AGEM Index in February reaches record high

The AGEM Index reached another record high in February, continuing the momentum from previous months.

The composite index stood at 351.4 points at the close of February 2017, which represents an increase of 21.3 points, or 6.5 percent, when compared to January 2017. The AGEM Index reported a year-over-year increase for the 17th consecutive month, rising 155.4 points, or 78.4 percent, when compared to February 2016.

During the latest period, eight of the 13 global gaming equipment manufacturers reported month-to-month increases in stock price, with two up by more than 10 percent. Five manufacturers reported decreases in stock price during the month with one experiencing double-digit losses.

The broader stock markets continued to gain value in February 2017. The S&P 500 reported a month-to-month increase of 3.7 percent, rising to 2,363.64. Additionally, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 4.8 percent to 20,812.24, while the NASDAQ increased 3.8 percent during the period to 5,825.44.

Selected positive contributors to the February 2017 AGEM Index included the following:

• Aristocrat Technologies (ALL) contributed 11.07 points due to a 9.64 percent increase in stock price to AU$16.60.
• Scientific Games Corporation (SGMS) reported a 21.47 percent increase in stock price, rising to $20.65 and contributing 4.82 points.
• Konami Corp (TYO:0766) contributed 3.74 points due to a 4.87 percent increase in stock price to ¥4,740.
• Selected negative contributors included the following:
• With a stock price of $9.10 (-6.47 percent), Agilysys (AGYS) contributed negative 0.17 points.
• Ainsworth Game Technology (AGI) contributed negative 0.12 points to the index due to a 3.31 percent decline in stock price to AU$1.75.