Why SeaWorld Entertainment Inc's Shares Fell 12% in May

Image source: SeaWorld Entertainment.

What: Shares of amusement park company SeaWorld Entertainment Inc fell 12.4% in May, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, after the company reported disappointing earnings early in the month.

So what: Attendance rose 2.8% to 3.30 million and revenue was up 2.6% to $220.2 million, which actually beat analysts' estimate of $213 million. Net loss nearly doubled to $84.0 million, or $1.00 per share, but adjusted earnings per share were $0.56, which beat estimates by four cents.

What caught investors' attention was management saying they expected EBITDA of $335 million to $365 million for the year, which fell below the estimate of $379 million from Wall Street. So, even though the company beat first-quarter estimates, it was the full-year guidance that investors were focusing on.

Now what: Seaworld has been under fire since the Blackfish documentary, but recently said it will stop breeding killer whales and would stop theatrical shows featuring the animals. Long-term, that's expected to be a positive PR move for the company, but it may hurt attendance short-term.

I wouldn't be too concerned with the fall of SeaWorld Entertainment's shares in May or change your long-term thesis based on one quarter. The company looks to be gaining customers back, and that will eventually turn into growing profitability.

The article Why SeaWorld Entertainment Inc's Shares Fell 12% in May originally appeared on Fool.com.

Travis Hoium has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.