IGT Top Pick In Gaming Supplier Stocks, Analyst Sets Q2 Earnings Beats

Posted on: July 14, 2021, 10:23h. 

Last updated on: July 14, 2021, 02:46h.

Todd Shriber @etfgodfather Read More
Expertise: Financial, Gaming Business, Mergers and Acquisitions.

Gaming supplier stocks are outperforming shares of casino operators and the broader market this year, with International Game Technology (NYSE:IGT) among the names earning praise from analysts.

IGT stock
IGT slots glow inside the company’s Las Vegas showroom, pictured above. An analyst is bullish on the company and some rivals. (Image: Las Vegas Review-Journal)

In a note out Wednesday, Macquarie analyst Chad Beynon raised estimates on IGT and several other gaming suppliers, pointing out that investors are better understanding “the valuable parts of these tech companies.”

Favorable points include recurring businesses with quickly rebounding attributes in cashless gaming, iLottery, iGaming, and online sports betting, the analyst notes.

Heading into Q2 prints, we are raising our estimates for the supplier group, given the strong underlying consumer, and we believe there are several positive attributes/catalysts to own the category,” Beynon continued.

Cementing the bullish showings of supplier equities this year, the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) Index is residing near all-time highs. The Index includes a basket of names including IGT and Scientific Games (NASDAQ:SGMS), among others.

Bullish on IGT

Beynon is enthusiastic about IGT, as he raises his price target on the name to $36 from $34, implying a significant upside from the July 13 close of $22.70. The UK-based gaming technology company provides back-end services and solutions for lotteries and sportsbooks around the world, and also manufacturers slot machines.

The analyst says following the sale of IGT’s Italian digital gaming, gaming machine, and sports wagering operations, which was announced last December, leverage should decline to 4x and could prompt the company to reinstate its dividend.

“As the world’s lottery leader, we expect a multiple rerate and believe there’s a large iGaming margin,” said Beynon.

Macquarie forecasts the iGaming industry ascending to $23 billion in 2030, 70 percent of which will be derived from slots. That could be a boon for IGT and rival Scientific Games because as the research firm notes, those companies each control about 20 percent of the online slots market.

Beynon Nods to Scientific Games

Scientific Games is another gaming supplier stock liked by Beynon. The analyst boosted his price target on that name to $69 from $63. The new forecast is roughly in line with where the shares currently trade.

Investors took profits in the name after the company said late last month it will divest its lottery management and sports wagering units. That transaction could come in the form of an initial public offering (IPO), a combination with a blank-check company, or an outright sale, or a merger with another firm.

“Following the strategic call, we expect strong deleveraging,” said Beynon of Scientific Games.

The analyst also increased price forecasts on Everi (NYSE:EVRI), Inspired Entertainment (NASDAQ:INSE) and NeoGames (NASDAQ:NGMS).