In addition to Carter’s Inc., other notable contributors in the consumer discretionary sector included International Game Technology PLC (NYSE:IGT) and Regal Entertainment Group. IGT’s Italy-based Lottomatica subsidiary is leading a consortium bid on an Italian lottery concession, after which a joint venture will be arranged. The announcement came just ahead of IGT’s positive fourth quarter earnings report. Regal reported a record 2015 across most financial metrics, partially due to a strong fourth quarter of blockbuster film releases, investment in premium amenities and consistent focus on operational execution. The company also got a tangential boost from the AMC-Carmike Cinemas acquisition. A consolidating market is good for the movie theater industry and opens up the possibility of a similar merger & acquisition (M&A) transaction for Regal.
From Bernard Horn (Trades, Portfolio)'s second quarter 2016 Polaris Global Fund Commentary.