NEW YORK, August 29, 2026, 04:03 (ET)
- X2 remains closed after two July riders suffered severe brain injuries.
- Six Flags settled a separate X2 wrongful-death lawsuit on August 27.
- FUN shares rose 1.75% Friday, adding about $28 million in market value.
- Net debt of $4.9 billion is nearly three times the company’s equity value.
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation shares rose 1.75% on Friday even as scrutiny intensified around X2, the closed roller coaster linked to two severe brain injuries in July. The gain lifted the stock to $16.22 and added roughly $28 million in market value.
The market response matters because the direct financial cost remains unknown. Six Flags has about $4.9 billion of net debt, almost three times its $1.65 billion equity value. That leverage leaves less room for legal, regulatory or reputational shocks.
X2 has been closed since July 12 at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. The park’s current closure page still lists the ride without a reopening date Six Flags closure status.
Two women lost consciousness after riding X2 on July 5 and July 11. Doctors attributed their injuries to rapid acceleration and deceleration, according to reporting published Friday. One woman remains in a coma The Guardian.
Six Flags also settled a wrongful-death lawsuit on August 27. The case concerned a rider who died after a 2022 visit to X2. Six Flags denied the allegations, and the settlement terms were confidential.
The exact ride is central to the story. Six Flags describes X2 as a wing coaster with 360-degree rotating seats and head-first drops official X2 page. Ride-level revenue and attendance are not disclosed.
| Metric | Latest reading | Investor relevance |
|---|---|---|
| X2 operating status | Closed since July 12 | No published reopening date |
| FUN close | $16.22, up 1.75% | About $28 million added to equity value |
| Q2 same-park revenue | $864 million, up 2.4% | Underlying portfolio is growing |
| Q2 same-park adjusted EBITDA | $249 million, up 7% | Operating leverage improved |
| Q2 reported net loss | $203 million | Limited cushion for new costs |
| Net debt | $4.9 billion | About 3.0 times market value |
The operating backdrop is improving on a comparable basis. Same-park attendance rose 4% in the second quarter. Same-park revenue increased 2.4%, while adjusted EBITDA grew 7% Six Flags Q2 results.
Reported results were weaker because Six Flags sold or closed eight parks. Revenue fell 7% to $865 million, and the net loss doubled to $203 million. Liquidity stood at $837 million on June 28.
President and CEO John Reilly said the focused portfolio produced higher attendance, revenue and adjusted EBITDA. The X2 cases now test whether that operating progress can absorb a high-profile safety issue without slowing demand.
Analyst expectations remain positive but unusually wide. The 14-analyst consensus was Outperform with a $21.38 average target, versus $16.22 Friday. Targets ranged from $10 to $30 MarketScreener consensus.
That average implies about 32% upside. The range also captures the uncertainty around debt reduction, attendance and park-level execution. X2’s direct contribution cannot be isolated from public filings.
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: FUN) operates 20 amusement parks, 14 water parks and nine resorts. Magic Mountain is one of its highest-profile thrill-ride destinations.
Risks run both ways. A prompt reopening or limited settlement exposure could contain the impact. A prolonged closure, more claims or tougher inspections could pressure attendance, legal spending and capital needs.
Investors now need evidence, not estimates. The key markers are X2’s operating status, any regulatory findings and whether Magic Mountain attendance holds through the peak season.
![UK Stock Market Today 29/08/2026 [UPDATE: 08:49 BST] [Weekly Recap + Week Ahead: Midcaps Lead Before Bailey and Gilt Auction]](https://ts2.tech/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/UK-market-dashboard-2026-08-29-0843-480x384.jpg "UK Stock Market Today 29/08/2026 [UPDATE: 08:49 BST] [Weekly Recap + Week Ahead: Midcaps Lead Before Bailey and Gilt Auction]")
