Alton Towers owner faces ejection from FTSE 100 index

Alton Towers owner Merlin Entertainments is on the brink of tumbling out of the FTSE 100 index on Wednesday when the stock market's committee announces the results of its latest quarterly review.

Merlin Entertainments could be ejected from the Footsie 100. Picture: AFP/Getty Images

The leisure giant has suffered from a weak euro and lower numbers at Alton Towers after a crash on its Smiler rollercoaster left five people seriously injured last summer.

Helal Miah, investment research analyst at The Share Centre, said: “Merlin’s place in the top 100 could be at risk after a troubled year. The serious accident at Alton Towers last June continues to impact the group’s profitability, while it has also had to contend with a weak euro and a tough London market.”

The group, which runs 110 attractions in 23 countries, said last February that like-for-like sales at the group’s resort theme parks division, which includes Alton Towers, fell 12.4 per cent in the year to 26 December. Overall, pre-tax profits at Merlin edged 0.3 per cent higher to £250 million.