Zacks Research Issues Negative Estimate for PLAY Earnings

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment Inc (NASDAQ:PLAY) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research dropped their Q1 2026 earnings per share estimates for Dave & Buster’s Entertainment in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, February 10th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the restaurant operator will earn $1.15 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $1.16. The consensus estimate for Dave & Buster’s Entertainment’s current full-year earnings is $2.52 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Dave & Buster’s Entertainment’s Q2 2026 earnings at $1.03 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at ($0.54) EPS, FY2026 earnings at $2.61 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $1.19 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.99 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at ($0.42) EPS and FY2027 earnings at $2.76 EPS.

A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on PLAY. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on Dave & Buster’s Entertainment from $51.00 to $47.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Truist Financial lowered their target price on shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment from $36.00 to $27.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 16th. William Blair reiterated a “market perform” rating on shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Gordon Haskett reissued a “hold” rating and issued a $34.00 price objective (down previously from $40.00) on shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Loop Capital cut their target price on Dave & Buster’s Entertainment from $59.00 to $45.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Dave & Buster’s Entertainment presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $51.43.

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment Price Performance

NASDAQ:PLAY opened at $24.43 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $940.56 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.09 and a beta of 2.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.38, a current ratio of 0.29 and a quick ratio of 0.19. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $28.24 and a 200-day simple moving average of $32.33. Dave & Buster’s Entertainment has a 1 year low of $22.83 and a 1 year high of $69.82.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Kevin M. Sheehan acquired 19,025 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 19th. The shares were bought at an average price of $26.44 per share, with a total value of $503,021.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 69,025 shares in the company, valued at $1,825,021. This trade represents a 38.05 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.60% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Quarry LP bought a new position in Dave & Buster’s Entertainment in the third quarter worth approximately $47,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in Dave & Buster’s Entertainment during the fourth quarter worth $47,000. KBC Group NV lifted its holdings in Dave & Buster’s Entertainment by 81.3% during the fourth quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 1,974 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $58,000 after buying an additional 885 shares during the period. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new stake in Dave & Buster’s Entertainment during the third quarter worth $121,000. Finally, Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. purchased a new stake in Dave & Buster’s Entertainment during the third quarter worth $144,000. Institutional investors own 91.45% of the company’s stock.

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment Company Profile

Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc owns and operates entertainment and dining venues for adults and families. Its venues offer a menu of entrees and appetizers, as well as a selection of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages; and an assortment of entertainment attractions centered on playing games and watching live sports, and other televised events.