The AGEM Index of U.S. gaming stocks gained 3.3 percent in September from the prior month, led by major gaming suppliers.
The index rose 33.86 points to a new high of 1,946.74. This is almost double its level in September of last year.
The gains in the month were driven by five companies, which made up for declines in the remaining seven. International Game Technology was the star performer gaining 22.5 percent, while Ainsworth Game Technology was up 18.1 percent and Scientific Games up 14.8 percent. Everi Holdings and Aristocrat were also gainers.
The largest negative contributor on the month was Konami, whose 7.1 percent drop in stock price led to a 12.14-point decrease in the AGEM Index.
All three major U.S. stock indices decreased over the month, with the NASDAQ and the S&P 500 experiencing declines of 5.7 percent and 5.0 percent, respectively. The Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a 4.3 percent decline.
The U.S. is on track for its best ever year in terms of commercial gaming revenue, with sports betting in the first six months already exceeding the volume for the whole of 2020 and igaming enjoying a record quarter.
According to the American Gaming Association, 2Q21 revenue for all U.S. gaming hit a quarterly record high of $13.6 billion, with bricks and mortar generating $11.8 billion as properties across the country benefited from huge levels of pent-up demand as Covid restrictions were eased.
