LAS VEGAS, Nov. 14, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The AGEM Index decreased in October 2018. The composite index finished the month at 452.16 points, a decline of 40.87 points or 8.29 percent, compared to September 2018. The AGEM Index reported a year-over-year decrease for the first time after 36 consecutive months of year-over-year increases. The AGEM Index decreased by 23.18 points, or 4.88 percent, on a year-over-year basis.
During the latest period, two of the 13 global gaming equipment manufacturers reported month-to-month increases in stock price. Eleven manufacturers reported decreases in stock price during the month.
The major stock market indices saw declines during the month. The S&P 500 reported a month-to-month decrease of 6.94 percent to 2,711.74. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 5.07 percent to 25,115.76, while the NASDAQ decreased 9.20 percent during the period to 7,305.90.
Positive contributors to the October 2018 AGEM Index included the following:
- Astro Corp. (Taiwan: 3064) contributed 0.10 points due to a 15.92 percent increase in stock price to NT$ 18.20.
- TransAct Technologies (TACT) reported a 2.08 percent increase in stock price to $14.70, contributing 0.04 points.
Selected negative contributors included the following:
- With its stock price falling 6.82 percent to AU$ 26.50, Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL) contributed negative 16.39 points.
- Crane Co. (CR) reported a 11.50 percent decrease in stock price to $87.04, contributing negative 9.67 points.
Scientific Games (SGMS) recently released its financial results for the third quarter of 2018. On a year-over-year basis, revenue increased 6.8 percent from $768.9 million to $821.0 million. Net losses, however, also increased from $59.3 million to $351.6 million due to $338.7 million of restructuring and other charges, as well as an unfavorable verdict in a legal matter. Despite increased losses, consolidated adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (consolidated adjusted EBITDA) increased by 8.9 percent from $299.0 million to $325.7 million on a year-over-year basis. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA margins also improved on a year-over-year basis, increasing from 38.9 percent to 39.7 percent.
PlayAGS Inc. (AGS) also released its third quarter financial results during the last month. Total revenue increased by 33.8 percent on a year-over-year basis, growing from $56.4 million to $75.5 million. Revenue growth is attributable to sales growth in the Canadian market and continued demand for the Orion Portrait and Orion Slant cabinet. Total adjusted EBITDA also increased by 14.2 percent on a year-over-year basis, growing from $29.4 million to $33.6 million, which was primarily driven by revenue growth. Total adjusted EBITDA margins decreased to 44 percent from 52 percent a year prior. This was primarily related to lower-margin equipment sales making up a larger portion of the company’s revenue than before.
Agilysys Inc. (AGYS) announced financial results for the second quarter of its fiscal year 2019. Total net revenue increased 13.5 percent on a year-over-year basis to a record $34.2 million from $30.1 million. Net revenue increased due to growth in third-party hardware sales and the increased number of customers. Gross profit also increased on a year-over-basis by 15.5 percent from $15.4 million to $17.7 million, and gross profit margins increased from 51.0 percent to 51.9 percent. Gross profit margins increased due to decreases in costs of goods sold for professional services and support, maintenance and subscription services. Cost of good sold did increase, however, for the products themselves.
TransAct Technologies (TACT) also released its financial results for the third quarter of 2018. Net sales increased by 2.0 percent, growing from $15.5 million to a $15.8 on a year-over-year basis. Total sales growth is primarily attributable to growth in the company’s Casino and Gaming segment, which experienced a 63 percent increase in domestic sales and a 58 percent increase in international casino and gaming sales. Gross profit increased 6.7 percent on a year-over-year basis from $7.5 million to $8.0 million, and gross profit margins increased on a year-over-year basis from 48.4 percent to 58.5 percent, which was attributed to a larger portion of higher-margin products in its sales mix and a lower share of lower-margin lottery printers in its sales mix.
Learn more about AGEM.