FanDuel Owner Flutter Expects Lower 2026 Profit Growth
Flutter shares fell as the firm forecast 2026 profit of $2.97 billion, missing estimates. The group cited US market challenges and poor promotion execution.
The betting industry leader Flutter Entertainment plc has issued a cautious financial outlook for 2026 that falls significantly short of market expectations, citing specific headwinds in its primary market in the United States. Despite achieving a 21% increase in core profit during 2025, the company expects growth to decelerate to just 4% in the coming year, reaching approximately $2.97 billion. This projection is notably lower than the $3.5 billion previously anticipated by analysts, leading to a decline of more than 9% in the company's shares during after-hours trading.
The revised guidance is largely attributed to reduced customer engagement levels observed in the final quarter of 2025 and the beginning of 2026. While sports results were generally favorable for bookmakers, a lack of high-profile matchups during the NFL playoffs resulted in lower betting volumes than expected. Management acknowledged that its promotional tactics, designed to attract and retain users, were not executed effectively during this period.
