Shutterfly (NASDAQ: SFLY) also saw the number of its shares sold short rise somewhat in that time.
But short interest in Angie's List (NASDAQ: GRPN) was essentially flat in the final two weeks of June, compared to the previous period.
And the number of shares sold short in Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), LinkedIn (NYSE: LNKD), Pandora (NYSE: P) and United Online (NASDAQ: UNTD) declined somewhat.
Also, note that U.S.-listed shares (or ADRs) sold short of Chinese social media companies Sina (NASDAQ: SINA) and Sohu.com (NASDAQ: SOHU) fell by double-digit percentages to the end of June. But short interest in Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU), Renren (NYSE: RENN) and YouKu Todou (NYSE: YOKU) declined more modestly.
eBay
Short interest in this San Jose, California-based online commerce company increased by more than four percent to more than 15.75 million shares in late June. The number of shares sold short has risen since the end of April but was a little more than one percent of the float. Days to cover was less than two.
EBay has a market capitalization of more than $72 billion. It is expected to post double-digit revenue growth in the current quarter and the next. The long-term earnings per share (EPS) growth forecast is about 15 percent, but the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is about 27. The return on equity is less than 14 percent.
Of the 39 analysts who follow the stock that were surveyed by Thomson/First Call, 33 recommend buying shares, 13 of them rating the stock at Strong Buy. The mean price target, or where analysts expect the share price to go, is almost 13 percent higher than the current share price. That target would be a new multiyear high.
The share price rose more than five percent in the past month and it is now more than 40 percent higher than a year ago. But ov! er the past six months, the stock has underperformed the likes of Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) and Overstock.com (NASDAQ: OSTK).
Yelp
This San Francisco-based company saw its short interest increase more than 10 percent in the final weeks of June to more than 4.71 million shares. The number of shares sold short represented more than 16 percent of the total float, and the days to cover increased to about four.
An analyst remarked on Yelp's runaway growth potential during the period. The company currently has a market cap near $2.4 billion. While Yelp has a long-term EPS growth forecast of about 20 percent, its return on equity is in negative territory. Note that analysts do not expect the company to show a profit until 2014.
For at least three months, the consensus recommendation of the polled analysts has been to hold shares. So, no surprise, the share price has overrun their mean price target, meaning they see no upside potential at this time. Note that the street-high target is more than 11 percent higher than the share price.
The share price has risen about 25 percent in the past month and reached a 52-week high this week. The stock has outperformed Yahoo! (NASDAQ: YHOO) and the broader markets over the past six months.
Zynga
Short interest in the San Francisco-based online social games operator increased more than four percent to 26.14 million shares in the latter two weeks of June. That followed a more than 16 percent rise in the number of shares sold short in the previous period. Short interest was about five percent of the float.
In June, Zynga acquired a casino gaming company, but also was a rumored takeover target. Zynga has a market cap of more than $2 billion but does not offer a dividend. The long-term EPS growth forecast is about 21 percent, but the return on equity and the operating margin are both in the red.
Only two of the 22 surveyed analysts recommend buying shares, while 17 recommend holding them. Hold has been the! consensu! s recommendation for at least three months. The current share price is higher than the analysts' mean price target, meaning they see no upside potential at this time.
The share price has climbed more than 17 percent in the past month and is up almost 42 percent year-to-date. Over the past six months, the stock has underperformed the likes of Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA), but it has outperformed Facebook and the broader markets.
5 Best Casino Stocks To Buy For 2014: Penn National Gaming Inc.(PENN)
Penn National Gaming, Inc. and its subsidiaries own and manage gaming and pari-mutuel properties in the United States. It operates approximately 27,000 gaming machines; 500 table games; and 2,000 hotel rooms in 23 facilities in 16 jurisdictions, including Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ontario. The company was formerly known as PNRC Corp. and changed its name to Penn National Gaming, Inc. in 1994. Penn National Gaming, Inc. was founded in 1982 and is based in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Roberto Pedone]
Penn National Gaming (PENN) is a diversified, multi-jurisdictional owner and manager of gaming and pari-mutuel properties. This stock closed up 1.4% at $56.13 in Monday's trading session.
Monday's Volume: 1.11 million
Three-Month Average Volume: 824,334
Volume % Change: 73%From a technical perspective, PENN jumped modestly higher here right above some near-term support at $54.71 with above-average volume. This move is quickly pushing shares of PENN within range of triggering a breakout trade. That trade will hit if PENN manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance at $57.44 to some past resistance at $58 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in PENN as long as it's trending above Monday's low $55.65 or above more support at $54.71 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that this near or above 824,334 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then PENN will set up to re-test or possibly take out its 52-week high at $59.93. Any high-volume move above $59.93 will then give PENN a chance to hit $65.
5 Best Casino Stocks To Buy For 2014: Wynn Resorts Limited(WYNN)
Wynn Resorts, Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development, ownership, and operation of destination casino resorts. The company owns and operates Wynn Las Vegas casino resort in Las Vegas, which includes approximately 22 food and beverage outlets comprising 5 dining restaurants; 2 nightclubs; 1 spa and salon; 1 Ferrari and Maserati automobile dealership; wedding chapels; an 18-hole golf course; meeting space; and foot retail promenade featuring boutiques. Wynn Las Vegas casino resort also features approximately 147 table games, 1 baccarat salon, private VIP gaming rooms, 1 poker room, 1,842 slot machines, and 1 race and sports book. It also owns and operates an Encore at Wynn Las Vegas resort, a destination casino resort located adjacent to Wynn Las Vegas that features a 2,034 all-suite hotel, as well as a casino with 95 table games, 1 sky casino, 1 baccarat salon, private VIP gaming rooms, and 778 slot machines. In addition, the company operates Wyn n Macau casino resort located in the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People?s Republic of China. Wynn Macau casino resort features approximately 595 hotel rooms and suites, 410 table games, 935 slot machines, 1 poker room, 1 sky casino, 6 restaurants, 1 spa and salon, lounges, meeting facilities, and retail space featuring boutiques. Further, it operates Encore at Wynn Macau resort located adjacent to Wynn Macau. Encore at Wynn Macau resort features approximately 410 luxury suites and 4 villas, as well as casino gaming space, including a sky casino consisting of 60 table games and 80 slot machines, 2 restaurants, 1 luxury spa, and retail space. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Dan Caplinger]
4. Nevada
The $8.25 minimum wage that Nevada pays comes with an interesting twist: Companies that offer health insurance benefits to their employees are allowed to pay $1 less in hourly wages. Although a referendum in 2006 required the state to index its base wage to inflation, the wage has stayed the same since 2010. Another perk: Tipped employees have to receive the same minimum wage as other workers. That's a big cost for Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS ) , Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ: WYNN ) , and other companies with casinos in the state that might otherwise be able to pay many of their tip-earning workers less. - [By Travis Hoium]
Cotai is no doubt the hottest area of Macau for gaming and Wynn Resorts' (NASDAQ: WYNN ) results from the first quarter are another data point showing one of the downsides to this trend. Macau's gaming revenue overall was up 14.8% in the first quarter, but Wynn's revenue was only up 4.4% because its only resort is on the Macau Peninsula. Casinos won't average 14.8% growth across the board because Las Vegas Sands' (NYSE: LVS ) Sands Cotai Central added some capacity vs. last year but we definitely see gaming dollars moving to Cotai, which hurts Wynn.
Top 10 China Companies For 2014: Umax Group Corp (UMAX)
Umax Group Corp., incorporated on March 21, 2011, is a development-stage company. The Company focuses to develop and distribute its product to the arcade and entertainment industry. The Company�� products include Rocket Launch, is Strength testing game which allows players to test their pushing/ throwing strength; Space Hockey, is a two player hockey game - each player must score as many as possible goals and Boxer, is a Simple punch testing game: insert coin/token/bill, press start button, hit the punch bag, wait for result, and try to beat opponent�� score or high score.
As of April 30, 2013, the Company had no revenues. The Company has developed its business plan, and executed exclusive distribution contract GEO a private enterprise, where it engages GEO as an independent contractor for the specific purpose of developing, manufacturing and supplying games for the Company.
5 Best Casino Stocks To Buy For 2014: Pinnacle Entertainment Inc.(PNK)
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. owns, develops, and operates casinos, and related hospitality and entertainment facilities in the United States. It operates casinos, such as L'Auberge du Lac in Lake Charles, Louisiana; River City Casino and Lumiere Place in St. Louis, Missouri; Boomtown New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana; Belterra Casino Resort in Vevay, Indiana; Boomtown Bossier City in Bossier City, Louisiana; and Boomtown Reno in Reno, Nevada. The company also operates River Downs racetrack in southeast Cincinnati, Ohio. As of May 26, 2011, it operated seven casinos and one racetrack. The company was formerly known as Hollywood Park, Inc. and changed its name to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. in February 2000. Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. was founded in 1935 and is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Travis Hoium]
What: Shares of Ameristar Casinos (NASDAQ: ASCA ) and Pinnacle Entertainment (NYSE: PNK ) fell as much as 11% today after the government brought into question the merger of the two companies.
- [By Dan Radovsky]
Pinnacle Entertainment (NYSE: PNK ) has reached an agreement in principle with the Bureau of Competition of the Federal Trade Commission that would allow the company to complete its proposed acquisition of Ameristar Casinos (NASDAQ: ASCA ) , Pinnacle announced today.
- [By Ben Levisohn]
Pinnacle Entertainment (PNK) has gained 56% this year; Las Vegas Sands (LVS) has climbed 38%. And Deutsche Bank has nice things to say about both today.
BloombergFirst Pinnacle. Deutsche Bank’s Carlo Santarelli ponders the stock’s big move and comes away still seeing value in its shares. He writes:
When we upgraded PNK in April, our thesis centered on the FCF strength of the combined entities [Pinnacle completed its acquisition of Ameristar Casinos on Aug. 14], a handful of favorable catalysts, easing regional gaming comps, & an inexpensive relative valuation. Given the shares’ sizeable move since then, we believe it is worth revisiting the investment case. Post the announcement of several asset sales and the closing of the transaction, we are adjusting our estimates, raising our PT to $30 from $24, and maintaining our bullish view at current levels given what we still believe to be an attractive free cash flow valuation, meaningful potential synergy realization beyond the $40 mm of announced benefits, and a free option on a lagging regional recovery.
Santarelli also revisited Las Vegas Sands and there too, he likes what he sees. He writes:
With…LVS at [a share price level] that have been challenging to break from over the last year plus, we believe this time is different and hence we see continued upward momentum…In the case of LVS, we see; 1) meaningful mass market strength continuing through year end, setting the stage for upward company and market estimate revisions for 2014, 2) continued cash flow appreciation and capital returns serving as downside protection and positive catalysts, and 3) continued shared gains, largely driven by table optimization and mass market strength, driving both estimates and sentiment.
He also likes Wynn Resorts (WYNN), despite its 34% gain.�Santarelli writes:
As for WYNN, we believe near-term estimates continue to take a back seat to capital return
- [By Sean Williams]
Time to make the switch
If I could name a sector that I'd certainly tread lightly around considering that consumers are tightening their wallets, it would be the casino sector. Casino companies rely on loose wallets and vacations to drive profits. This is why I feel it could be the time to say goodbye to casino and race track operator Pinnacle Entertainment (NYSE: PNK ) near its 52-week high.
5 Best Casino Stocks To Buy For 2014: Boyd Gaming Corporation(BYD)
Boyd Gaming Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a multi-jurisdictional gaming company in the United States. As of December 31, 2011, the company owned and operated 1,042,787 square feet of casino space, containing approximately 25,973 slot machines, 655 table games, and 11,418 hotel rooms. It also owned and operated 16 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and New Jersey. In addition, the company owns and operates a pari-mutuel jai-alai facility located in Dania Beach, Florida, as well as a travel agency in Hawaii. Further, it holds a 50% controlling interest in the limited liability company that operates Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Boyd Gaming Corporation was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Dan Caplinger]
MGM has built a history of being the odd player out in many of the most lucrative opportunities in the gaming industry. In Macau, the company is stuck in the slower-growth area of the Asian gaming destination. In Las Vegas, the new CityCenter area in the mid-Strip has watered down MGM's opportunities and has created another potential barrier for patrons coming from the northern end of the Strip to its namesake MGM Grand property. And in New Jersey, where online gaming has boosted prospects for Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR ) and Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD ) , MGM has no exposure.
- [By M. Joy, Hayes]
Industry trends
Other businesses in the industry also have copious related-party transactions. In particular, founder-led businesses Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ: WYNN ) and Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD ) �reported a large number of such transactions in their 2013 proxies, including employment of relatives, employee use of company services, and employee use of company-owned property. MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM ) , on the other hand, didn't have to report any related-party transactions in its 2013 proxy. - [By Seth Jayson]
Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD ) reported earnings on April 24. Here are the numbers you need to know.
The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Boyd Gaming met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share. - [By Travis Hoium]
Earnings from Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD ) surprised investors last week, but there's still a lot of fundamental weakness for the company. Revenue is declining across the country as more supply is added to the market, and the only way to grow is through acquisitions. The Fool's Erin Miller sat down with Travis Hoium to see how to play the gaming market now.�
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