Its operating margins also are better than those of the other companies, though recently its losses also have been bigger. A stock report from JPMorgan last month said Penn management "sounds frustrated" with the regional gambling market. "Customers are coming, by and large, and visitation is flat but spending per visit and time on device continues to remain below year ago levels," said analyst Joseph Greff. Greff has given Penn management good marks for its focus on the bottom line and "stringent criteria" for the properties it acquires or develops. In January, he noted that the company "prudently backed away" from bidding for the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, when "management recognized that the true cost to complete (the project) was actually higher than their original estimates.". 
Share:  Its operating margins also are better than those of the other companies, though recently its losses also have been bigger. A stock report from JPMorgan last month said <span class="company">Penn</span> management "sounds frustrated" with the regional gambling market.<span class="sent"> "Customers are coming, by and large, and visitation is flat but spending per visit and time on device continues to remain below year ago levels," said analyst <span class="analyst">Joseph Greff</span>.</span> Greff has given <span class="company">Penn</span> management good marks for its focus on the bottom line and "stringent criteria" for the properties it acquires or develops. In January, he noted that the company "prudently backed away" from bidding for the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, when "management recognized that the true cost to complete (the project) was actually higher than their original estimates.". Tweet this 

As a result, Kent cut his rating on the entire sector to neutral from attractive. J. P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff also lowered his estimates and price target on International Game Technology ( IGT Quote ). "While many casino operators indicate willingness and indeed a budget to spend a little more this year than last year, we don't believe the spending has happened yet and it is prudent to reflect this in our fiscal 2010 estimates," Greff wrote in a note. Greff also cites the shuttering of Alabama Class II casinos, which the state considers illegal gambling. 
Share:  As a result, Kent cut his rating on the entire sector to neutral from attractive.<span class="sent"> J. P. Morgan analyst <span class="analyst">Joseph Greff</span> also lowered his estimates and price target on <span class="company">International Game Technology</span> ( IGT Quote ).</span> "While many casino operators indicate willingness and indeed a budget to spend a little more this year than last year, we don't believe the spending has happened yet and it is prudent to reflect this in our fiscal 2010 estimates," Greff wrote in a note. Greff also cites the shuttering of Alabama Class II casinos, which the state considers illegal gambling. Tweet this 

A second Philadelphia casino, the $310 million SugarHouse, began construction in October and is expected to open this year with a 100,000 square foot casino. JP Morgan gaming analyst Joe Greff tried to be diplomatic in his assessment of Atlantic City's future in a research note after Wynn Resorts announced the deal. "A Wynn branded casino in Philadelphia will put continued pressure on the Atlantic City market and probably puts major pressure on the higher end of that market, namely Borgata," Greff said 
Share:  A second Philadelphia casino, the $310 million SugarHouse, began construction in October and is expected to open this year with a 100,000 square foot casino.<span class="sent"> JP Morgan gaming analyst <span class="analyst">Joe Greff</span> tried to be diplomatic in his assessment of Atlantic City's future in a research note after <span class="company">Wynn Resorts</span> announced the deal.</span> "A Wynn branded casino in Philadelphia will put continued pressure on the Atlantic City market and probably puts major pressure on the higher end of that market, namely Borgata," Greff said....<span class="sent">JP Morgan gaming analyst <span class="analyst">Joe Greff</span> tried to be diplomatic in his assessment of Atlantic City's future in a research note after <span class="company">Wynn</span> Resorts announced the deal.</span> "A <span class="company">Wynn</span> branded casino in Philadelphia will put continued pressure on the Atlantic City market and probably puts major pressure on the higher end of that market, namely Borgata," Greff said. Tweet this 

Wynn Resort's ( WYNN Quote ) plans to move into the Pennsylvania market will likely serve yet another blow to Atlantic City and its casino operators In particular, Wynn will put pressure on the higher end of the market, JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff says which, in Atlantic City, means the Borgata This would be a negative for Boyd Gaming , which owns a 50% stake in the hotel casino 
Share:  <span class="company">Wynn</span> Resort's ( WYNN Quote ) plans to move into the Pennsylvania market will likely serve yet another blow to Atlantic City and its casino operators<span class="sent"> In particular, <span class="company">Wynn</span> will put pressure on the higher end of the market, JP Morgan analyst <span class="analyst">Joseph Greff</span> says which, in Atlantic City, means the Borgata</span> This would be a negative for Boyd Gaming , which owns a 50% stake in the hotel casino Tweet this 

The project, which was halted in when the company ran into financial issues The site, across from the Venetian Macau, is expected to open in with 4,100 hotel rooms at the Shangri La, Traders, Sheraton, and St Regis brand A 2,300 room Sheraton Towers will open six months later JP Morgan gaming analyst Joe Greff said the company's Macau operations have shown solid volume and margin traction "Las Vegas Sands has been effective with both its mass market and slot programs in Macau, particularly at the Venetian," Greff told investors 
Share:  The project, which was halted in when the company ran into financial issues The site, across from the Venetian Macau, is expected to open in with 4,100 hotel rooms at the Shangri La, Traders, <span class="company">Sheraton</span>, and St Regis brand<span class="sent"> A 2,300 room <span class="company">Sheraton</span> Towers will open six months later JP Morgan gaming analyst <span class="analyst">Joe Greff</span> said the company's Macau operations have shown solid volume and margin traction</span> "Las Vegas Sands has been effective with both its mass market and slot programs in Macau, particularly at the Venetian," Greff told investors Tweet this 

The project, which was halted in when the company ran into financial issues The site, across from the Venetian Macau, is expected to open in with 4,100 hotel rooms at the Shangri La, Traders, Sheraton, and St Regis brand A 2,300 room Sheraton Towers will open six months later JP Morgan gaming analyst Joe Greff said the company's Macau operations have shown solid volume and margin traction "Las Vegas Sands has been effective with both its mass market and slot programs in Macau, particularly at the Venetian," Greff told investors 
Share:  The project, which was halted in when the company ran into financial issues The site, across from the Venetian Macau, is expected to open in with 4,100 hotel rooms at the Shangri La, Traders, <span class="company">Sheraton</span>, and St Regis brand<span class="sent"> A 2,300 room <span class="company">Sheraton</span> Towers will open six months later JP Morgan gaming analyst <span class="analyst">Joe Greff</span> said the company's Macau operations have shown solid volume and margin traction</span> "Las Vegas Sands has been effective with both its mass market and slot programs in Macau, particularly at the Venetian," Greff told investors Tweet this 

Japan's slot machine business has been volatile over the past few years In fiscal year 2007, IGT shipped 29,800 machines to Japan That figure fell to 6,000 machines in 2008 and 3,775 machines in 2009 JP Morgan gaming analyst Joe Greff estimated the company would ship just more than 2,000 machines this year 
Share:  Japan's slot machine business has been volatile over the past few years In fiscal year 2007, <span class="company">IGT</span> shipped 29,800 machines to Japan<span class="sent"> That figure fell to 6,000 machines in 2008 and 3,775 machines in 2009 JP Morgan gaming analyst <span class="analyst">Joe Greff</span> estimated the company would ship just more than 2,000 machines this year</span>...<span class="sent">JP Morgan gaming analyst <span class="analyst">Joe Greff</span> estimated the company would ship just more than 2,000 machines this year "Given the capital investment required for this business, as well as the minimal earnings impact, we do not see the decision to end operations as a negative aspect of the <span class="company">IGT</span> story," Greff told investors</span> NEW YORK Snacks business boosts quarterly profits for PepsiCo PepsiCo Inc's fourth quarter profit almost doubled on strength in its snacks business and overseas beverage operations, and the company said it will keep expanding internationally to buffer the slumping US drinks market The snack and drink maker also said Thursday it expects more savings from its buyout of two of its bottlers, a deal it says will help it get new products to market more quickly because it will control their distribution The company said the deal, valued at $78 billion, should close by the end of the month Tweet this 

International Game Technology ( IGT Quote ) is exiting the Japanese market The slot machine maker said Thursday that it will shutter its Japanese operations by the third quarter The Japanese market has been a strain on IGT's business for several years, as legislation there has made slot machines less desirable to gamblers In 2009, IGT shipped just 3,775 units to Japan, compared with 6,000 in 2008 and 29,800 in 2007, Joseph Greff, JP Morgan analyst, wrote in a note 
Share:  <span class="company">International Game Technology</span> ( IGT Quote ) is exiting the Japanese market The slot machine maker said Thursday that it will shutter its Japanese operations by the third quarter The Japanese market has been a strain on IGT's business for several years, as legislation there has made slot machines less desirable to gamblers<span class="sent"> In 2009, IGT shipped just 3,775 units to Japan, compared with 6,000 in 2008 and 29,800 in 2007, <span class="analyst">Joseph Greff</span>, JP Morgan analyst, wrote in a note</span>...The slot machine maker said Thursday that it will shutter its Japanese operations by the third quarter The Japanese market has been a strain on <span class="company">IGT</span>'s business for several years, as legislation there has made slot machines less desirable to gamblers<span class="sent"> In 2009, <span class="company">IGT</span> shipped just 3,775 units to Japan, compared with 6,000 in 2008 and 29,800 in 2007, <span class="analyst">Joseph Greff</span>, JP Morgan analyst, wrote in a note</span>...<span class="sent">In 2009, <span class="company">IGT</span> shipped just 3,775 units to Japan, compared with 6,000 in 2008 and 29,800 in 2007, <span class="analyst">Joseph Greff</span>, JP Morgan analyst, wrote in a note</span> <span class="company">IGT</span> expects the closure to result in a $20 million charge, which it will recognize in the second Tweet this 

Analyst Sees Potential For WMS As New Markets Open Filed in WMS Industries (WMS) on Feb.10, 2010 . JP Morgan analyst, Joseph Greff told his clients that weakness in the gaming sector could represent a buying opportunity for investors, since shares of WMS Industries ( WMS : 3831 +084% ) have fallen significantly from its January high 
Share:  Analyst Sees Potential For <span class="company">WMS</span> As New Markets Open Filed in <span class="company">WMS</span> Industries (<span class="company">WMS</span>) on Feb.10, 2010 . <span class="sent"> JP Morgan analyst, <span class="analyst">Joseph Greff</span> told his clients that weakness in the gaming sector could represent a buying opportunity for investors, since shares of <span class="company">WMS</span> Industries ( <span class="company">WMS</span> : 3831 +084% ) have fallen significantly from its January high</span>...<span class="sent">JP Morgan analyst, <span class="analyst">Joseph Greff</span> told his clients that weakness in the gaming sector could represent a buying opportunity for investors, since shares of <span class="company">WMS</span> Industries ( <span class="company">WMS</span> : 3831 +084% ) have fallen significantly from its January high</span> While, <span class="company">WMS</span> reported record results in its second fiscal quarter, shares of the gaming company have dropped 16% Greff adds that the stock price decline "presents an opportunity in front of revenue acceleration starting in the calendar of the second quarter of 2010" <span class="company">WMS</span> is poised for growth over the next two years as they wait for regulatory approval to enter the Australia gaming market, where <span class="company">WMS</span> executives say there is significant opportunity...<span class="sent">JP Morgan analyst, <span class="analyst">Joseph Greff</span> told his clients that weakness in the Tweet this 

"We'll wait until the matter is formally resolved before offering any additional comments" Wall Street was not surprised MGM Mirage would look to sever itself from Atlantic City rather than Macau JP Morgan gaming analyst Joe Greff told investors the move made sense for MGM Mirage "It's a pretty simple analysis MGM Mirage is choosing its Macau joint venture over its Atlantic City joint venture, given Macau's growth versus Atlantic City's positioning in an increasingly competitive Northeast US gaming market," Greff said in a research note 
Share:  "We'll wait until the matter is formally resolved before offering any additional comments"<span class="sent"> Wall Street was not surprised <span class="company">MGM Mirage</span> would look to sever itself from Atlantic City rather than Macau JP Morgan gaming analyst <span class="analyst">Joe Greff</span> told investors the move made sense for <span class="company">MGM Mirage</span></span> "It's a pretty simple analysis <span class="company">MGM Mirage</span> is choosing its Macau joint venture over its Atlantic City joint venture, given Macau's growth versus Atlantic City's positioning in an increasingly competitive Northeast US gaming market," Greff said in a research note...Wall Street was not surprised <span class="company">MGM Mirage</span> would look to sever itself from Atlantic City rather than Macau<span class="sent"> JP Morgan gaming analyst <span class="analyst">Joe Greff</span> told investors the move made sense for <span class="company">MGM Mirage</span> "It's a pretty simple analysis</span> <span class="company">MGM Mirage</span> is choosing its Macau joint venture over its Atlantic City joint venture, given Macau's growth versus Atlantic City's positioning in an increasingly competitive Northeast US gaming market," Greff said in a research note <span class="company">MGM Mirage</span> is in the early stages of an initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that could raise up to $1 billion Tweet this