Core Viewpoint - Goldman Sachs reports that Macau gaming companies attribute the recent strong performance in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) to a combination of major events, wealth effects driven by the stock market, relaxed visa policies, and ongoing security concerns in Thailand and the Philippines, leading more mainland travelers to choose Hong Kong and Macau as destinations [1] Group 1: Industry Performance - The overall industry anticipates strong growth momentum to continue for the remainder of the year, with hotel bookings nearly full for the Golden Week [1] - Goldman Sachs projects that Macau's total gaming revenue will grow by 9% year-on-year in 2025, implying a year-on-year growth of 14% from September to December this year, and a growth of 7% in 2026 [1] Group 2: Company Recommendations - Sands China is the top pick for Goldman Sachs, as the stock price has not fully reflected its ability to regain market share and potential for dividend growth, despite short-term risks from recent promotional adjustments and reinvestment rates affecting third-quarter profit margins, with a target price of HKD 24.8 and a "Buy" rating [1] - Galaxy Entertainment is also favored, with expectations of increased market share driven by the new hotel Capella and major events, receiving a target price of HKD 55.9 and a "Buy" rating [1] - MGM China is noted for its attractive valuation, expected to maintain a market share of 15% to 16%, with a dividend yield of 5.1%, and potential to absorb some gaming volume from the upcoming closure of satellite casinos, assigned a target price of HKD 20.4 and a "Buy" rating [1]

Group 1 - MGM China announced a share buyback plan, intending to repurchase 1 million shares at a cost of approximately HKD 16.4249 million [1]

Group 1: Financial Performance - Company reported total revenue of 14.6 billion HKD for 1H25, a year-on-year increase of 6% [1] - EBITDA decreased by 5% year-on-year to 1.65 billion HKD, with EBITDA margin declining by 1.3 percentage points to 11.2% [1] - Net loss widened from 160 million HKD in 1H24 to 180 million HKD in 1H25, primarily due to underperformance of the Lisboa project [1] Group 2: Earnings Forecast - Earnings per share forecast for 2025 revised down from 0.30 HKD to 0.01 HKD, with new forecasts introduced for 2026 at 0.12 HKD and 2027 at 0.17 HKD [1] - Target price adjusted down from 3.7 HKD to 3.3 HKD, indicating a potential upside of 13% [1] Group 3: Second Quarter Performance - In 2Q25, gross gaming revenue increased by 5% year-on-year, with mass gaming revenue up by 6% and VIP gaming revenue down by 14% [1] - EBITDA for 2Q25 fell by 21% year-on-year to 688 million HKD, with the Lisboa project's EBITDA turning from a profit of 104 million HKD in 2Q24 to a loss of 6.6 million HKD [1] Group 4: Acquisition Plans - Company announced plans to acquire part of the Lisboa Hotel for a total consideration of 529 million HKD, aiming to expand the operational area of the Lisboa Casino by an additional 7,504 square meters [2] - The acquisition is expected to enhance the overall operations of the integrated resort, making it the largest on the Macau Peninsula [2] - The company plans to redistribute gaming tables and slot machines from satellite casinos that will cease operations by the end of 2025 [2] Group 5: Industry Outlook - Company maintains an "overweight" rating, citing resilience in the gaming industry [2]

Core Viewpoint - UBS reports that the gaming revenue growth for Kingdom Holdings (03918) is accelerating, driven by an increase in business travelers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and local demand [1] Group 1: Revenue Forecasts - UBS has raised its total gaming revenue (GGR) forecasts for Kingdom Holdings for 2025-2026 by 21% to 29% due to better-than-expected performance in the first half of the year [1] - The overall gaming revenue is expected to grow by 32% this year and 10% next year [1] Group 2: Financial Projections - The EBITDA forecast for Kingdom Holdings has been increased by 46% for next year [1] - The valuation basis has been adjusted, with the target multiple raised from 5x to 7x, leading to an increase in the target price from HKD 3.8 to HKD 7.5 [1] Group 3: Rating Changes - The rating for Kingdom Holdings has been upgraded from "Neutral" to "Buy" due to the revised forecasts and valuation [1]

Core Viewpoint - UBS reports that the gaming revenue growth momentum for Galaxy Entertainment Group (03918) is accelerating, driven by the increase in business travelers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and local demand [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - UBS has raised its forecast for total gaming revenue (GGR) for 2025-2026 by 21% to 29% due to better-than-expected performance in the first half of the year [1] - The overall gaming revenue is expected to grow by 32% year-on-year this year and by 10% next year [1] Group 2: EBITDA and Valuation - The EBITDA forecast for Galaxy Entertainment for next year has been increased by 46% [1] - The valuation multiple has been raised from 5x to 7x, leading to an increase in the target price from HKD 3.8 to HKD 7.5 [1] - The stock rating has been upgraded from "Neutral" to "Buy" due to the attractive valuation [1]

Core Insights - Morgan Stanley reported that Macau's gaming revenue in August increased by 12% year-on-year, aligning with the bank's and market expectations [1] - After three consecutive months of double-digit growth, the bank anticipates that operating leverage will begin to take effect in the second half of the year, driving margin expansion and profit adjustments [1] - The bank projects a 16% year-on-year increase in gaming revenue for September, indicating a 16% rise in the third quarter [1] - Morgan Stanley has assigned "overweight" ratings to Sands China (01928), MGM China (02282), and Wynn Macau (01128) [1]

Group 1 - Morgan Stanley reports that Macau's gaming revenue in August increased by 12% year-on-year, aligning with the bank's and market expectations [1] - After three consecutive months of double-digit growth, the operating leverage is expected to start playing a role in the second half of the year, driving margin expansion and profit correction [1] - The bank anticipates a 16% year-on-year increase in gaming revenue for September, indicating a 16% rise in the third quarter [1] Group 2 - Morgan Stanley maintains "overweight" ratings for Sands China (01928), MGM China (02282), and Wynn Macau (01128) [1]

Core Viewpoint - Morgan Stanley's research report indicates that Macau's gaming revenue in August increased by 12% year-on-year, aligning with the bank's and market expectations [1] Group 1: Revenue Growth - After three consecutive months of double-digit growth, the operating leverage is expected to start playing a role in the second half of the year, driving margin expansion and profit correction [1] - The bank anticipates a 16% year-on-year growth in gaming revenue for September, suggesting a 16% year-on-year increase for the third quarter [1] Group 2: Company Ratings - Morgan Stanley has assigned "Overweight" ratings to Sands China, MGM China, Wynn Macau, and Melco Resorts [1]

Core Viewpoint - Kwan Kee Holdings (03918) reported strong mid-year results, with total gaming revenue of approximately $332 million, a year-on-year increase of 17.2%, and net profit of about $149 million, up 68.8% [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - Total gaming revenue (GGR) for the first half of the year was approximately $332 million, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 17.2% [1] - Net profit reached around $149 million, marking a significant increase of 68.8% compared to the previous year [1] - EBITDA margin expanded by 9.2 percentage points year-on-year, indicating improved profitability [1] Group 2: Market Analysis - UBS noted that the growth in gaming revenue is driven by an increase in business travelers to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and rising local demand [1] - The firm plans to raise its total gaming revenue forecasts for 2025-2026 by 21% to 29% due to better-than-expected mid-year performance [1] - Citigroup highlighted that while the mid-year cash dividend was unexpected, the payout ratio of 30% is below their annual expectation of 60% [1] Group 3: Future Outlook - Citigroup pointed out that despite signs of improvement in fundamentals, there is ongoing uncertainty regarding the Naga3 project, with the potential for delays in the targeted opening date of September 2029 [1] - Overall gaming revenue is expected to grow by 32% this year and 10% next year [1]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company has been downgraded to "Hold" from "Buy" [1][10][11] Core Views - The target price has been adjusted to HKD 3.00, up from HKD 2.60, reflecting a valuation based on an EV/EBITDA multiple of 8.8x for 2026 [10][11] - The company's market share in the first half of 2025 reached 12.9%, a slight increase from 12.5% in the first half of 2024, but a decrease from 13.5% in the first quarter of 2025 [6][10] - The adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2025 was HKD 690 million, a year-on-year decrease of 21% and a quarter-on-quarter decrease of 28% [6][10] Financial Performance - Revenue projections for the company are as follows: - 2024: HKD 28,769 million - 2025E: HKD 31,184 million (up 8.39% from 2024) - 2026E: HKD 32,248 million (up 3.41% from 2025) - 2027E: HKD 33,247 million (up 3.10% from 2026) [5] - Net profit attributable to the parent company is projected as follows: - 2024: HKD 3.20 million - 2025E: HKD 810.26 million (up 25,221% from 2024) - 2026E: HKD 1,122 million (up 38.46% from 2025) - 2027E: HKD 1,373 million (up 22.37% from 2026) [5] - The company's EBITDA margin for the second quarter of 2025 was 9.6%, down from 12.8% in the first quarter of 2025 [6][10] Market Analysis - The company's GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue) for the second quarter of 2025 was HKD 7.27 billion, a year-on-year increase of 5% but a quarter-on-quarter decrease of 4% [7][10] - The VIP segment's revenue was HKD 460 million, down 14% year-on-year and 28% quarter-on-quarter, indicating a recovery to only 13% of the levels seen in the second quarter of 2019 [7][10] - The mass market segment generated HKD 6.1 billion, a year-on-year increase of 6% but a quarter-on-quarter decrease of 2% [7][10] Strategic Developments - The company is actively developing non-gaming businesses, including hosting various sports events and expanding its high-end dining options [9][10] - The company plans to end operations at several satellite casinos by the end of 2025, with some properties potentially being integrated into new gaming areas [8][10]