INVESTORS BOO CINEMA STOCKS AS BLADE RUNNER DIMS

Shares of U. S. cinema stocks dropped on Monday after domestic opening weekend ticket sales for science fiction sequel Blade Runner 2049 fell short of expectations, the latest disappointment following an underwhelming U.S. summer movie season. AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc, Regal Entertainment Group and Cinemark Holdings Inc. were all down, with price target cuts by Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter also weighing on the shares. Third- quarter domestic box office sales would be lower than previously expected, Pachter said in a report, “as several titles in the summer release slate failed to resonate with moviegoers.” Blade Runner 2049 starring Ryan Gosling, pictured, and Harrison Ford pulled in US$33 million in North America, according to Warner Bros.