DraftKings Stock Gets Russell Rebalance Lift, Caesars, Penn Could See Selling Pressure

More details are emerging on the looming rebalancing of FTSE Russell equity benchmarks, and there appears to be good news for DraftKings (NASDAQ:DKNG) stock.

Shares of the sportsbook operator are higher by more than four percent in midday trading after Jefferies published research today indicating DraftKings will be one of 10 names to see buying pressure in advance of the Russell rebalance on June 25.

The one confusing part of the Russell rebalancing is that FTSE Russell determines size and inclusion based on May 7 prices, thus the top and bottom ends of the indexes today reflect appreciation/depreciation of stocks over the last month,” said Jefferies equity strategist Steven DeSanctis in a note to clients.

DraftKings stock is lower by 10.41 percent over the past month, and the gaming name shed 29.15 percent from its March highs. Jefferies forecasts a 2.8 percent decline for the consumer discretionary sector — where DraftKings resides — in the widely followed Russell 2000 Index. But the research firm estimates nearly $806 million of the shares will be purchased as a result of the index provider’s annual rebalance.

Why It’s Important for DraftKings Stock

About 14 months removed from its debut as a freestanding public company, DraftKings is part of an array of active and passive funds, including 66 exchange traded funds (ETFs). But the stock isn’t yet part of the Russell 2000 or any of the related style indexes, including growth and value.

Currently, DraftKings isn’t a member of any of the major domestic equity gauges. But in addition to its potentially imminent debut in the Russell benchmarks, the gaming equity could join the widely observed Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) when that basket of stocks is reconfigured in December.

More Impact for Gaming Equities

Jefferies identifies DraftKings as the only gaming name that could experience buying pressure as a result of the Russell rebalance. But as the chart below indicates, Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ:CZR) and Penn National Gaming (NASDAQ:PENN), could be sold off.

Currently, that pair are the largest and fifth-largest components, respectively, in the Russell 2000. But due to ascents in their market values and the reduction of consumer discretionary exposure in the index, Caesars and Penn are likely to take on smaller weights in that benchmark.

At least for today, investors don’t seem to mind, as both gaming equities are trading higher. Earlier today, Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli raised his price target on Caesars to $132 from $126, citing impressive second-quarter performances at the operator’s Las Vegas Strip and regional gaming venues.