Theme Park Stocks Fall Amid Coronavirus Variant Concerns

By Robb M. Stewart

U.S. theme park stocks were in retreat Friday amid concerns a fast-spreading Covid-19 variant could keep people at home as countries impose fresh travel restrictions.

Scientists say a new coronavirus variant, called B.1.1.529, has a high number of mutations that may make it more transmissible and allow it to evade some of the immune responses triggered by previous infection or vaccination. Dozens of countries have already imposed travel restrictions to and from southern Africa, where the variant was first detected.

Concerns the variant may derail efforts to revitalize economies and set back loosened travel and other curbs put in place during the pandemic weighed on equity markets, and travel and leisure stocks in particular.

At midday, Seaworld Entertainment Inc.'s shares were 11% lower at $59.21, Cedar Fair LP was trading 5.3% lower at $46.95, and Six Flags Entertainment Corp. was 6.9% lower $37.23. Walt Disney Co.'s shares were down 2.5% at $147.47.

Write to Robb M. Stewart at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 26, 2021 12:21 ET (17:21 GMT)

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