Image source: SeaWorld Entertainment.
What: Shares of amusement park company SeaWorld Entertainment Inc (SEAS 2.01%) fell 12.4% in May, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, after the company reported disappointing earnings early in the month.
So what: Attendance rose 2.8% to 3.30 million and revenue was up 2.6% to $220.2 million, which actually beat analysts' estimate of $213 million. Net loss nearly doubled to $84.0 million, or $1.00 per share, but adjusted earnings per share were $0.56, which beat estimates by four cents.
What caught investors' attention was management saying they expected EBITDA of $335 million to $365 million for the year, which fell below the estimate of $379 million from Wall Street. So, even though the company beat first-quarter estimates, it was the full-year guidance that investors were focusing on.
Now what: Seaworld has been under fire since the Blackfish documentary, but recently said it will stop breeding killer whales and would stop theatrical shows featuring the animals. Long-term, that's expected to be a positive PR move for the company, but it may hurt attendance short-term.
I wouldn't be too concerned with the fall of SeaWorld Entertainment's shares in May or change your long-term thesis based on one quarter. The company looks to be gaining customers back, and that will eventually turn into growing profitability.
