This story was originally published on C-Store Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily C-Store Dive newsletter. Convenience retailers prove year after year that growth through acquisition is one of their top priorities. Although organic growth can ingrain a retailer into a community from the moment the shovels hit the dirt, buying stores immediately plants a brand into an area and is the fastest means of achieving new-store growth. The industry is well aware of the acquisition ...

Core Viewpoint - The earnings season for casino stocks has been generally positive, with companies like MGM Resorts and Las Vegas Sands performing well, while Bally's Corp has struggled, missing revenue targets for the sixth consecutive quarter but surprising with a profit [1][3]. Company Performance - Bally's reported revenue of $580.4 million, down 5.1% year-over-year, with 78% of this revenue coming from its casino business, which also saw a decline of 4.2% year-over-year [5]. - Despite missing revenue targets, Bally's achieved a profit of 58 cents per share, contrasting with analysts' expectations of a loss of 76 cents per share [3]. - The stock price of Bally's has only decreased by 2% following the earnings report, indicating some resilience in the face of volatility [4]. Market Context - The consumer discretionary sector is under scrutiny as investors assess the state of consumer spending, particularly in entertainment and gambling for 2024 and beyond [2]. - Bally's is expanding its omnichannel business, holding online sports betting licenses in 13 jurisdictions and growing its international presence through its Interactive International division [6]. Growth Strategy - Bally's is optimistic about its growth through acquisition strategy, having completed transactions that could add nearly 50% to its topline in the current year [7]. - The company has not held an earnings call for the third consecutive quarter, which has left analysts to interpret results without additional commentary [13]. Analyst Sentiment - Analysts have maintained a cautious stance on Bally's, with Barclays lowering its price target from $14 to $13 while keeping an Equal Weight rating [14]. - Bally's is not currently favored among top-rated analysts, who suggest alternative stocks for investment [15].