WMS Industries and International Game Technology Under the Microscope: Casino Equipment Stocks Show Good Returns

LONDON, February 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Times are good for gaming equipment company stocks. Casino and gambling industry is recovering from recession and is showing good development and the cascading effect is clearly visible on the gaming equipment stocks. The industry is also showing signs of consolidation as there are ample mergers and acquisitions taking place. Scientific Games is looking to takeover WMS Industries Inc. (NYSE: WMS), however, the deal is yet to be ratified. On the other hand, International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT) reported strong quarterly results. StockCall has released full comprehensive research on WMS Industries and International Game Technology, and these free technical analysis can be downloaded by signing up at http://www.stockcall.com/technicalanalysis

WMS Industries - Acquisition in the Air

WMS Industries agreed to be acquired by Scientific Games for $1.5 billion. The deal priced the company stock at $26 a share and the consideration is payable in cash. The stock has substantial upside if the deal goes through. However, there are also chances of the deal falling through, and in such a case, the stock may tumble down to its previous pre-acquisition price level. WMS Industries reported its operating margin at 14 percent, which is among the lowest margins prevailing in the industry. The company is also saddled with patent issues. Free technical analysis on WMS Industries available by signing up at http://www.StockCall.com/WMS021213.pdf    

WMS Industries recently announced its earnings for the quarter ended on December 31^st, 2012. For the period, the company earned revenue of $157.5 million, down from $162.2 million in revenue it had reported for the corresponding quarter of the last year. Its net income also fell from $16.1 million to $4.3 million. On the positive side, its gaming operations revenue jumped $8 million on Y-o-Y basis. Its cash flows from operating activities also increased.

The main catalyst for the stock at the moment is its acquisition news by Scientific Games. However, even if deal falls through, the company has alternatives planned out. In December last year, it launched its new video poker platform and is likely to carry out the expansion of this program. Its products are also garnering good demand and the future looks good for the company despite some negative points.

International Game Technology Posts Healthy Q1 Results

International Game Technology increased its first quarter revenue to $530 million, up 19 percent. Its adjusted EPS also grew 65 percent to 28 cents per share. Talking about the future plans of the business, CEO Patti Hart said, "Through the remainder of fiscal 2013, we intend to build on this momentum by leveraging our core business, distributing our best-in-class content more broadly, and returning capital to shareholders." Register today and access the free research on International Game Technology at http://www.StockCall.com/IGT021213.pdf  

The stock is also gaining interest from institutional investors such as Balyasny Asset Management which augmented its holding of IGT.

International Game Technology grew 7 percent in the past 52 weeks and it also offers a dividend yield of 1.69 percent. However, the company is also increasing shareholders' value by buying back its stock. Late last year, it completed accelerated stock buyback worth $400 million. During FY2012, the company bought $540 million worth of its stock. The company also increased its quarterly dividend by 17 percent and with stronger results, the dividend is expected to increase or remain stable during the near future. International Game Technology passed a proposal to buy back up to $1 billion worth of its stock. Hence, investors look to benefit from this stock.

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