Six Flags: Merger Revenue Bump, EPS Dips

Core Insights - Six Flags Entertainment reported significant revenue growth due to its merger with Cedar Fair, achieving $687 million in revenue, up from $371 million the previous year, but fell short of the $706 million forecast [2][6] - The company experienced a net loss of $264 million, translating to an EPS loss of -$2.76, which was significantly below the expected $0.28 and worse than last year's loss of -$0.20, indicating ongoing integration challenges [2][3] Financial Performance - Revenue for Q4 2024 was $687 million, an 85.1% increase year-over-year from $371 million in Q4 2023 [3] - Adjusted EBITDA reached $209 million, a 134.8% increase from $89 million in the previous year [3] - Attendance nearly doubled to 10.7 million, up from 5.8 million in Q4 2023, primarily due to increased operational days from the merger [3][6] Operational Insights - Operating expenses rose to $523 million as the company integrated legacy Six Flags parks, and interest expenses increased to $79 million due to higher debt levels post-merger [7] - Net debt stood at $4.88 billion, reflecting increased leverage following the merger [7] - In-park per capita spending was $61.60, slightly lower than the full-year figure of $62.21 from 2023, while out-of-park revenue grew to $48 million [8] Merger and Integration - The merger with Cedar Fair, finalized in July 2024, aimed to enhance operational capacity and market reach, realizing $50 million in synergy savings with an additional $70 million expected in 2025 [9] - The company is focused on integrating operations, achieving cost efficiencies, and diversifying revenue streams beyond park admissions [5][9] Strategic Outlook - Management projects adjusted EBITDA for 2025 to be between $1.08 billion and $1.12 billion, relying on operational efficiencies and synergy realizations from the merger [10] - Future focus areas include improving guest spending and driving demand through new attractions, with planned capital expenditures targeting major park locations [10]