Accel Entertainment (NYSE:ACEL) Posts Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.01 EPS

Accel Entertainment (NYSE:ACEL) announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday. The company reported $0.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.16 by $0.01, FiscalAI reports. The company had revenue of $351.56 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $342.88 million. Accel Entertainment had a return on equity of 27.49% and a net margin of 3.87%.

Here are the key takeaways from Accel Entertainment’s conference call:

• Record Q1 results: Revenue of $352 million (+9% YoY) and adjusted EBITDA of $54 million (+9% YoY), with the network at 4,540 locations and 28,353 terminals — highest quarterly revenue and strongest Q1 EBITDA in company history.
• Illinois is the core growth engine: Illinois revenue ex‑Fairmount was $242 million (+6% YoY), hold per location rose ~9%, TITO rollout is complete with early adoption ~13%, and management expects the Chicago VGT market to begin late 2026/early 2027 as a major near‑term opportunity.
• Momentum in developing markets and M&A: Nebraska revenue +57% and Georgia +43% YoY; Nevada expanded via the Dynasty acquisition and a Rebel Convenience Stores partnership, and the bolt‑on acquisition pipeline (notably Louisiana) remains active.
• Strong liquidity and shareholder returns: $274 million cash, net debt ~ $306 million (net leverage ~1.4x), $300 million revolver undrawn, Q1 repurchases of ~1.1M shares ($12M) with ~$151.2M remaining authorization, and CapEx guide of $60–70M with a stated free‑cash‑flow focus.
• Key risks and comparability items: A $2M timing shift in Fairmount purse expense affected quarter comparability, regulatory/legal uncertainty remains around Chicago approvals and vertical‑integration rules, and macro risks (tariffs, inflation, consumer trends) could pressure outcomes despite management calling the model resilient.

Accel Entertainment Stock Down 8.7%

NYSE ACEL traded down $1.09 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $11.38. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 279,161 shares, compared to its average volume of 377,836. Accel Entertainment has a 52 week low of $9.55 and a 52 week high of $13.31. The company has a market capitalization of $928.51 million, a PE ratio of 18.97 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a current ratio of 2.61, a quick ratio of 2.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.11. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $11.50 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $11.07.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on ACEL shares. Citizens Jmp increased their price objective on shares of Accel Entertainment from $13.00 to $14.00 and gave the stock a “market outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 4th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Accel Entertainment from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday. Truist Financial increased their price objective on shares of Accel Entertainment from $13.00 to $14.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 4th. Zacks Research raised shares of Accel Entertainment from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, April 20th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of Accel Entertainment from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $14.67.

Insider Activity at Accel Entertainment

In related news, Director David W. Ruttenberg sold 25,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.04, for a total value of $276,000.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 198,135 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,187,410.40. This trade represents a 11.20% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Gordon Rubenstein sold 228,262 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.37, for a total transaction of $2,595,338.94. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 313,903 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,569,077.11. The trade was a 42.10% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 864,247 shares of company stock valued at $9,865,047. 14.47% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Accel Entertainment

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Accel Entertainment by 31.1% in the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 37,683 shares of the company’s stock valued at $417,000 after acquiring an additional 8,949 shares in the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd bought a new position in Accel Entertainment in the 4th quarter valued at about $410,000. State of Wisconsin Investment Board lifted its position in Accel Entertainment by 45.7% in the 4th quarter. State of Wisconsin Investment Board now owns 33,522 shares of the company’s stock valued at $382,000 after acquiring an additional 10,510 shares in the last quarter. Magnetar Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Accel Entertainment during the 4th quarter worth approximately $380,000. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Accel Entertainment by 7.8% during the 4th quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 29,035 shares of the company’s stock worth $331,000 after buying an additional 2,110 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 55.39% of the company’s stock.

About Accel Entertainment

Accel Entertainment, Inc is a Chicago-based gaming and entertainment company specializing in the provision of regulated electronic gaming terminals and related management services to licensed establishments across the United States. The company’s core offerings include video gaming terminals (VGTs), digital payment solutions, player loyalty programs and compliance support, all designed to enhance customer engagement and operational efficiency for bars, restaurants, truck stops and convenience stores.

Founded in 2005, Accel Entertainment has built a network that spans multiple states, including Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Iowa.