Dave & Buster's Entertainment (STU:9DB) Beneish M-Score: -2.37 (As of Aug. 08, 2026)

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STU:9DB Dave & Buster's Entertainment Inc STU:9DB
61 GF Score
Price €8.85
GF Value €30.58
Valuation Possible Value Trap
! 8 Warning Signs
View Full Analysis

What is Dave & Buster's Entertainment Beneish M-Score?

Dave & Buster's Entertainment STU:9DB +1.72% 61 Beneish M-Score is -2.37 as of Aug. 08, 2026. GuruFocus rates STU:9DB with a GF Score™ of 61/100 and a GF Value™ of €30.58 (Possible Value Trap). The stock has 8 warning signs investors should review. Among 972 Media - Diversified companies, Dave & Buster's Entertainment ranks worse than 63.99% on this metric.

The zones of discrimination for M-Score is as such:

An M-Score of equal or less than -1.78 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator.
An M-Score of greater than -1.78 signals that the company is likely to be a manipulator.

Good Sign:

Beneish M-Score -2.37 no higher than -1.78, which implies that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator.

The historical rank and industry rank for Dave & Buster's Entertainment's Beneish M-Score or its related term are showing as below:

STU:9DB' s Beneish M-Score Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: -3.75   Med: -2.65   Max: 81.45
Current: -2.37

During the past 13 years, the highest Beneish M-Score of Dave & Buster's Entertainment was 81.45. The lowest was -3.75. And the median was -2.65.


Dave & Buster's Entertainment Beneish M-Score Historical Data

* Premium members only.

The historical data trend for Dave & Buster's Entertainment's Beneish M-Score can be seen below:

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

Dave & Buster's Entertainment Beneish M-Score Chart

Dave & Buster's Entertainment Annual Data
Trend Jan17 Jan18 Jan19 Jan20 Jan21 Jan22 Jan23 Jan24 Jan25 Jan26
Beneish M-Score
Get a 7-Day Free Trial Premium Member Only Premium Member Only -1.61 -2.65 -2.77 -3.10 -2.07

Dave & Buster's Entertainment Quarterly Data
Jul21 Oct21 Jan22 Apr22 Jul22 Oct22 Jan23 Apr23 Jul23 Oct23 Jan24 Apr24 Jul24 Oct24 Jan25 Apr25 Jul25 Oct25 Jan26 Apr26
Beneish M-Score Get a 7-Day Free Trial Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only -2.87 -1.88 -2.71 -2.07 -2.37

STU:9DB vs AENT, STRZ, AMCX: Beneish M-Score Comparison

For the Entertainment subindustry, Dave & Buster's Entertainment's Beneish M-Score, along with its competitors' market caps and Beneish M-Score data, can be viewed below:

* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.


Dave & Buster's Entertainment Beneish M-Score vs Media - Diversified Industry

For the Media - Diversified industry and Communication Services sector, Dave & Buster's Entertainment's Beneish M-Score distribution charts can be found below:

* The bar in red indicates where Dave & Buster's Entertainment's Beneish M-Score falls into.


STU:9DB
61GF Score
Dave & Buster's Entertainment Inc STU:9DB
Beneish M-Score is just one metric. See GF Score™, valuation, warning signs, and more.
View Full Analysis

Dave & Buster's Entertainment Beneish M-Score Calculation

The M-score was created by Professor Messod Beneish. Instead of measuring the bankruptcy risk (Altman Z-Score) or business trend (Piotroski F-Score), M-score can be used to detect the risk of earnings manipulation. This is the original research paper on M-score.

The M-Score Variables:

The M-score of Dave & Buster's Entertainment for today is based on a combination of the following eight different indices:

M=-4.84+0.92 * DSRI+0.528 * GMI+0.404 * AQI+0.892 * SGI+0.115 * DEPI
=-4.84+0.92 * 1.6629+0.528 * 0.9952+0.404 * 0.982+0.892 * 0.9182+0.115 * 0.8882
-0.172 * SGAI+4.679 * TATA-0.327 * LVGI
-0.172 * 1.0885+4.679 * -0.085822-0.327 * 0.9696
=-2.37

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

This Year (Apr26) TTM:Last Year (Apr25) TTM:
Total Receivables was €41 Mil.
Revenue was 478.116 + 450.69 + 385.004 + 477.692 = €1,792 Mil.
Gross Profit was 409.887 + 384.141 + 330.457 + 412.217 = €1,537 Mil.
Total Current Assets was €112 Mil.
Total Assets was €3,536 Mil.
Property, Plant and Equipment(Net PPE) was €2,596 Mil.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization(DDA) was €246 Mil.
Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) was €566 Mil.
Total Current Liabilities was €386 Mil.
Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation was €2,609 Mil.
Net Income was 4.873 + -33.785 + -36.164 + 9.77 = €-55 Mil.
Non Operating Income was -4.617 + -3.574 + -4.037 + -3.514 = €-16 Mil.
Cash Flow from Operations was 97.299 + 87.653 + 49.822 + 29.138 = €264 Mil.
Total Receivables was €27 Mil.
Revenue was 505.253 + 516.327 + 415.854 + 513.646 = €1,951 Mil.
Gross Profit was 432.184 + 441.462 + 353.614 + 438.227 = €1,665 Mil.
Total Current Assets was €101 Mil.
Total Assets was €3,618 Mil.
Property, Plant and Equipment(Net PPE) was €2,653 Mil.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization(DDA) was €221 Mil.
Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) was €566 Mil.
Total Current Liabilities was €384 Mil.
Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation was €2,777 Mil.




1. DSRI = Days Sales in Receivables Index

Measured as the ratio of Revenue in Total Receivables in year t to year t-1.

A large increase in DSR could be indicative of revenue inflation.

DSRI=(Receivables_t / Revenue_t) / (Receivables_t-1 / Revenue_t-1)
=(41.04 / 1791.502) / (26.878 / 1951.08)
=0.022908 / 0.013776
=1.6629

2. GMI = Gross Margin Index

Measured as the ratio of gross margin in year t-1 to gross margin in year t.

Gross margin has deteriorated when this index is above 1. A firm with poorer prospects is more likely to manipulate earnings.

GMI=GrossMargin_t-1 / GrossMargin_t
=(GrossProfit_t-1 / Revenue_t-1) / (GrossProfit_t / Revenue_t)
=(1665.487 / 1951.08) / (1536.702 / 1791.502)
=0.853623 / 0.857773
=0.9952

3. AQI = Asset Quality Index

AQI is the ratio of asset quality in year t to year t-1.

Asset quality is measured as the ratio of non-current assets other than Property, Plant and Equipment to Total Assets.

AQI=(1 - (CurrentAssets_t + PPE_t) / TotalAssets_t) / (1 - (CurrentAssets_t-1 + PPE_t-1) / TotalAssets_t-1)
=(1 - (111.919 + 2595.523) / 3536.109) / (1 - (100.926 + 2653.357) / 3617.583)
=0.234344 / 0.23864
=0.982

4. SGI = Sales Growth Index

Ratio of Revenue in year t to sales in year t-1.

Sales growth is not itself a measure of manipulation. However, growth companies are likely to find themselves under pressure to manipulate in order to keep up appearances.

SGI=Sales_t / Sales_t-1
=Revenue_t / Revenue_t-1
=1791.502 / 1951.08
=0.9182

5. DEPI = Depreciation Index

Measured as the ratio of the rate of Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization in year t-1 to the corresponding rate in year t.

DEPI greater than 1 indicates that assets are being depreciated at a slower rate. This suggests that the firm might be revising useful asset life assumptions upwards, or adopting a new method that is income friendly.

DEPI=(Depreciation_t-1 / (Depreciaton_t-1 + PPE_t-1)) / (Depreciation_t / (Depreciaton_t + PPE_t))
=(220.567 / (220.567 + 2653.357)) / (245.5 / (245.5 + 2595.523))
=0.076748 / 0.086413
=0.8882

Note: If the Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization data is not available, we assume that the depreciation rate is constant and set the Depreciation Index to 1.

6. SGAI = Sales, General and Administrative expenses Index

The ratio of Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) to Sales in year t relative to year t-1.

SGA expenses index > 1 means that the company is becoming less efficient in generate sales.

SGAI=(SGA_t / Sales_t) / (SGA_t-1 /Sales_t-1)
=(565.553 / 1791.502) / (565.861 / 1951.08)
=0.315687 / 0.290024
=1.0885

7. LVGI = Leverage Index

The ratio of total debt to Total Assets in year t relative to yeat t-1.

An LVGI > 1 indicates an increase in leverage

LVGI=((LTD_t + CurrentLiabilities_t) / TotalAssets_t) / ((LTD_t-1 + CurrentLiabilities_t-1) / TotalAssets_t-1)
=((2609.118 + 386.374) / 3536.109) / ((2776.622 + 383.946) / 3617.583)
=0.847115 / 0.873668
=0.9696

8. TATA = Total Accruals to Total Assets

Total accruals calculated as the change in working capital accounts other than cash less depreciation.

TATA=(IncomefromContinuingOperations_t - CashFlowsfromOperations_t) / TotalAssets_t
=(NetIncome_t - NonOperatingIncome_t - CashFlowsfromOperations_t) / TotalAssets_t
=(-55.306 - -15.742 - 263.912) / 3536.109
=-0.085822

An M-Score of equal or less than -1.78 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator. An M-Score of greater than -1.78 signals that the company is likely to be a manipulator.

Dave & Buster's Entertainment has a M-score of -2.37 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator.

Frequently Asked Questions Learn more about Beneish M-Score →
What does a Beneish M-Score of -2.37 mean?
Dave & Buster's Entertainment (STU:9DB) has a Beneish M-Score of -2.37 as of Aug. 08, 2026. The Beneish M-score measures the likelihood of earnings manipulation. View historical data on Dave & Buster's Entertainment and its competitors. According to the industry distribution chart, Dave & Buster's Entertainment ranks #622 out of 972 companies in the Media - Diversified industry, placing it in the top 64%.
Is Dave & Buster's Entertainment's Beneish M-Score too high?
Dave & Buster's Entertainment's current Beneish M-Score is -2.37. Based on the distribution chart, Dave & Buster's Entertainment ranks #622 out of 972 companies in the Media - Diversified industry, which is below the industry midpoint. Overall, Dave & Buster's Entertainment has a GF Score™ of 61/100 and is considered Possible Value Trap, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Dave & Buster's Entertainment's Beneish M-Score compare to AENT and STRZ?
According to the Media - Diversified industry distribution chart, Dave & Buster's Entertainment ranks #622 out of 972 companies for Beneish M-Score. This places Dave & Buster's Entertainment in the lower half of its industry. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Beneish M-Score for a Media - Diversified company?
A good Beneish M-Score depends on the Media - Diversified industry context. However, Beneish M-Score should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Beneish M-Score mean?
A high Beneish M-Score can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. The Beneish M-score measures the likelihood of earnings manipulation. View historical data on Dave & Buster's Entertainment and its competitors. Dave & Buster's Entertainment's current Beneish M-Score is -2.37. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Dave & Buster's Entertainment stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Dave & Buster's Entertainment (STU:9DB) is currently considered Possible Value Trap. The stock's GF Value™ is €30.58, compared to a current price of €8.85 — trading 71.1% below its estimated fair value. The current Beneish M-Score is -2.37. Dave & Buster's Entertainment's overall GF Score™ is 61/100 with 8 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Beneish M-Score calculated?
Beneish M-Score is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Dave & Buster's Entertainment (STU:9DB), the current Beneish M-Score is -2.37 as of Aug. 08, 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.

Is Dave & Buster's Entertainment (STU:9DB) Overvalued in 2026?

Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Dave & Buster's Entertainment stock appears to be undervalued. The current stock price of €8.85 is trading 71.1% below its estimated GF Value™ of €30.58. GuruFocus considers Dave & Buster's Entertainment to be Possible Value Trap.

Key valuation signals for STU:9DB:

  • Beneish M-Score: -2.37
  • GF Value™: €30.58 vs. price of €8.85 (71.1% below fair value)
  • GF Score™: 61/100 with 8 warning signs

No single metric tells the full story. See the STU:9DB stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.


Dave & Buster's Entertainment Business Description

Other Exchanges PLAY:USA
Address 1221 Beltline Road, Suite 500, Coppell, TX, USA, 75019
Dave & Buster's Entertainment Inc is an owner and operator of entertainment and dining venues in North America that offer experiences for both adults and families under the Dave & Buster's and Main Event brands. The company combines various forms of entertainment, including games, bowling, and watching live sports and other televised events, with a full menu of entrees and appetizers and a selection of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, all in one location. Its concept focuses on providing customers the opportunity to Eat, Drink, Play, and Watch, appealing to a balanced mix of adults, families, and teenagers. The company also operates internationally in the early stage as a franchisor of the Dave & Buster's brand.
61GF Score

Get the complete analysis for STU:9DB

Beneish M-Score is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.

€8.85
Price
€30.58
GF Value