Zacks raises Dave & Buster's stock forecast to USD 1.56 loss

Published on 10/01/2026 at 18:10 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Fiscal 2026 second-quarter revenue fell 2.40 percent to USD 544.10 million. Dave & Buster's stock is EUR 5.73 on October 1, 2026 versus EUR 5.68.

PLAY, US2383371091, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Dave & Buster's Entertainment (ISIN US2383371091) was trading at EUR 5.73 at Lang & Schwarz on October 1, 2026 at 6:05 p.m. CEST, 0.88 percent above the prior close of EUR 5.68. According to MarketBeat on September 29, 2026, Zacks Research raised its fiscal 2027 earnings forecast from a USD 1.57 loss per share to a USD 1.56 loss and kept a Strong Sell rating. The modest improvement still leaves the forecast below zero.

Forecast improves but stays negative

The latest operating figures explain the cautious rating. Dave & Buster's reported USD 544.10 million in revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2026, down 2.40 percent from the second quarter of fiscal 2025. Comparable store sales declined 2.90 percent during the same period.

Profitability weakened more sharply than sales. Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, fell to USD 98.90 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 from USD 129.80 million a year earlier, while the company posted a GAAP net loss of USD 12.50 million against GAAP net income of USD 11.40 million.

Cash flow offers a counterpoint

Cash generation provides a more constructive counterpoint. Adjusted free cash flow reached USD 19.50 million for the six months ended August 4, 2026, compared with negative USD 36.50 million in the comparable period of fiscal 2025. The company also ended the quarter with USD 492.10 million of available liquidity, according to the September 14, 2026 release.

The operating footprint remains substantial, with 250 company-owned stores at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2026. Management said six domestic stores opened during the quarter and planned two more remodels during the remainder of fiscal 2026, bringing the fiscal-year remodel total to eight.

After-hours price and valuation

At Nasdaq, PLAY was trading at USD 6.47 on October 1, 2026 at 12:09 p.m. ET, against a USD 6.26 to USD 22.10 52-week range. Market capitalization stood at USD 225.1 million on October 1, 2026. The Lang & Schwarz quote places the euro reference price in after-hours trading, with the daily move measured against its September 30, 2026 prior close.