“买定离手” 国际娱乐12亿美元押注菲国赌场

Core Viewpoint - International Entertainment Company (IEC) is facing significant financial challenges, with a projected pre-tax loss of HKD 260 million (approximately USD 33.4 million) for the latest fiscal year, marking a substantial increase from the previous year's loss of HKD 162.2 million. Despite this, investor sentiment remains stable, possibly due to the company's history of profit warnings since February 2023 [3][5][6]. Financial Performance - IEC has issued its fifth profit warning in two years, with the latest fiscal year's loss expected to increase by 60% [5]. - Revenue for the six months ending December 2024 surged over 100% year-on-year, rising from HKD 105 million to HKD 268 million, despite losses increasing from HKD 36.1 million to HKD 95 million [6][9]. - The company's cash reserves increased from HKD 617 million in June 2024 to HKD 855 million by December 2024, indicating a strong liquidity position despite ongoing losses [6]. Strategic Moves - IEC is set to acquire a casino adjacent to its New Coast Hotel, committing USD 1 billion to USD 1.2 billion for renovations, aiming to transform the property into a comprehensive resort [4][6]. - The Philippine government is privatizing its 43 state-owned casinos, with IEC's acquisition positioning it as a pioneer in this process [6][9]. Market Context - The Philippine gaming market is smaller compared to Macau and Nevada, with Pagcor reporting record revenues of PHP 112 billion (approximately USD 1.9 billion) in 2024, a 41% increase year-on-year [9]. - The total revenue for the Philippine gaming industry, including Pagcor, reached PHP 410 billion in 2024, reflecting a 25% year-on-year growth [9]. - IEC's market capitalization is significantly lower than its competitors, with a market cap of HKD 1.69 billion and a high price-to-sales ratio of 4.33, suggesting a potential valuation bubble [9].