Standard General L.P. Increases Stake in Ballys Corp with Significant Share Acquisition

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Feb 12, 2025

Transaction Overview

On February 7, 2025, Standard General L.P. (Trades, Portfolio) executed a substantial transaction involving Ballys Corp, acquiring an additional 26,912,690 shares at a trade price of $18.24 per share. This strategic move increased the firm's total holdings in Ballys Corp to 35,788,558 shares. The transaction had a notable impact on Standard General L.P. (Trades, Portfolio)'s portfolio, representing 73.80% of the firm's holdings and contributing to a 67.92% impact on the overall portfolio. This acquisition underscores the firm's confidence in Ballys Corp's potential for growth and value.

Profile of Standard General L.P. (Trades, Portfolio)

Standard General L.P. (Trades, Portfolio) is a prominent investment firm headquartered in New York, NY, known for its focus on value investing. The firm maintains a diversified portfolio with top holdings in Turning Point Brands Inc (TPB, Financial), Ballys Corp (BALY, Financial), and MediaCo Holding Inc (MDIA, Financial). With a total equity of $232 million, Standard General L.P. (Trades, Portfolio) primarily invests in the Consumer Cyclical and Communication Services sectors. The firm's strategic investment decisions are guided by a philosophy that emphasizes long-term value creation.

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Overview of Ballys Corp

Ballys Corp is a casino entertainment company with a diverse portfolio that includes casinos, a golf course, and a horse racetrack. The company has expanded its international presence with the acquisition of Aspers Casino in Newcastle, UK. Ballys Corp operates approximately 15 casinos across 10 states, a golf course in New York, and a horse racetrack in Colorado. Additionally, the company owns Bally's Interactive International, an interactive gaming operator, Bally Bet, a sports betting platform, and Bally Casino, an iCasino platform. The casino operations include around 15,300 slot machines, 580 table games, and 3,800 hotel rooms.

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Financial Metrics and Valuation of Ballys Corp

Ballys Corp currently has a market capitalization of $638.469 million and a stock price of $15.7. The stock is considered modestly undervalued with a GF Value of $20.13, resulting in a price to GF Value ratio of 0.78. Despite the undervaluation, the company faces challenges with a negative ROE of -145.77% and a ROA of -11.37%. The Profitability Rank is 6/10, indicating moderate profitability.

Impact of the Transaction on Standard General L.P. (Trades, Portfolio)'s Portfolio

The addition of Ballys Corp shares significantly increased Standard General L.P. (Trades, Portfolio)'s holdings in the company, now accounting for 73.80% of the firm's portfolio. This transaction reflects the firm's strategic focus on Ballys Corp as a key investment, with the stock now representing 90.32% of the firm's total holdings. The substantial increase in shares highlights the firm's confidence in Ballys Corp's potential for future growth and value creation.

Performance and Growth Indicators of Ballys Corp

Ballys Corp has demonstrated impressive growth metrics, with a 3-year revenue growth of 56.80% and an EBITDA growth of 116.20%. However, the company faces challenges with a negative Operating Margin growth of -26.70% and a Piotroski F-Score of 3, indicating potential financial distress. The company's Growth Rank is 8/10, suggesting strong growth potential despite current challenges.

Market Position and Future Outlook

Operating in the Travel & Leisure industry, Ballys Corp has a GF Score of 79/100, indicating likely average performance. The company's stock has experienced a year-to-date price change of -12.19% and a price change since IPO of -45.86%. Despite these challenges, the strategic acquisition by Standard General L.P. (Trades, Portfolio) suggests a positive outlook for Ballys Corp's future performance and growth potential.

Conclusion

The strategic addition of Ballys Corp shares by Standard General L.P. (Trades, Portfolio) reflects the firm's confidence in the company's potential for growth and value. Investors should consider the firm's investment philosophy and the current valuation metrics of Ballys Corp when evaluating potential opportunities. The transaction highlights the importance of strategic investments in achieving long-term value creation and growth.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

Disclosures

I/We may personally own shares in some of the companies mentioned above. However, those positions are not material to either the company or to my/our portfolios.