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Leisure, gaming and gambling

Hollywood Bowl tops expectations

Profit before tax growth for the year to 30 September is estimated to be in excess of 10%, slightly ahead of expectations

Hollywood Bowl Group PLC (LON:BOWL) said it is considering to return its spare capital to shareholders after another striking year.

The ten-pin bowling operator has been sending down special dividends to its shareholders since joining the London Stock Exchange in September 2016.

READ: Hollywood Bowl surges as it hikes final and special dividend in full year

In a trading statement, the company said profit before tax growth for the year to 30 September is estimated to be in excess of 10%, slightly ahead of expectations, with total revenue growth of 7.7% and like-for-like (LFL) revenue growth of 5.5%.

Shore Capital Markets raised its forecasts for revenue and profit before tax by £2mln and £600,000 to £129.8mln and £26.5mln respectively, with a special dividend of 4.3p bringing the total payment for the financial year just ended to 11.2p. Based on the current share price, the shares are yielding 4.75%.

“We continue to view Hollywood Bowl as a core holding in the sector,” the broker said in a note, reiterating its “buy” recommendation.

“Its 60 strong estate is well located and invested, with an attractive pipeline secured and a low-ticket offering well positioned against a backdrop of continued weak consumer sentiment.”

Shares were up 5.73% to 240p in the early morning.