Echo: no longer a star?

The company’s theoretical win rate on VIP revenue may be too high. Echo Entertainment (ASX: EGP) shares have doubled over the past two years, with shareholders also receiving 19 cents in fully franked dividends over this period. Intelligent Investor upgraded Echo to Buy in September 2013 (see Echo is worth a shout) before downgrading to Sell in November 2014. The company’s rising share price since then suggests we sold too soon but, even so, members who followed our recommendations would have received a total return of 53% in little more than a year. Having greatly improved its results from both VIPs and ordinary punters in recent years – particularly at its flagship The Star casino in Sydney – Echo now seems fairly valued and so we don’t see a margin of safety at current prices. One issue in particular that many investors seem to be overlooking is how Echo accounts for revenue from VIPs compared to competitors Crown Resorts (ASX: CWN) and Sky City Entertainment Group (NZX: SKC). Read full article here: (VIEW LINK)