Macquarie Maintains Outperform on Accel Entertainment, Maintains $16 Price Target
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 06 2025
0mins
Should l Buy ACEL?
Source: Benzinga
Real-time Intelligence for Traders: Benzinga Pro offers the fastest news alerts and exclusive stories to help traders make informed decisions in the stock market.
Community of Serious Traders: Over 10,000 traders are part of the Benzinga Pro community, benefiting from accurate market intelligence and insights.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy ACEL?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on ACEL
Wall Street analysts forecast ACEL stock price to rise
2 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 11.080
Low
13.00
Averages
13.00
High
13.00
Current: 11.080
Low
13.00
Averages
13.00
High
13.00
About ACEL
Accel Entertainment, Inc. is a distributed gaming operator in the United States and a partner for local business owners in the markets it serves. The Company offers turnkey full-service gaming solutions to authorized non-casino locations such as bars, restaurants, convenience stores, truck stops, and fraternal and veteran establishments across the country. It installs, maintains, operates and services gaming terminals and related equipment for its location partners as well as redemption devices, stand-alone automated teller machines (ATMs) and amusement devices, including jukeboxes, dartboards, pool tables, and other entertainment-related equipment. It also designs and manufactures gaming terminals and related equipment. Its segments include distributed gaming and casinos and racing. The Company offers amusement devices, including jukeboxes, dartboards, pool tables, and other entertainment-related equipment that enhance customer experience and engagement.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Revenue Growth: Accel Entertainment reported Q4 revenue of $341.4 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 7.4% and exceeding market expectations by $5.74 million, indicating strong performance in a competitive landscape.
- Significant Net Income Increase: The company achieved a net income of $16.2 million for Q4, representing a remarkable 91.7% increase compared to the same quarter last year, showcasing improved cost control and operational efficiency that boosts investor confidence.
- Record Adjusted EBITDA: The adjusted EBITDA for Q4 reached $56.3 million, up 18.9% year-over-year, highlighting the company's ongoing enhancement in profitability, which may provide financial support for future expansion initiatives.
- Executive Transition: Accel Entertainment has announced the appointment of a new CEO, which is expected to bring a fresh strategic direction and growth opportunities, further enhancing the company's competitive edge in the market.
See More
- Strong Quarterly Performance: Accel Entertainment reported a net income of $16.2 million in Q4, translating to earnings of 19 cents per share, indicating stable profitability despite a challenging market environment.
- Annual Financial Overview: The company achieved a net profit of $51.5 million for the year, with earnings of 60 cents per share and total revenue of $1.33 billion, demonstrating sustained revenue growth capabilities amid market challenges.
- Stock Price Fluctuation Analysis: Accel Entertainment's shares have dropped 3% since the beginning of the year, yet have increased approximately 4% over the past 12 months, reflecting market confidence in the company's long-term prospects despite short-term volatility.
- Market Performance Assessment: In the final minutes of trading on Tuesday, shares hit $11.07, indicating investor interest in the company's future growth potential, although overall market performance requires further observation.
See More
- Record Revenue: Accel Entertainment achieved a record revenue of $341.4 million in Q4 2025, representing a 7.5% increase year-over-year, which underscores the company's robust growth potential in local markets and solidifies its leadership position in the U.S. gaming industry.
- Significant Net Income Growth: The net income for Q4 2025 reached $16.2 million, a remarkable 91.7% increase compared to Q4 2024, partially driven by a gain on the fair value change of contingent earnout shares, indicating substantial improvements in cost control and profitability.
- Adjusted EBITDA at All-Time High: The Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2025 was $56.3 million, an 18.9% increase year-over-year, reflecting the company's success in operational efficiency and capital allocation, enhancing the sustainability of future growth.
- Strategic Investments and Buybacks: In 2025, Accel repurchased approximately 3.7 million shares of its common stock, demonstrating confidence in its stock value, while completing a $900 million credit facility that enhances capital flexibility and supports future expansion initiatives.
See More
- Board Leadership Change: Andy Rubenstein, founder and CEO of Accel Entertainment, has been appointed chairman of the board, indicating a significant shift in governance aimed at enhancing decision-making efficiency and strategic direction.
- New COO Appointment: Mark Phelan, president of US Gaming at Accel, has been appointed chief operating officer, and will succeed Rubenstein as CEO on August 7, 2026, which is expected to drive operational efficiency improvements within the company.
- Future Leadership Planning: Phelan's transition to CEO will also see him join Accel's board, ensuring continuity in management and laying a solid foundation for the company's long-term strategic development.
- Market Expansion and Capital Management: In its latest earnings report, Accel highlighted its market expansion and capital discipline, securing a $900 million credit facility, demonstrating the company's proactive positioning in industry consolidation and financial robustness.
See More

- Market Potential Assessment: Accel Entertainment is evaluating the potential introduction of Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) in Chicago, with an estimated $64 million in incremental annual tax revenue for the city, highlighting significant market potential.
- Revenue Expectations: According to the City Council Office of Financial Analysis, the total annual gross gaming revenue (GGR) from Chicago's VGTs could reach $1 billion, providing a substantial boost to the existing $3 billion revenue, indicating strong market demand.
- Implementation Timeline: Although full implementation may take up to 10 years, Accel anticipates that the Chicago VGT market could start generating revenue as early as Q3 or Q4 of 2026, reflecting the company's confidence in entering this market.
- Capital Deployment Strategy: Accel plans to leverage its strong balance sheet and existing infrastructure to assess its capital deployment strategy for the Chicago market, ensuring competitiveness and sustainable growth in this new market.
See More






