Research Analysts Set Expectations for PLAY Q3 Earnings

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLAY) – Analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q3 2026 earnings estimates for shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment in a report issued on Monday, September 29th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the restaurant operator will post earnings per share of ($1.19) for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of ($0.90). Zacks Research has a “Strong Sell” rating on the stock. 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 Q4 2026 earnings at $0.51 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $0.48 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.53 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at ($0.76) EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $0.36 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $0.91 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $0.43 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $0.93 EPS.

Other analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Loop Capital lifted their price objective on Dave & Buster’s Entertainment from $35.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, June 11th. UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment from $29.00 to $25.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. Truist Financial reduced their price objective on shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment from $27.00 to $22.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 11th. Finally, Piper Sandler dropped their price target on shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment from $30.00 to $26.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Dave & Buster’s Entertainment has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $31.33.

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment Trading Down 4.4%

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment stock opened at $18.16 on Wednesday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $24.63 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $24.02. The company has a quick ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.32. Dave & Buster’s Entertainment has a 12 month low of $15.08 and a 12 month high of $43.73. The stock has a market cap of $629.61 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 53.41 and a beta of 2.04.

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment (NASDAQ:PLAY) last released its earnings results on Monday, September 15th. The restaurant operator reported $0.32 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.92 by ($0.60). Dave & Buster’s Entertainment had a net margin of 0.46% and a return on equity of 29.24%. The company had revenue of $557.40 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $565.43 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.99 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up .1% on a year-over-year basis.

Insider Activity at Dave & Buster’s Entertainment

In other news, CEO Tarun Lal bought 8,060 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 22nd. The shares were acquired at an average price of $31.26 per share, with a total value of $251,955.60. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 8,060 shares in the company, valued at $251,955.60. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 2.02% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PLAY. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp increased its holdings in shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment by 68.4% during the second quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 109,576 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $3,296,000 after buying an additional 44,491 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its position in shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment by 292.4% during the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 5,062 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $152,000 after buying an additional 3,772 shares during the period. Manatuck Hill Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment during the second quarter worth $3,610,000. HRT Financial LP bought a new stake in Dave & Buster’s Entertainment during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,403,000. Finally, Engineers Gate Manager LP increased its position in shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment by 674.4% during the second quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP now owns 110,401 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $3,321,000 after acquiring an additional 96,144 shares in the last quarter. 91.45% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment Company Profile

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.