Wynn Resorts(WYNN) - 2024 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics - Adjusted property EBITDA at Wynn Las Vegas was $202.7 million on$607.2 million of operating revenue, with an EBITDA margin of 33.4% [19] - EBITDA in Las Vegas was essentially flat year-over-year, impacted by lower-than-normal table games hold, which reduced EBITDA by around $2 million in Q3 2024 [20] - In Boston, adjusted property EBITDA was$63 million, up 4% year-on-year, with an EBITDA margin of 29.4% [22] - Macau operations delivered adjusted property EBITDA of $262.9 million on$871.7 million of operating revenue, with an EBITDA margin of 30.2%, up 210 basis points compared to Q3 2019 [23][24] - Global cash and revolver availability stood at $3.5 billion as of September 30, with$1.7 billion in Macau and $1.8 billion in the U.S. [26] - The company reduced gross debt by$1.2 billion year-on-year, resulting in approximately $70 million of annualized interest expense savings [27] - Trailing 12-month property EBITDA across all markets was nearly$2.4 billion, with a consolidated net leverage ratio of just over 4 times [28] Business Line Performance - In Las Vegas, hotel revenue grew by 5%, slot handle by 4%, and table drop remained healthy despite tough year-over-year comps [6] - Boston's Encore generated $63 million of EBITDAR, up 4$263 million, with operating revenue up 6%, driven by a 10% increase in combined mass table and slot win [9] - Macau's mass table drop increased almost 30% during the Golden Week holiday period compared to the previous year [14] Market Performance - Las Vegas demand remained healthy, with strong growth in slot handle, table drop, and non-gaming demand in Q4 [6] - Macau's competitive environment remains intense, but the company is focusing on maximizing EBITDA rather than market share [10] - The UAE gaming market is projected to be a $3 billion to$5 billion market, with Wynn Al Marjan Island progressing rapidly, reaching the 24th floor of the hotel tower [16][17] Strategic Direction and Industry Competition - The company is investing in high-ROI developments, including Wynn Al Marjan Island in the UAE, and exploring greenfield opportunities in gateway cities [17][18] - In Macau, the company is revitalizing the Chairman's Club, enhancing loyalty programs, and investing in concession-related CapEx, including an event center and production show [12][13] - The company is focusing on luxury positioning and unique programming to appeal to affluent customers, ensuring resilience in competitive markets [8][16] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains bullish on the long-term outlook for Macau, citing strong mass table drop and 99% hotel occupancy in October [14][15] - The company is confident in its ability to compete profitably in Macau through continued investment in market-leading assets and 5-star service [13] - In Las Vegas, the high-end consumer demand remains stable, with retail lease revenue up 3.5% year-over-year in Q3 [37] - The company expects strong operating leverage in Macau as the market continues to grow [24] Other Important Information - The Board increased the share repurchase authorization to $1 billion, highlighting the commitment to returning capital to shareholders [5][30] - CapEx in Q3 was$101 million, primarily related to villa renovations and food and beverage enhancements at Wynn Las Vegas, concession-related CapEx in Macau, and maintenance across the business [31] - The company contributed $18.2 million of equity to the Wynn Al Marjan Island project, bringing the total equity contribution to$532.6 million [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for 2025 across regions and cost increases [34] - Management does not manage to margins but aggressively manages revenues and costs, focusing on demand in Las Vegas and Macau [35] - In Las Vegas, the high-end consumer remains stable, with retail lease revenue up 3.5% year-over-year in Q3 [37] - In Macau, the competitive environment is intense, but the company is focusing on EBITDA rather than market share [40] Question: Impact of Super Bowl comps in Las Vegas [41] - Management did not provide specific numbers but noted that Q4 and F1 are shaping up well, with strong room rates and a later booking window for F1 [41] Question: Competitive pressures in Macau [43] - Competitive pressures in Macau are stable to slightly better compared to the beginning of the summer, but the market remains very competitive [44] Question: Performance of Wynn Macau [48] - Wynn Macau's strong performance is attributed to execution and improvements in the physical and food and beverage experience [48][49] Question: High-end table play trends in Las Vegas [50] - The company has diversified its casino business to reduce exposure to extreme high-end volatility, with steady table drop and strong slot handle growth [52][53] Question: Gaming revenue decline in Las Vegas [56] - The decline in gaming revenue in Las Vegas is attributed to hold normalization and higher ADRs, with no broader trend observed [56][57] Question: Group business outlook for Q4 and 2025 [58] - Group business remains healthy, with a record year in room nights expected for 2024 and 2025 pacing similarly, with a focus on rate [59][60] Question: Capital allocation and CapEx needs [62] - The company opportunistically repurchases shares and balances liquidity needs between growth, debt management, and returning capital [63] - CapEx in Las Vegas includes villa renovations and food and beverage enhancements, with total project CapEx expected to be around $300 million [65][66] Question: RevPAR and smart tables in Macau [70] - RevPAR in Macau is not a significant indicator due to high occupancy levels, and smart tables are expected to be fully rolled out by Chinese New Year 2025 [70][71] Question: Impact of stimulus in Macau [74] - It is too early to assess the impact of stimulus in Macau, but demand during Golden Week was encouraging [74] Question: Macau CapEx guidance reduction [76] - The reduction in Macau CapEx guidance is due to timing and government approvals, with no change in competitive dynamics [76][77] Question: New York licensure process and iGaming legislation [79] - The company is cautious about iGaming legislation due to potential revenue declines and regulatory blowback, particularly for land-based gaming employees [79][80][81]