Analysts buzz over merger between AMC Entertainment and Carmike Cinemas

• Analysts are weighing in on the exhibitor merger of AMC Entertainment (NYSE:AMC) and Carmike Cinemas (NASDAQ:CKEC). Some are wondering if another movie theater operator will rush in to top AMC's offer for Carmike.
• "The transaction appears accretive," says MKM Partner's Eric Handler.
• "We do not anticipate any significant divestitures from theatre overlap, but there could be some questions about AMC owning 18 percent of National CineMedia and Carmike's 20 percent interest in Screenvision," observes the analyst.
• FBR's Barton Crockett is mainly positive on the merger, although he notes that buying at peak box office is a risk.
• B. Riley & Co. analyst Eric Wold says the acquisition validates its conviction buy call on AMC due to the improved scale.
• Previously: Carmike Cinemas, AMC log postmarket gains amid confirmed $1.1B merger deal (Mar. 03 2016)
• Related stocks: CNK, RDI, MCS, NCMI.
• AMC +7.39% premarket to $27.60. CKEC +15.65% to $29.04 vs. the deal price of $30.