EXHIBITOR STOCKS ON THE RISE
With the Oscars putting a spotlight on last years creative accomplishments in moviemaking, films commercial successes have the nations top movie circuits riding a hot streak on Wall Street. Shares in exhibition companies have risen sharply since the last Academy Awards. In some cases, one-year gains exceed 100%. Cinemark set a 52-week high on Tuesday, following similar spikes by Regal Entertainment Group and Imax. Carmike Cinemas, which focuses on smaller and midsize markets, hit a 52-week high in late 2009. By contrast, exhibs were trading near 52-week lows last March. Since then, enthusiasm for 3D movies and their premium ticket prices has driven boxoffice to seasonal and annual records, helping to popularize exhibition stocks.
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