Movie Theater Stocks: Due for a Turnaround or Dead in the Water?

So far, 2017 hasn't been a very good year for movie theater investors. With the all-important summer blockbuster season winding down, moviegoers simply haven't found a compelling reason to venture out. The U.S. box office is down over 4% so far this year -- even though the average ticket price has increased by 3%. This year's slate of movies were big on budget and small on appeal, and the dwindling number of ticket-buyers has sent exhibitor stock prices plummeting, though some have managed better than others.

AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AMC) felt the brunt of the move, but others, including IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX), Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC), and Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), have taken a hit as well.

The situation is much more complex than fewer people in the seats, however, and investors are left with a quandary: Are movie theater stocks on the verge of a stunning reversal, or is there more pain to come?

Source: Fool.com