the goods
Royal Mail expected to report revenues of £9.2bn and pre-tax profits of £410mln
Week ahead - Is Merlin on the right track?
Other updates come from paving specialist Marshalls, SSE Group, Thomas Cook Group PLC and Mothercare
Accesso has a spring in its step
Ticketing and "virtual queueing" group hails new business wins and tech advances
Business wins boost Accesso Technology PLC
Ticketing technology group increased annual profits by 38.2%