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Melco results hit by lower VIP


Melco Resorts & Entertainment posted lower revenue and profit for Q3, hurt in part by a decline in VIP gross gambling revenue across all its properties.

Net revenue dropped 11 percent to $1.37 billion. However, a change in accounting policies during the year also affected results. Under the previous accounting policies, revenue would have declined 5 percent.

Adjusted property EBITDA  fell to $295.4 compared to $400.2 million in the third quarter of 2017, representing a decrease of 26 percent. Melco said the decline was due to poorer performance in the VIP segment and a one-time gift to non-management employees.

Net income declined to $9.6 million, or $0.02 per ADS, compared with $115.9 million, or $0.24 per ADS a year earlier.

Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho said the company plans to continue to roll out new facilities and upgrade its properties after the opening of the Dame Zaha Hadid-designed Morpheus hotel earlier this year.

“The opening of Morpheus only marks the beginning of the relaunch of City of Dreams. On top of that, we are upgrading our VIP gaming spaces that are expected to open over the next six months. We will also commence the rolling refurbishment of the Nüwa after Chinese New Year 2019 and the redevelopment of the Count:Down in the second half of 2019 into a new, luxurious, ultra-cool hotel – Libertine,” he said.

At Studio City the company is introducing more non-gaming facilities, such as Elekron, Asia’s largest virtual reality zone.

Melco said it will pay a quarterly dividend of $0.14 a share and announced a $500 million share buyback program.

At its flagship City of Dreams property in Macau, revenue fell to $600.9 million compared to US$715.9 million a year earlier. Mass gaming table drop was higher, though VIP revenue was affected by a low win rate. Rolling chip volume totaled $12.3 billion up from $11.2 billion, though the win rate was 2.4 percent versus 3.5 percent a year earlier. It was a similar picture across the company’s other Macau properties.

In Manila, which has been a highlight for Melco, growth also showed signs of a slowdown.

Net revenue at City of Dreams Manila was $141.7 million compared to US$148.2 million in the third quarter of 2017. Adjusted EBITDA fell to $55.2 million from $57.3 million.

Rolling chip volume was flat at $3 billion, with a win rate of 2.7 percent compared with 2.5 percent a year earlier.

Mass table drop rose to $204.9 million from $174.1 million in the third quarter of 2017.

Ho stressed Japan continues to be a major focus for the company.

“With our focus on the Asian premium segment, high quality assets, dedication to world-class entertainment offerings, market-leading social safeguards and compliance culture, and our commitment to being an ideal partner to local governments and communities alike, we believe Melco is in a strong position to help Japan realize the vision for integrated resort development with a unique Japanese touch,” he said.

Asia Gaming Brief is a news and intelligence service providing up to date market information for worldwide executives on relevant gaming issues in Asia.

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