Cineworld Group plc (LON:CINE) shares flicked higher on Monday after Canadian investment bank RBC Capital suggested the cinema chain is undervalued and primed for a takeover, much like fellow entertainment group Merlin Entertainments PLC (LON:MERL).
Cineworld shares have been under pressure over the past few months after the FTSE 250 group reported a 9% slump in sales between January and May, with bosses blaming the slow start on fewer blockbuster releases.
READ: Cineworld pins its hopes on Avengers and Toy Story 4 after slow start to 2019
But analysts at RBC think investors are taking too much of a short-term view, and believe that, like Merlin, Cineworld may be better off in than hands of private equity.
“[Merlin investor] ValueAct's arguments that short-term focus on trading resulted in Merlin being undervalued are equally pertinent for Cineworld in our view,” RBC said in a research note.
“The falling share price caused by the film release schedule that is driving short-term earnings weakness suggests the stock would be a better vehicle for investors with a longer-term time horizon.
“In addition to strong returns, private equity would benefit from the long-term potential for Regal from a management team that trebled the Cineworld share price after taking control in 2014.”
The analysts concluded: “We believe the weak film slate in H1 offers a fantastic buying opportunity for investors and PE alike and retain our ‘Top Pick’ rating and 400p price target.”
Cineworld shares were up 3.3% to 263.2p in mid-morning trading on Monday.