Broker strong buy, target 35p27 Sep 2007 18:34
Arbuthnotesecurities:
LNG.L / 9.75p / £8.28m / TP: 35p
Event: Results issued
Likely % change in earnings forecasts: No Change
Leisure & Gaming's interim results show a PBT loss for the period of EUR1.5m, in line with expectations after poor sports margins in May and June, despite a 75% growth in turnover. So far during Q3, top-line has been flat and margins remain difficult, albeit in a quiet period. L&G therefore requires a strong Q4 to make our profit estimate of EUR1.9m for the year. This is possible, but a stretch, and demonstrates the inherent volatility of the Italian sportsbetting market (with lookthrough to Ladbrokes, William Hill, Sportingbet as well as 888 and Gaming VC).
Despite the difficult trading, L&G is now in an exclusive offer period with CGTV, a Dublin-based slots and games content provider. While this may or may not lead to an offer, it does underpin our belief in the value of L&G's c.1,000 outlet Italian market presence. We therefore reiterate our Strong Buy recommendation.