SeaWorld Says It Will Stop Paying Shareholders A Dividend

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NEW YORK (CBSMiami/AP) — Troubled theme park  operator SeaWorld  says it will stop paying out dividends to shareholders.

SeaWorld, known for its water shows featuring killer whales and dolphins, has been dealing with falling attendance and revenue as people's feelings about using animals for entertainment has soured. Earlier this year, the Orlando, Florida, company said it won't breed killer whales and stop using them in shows.

Last month, the company reported that its second-quarter revenue fell 5 percent from the year before, and the number of people entering its parks fell nearly 8 percent to 6 million.

SeaWorld operates 12 parks, including Busch Gardens, Sesame Place and Aquatica.

The company will pay its last dividend on October 7th, and the amount it pays will be cut by 52 percent to 10 cents for each share owned, down from 21 cents in the previous quarter. SeaWorld says the money saved on dividends will be used to buy its own shares.

Shares of SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. fell 6.5 percent to $11.86 in premarket trading Tuesday.

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