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ENT Entain Plc

805.00
-0.80 (-0.10%)
03 Dec 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Stock Type
Entain Plc ENT London Ordinary Share
  Price Change Price Change % Share Price Last Trade
-0.80 -0.10% 805.00 16:35:02
Open Price Low Price High Price Close Price Previous Close
808.20 805.80 828.40 805.00 805.80
more quote information »
Industry Sector
TRAVEL & LEISURE

Entain ENT Dividends History

Announcement Date Type Currency Dividend Amount Ex Date Record Date Payment Date
08/08/2024InterimGBP0.09315/08/202416/08/202420/09/2024
07/03/2024InterimGBP0.08914/03/202415/03/202426/04/2024
10/08/2023InterimGBP0.08917/08/202318/08/202322/09/2023
09/03/2023InterimGBP0.08516/03/202317/03/202327/04/2023
11/08/2022InterimGBP0.08518/08/202219/08/202222/09/2022

Top Dividend Posts

Top Posts
Posted at 29/11/2024 22:08 by srpactive
New short term high and three closes in the 800p region, lets hope
for a continuation, Entain are performing well as a company with
profits surging and spends under control and costs coming through.
I feel a karger dividend on its way. Re the US investment houses
they have to keep the Entain share price down for either Draftkings or
MGM to buy on the cheap. Unless shay or flutter come forward.

dyor
Posted at 06/8/2024 13:59 by gambler911
James Wheatcroft, an analyst from Jefferies, maintained the Buy rating on Entain plc (ENT – Research Report). The associated price target remains the same with p1,140.00.

James Wheatcroft has given his Buy rating due to a combination of factors surrounding the financial prospects of Entain plc. Despite the reduction in Entain’s earnings per share (EPS) for the forecasted years of 2024 and 2025, which is largely attributed to the updated guidance from the BetMGM joint venture, there are underlying strengths in the company’s valuation. Wheatcroft acknowledges that 2024 is regarded as a year of investment for BetMGM, which delays the expected medium-term profitability of the joint venture. However, he also points out that the market has not yet fully appreciated the potential value that BetMGM could add to Entain in the future.

Furthermore, James Wheatcroft highlights that Entain is trading at a relatively attractive valuation multiple, with an enterprise value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio of 7.8 times for the fiscal year 2025, excluding the contributions from BetMGM. This indicates that Entain’s core business, excluding BetMGM, is valued at a level that may present an opportunity for investors. The attractive valuation, coupled with the long-term growth prospects as BetMGM matures and potentially contributes to Entain’s profitability, underpins Wheatcroft’s positive outlook and his Buy recommendation for Entain’s stock.
Posted at 01/8/2024 08:21 by melmoo
What we must not forget folks is that the biggest driver of a company's short term price movement is sentiment. At the moment ENT is unloved. However, that can change very quickly. A decent set of results next Thursday, a sniff of a take-over bid, bullish comments from the new CEO once he takes over in September and everything could look a lot rosier. Why all the panic? There's a lot of life in the old dog yet!
Posted at 01/8/2024 05:09 by italianofacile
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Transcripts
MGM Resorts International (MGM) Q2 2024 Earnings Call Transcript
Jul. 31, 2024 8:51 PM ETMGM Resorts International (MGM) Stock
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Q2: 2024-07-31 Earnings Summary

Play Call
10-Q
EPS of $0.86 beats by $0.27 | Revenue of $4.33B (9.77% Y/Y) beats by $120.33M
MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM) Q2 2024 Earnings Conference Call July 31, 2024 5:00 PM ET

Company Participants

Andrew Chapman - Director of Investor Relations
Jonathan Halkyard - Chief Financial Officer
William Hornbuckle - Chief Executive Officer and President
Gary Fritz - President, MGM Resorts International Interactive
Corey Sanders - Chief Operating Officer
Hubert Wang - COO and President, MGM China Holdings

Conference Call Participants

Joseph Greff - JPMorgan
Shaun Kelley - Bank of America
Carlo Santarelli - Deutsche Bank
David Katz - Jefferies
Stephen Grambling - Morgan Stanley
Brandt Montour - Barclays
Daniel Politzer - Wells Fargo
Barry Jonas - Truist Securities
John DeCree - CBRE
Robin Farley - UBS
Chad Beynon - Macquarie
Steven Wieczynski - Stifel
Jordan Bender - Citizens JMP

Operator

Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to the MGM Resorts International Second Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call.

Joining the call from the company today are Bill Hornbuckle, Chief Executive Officer and President; Corey Sanders, Chief Operating Officer; Jonathan Halkyard, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer; Gary Fritz, President of MGM Interactive; Kenneth Feng, Executive Director and President of MGM China Holdings; Hubert Wang, COO and President of MGM China Holdings, and Andrew Chapman, Director of Investor Relations.

Participants are in a listen-only mode. After the company's remarks, there will be a question-and-answer session. [Operator Instructions] Please also note, today's conference is being recorded.

At this time, I'd like to turn the floor over to Andrew Chapman.

Andrew Chapman

Good afternoon, and welcome to the MGM Resorts International Second Quarter 2024 Earnings Call. This call is being broadcast live on the internet at investors.mgmresorts.com, and we've also furnished our press release on Form 8-K to the SEC.

On this call, we will make forward-looking statements under the Safe Harbor provisions of the federal securities laws. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated in these statements. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements is contained in today's press release and in our periodic filings with the SEC. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or otherwise.

During the call, we will also discuss non-GAAP financial measures when talking about our performance. You can find the reconciliation to GAAP financial measures in our press release and investor presentation, which are available on our website. Finally, this presentation is being recorded.

I will now turn it over to Jonathan Halkyard.

Jonathan Halkyard

Thanks, Andrew, and good afternoon, everyone. Before I get into our quarterly results, I would like to congratulate and thank all of our employees for another great quarter across all of our businesses. Their high level of execution is clearly evident in our results, and I couldn't be more proud of the team for our performance this quarter.

Turning to our second quarter results. In Las Vegas, we achieved both top and bottom line growth year-over-year against a strong comparison. Net revenues grew 3%, driven by both higher rate and occupancy.

Our strategic relationship with Marriott contributed to our performance this quarter now with over 410,000 room nights booked. The future for hotel bookings in Las Vegas is bright. Looking ahead at our pace, room rates on the books in Las Vegas are up year-over-year for every month in the third quarter and group rooms on the books are pacing up mid-single-digits for the rest of 2024 and 2025.

Our success in the quarter was underpinned by our luxury resorts, which are responsible for the vast majority of our top line growth in Las Vegas. We invest meaningfully in our strip luxury offerings as this is where we see the most opportunity for profitable growth. In fact, 75% of our 2024 domestic property capital budget will be focused on these properties. This includes room remodels, which are underway now at the MGM Grand and suite updates across our Las Vegas portfolio.

On the technology side, we've now completed the integration of the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas into our MGM Rewards program, which will now allow our MGM Rewards members to enjoy full benefits at the Cosmopolitan and vice versa.

In the regions, net revenues remained stable, driven by relatively flat year-over-year handle with our market share holding steady across each of our markets. We also have seen a full recovery at MGM Detroit, which we all know it faced headwinds since midway through last year.

Margins were within our targeted range of the low 30s as we remain vigilant on improving our variable labor effectiveness and executing on revenue initiatives such as our expanded air charter program, just one of many examples.

In Macau, MGM China net revenues grew 37% year-over-year, achieving a market share of 16%. Adjusted property EBITDAR reached $294 million for the quarter, marking a 40% increase with margins at 29%. During the quarter, we strengthened MGM China's balance sheet by extending our maturity profile with the issuance of a new $500 million seven and eight notes due 2031. The proceeds of this offering were used to pay down outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility.

I'll conclude my remarks with some thoughts on the free cash flow algorithm we introduced last quarter. An algorithm that enables us to achieve a mid-teens free cash flow per share compound annual growth rate through 2028. Simply put, we expect to grow our EBITDAR at a faster pace than our rent escalators, interest payments, maintenance capital and taxes, while investing for growth and reducing our share count.

First, we'll generate recurring free cash flow from our resort operations by optimizing the operating model to achieve incremental revenue growth and realize cost savings. We'll grow our market share in Las Vegas through reinvestment into our properties with a focus on luxury. We'll maintain our market-leading positions in the regional markets, including an expansion in New York and generating a growing dividend from MGM China.

Next, we anticipate generating free cash flow from our digital businesses in the coming years as BetMGM reaches an inflection point and LeoVegas delivers on its numerous market entries. We'll also be investing for long-term growth in Japan and other markets where our development expertise and brand awareness provide a distinct advantage.

Finally, we'll repurchase our own shares. Through our strategy of using excess cash for share repurchases, our share count has decreased to around 300 million shares from close to 500 million, an approximately 40% reduction in our float in just three years. Taken together, the increase in free cash flow and reduction in share count would result in a mid-teens free cash flow per share compound annual growth rate by 2028, even without a contribution from MGM Japan. Bill, over to you.

William Hornbuckle

Thanks, Jonathan, and good afternoon, everybody. I'd like to start by doubling down on Jonathan's comments on congratulating all of our employees. Their continued attention to detail in guest service, has been amazing, and it continues to show through in our NPS scores and also just take a second to identify and thank our management teams into a challenging wage inflation environment.

I think you've seen through our margins, they've all done a great job managing their way through the first part of 2024. And I will remind everybody that most of those increases now lapse as we go into the second half of this year.

Turning to the quarter, we had excellent results against a strong '23 comparison. We see continued strength, as Jonathan mentioned, in Las Vegas, driven by transient group demand. The Marriott integration is going exceptionally well and Mandalay Bay is fully leveraging on its updated space.

MGM China continues to hold its market share and margins against a very competitive and evolving market. And our regions continue to hold top line and operating efficiency and it's great seeing Detroit finally returned to its earlier prowess in that marketplace post-strike post cyber last year.

In Las Vegas, we believe Las Vegas growth continued its top line and maintain margins in the mid-30s. Group pace, as mentioned, is up in '24 and '25, anchored again by the refreshed space at Mandalay benefits from the Marriott program will only continue to increase, particularly on the group side, unique to MGM.

We have a favorable supply dynamic with the closing of the Mirage and Tropicana taking approximately 1.5 million room nights off of the circuit. Again, we'll see lower years two through five labor contract increases. And organic same-store growth driven by a further database optimization is just stepping in, particularly now with the integration of the Cosmopolitan, which we finally got on yesterday. So we're very excited by that.

Noting in the third quarter, I think all of you know this, but remembering back, we had the cyber-attack last year in the third quarter, and that should prove to be successful for us. However, in the fourth quarter, and I think many of you see this through our room rates, Formula One is showing some softness.

We are hoping and believing that this race will continue to pace up. But I think you can see that and so we're a little focused on trying to make that the best event that it can be, but that presents a potential headwind in the fourth quarter. Overall, though, given where we are to think about records into the second quarter of Las Vegas at this point is pretty compelling and pretty exciting for all of us.

To the regions, business remains stable with margins holding at 30% plus against an established and a consistent promotional environment and we continue to have best-in-class properties with leading market share providing a real steady free cash flow generation.

Macau, the story continues, where outstanding performance and the drivers of strength in that market, starting, I believe, with our leadership team. We have Kenny and Hubert on the phone. Pansy has clearly leaned in on many things that impact the property in our market and ultimately our market share. And so we're thankful for that.

And there are many tactics that they deploy. I think the thing that's most compelling is they truly understand our customer, our customer base and their wants and needs. And without any real capital enhancements from where we left this market in 2019, we're obviously outperforming.

MGM Macau is now the top producer on the Peninsula side, something we're proud of and a position we'd like to keep and so we're going to continue to invest into that property. And ultimately and overall, remembering the market has only returned to 80% recovery. Well, MGM is well above that. We still see opportunities not only for growth in the market, but ultimately for us to steal additional share.

Before I turn this over to Gary Fritz, who you've not yet met to talk more about MGM Interactive, I'd like to comment on Entain's recent announcements and BetMGM's domestic business. First, I'm excited by the relationship that we've created with Stella David as the Interim CEO and now the Chair. I'm equally excited by the progress that's been made by the team and BetMGM's product enhancements with a key focus by the Entain Group.

And now the recent addition of Gavin Isaacs as CEO is comforting, someone MGM and I have not known for a long time, have a great relationship and I think he'll do wonders for that business and ultimately the market.
Posted at 29/7/2024 08:55 by davius
Entain's BetMGM sees "accelerating momentum" after strong first half
29th July 2024 09:16

from Alliance News


ENT
-5.75%

(Alliance News) - Entain PLC on Monday said its US sports betting joint venture, BetMGM, had a strong first half, showing "accelerating momentum".

Entain is an Isle of Man-based sports betting and gaming firm. BetMGM LLC is a sports betting and iGaming operator co-owned by Entain and Las Vegas, Nevada-based MGM Resorts International.

BetMGM reported a 6% increase in net revenue from operations to USD1 billion for the half year that ended June 30 compared to a year before. In the second quarter alone, net revenue growth was 9% annually, picking up pace from 3% in the first quarter.

BetMGM reported a USD123 million loss before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation for the half year. However, it attributed this to 2024 being an "investment year", with the firm focused on supporting customer acquisition and enhanced player experience initiatives.

BetMGM said it has exceeded its goals for both acquisition and retention, and expects this to lead to "higher year-over-year revenue growth" for the second half of the year.

Chief Executive Officer Adam Greenblatt commented: "Our iGaming business continues to perform strongly with attractive returns, and to maximize this strength and momentum, we plan to deploy additional marketing in the back half of this year. Our execution roadmap, building momentum and prospects ahead all support our confidence in BetMGM's strong future".

Entain shares were down 3.4% to 627.20 pence per share in London on Monday morning.

By Lydia Doye, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com
Posted at 18/7/2024 10:01 by bargainsniper
A couple of clarifications below50:50 JV agreement is 25yrsSome historic market confusion regarding a supposed 10year "break" clause – that is incorrectHowever, the JV agreement does include customary mechanisms to protect either parent should one party wish to exit after 10 yearsAs per standard with JV agreements, the BetMGM agreement also includes                - mechanism for each party to exit a JV at some point during its life                - mechanisms to protect either party (value & ownership) if one party wants to exit                - standard right of 1st offer mechanic, ie the other party has the opportunity to make a 1st offer before the party seeking to exit can go to market to seek a better offerTo be clear, neither MGM nor ENT can force the other out of JV just because they want full ownershipNor can either parent exit without fulfilling certain obligations
Posted at 29/5/2024 14:43 by wunderbar
I must admit, up until recently I knew nothing about this stock. It caught my attention couple weeks back when it fell 5.5% in one day. My interest was piqued when I discovered Entain is the owner of gambling brands such as Ladbrokes, Coral, Party Poker and Foxy Bingo, to name a few.

The more I delved into this company the more I liked about it. A major sports betting/gambling company [£4bn+ market cap], share price looking increasingly appealing, and notably the fact it turned down a takeover bid of £8.1bn [equivalent to 1383p per share] from its US joint venture partner MGM Resorts in January 2021.

To me, this looks like a growth stock [having made numerous acquisitions in recent years] which has struggled to fire on all cylinders these past 12 months and consequently fallen out of favour. Having no permanent CEO for five months certainly doesn’t help, and you’d have to say, if they haven’t filled this vacancy by Interims [8 Aug 2024] then surely the board’s credibility will be called into question.

I usually opt for income stocks at low prices with the aim of eventually netting decent capital gains over long term, but occasionally a company catches my eye and entices me to take a calculated punt. Needless to say ENT is one such stock. With such a paltry dividend yield of 2.69% [total 17.8p] it certainly isn’t an income play but does have potential for significant capital growth in medium term.

My immediate concerns are;
1]. Given the FTSE is near record highs c.8200, if it drops to say to c.7500, will ENT hit new lows noting share price has already fallen 33% this year, down 52% over 12 months, and for good measure has fallen 70% since peaking at 2500p in Sept 2021.
2]. Impact on share price if ENT demoted from FTSE 100.
3]. Interims disappoint market - these are key to determining where we are heading short term.
4]. Regulatory headwinds

I’m pinning future hopes on;
1]. Imminent appointment of CEO
2]. Interims warmly received by market
3]. MGMBet gaining market share in US market
4]. General market/sector turnaround
5]. Outside chance ENT getting taken over.

There comes a point when you have to go from being a spectator to becoming an investor. I was initially tempted at 750p, 700p, 675p, but there’s only so long you can keep watching before FOMO [fear of missing out] kicks in. And so today I finally cracked and made an initial purchase @ 660p.

Whether or not this turns out to be my one and only purchase remains to be seen. I will consider adding if it drops another 10-15% [c.560-600p]. Ultimately, I’m looking to double my money c.1320p. If I end up averaging down I’ll likely change my strategy and opt for a 50% gain, c.900-1000p. Either way, I’m looking to achieve my price target in 24-36 months.

On a final note, according to latest FT data, the 17 analysts offering 12 month price targets for Entain PLC have a median target of 1,070p.

Let’s see how that pans out.
Posted at 08/4/2024 18:47 by wad collector
Really ?
You have forgotten that you have previously made several claims to have sold here to buy your ramped stocks. And given that it is only just off a 3 yr low , a profit is unlikely and you have never mentioned buying any in the first place!

Blackhorse23 - 25 Nov 2023 - 16:18:26 - 9978 of 10926 ENTAIN - ENT
Massive 585 million fine has to pay now !! Money moving to PFC
Blackhorse23 - 05 Jun 2023 - 10:30:04 - 8611 of 10926 ENTAIN - ENT
Added 888 holdings , excellent opportunity
Blackhorse23 - 31 May 2023 - 23:37:35 - 8604 of 10926 ENTAIN - ENT
I think best value gambling company in LSE is 888 , better value mcap than here & more revenue generating company (888 holdings)
Blackhorse23 - 27 Apr 2023 - 09:23:29 - 8476 of 10926 ENTAIN - ENT
Added 888 because it’s very cheap atm
Blackhorse23 - 27 Apr 2023 - 09:23:08 - 8475 of 10926 ENTAIN - ENT
Agree lol
Blackhorse23 - 19 Oct 2022 - 10:44:55 - 7025 of 10926 ENTAIN - ENT
High market cap , I am out from here & moved to CURY (LSE)
Posted at 11/3/2024 18:16 by uncle bungay
I just had a read at Entains fininacial report from last week. I am only fair in accountancy matters but I noticed a couple of concening points. Reads like a conspiracy theory but Companies have been known to increase 'actual' asset and associated inventory costs to record a more positive financial result.

The Figures quoted below are from the section titled 'NZ Ent Limited (trading as Tab NZ)'.

Details of the purchase consideration, and the values of net assets acquired and goodwill are as follows (need to remember that the figures are quouted in £m.) A NZ dollar equates as $1.62 to a £1. Goodwill refers to the amount over book value that one company pays when acquiring another.

The NZ Government had to bail the NZ TAB out for around $60,000,000 about three years ago as they were on paper insolvent. So how did Entain come up with an asset cost of goodwill of £250 million ? They are 50/50 partners so they are saying its worth double that . Entain are not purchasing the NZ TAB (it's a Government controlled monopoly) they haved signed a strategic partnership agreement with a 50/50 profit split. Goodwill should not be in the equation as an asset. The bottom line is it's not an asset that they should list as such as they didn't purchase the NZ TAB.

From Entains Financial accounts for end of 2023.
Intangible assets (excluding goodwill) £894,000,000 millionn . They have listed goodwill as a £250 million net asset aquired. Intangible assets in the 2022 NZ TAB Annual report were listed as $54,000,00 , how does that balloon out to £894,000,000m in Entains accounts?

Property, plant and equipment purchased 17.4 m ($30,816,283 NZ $)
In the 2022 NZ TAB Annual report Property, plant and equipment was valued at $51,209,000 NZ ( equates to £28,896, 407)



hxxps://static.tab.co.nz/content/uploads/TAB%20NZ%202021-22%20annual%20report.pdf

In relation to the financial profile of the partnership itself, the agreements’ commercial structure is a 50/50 gross profit share. Gross profit being revenue less variable expenses such as product fees and applicable taxes. But that differs from the following quote:
Quote from Dean Shannon Entains main man down-under. We’re up for lot of things, which includes rebuilding the industry with greater investment,” Shannon said. “Our 50 per cent share of the profits comes with our responsibility to pay all the expenses, that’s how committed we are to this venture.

I fail to see why Entain has the cost of intangible assets relating to the NZ TAB listed in their accounts . They are paying around $200,000,000 a year for the rights to be in the partnership. £894,000,000m for intangible assets of a Company you have become a 50/50 partner in? something just doesn't add up.
Quote below from Entain media release following NZ Government approval for them to become 50/50 strategic partners.


The estimates set out in this announcement have been prepared based on numerous assumptions and forecasts, some of which are outside of Entain's influence and/or control, and is therefore inherently uncertain and there can be no guarantee or assurance that it will be correct. The estimates have not been audited, reviewed, verified or subject to any procedures by Entain's auditors. Undue reliance should not be placed on them and there can be no guarantee or assurance that they will be correct.

Once again quote from Dean Shannon Entains main man down-under. We’re up for lot of things, which includes rebuilding the industry with greater investment,” Shannon said. “Our 50 per cent share of the profits comes with our responsibility to pay all the expenses, that’s how committed we are to this venture.

A Company on behalf of it's shareholders puts in a bid for a 25 year deal for close to one billion dollars to be paid over the first five years and they say they will pay 'all' the expenses. This is a deal done on a Company that was without Government injected funding going to go into liquidation. How a Government run wagering monopoly ever got iself into that state is beyond me and surely thats concern enough to have estimates reviewed and verified by your Company Auditors. Its called due deligence and in the best interest of your shareholders you owe them that procedure to be carried out.

Frankly it's an unbelievable situation and one would imagine it's not the first time Entain have become partners or purchased a Company without first reviewing actual and forecast figures.

Note (2) For the purposes of UK LR 10.4.1 R, as at 31 January 2023, the assets of the entity subject to the strategic partnering arrangement had a gross asset value of approximately NZ$138m (approximately £70m1) and generated operating profits of NZ$16m (approximately £8m1) in the year ending 31 July 2022



Gross asset value of ther NZ TAB reported to the London Stock Exchange as $138 million as at 31 Jan 2023 and then recorded in Entains last 12 months financial accounts total assets acquired as a 50/50 partner recorderd as 1,208 £m.

The above qoute 'The estimates have not been audited, reviewed, verified or subject to any procedures by Entain's auditors.? Maybe its a little bit clearer now why they didn't get them involved.

Entain keep referring in the accounts as 'acquired ' when referring to the NZ TAB. Purchase 'Acquisition accounting is a method of recording a company's purchase of another company' - they didn't puchase the NZ TAB it's a strategic 25 year partnership.
Posted at 13/12/2023 20:18 by pj84
Let's hope this marks the low and that we don't revisit 800p again but the recovery looks like it will take time unless there is a bid (and how many of us wish we had now accepted the original MGM bid).

HL's view of the latest news.

"Entain - CEO stepping down

Matt Britzman | 13 December 2023 | A A A

No recommendation

No news or research item is a personal recommendation to deal. All investments can fall as well as rise in value so you could get back less than you invest.

Entain's CEO, Jette Nygaard-Andersen, will stand down immediately after three years in the position. Stella David, currently a non-executive director, will take over the role on an interim basis. The board will begin a search for a permanent replacement.

Earlier in December, Entain agreed to pay £585mn in penalties due to HMRC's investigation into its legacy Turkish business.

The shares rose 3.7% in early trading.

Our view
Markets reacted positively to news that CEO, Jette Nygaard-Andersen, is stepping down. It's been a tough period for management, under pressure from shareholders after a string of poor performance.

Organic growth's been limited of late, with acquisitions picking up the slack back at the half-year mark. Fresh affordability checks in the UK, and a German market that's seeing new regulations like stricter deposit limits, are all weighing on performance.

Retail has been a positive surprise, with relatively robust performance despite some of the easier comparable periods fading into history. But it's the higher margin online business where we see the future of Entain.

Along with third-quarter trading, we also heard more details about the next phase of Entain's strategic evolution. Following a spree of acquisitions, it looks like organic growth is coming back into focus. We're expecting to see Entain exit some non-core markets, with investment funnelled into high-growth areas like the US and Brazil, along with the core regions like the UK.

Margin expansion is also on the cards, with 'Project Romer' expected to deliver £70m of cost savings to the online operation by 2025 (c. 6% of 2022 operating costs). These initiatives sound great, but we're not getting too excited until some results start to come through.

In the here and now, BetMGM, Entain's US-based joint venture is a shining light for the group. It's finally started to enter profit-making territory, a big milestone for a business that's been a drag on the bottom line up to now. North America is a potential treasure trove and we see a lot of room to run for this asset, but it's starting to run up against tougher competition - so it's an area to follow closely.

Overall, sentiment is downbeat, and we can understand why - regulation is a key risk and one we're seeing have an increasing impact on performance, and organic growth needs to find its footing once more. The opportunity in the US is huge but we'd like to see some progress in core markets to justify the current valuation, which has moved higher as earnings estimates have been lowered.

Entain key facts
Forward price/earnings ratio (next 12 months): 16.5
Ten year average forward price/earnings ratio: 13.7
Prospective dividend yield (next 12 months): 2.3%
Ten year average prospective dividend yield: 4.5%"