After posting profits for two consecutive quarters, SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (SEAS - Snapshot Report) incurred a loss in the fourth quarter of 2014. Also, the company missed the earnings Zacks Consensus Estimate for the fifth consecutive quarter. Share price of the company fell approximately 6% Thursday in response to dismal results.

SeaWorld’s adjusted loss of 21 cents per share in the fourth quarter was wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 14 cents as well as the year-ago loss of 11 cents. The downside reflects a decline in revenues and an increase in costs and expenses.

Total revenues of $264.5 million in the reported quarter beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $254.0 million by approximately 4%. However, promotional offerings failed to attract customers and traffic continued to decline resulting in a 2.8% year-over-year decline in revenues. The decline in attendance along with lower revenue per capita hurt the top line.

Behind the Headline Numbers

Total revenue per capita declined 0.5% to $60.60, while admission per capita went down 1.9% to $38.09.  Attendance declined 2.2% to 4.4 million in the quarter owing to the negative publicity surrounding the release of Blackfish, a documentary aired by CNN in 2013. The documentary focused on issues pertaining to the treatment of whales in captivity. It also highlighted the death of a trainer at one of the company’s parks. However, attendance decline rate moderated from 5.6% in the third quarter.

In-park per capita spending, calculated as food, merchandise and other revenue divided by total attendance, increased 2% to $22.51. Adjusted EBITDA nonetheless increased 7% year over year to $49.9 million.

Full Year Results

Adjusted earnings of 68 cents per share were down 41% year over year. Also, it missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 71 cents by 4.2%. Total revenues of $1.38 billion declined 6% year over year. However, it beat the consensus mark of $1.37 billion by 0.7%.

Other Stocks to Consider

SeaWorld presently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Other stocks worth considering in the leisure industry include The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG - Snapshot Report), The Marcus Corporation (MCS - Snapshot Report) and Speedway Motorsports Inc. (TRK - Snapshot Report). All three stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).