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Dave & Buster's EntertainmentSTU:9DB +1.72%61 Operating Margin % is 9.35% as of Apr. 2026, which is 35% below its 10-year median of 14.33. 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 1,010 Media - Diversified companies, Dave & Buster's Entertainment ranks better than 55.25% on this metric.
Dave & Buster's Entertainment (STU:9DB) Operating Margin % Explanation
Just like Gross Margin %, it is important to see a company maintains its operating margin over time. Among the same industry, a company with higher operating margin is more efficient in its operation. It is also more stable during industry slowdown or recessions. Peter Lynch prefers those with higher margins than those with lower margins.
Be Aware
Operating Margin % can be manipulated by adjusting the rate of depreciation, depletion and amortization (DDA).
If a company is facing competition, its Operating Margin % may decline. Often the Operating Margin % declines well before the company's Revenue or even profit decline. Therefore, Operating Margin % is a very important indicator of whether the company is facing problems.
For instance, by 2012, Nokia (NOK)'s problems were well known and its stock had lost more than 90% of its market value since 2007. But Nokias Operating Margin % had already been in decline since 2002, although its Earnings per Share (Diluted) were still rising. Investors who paid attention to Operating Margin % would have avoided this huge loss. The same can be said for Research-in-Motion (RIMM).
Therefore, Operating Margin % is a very important screening filter for GuruFocus. GuruFocus's Buffett-Munger screener requires that the profit margin is either consistent or expanding. The Model Portfolio of the Buffett-Munger screener has outperformed the market every year since inception in 2009.
Dave & Buster's Entertainment Operating Margin % Related Terms
Dave & Buster's Entertainment Operating Margin % Historical Data
* 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 Operating Margin % Chart
STU:9DB vs AENT, STRZ, AMCX: Operating Margin % Comparison
For the Entertainment subindustry, Dave & Buster's Entertainment's Operating Margin %, along with its competitors' market caps and Operating Margin % 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 Operating Margin % vs Media - Diversified Industry
For the Media - Diversified industry and Communication Services sector, Dave & Buster's Entertainment's Operating Margin % distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where Dave & Buster's Entertainment's Operating Margin % falls into.
Dave & Buster's Entertainment Operating Margin % Calculation
Operating Margin % - also known as operating income margin, operating profit margin and return on sales (ROS) - is the ratio of Operating Income divided by net sales or Revenue, usually presented in percent.
* 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 (STU:9DB) has a Operating Margin % of 9.35% as of Apr. 2026. Operating margin is the ratio of total operating income to net sales. View historical data on Dave & Buster's Entertainment and its competitors. This is 35% below median its historical median of 14.33. According to the industry distribution chart, Dave & Buster's Entertainment ranks #452 out of 1010 companies in the Media - Diversified industry, placing it in the top 44.8%.
Is Dave & Buster's Entertainment's Operating Margin % too high?
Dave & Buster's Entertainment's current Operating Margin % of 9.35% is 35% below median its 10-year median of 14.33. The Media - Diversified industry median Operating Margin % is 2.52. Dave & Buster's Entertainment's value of 9.35% is 271% above this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, Dave & Buster's Entertainment ranks #452 out of 1010 companies in the Media - Diversified industry, which is above 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 Operating Margin % compare to AENT and STRZ?
According to the Media - Diversified industry distribution chart, Dave & Buster's Entertainment ranks #452 out of 1010 companies for Operating Margin %. This puts Dave & Buster's Entertainment in the upper half of its industry. The industry median Operating Margin % is 2.52. Dave & Buster's Entertainment's value of 9.35% is 271% above this benchmark. While the company's 10-year median is 14.33 vs. the industry median of 2.52, Dave & Buster's Entertainment has consistently been above the industry average. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Operating Margin % for a Media - Diversified company?
The median Operating Margin % among Media - Diversified companies is 2.52, based on 1,010 companies in the industry. Companies in the top quartile (top 25%) have a Operating Margin % significantly above this median, while those in the bottom quartile fall well below. However, Operating Margin % should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Dave & Buster's Entertainment's current Operating Margin % of 9.35% is 271% above the industry median. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Operating Margin % mean?
A high Operating Margin % can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Operating margin is the ratio of total operating income to net sales. View historical data on Dave & Buster's Entertainment and its competitors. For the Media - Diversified industry, the median Operating Margin % is 2.52 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. Dave & Buster's Entertainment's current Operating Margin % is 9.35%, which is 35% below median its own 10-year median of 14.33. 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 Operating Margin % is 9.35%, which is 35% below median its 10-year median of 14.33 and 271% above the Media - Diversified industry median of 2.52. 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 Operating Margin % calculated?
Operating Margin % is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Dave & Buster's Entertainment (STU:9DB), the current Operating Margin % is 9.35% as of Apr. 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:
Operating Margin %: 9.35% (35% below median its 10-year median of 14.33)
GF Value™: €30.58 vs. price of €8.85 (71.1% below fair value)
Industry Position: 271% above the Media - Diversified median (#452 of 1010)
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 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
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Operating Margin % is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.
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