Stifel analyst Steven Wieczynski blames recent share weakness in regional gaming names on concerns about the economy, hedge funds exiting the gaming space and investors fleeing over-levered balance sheets given rate fears. However, Penn National has 75% of their debt fixed including lease payments and management expects rising rates to actually be a net positive given their senior-aged average customers will end up with more discretionary income in their wallets, Wieczynski tells investors after meeting with company management. He remains "steadfast" in his support of Penn National shares following his meetings and thinks the "irrational selling" of the stock has created a buying opportunity. The analyst keeps a Buy rating and $38 price target on Penn National.

In the firm's Q1 letter to investors, David Einhorn's Greenlight Capital disclosed new long positions taken during the quarter, including taking stakes in HP Inc. (HPQ), Penn Entertainment (PENN) and Roivant Sciences (ROIV). In the letter, the firm stated that it established a new "medium-sized position" in Penn at an average price of $22.69 per share, arguing that "were the market to credit PENN with merely 15% of DraftKings' value, [Penn's ESPN BET] segment alone would be worth $20 per share." On HP Inc., Greenlight stated that it had established an initial position at an average price of $30.76 per share, adding that it believes "that we are, at a minimum, on the cusp of a normal PC refresh cycle, which should drive earnings above estimates." On Roivant, Greenlight said it had established a "small long position," adding that "in addition to an exciting pipeline, ROIV has a strong track record of positive trial results and successful monetization of pharmaceutical assets." Einhorn's Greenlight Capital also noted that it reduced its Teck Resources (TECK) long position into strength during Q1 and that the firm bought a "small position" in Liberty Global (LBTYA) during Q1.

Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.  1... To see the rest of the story go to thefly.com. See Story Here

Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.  1... To see the rest of the story go to thefly.com. See Story Here

Truist upgraded Penn Entertainment to Buy from Hold with an unchanged price target of $23.