The AGEM Index, which tracks stock prices of listed firms in the casino equipment supply sector, increased by 60.9 percent in 2017. The index closed the year at 516.79 points from 321.28 points at the close of 2016.
Of the 12 global gaming equipment manufacturers covered by the index, only two posted a negative stock price performance for 2017, according to data from the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM); it compiles the index in association with research firm Applied Analysis LLC. They were Taiwan-based slot machine maker Astro Corp, which saw its stock price fall 50.4 percent; and Nasdaq-listed casino currency and table gaming equipment supplier Gaming Partners International Corp, with a 4.9 percent decline.
A total of four equipment manufacturers covered by the index reported stock price gains of more than 100 percent in 2017. The biggest gainer was Scientific Games Corp: the stock price of the Nasdaq-listed casino equipment supplier and lottery services business jumped by 266.4 percent in 2017.
In December, the AGEM Index went up by 4.9 percent in month-on-month terms. The index reported a year-over-year increase for the 27th consecutive month.
AGEM is a non-profit international trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers of electronic gaming devices, systems, table games, online technology, key components and support products and services for the gaming industry.
The AGEM Index is computed based on the month-end stock price (adjusted for dividends and splits) of each company and weighted based on approximation of market capitalisation. It is based on a 100-point value recorded as of January 2005.
