ACEL vs. MCS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ACEL (Accel Entertainment, Inc.) and MCS (The Marcus Corporation) are both stocks. ACEL operates in Gambling (Consumer Cyclical), while MCS operates in Entertainment (Communication Services). Over the past 5 years, ACEL returned -1.84%/yr vs -1.16%/yr for MCS. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ACEL vs. MCS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Accel Entertainment, Inc. (ACEL) and The Marcus Corporation (MCS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACEL achieves a 2.89% return, which is significantly lower than MCS's 26.91% return.

ACEL

• 1D: -2.17%
• 1M: -3.85%
• YTD: 2.89%
• 6M: 10.86%
• 1Y: 4.08%
• 3Y*: 6.72%
• 5Y*: -1.84%
• 10Y*: —

MCS

• 1D: -2.26%
• 1M: 14.19%
• YTD: 26.91%
• 6M: 27.48%
• 1Y: 12.88%
• 3Y*: 9.80%
• 5Y*: -1.16%
• 10Y*: 1.37%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ACEL vs. MCS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ACEL Accel Entertainment, Inc.	2.89%	6.84%	3.99%	33.38%	-40.86%	28.91%	-19.20%	14.16%
MCS The Marcus Corporation	26.91%	-26.56%	50.38%	2.94%	-18.93%	32.49%	-57.29%	-4.51%

Correlation

The correlation between ACEL and MCS is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 22, 2019	0.37

The correlation between ACEL and MCS shifts across timeframes, from 0.34 (3 years) to 0.47 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap ACEL : $987.26M MCS : $598.28M
EPS ACEL : $0.60 MCS : $0.46
PE Ratio ACEL : 19.57 MCS : 42.74
PS Ratio ACEL : 0.74 MCS : 0.79
PB Ratio ACEL : 3.63 MCS : 0.60
Total Revenue (TTM) ACEL : $1.36B MCS : $764.10M
Gross Profit (TTM) ACEL : $432.42M MCS : $868.52M
EBITDA (TTM) ACEL : $178.48M MCS : $92.46M

Return for Risk

ACEL vs. MCS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ACEL

ACEL Risk / Return Rank: 43
ACEL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
ACEL Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
ACEL Omega Ratio Rank: 41
ACEL Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
ACEL Martin Ratio Rank: 43

MCS

MCS Risk / Return Rank: 51
MCS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
MCS Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
MCS Omega Ratio Rank: 48
MCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
MCS Martin Ratio Rank: 52

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ACEL vs. MCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Accel Entertainment, Inc. (ACEL) and The Marcus Corporation (MCS). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ACEL	MCS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.11	0.38	-0.27
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.42	0.79	-0.37
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.09	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.16	0.47	-0.31
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.30	1.02	-0.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ACEL vs. MCS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACEL Sharpe Ratio is 0.11, which is lower than the MCS Sharpe Ratio of 0.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACEL and MCS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ACEL	MCS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11	0.38	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.05	-0.04	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.03	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.02	0.17	-0.14

Drawdowns

ACEL vs. MCS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACEL drawdown since its inception was -57.83%, smaller than the maximum MCS drawdown of -83.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACEL and MCS.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACEL	MCS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.83%	-83.85%	+26.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.02%	-27.44%	+1.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.02%	-42.87%	+16.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.08%	-54.40%	+7.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-83.85%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.31%	-52.20%	+32.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.24%	-28.37%	+4.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.66%	12.69%	+0.97%

Volatility

ACEL vs. MCS - Volatility Comparison

Accel Entertainment, Inc. (ACEL) and The Marcus Corporation (MCS) have volatilities of 11.27% and 10.74%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACEL	MCS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.27%	10.74%	+0.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.50%	22.48%	+4.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	36.08%	34.12%	+1.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	35.45%	31.82%	+3.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	43.95%	44.65%	-0.70%

Dividends

ACEL vs. MCS - Dividend Comparison

ACEL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while MCS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.64%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACEL Accel Entertainment, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MCS The Marcus Corporation	1.64%	1.93%	1.30%	1.65%	0.69%	0.00%	1.26%	2.01%	1.52%	1.83%	1.43%	2.16%

Financials

ACEL vs. MCS - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Accel Entertainment, Inc. and The Marcus Corporation over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

ACEL - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Accel Entertainment, Inc. reported a gross profit of 109.94M and revenue of 351.56M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 31.3%.

MCS - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, The Marcus Corporation reported a gross profit of 137.82M and revenue of 154.40M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 89.3%.

ACEL - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Accel Entertainment, Inc. reported an operating income of 27.08M and revenue of 351.56M, resulting in an operating margin of 7.7%.

MCS - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, The Marcus Corporation reported an operating income of -19.26M and revenue of 154.40M, resulting in an operating margin of -12.5%.

ACEL - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Accel Entertainment, Inc. reported a net income of 14.67M and revenue of 351.56M, resulting in a net margin of 4.2%.

MCS - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, The Marcus Corporation reported a net income of -15.35M and revenue of 154.40M, resulting in a net margin of -9.9%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACEL and MCS in my portfolio?

ACEL and MCS have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ACEL or MCS?

ACEL has higher volatility (11.27%) compared to MCS (10.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACEL dropped -57.83% vs MCS's -83.85%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MCS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.38 vs 0.11), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.