Positive Outlook for Penn National Gaming Despite Q1 EBITDAR Shortfall: Focus on Interactive Segment and iGaming Momentum

Needham analyst Bernie McTernan maintained a Buy rating on Penn National Gaming (PENN – Research Report) today and set a price target of $25.00.

Bernie McTernan has given his Buy rating due to a combination of factors, despite Penn National Gaming’s first-quarter adjusted EBITDAR results falling short of consensus estimates by 6%. The shortfall was attributed to approximately $10 million in non-recurring headwinds affecting both property level and interactive EBITDAR, including impacts from retail and sports outcomes.
McTernan anticipates that the focus will shift towards the interactive segment, particularly regarding potential product improvements for online sports betting (OSB) and their effects on market share and profitability. Additionally, there is an emphasis on evaluating the sustainability of the momentum for Penn’s standalone iGaming application, which could bolster future performance. These elements combined suggest a positive outlook for the company’s growth and profitability, justifying the Buy rating.