Zacks Research Has Optimistic Outlook of PLAY Q1 Earnings

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment Inc (NASDAQ:PLAY) – Stock analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q1 2026 EPS estimates for shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, May 20th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the restaurant operator will post earnings per share of $0.96 for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $0.94. 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 FY2026 earnings at $1.51 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.93 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $1.68 EPS.

A number of other equities analysts also recently issued reports on PLAY. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price objective on shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment from $47.00 to $30.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment from $33.00 to $22.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Loop Capital dropped their price objective on shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment from $45.00 to $35.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Finally, Truist Financial lowered their price target on shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment from $27.00 to $21.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $33.00.

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment Stock Performance

PLAY opened at $20.53 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.38. The company has a market cap of $708.88 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.16 and a beta of 1.94. The company’s 50 day moving average is $19.36 and its 200 day moving average is $25.43. Dave & Buster’s Entertainment has a 12-month low of $15.08 and a 12-month high of $52.73.

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment (NASDAQ:PLAY) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 7th. The restaurant operator reported $0.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $534.50 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $548.77 million. Dave & Buster’s Entertainment had a net margin of 3.88% and a return on equity of 44.22%. The firm’s revenue was down 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.88 earnings per share.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Dave & Buster’s Entertainment

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. SG Americas Securities LLC raised its position in shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment by 1,100.8% during the fourth quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 424,967 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $12,405,000 after buying an additional 389,577 shares during the last quarter. KBC Group NV raised its position in shares of 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 valued at $58,000 after buying an additional 885 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers raised its position in shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment by 3.9% during the fourth quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 98,670 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $2,880,000 after buying an additional 3,730 shares during the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment by 2.3% during the fourth quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 153,487 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $4,480,000 after buying an additional 3,494 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment by 33.3% during the fourth quarter. Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc. now owns 42,000 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $1,226,000 after buying an additional 10,500 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.45% of the company’s stock.

About Dave & Buster’s Entertainment

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.