Supplier News
US – AGEM Index declines in September
By Phil - 13 October 2014
The AGEM Index declined in September 2014 when compared to August 2014, falling 3.08 points (-1.6 percent) to a composite index of 187.50.
The latest period represents the sixth decline in the past nine months. Compared to the same month a year ago, the AGEM Index reported a modest increase of 1.18 points (+0.6 percent).
In September, nine of the 17 global gaming equipment manufacturers reported a month-to-month decline in stock price, with eight falling by more than five percent.
Of the eight manufacturers reporting gains in stock price in the latest period, three were up by more than five per cent.
The broader stock markets reported similar declines in September 2014. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3 percent compared to August 2014, ending the month at 17,042.90. The S&P 500 closed the month at 1,972.29, which represents a 1.6 per cent decline from the prior month. Meanwhile, NASDAQ reported the largest monthly decline of the major indices, falling 1.9 per cent to 4,493.39.
Selected positive contributors to the September 2014 AGEM Index included the following:
Multimedia Games (MGAM) reported a stock price of $36.01 (+29.5 percent) and contributed 2.33 points.
Due to a 3.9-percent gain in stock price to €18.81, GTECH S.p.A. (GTK) contributed 0.65 points.
Scientific Games Corporation (SGMS) contributed 0.41 points due to a 6.1-percent gain in stock price to $10.77.
Crane Co. (CR) contributed negative 2.53 points due to a 9.2-percent decline in stock price to $63.21.
With a stock price of $20.78 (-10.0 percent), Konami Gaming (KNM) contributed negative 2.21 points.
The Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas hosted the 14 annual Global Gaming Expo (G2E) from September 30 through October 2. At the event, an estimated 480 exhibitors showcased their new products, including slot machines, video game technology and security products.
An estimated 27,000 attendees were at this year’s event which was up four percent from last year. In addition, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, G2E had a $22.3 million impact on the local economy.
A number of gaming equipment manufacturers introduced new slot machines based on popular movies and television series at G2E this year. International Game Technology (IGT) unveiled two new slot machines based on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Bally Technologies (BYI) announced games based on the popular shows “Friends” and “Duck Dynasty.” In addition, the company unveiled “Wonder Woman Wild” and “Wonder Woman Gold” as well as “Betty Boop’s Firehouse” and “Betty Boop’s 5 Avenue.”
“Sons of Anarchy” will also make its debut on the casino floor with Aristocrat Technologies’ (ALL) new slot machines based on the FX cable network series that continues to grow in popularity. Other popular brands that will soon be offered include Ainsworth Game Technology’s (AGI) products based on the movies Showgirls and The Sound of Music and WMS Gaming’s (SGMS) games based on “Mad Men” and Austin Powers.
Other highlights from G2E 2014 include WMS’ debut of two new player-focused hybrid slant Blade cabinets, Blade s23 and Blade s32, and Ortiz Gaming’s new cabinet, O-Circle, which includes a curved display and surround sound for increased player engagement. In addition, IGT introduced its S3000 cabinet, which will provide a new take on spinning reel games. Also, the company’s Advantage System will be able to connect each player’s data from DoubleDown Casino to their land-based casino play, which will allow operators to better track their preferences.
Konami Gaming (KNM) introduced Slot Dispatching on its SYNKROS Konetic Mobile Employee App, which is compatible on iOS and Android phones and allows slot attendants and technicians to receive service requests quickly and efficiently. Meanwhile, TCSJohnHuxley launched seven new products, including Gaming Floor Live. The product allows data gathered from table games to be analyzed in real time to help casino operators manage their floors more efficiently.
A spokesperson for AGEM said: “The Global Gaming Expo continues to grow as gaming equipment manufacturers keep pace with an evolving gaming industry and technological advancements. The marquee event of the year demonstrates the entrepreneurial spirit of small- to large-scale firms maximizing consumer play and operator productivity.”
