As the Q3 earnings season comes to a close, it’s time to take stock of this quarter’s best and worst performers in the leisure facilities industry, including United Parks & Resorts (NYSE: PRKS) and its peers.

Leisure facilities companies often sell experiences rather than tangible products, and in the last decade-plus, consumers have slowly shifted their spending from "things" to "experiences". Leisure facilities seek to benefit but must innovate to do so because of the industry's high competition and capital intensity.

The 11 leisure facilities stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q3. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 0.7% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 0.6% below.

Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 5.9% on average since the latest earnings results.

Weakest Q3: United Parks & Resorts (NYSE: PRKS)

Parent company of SeaWorld and home of the world-famous Shamu, United Parks & Resorts (NYSE: PRKS) is a theme park chain featuring marine life, live entertainment, roller coasters, and waterparks.

United Parks & Resorts reported revenues of $511.9 million, down 6.2% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 5.2%. Overall, it was a disappointing quarter for the company with a miss of analysts’ visitors and revenue estimates.

"We are obviously not happy with the results we delivered in the quarter. Performance during the quarter was negatively impacted by an unfavorable calendar shift, poor weather during peak holiday periods, a decline in international visitation and less than optimal execution. The consumer environment in the U.S. appears to be inconsistent, as has been outlined by a number of other leisure and hospitality businesses. Nonetheless, we can and expect to do better," said Marc Swanson, Chief Executive Officer of United Parks & Resorts Inc.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 24.6% since reporting and currently trades at $34.84.

Read our full report on United Parks & Resorts here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Best Q3: AMC Entertainment (NYSE: AMC)

With a profile that was raised due to meme stock mania beginning in 2021, AMC Entertainment (NYSE: AMC) operates movie theaters primarily in the US and Europe.

AMC Entertainment reported revenues of $1.3 billion, down 3.6% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 6.3%. The business had an exceptional quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

AMC Entertainment pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 29.2% since reporting. It currently trades at $1.79.

Is now the time to buy AMC Entertainment? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Dave & Buster's (NASDAQ: PLAY)

Founded by a former game parlor and bar operator, Dave & Buster’s (NASDAQ: PLAY) operates a chain of arcades providing immersive entertainment experiences.

Dave & Buster's reported revenues of $448.2 million, down 1.1% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 2.8%. It was a softer quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income and EPS estimates.

The stock is flat since the results and currently trades at $18.12.

Read our full analysis of Dave & Buster’s results here.

Lucky Strike (NYSE: LUCK)

Born from the transformation of traditional bowling alleys into modern entertainment destinations, Lucky Strike (NYSE: LUCK) operates bowling alleys and other entertainment venues with upscale amenities, arcade games, and food and beverage services across North America.

Lucky Strike reported revenues of $292.3 million, up 12.3% year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 3.3%. It was a strong quarter as it also produced a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Lucky Strike delivered the highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. The stock is up 12% since reporting and currently trades at $9.04.

Read our full, actionable report on Lucky Strike here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Planet Fitness (NYSE: PLNT)

Founded by two brothers who purchased a struggling gym, Planet Fitness (NYSE: PLNT) is a gym franchise that caters to casual fitness users by providing a friendly and inclusive atmosphere.

Planet Fitness reported revenues of $330.3 million, up 13% year on year. This result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 2%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also recorded a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates and a narrow beat of analysts’ same-store sales estimates.

The stock is up 19.8% since reporting and currently trades at $109.87.

Read our full, actionable report on Planet Fitness here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Market Update

Thanks to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been on a steady path downward, easing back toward that 2% sweet spot. Fortunately (miraculously to some), all this tightening didn’t send the economy tumbling into a recession, so here we are, cautiously celebrating a soft landing. The cherry on top? Recent rate cuts (half a point in September 2024, a quarter in November) have propped up markets, especially after Trump’s November win lit a fire under major indices and sent them to all-time highs. However, there’s still plenty to ponder — tariffs, corporate tax cuts, and what 2025 might hold for the economy.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Quality Compounder Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.