Estimates boosted for Tropicana operator

Thursday, March 16, 2000 | 11:11 a.m.

Lehman Bros. gaming analyst Stuart Linde raised his earnings estimates on Phoenix-based Aztar Corp. today, citing "strong business trends across (Aztar's) properties," including the Las Vegas Tropicana hotel-casino.

Linde raised estimates for the quarter ending March 30 from 14 cents per share to 17 cents per share, and 2000 estimates from 74 cents per share to 77 cents per share. Linde, which rates Aztar a "buy," set a price target of $13.