Las Vegas Sands Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2016 Results

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

For the Quarter Ended December 31, 2016
(Compared to the Quarter Ended December 31, 2015)

• Consolidated Net Revenue Increased 7.4% to $3.08 Billion, Net Income Increased 5.6% to $607 Million
• GAAP Earnings per Diluted Share was $0.64; Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share was $0.62; and Hold-Normalized Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share was $0.58
• Consolidated Adjusted Property EBITDA Increased 6.1% to $1.12 Billion, With Margin of 36.3%
• Hold-Normalized Adjusted Property EBITDA was $1.07 Billion, With Margin of 35.7%

In Macao:

• Adjusted Property EBITDA Increased 5.0% to $610 Million, While Hold-Normalized Adjusted Property EBITDA Increased 2.0% to $566 Million
• The Parisian Macao Generated Adjusted Property EBITDA of $95 Million During Its First Full Quarter of Operation 

At Marina Bay Sands in Singapore:

• Adjusted Property EBITDA Increased 8.0% to $366 Million, With Margin Increasing 240 basis points to 50.6%
• Hotel RevPAR Increased 7.9% to $409

At Our Las Vegas Operating Properties:

• Adjusted Property EBITDA Increased 14.4% to $111 Million
• Hotel RevPAR Increased 4.5% to $230

• The Company Paid a Quarterly Dividend of $0.72 per Share

For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
(Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2015)

• Net Revenue was $11.41 Billion, Net Income was $2.02 Billion and $2.10 per Diluted Share
• Consolidated Adjusted Property EBITDA was $4.13 Billion, Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share was $2.33 
• The Company Paid Dividends of $2.88 per Share
• The Company's Board of Directors Announced an Increase in the Company's Recurring Common Stock Dividend for the 2017 Calendar Year to $2.92 per Share ($0.73 per Share per Quarter)

Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS), the world's leading developer and operator of convention-based Integrated Resorts, today reported financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2016.

Fourth Quarter Overview

Mr. Sheldon G. Adelson, chairman and chief executive officer, said, "We are pleased to have delivered a solid operating performance in each of our markets, which enabled us to generate $1.12 billion in adjusted property EBITDA for the quarter, an increase of 6.1% compared to the fourth quarter of 2015.

"In Macao, our industry-leading Cotai Strip property portfolio, which has been meaningfully expanded by the opening of the Parisian Macao, generated growth of 16% in the mass gaming segment. This result was our strongest growth in Macao's most important and profitable segment since the second quarter of 2014.  The Macao market overall continued its recovery in the fourth quarter, while our Macao portfolio generated visitation growth of 23% and higher hotel occupancy rates.  We are confident that the benefits of the increased scale we have achieved in our market-leading hotel, retail and entertainment offerings will enable us to deliver growth in Macao and strong financial performance.

"We are pleased The Parisian Macao, our latest Integrated Resort delivered $95 million in adjusted property EBITDA during its first full quarter of operation and quickly established itself as another 'must see' destination for visitors to the Cotai Strip. To date we have invested approximately $13 billion in Macao, contributing to Macao's diversification and appeal as a business and leisure tourism destination. We remain confident that our market-leading Cotai Strip portfolio of properties will continue to provide the economic benefits of diversification to Macao, help attract greater numbers of business and leisure travelers, and provide both Macao and our Company an outstanding and diversified platform for future growth.

"Our focus remains on the consistent execution of our proven global growth strategy, which leverages the power of our unique convention-based Integrated Resort business model. We are particularly encouraged by the recent passage of the IR Promotion Bill in Japan as it paves the way for more detailed legislation that we believe will create opportunities for us to bring the economic benefits of our industry-leading convention-based Integrated Resort business model to this dynamic and promising market."

The Company paid a recurring quarterly dividend of $0.72 per common share during the quarter. The Company announced that its next recurring quarterly dividend of $0.73 per common share will be paid on March 31, 2017, to Las Vegas Sands shareholders of record on March 23, 2017.   

Marina Bay Sands in Singapore delivered $366 million in adjusted property EBITDA, an increase of 8.0% compared to the same quarter last year. The property continues to attract business and leisure visitors from across the region and deliver the economic benefits of our convention-based business model to Singapore. Consistent mass win-per-day of $4.59 million and strength in non-gaming revenues, including a 7.9% increase in RevPAR, contributed to an adjusted property EBITDA margin of 50.6%, 240 basis points higher than in the prior-year quarter.

At The Venetian Las Vegas and The Palazzo, including the Sands Expo and Convention Center, adjusted property EBITDA grew 14.4% to $111 million compared to the fourth quarter of last year. Revenue growth of 3.0% reflected modest top-line increases in all business segments. Revenue growth in combination with cost discipline generated a 260 basis point improvement in adjusted property EBITDA margin to 26.9%.

Company-Wide Operating Results

Net revenue for the fourth quarter of 2016 increased 7.4% to $3.08 billion, compared to $2.86 billion in the fourth quarter of 2015. Net income increased 5.6% to $607 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to $575 million in the year-ago quarter.

On a GAAP (accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America) basis, operating income in the fourth quarter of 2016 decreased 4.7% to $669 million, compared to $702 million in the fourth quarter of 2015. The modest decrease in operating income was a result of higher depreciation and amortization expenses as well as asset impairment charges during the quarter. This was largely offset by higher revenues and lower pre-opening costs. Consolidated adjusted property EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) of $1.12 billion increased 6.1% in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to the year-ago quarter. On a hold-normalized basis, adjusted property EBITDA was $1.07 billion in the fourth quarter of 2016, unchanged from the prior-year quarter. 

On a GAAP basis, net income attributable to Las Vegas Sands in the fourth quarter of 2016 increased 9.2% to $509 million, compared to $466 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, while diluted earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2016 of $0.64, represented an increase of 8.5% compared to the prior-year quarter. The increase in net income attributable to Las Vegas Sands was a result primarily of $64 million of other income related to foreign exchange gains and changes in the value of forward currency contracts.   

Adjusted net income attributable to Las Vegas Sands (a non-GAAP measure) decreased 0.6% to $491 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, compared to $494 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2015.

On a GAAP basis, full year 2016 operating income decreased 12.2% to $2.49 billion, compared to $2.84 billion in 2015. The decrease in operating income was principally due to lower net revenues, non-recurring legal costs in 2016 and higher pre-opening expenses, most of which relate to The Parisian Macao. Net income attributable to Las Vegas Sands decreased 15.1% to $1.67 billion, or $2.10 per diluted share, in 2016, compared to $2.0 billion, or $2.47 per diluted share, in 2015. The decline in net income attributable to Las Vegas Sands reflected the decrease in operating income described above, partially offset by a decrease in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests. 

Sands China Ltd. Consolidated Financial Results

On a GAAP basis, total net revenues for Sands China Ltd. (SCL) increased 12.0% to $1.86 billion in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to $1.66 billion in the fourth quarter of 2015. Net income for SCL decreased 7.9% to $348 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to $378 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.

On a GAAP basis, full year 2016 total net revenues for Sands China Ltd. decreased 2.5% to $6.69 billion, compared to $6.86 billion in 2015. Net income for Sands China Ltd. decreased 15.9% to $1.22 billion in 2016, compared to $1.45 billion in 2015.

The Venetian Macao Fourth Quarter Operating Results

The property generated revenue of $707 million and adjusted property EBITDA of $262 million in the fourth quarter, with an adjusted property EBITDA margin of 37.1%. Non-Rolling Chip drop was $1.72 billion for the quarter, with a Non-Rolling Chip win percentage of 25.1%. Rolling Chip volume decreased $1.1 billion to $6.89 billion, with a Rolling Chip win percentage of 3.23%, below the 3.34% experienced in the prior-year quarter. Slot handle was $783 million. 

The following table summarizes the key operating results for The Venetian Macao for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the fourth quarter of 2015:

Sands Cotai Central Fourth Quarter Operating Results

Revenue and adjusted property EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2016 at Sands Cotai Central were $444 million and $132 million, respectively, resulting in an adjusted property EBITDA margin of 29.7%.

Non-Rolling Chip drop was $1.42 billion in the fourth quarter, with a Non-Rolling Chip win percentage of 19.1%. Rolling Chip volume was $2.83 billion for the quarter, with a Rolling Chip win percentage of 3.04%. Slot handle was $1.27 billion for the quarter. Hotel occupancy was 85.9% with an ADR of $146. 

The following table summarizes our key operating results for Sands Cotai Central for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the fourth quarter of 2015:

The Parisian Macao Fourth Quarter Operating Results

The Parisian Macao opened on September 13, 2016, and the fourth quarter results reflect its first full quarter of operation. Revenue and adjusted property EBITDA at The Parisian Macao were $344 million and $95 million, respectively, resulting in an adjusted property EBITDA margin of 27.6%.

Non-Rolling Chip drop was $895 million, with a Non-Rolling Chip win percentage of 18.3%. Rolling Chip volume was $3.31 billion, with a Rolling Chip win percentage of 4.52%. Slot handle was $803 million and hotel occupancy was 91.1% with an ADR of $138. 

The following table summarizes our key operating results for The Parisian Macao in the fourth quarter of 2016:

Four Seasons Hotel Macao and Plaza Casino Fourth Quarter Operating Results

The Four Seasons Hotel Macao and Plaza Casino generated revenue of $163 million and adjusted property EBITDA of $67 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. Non-Rolling Chip drop was $313 million, with a Non-Rolling Chip win percentage of 18.4%. Rolling Chip volume was $2.49 billion for the quarter. Rolling Chip win percentage was 3.22% in the quarter, below the 3.43% experienced in the prior-year quarter. Slot handle was $108 million during the quarter.

The following table summarizes our key operating results for the Four Seasons Hotel Macao and Plaza Casino for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the fourth quarter of 2015:

Sands Macao Fourth Quarter Operating Results

Sands Macao's revenue was $161 million and adjusted property EBITDA was $47 million. Non-Rolling Chip drop was $608 million during the quarter, while slot handle was $592 million. Rolling Chip volume was $1.40 billion for the quarter. The property realized 1.83% win on Rolling Chip volume during the quarter, below the 3.18% generated in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted property EBITDA margin of 29.2% represents an increase of 430 basis points compared to the prior-year quarter.

The following table summarizes our key operating results for Sands Macao for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the fourth quarter of 2015:

Marina Bay Sands Fourth Quarter Operating Results

Marina Bay Sands generated revenue of $723 million and adjusted property EBITDA of $366 million.

Rolling Chip win percentage of 2.87% in the fourth quarter of 2016 was above the 2.39% achieved in the fourth quarter of 2015, but within the expected range. Rolling Chip volume was $8.26 billion for the quarter.

Non-Rolling Chip drop was $951 million during the quarter, with a Non-Rolling Chip win percentage of 28.1%. Slot handle increased 1.8% to $3.38 billion for the quarter compared to the year-ago quarter. Total mass win-per-day during the quarter was $4.59 million, consistent with the same quarter last year.

Occupancy was essentially unchanged at 96.7% during the quarter, while ADR increased 7.9% to $423, resulting in a RevPAR increase of 7.9% compared to the same quarter last year.  

The following table summarizes our key operating results for Marina Bay Sands for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the fourth quarter of 2015:

Las Vegas Operations Fourth Quarter Operating Results

Revenue and adjusted property EBITDA at The Venetian Las Vegas and The Palazzo, including the Sands Expo and Convention Center, were $412 million and $111 million, respectively, for the quarter. RevPAR increased 4.5% year-over-year to $230 in the quarter, reflecting a 6.3% increase in ADR to $254 and a 1.8 percentage point decrease in occupancy to 90.3%.  Table games drop decreased 14.8% in the quarter to $403 million, reflecting softer play in both the Baccarat and non-Baccarat segments, while slot handle increased 4.3% to $707 million.

The following table summarizes our key operating results for our Las Vegas operations for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the fourth quarter of 2015:

Sands Bethlehem Fourth Quarter Operating Results

Revenue and adjusted property EBITDA at Sands Bethlehem were $139 million and $28 million, respectively, for the quarter. Table games drop decreased 7.5% to $271 million for the quarter, while table games win percentage was 19.0%, above the 18.3% realized in the fourth quarter of 2015. Slot handle increased 8.1% year-over-year to $1.15 billion for the quarter, with a slot hold percentage of 6.6%.

The following table summarizes our key operating results for Sands Bethlehem for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the fourth quarter of 2015:

Asian Retail Mall Operations

Gross revenue from tenants in the Company's retail malls on Macao's Cotai Strip (The Venetian Macao, Four Seasons Macao, Sands Cotai Central and The Parisian Macao) and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore was $167 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, an increase of 5.0% compared to the fourth quarter of 2015. Operating profit derived from these retail mall assets increased 2.8% year-over-year to $148 million.

Other Factors Affecting Earnings

Ferry Operations and Other, which is principally comprised of our CotaiJet ferry operation, reflected adjusted property EBITDA of $7 million during the quarter, compared to $6 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Pre-opening expense was $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to $18 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Depreciation and amortization expense was $319 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to $249 million in the fourth quarter of 2015. This increase was driven primarily by the opening of The Parisian Macao.

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, was $76 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to $66 million in the prior-year quarter. Capitalized interest was $1 million during the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to $11 million during the fourth quarter of 2015. Our weighted average borrowing cost in the fourth quarter of 2016 was approximately 3.0%.

The Company's effective income tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2016 was 7.9% compared to 9.7% in the prior-year quarter. The tax rate is primarily driven by a provision for the earnings from Marina Bay Sands at the 17% Singapore income tax rate.

The net income attributable to noncontrolling interests during the fourth quarter of 2016 of $98 million was principally related to Sands China Ltd. 

Balance Sheet Items

Unrestricted cash balances as of December 31, 2016 were $2.13 billion.

As of December 31, 2016, total debt outstanding, including the current portion and net of deferred financing costs (excluding those costs related to our revolving facilities) and original issue discount, was $9.60 billion.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures during the fourth quarter totaled $295 million, including construction, development and maintenance activities of $215 million in Macao (principally for The Parisian Macao), $40 million in Las Vegas, $33 million at Marina Bay Sands and $7 million at Sands Bethlehem.

Conference Call Information

The Company will host a conference call to discuss the Company's results on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time. Interested parties may listen to the conference call through a webcast available on the Company's website at www.sands.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond the Company's control, which may cause material differences in actual results, performance or other expectations. These factors include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, competition, new development, construction and ventures, substantial leverage and debt service, government regulation, tax law changes, legalization of gaming, interest rates, future terrorist acts, influenza, insurance, gaming promoters, risks relating to our gaming licenses, certificate and subconcession, infrastructure in Macao, our ability to meet certain development deadlines, our subsidiaries' ability to make distribution payments to us, and other factors detailed in the reports filed by Las Vegas Sands Corp. with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. Las Vegas Sands Corp. assumes no obligation to update such information.

About Las Vegas Sands

Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) is the world's leading developer and operator of Integrated Resorts. Our collection of Integrated Resorts in Asia and the United States feature state-of-the-art convention and exhibition facilities, premium accommodations, world-class gaming and entertainment, destination retail and dining including celebrity chef restaurants and many other amenities.

Our properties include The Venetian and The Palazzo resorts and Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Sands Bethlehem in Eastern Pennsylvania, and the iconic Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Through majority ownership in Sands China Ltd. (HK: 1928), LVS owns a portfolio of properties on the Cotai Strip in Macao, including The Venetian Macao, The Plaza and Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Sands Cotai Central, and The Parisian Macao, as well as the Sands Macao on the Macao Peninsula.

LVS is dedicated to being a good corporate citizen, anchored by the core tenets of delivering a great working environment for nearly 50,000 employees worldwide, driving impact through its Sands Cares corporate citizenship program and leading innovation with the Company's award-winning Sands ECO360° global sustainability program. To learn more, please visit www.sands.com.

Las Vegas Sands Corp.
Fourth Quarter 2016 Results
Non-GAAP Measures

Within the Company's fourth quarter 2016 press release, the Company makes reference to certain non-GAAP financial measures that supplement the Company's consolidated financial information prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") including "adjusted net income," "adjusted earnings per diluted share," and "consolidated adjusted property EBITDA," which have directly comparable GAAP financial measures along with "adjusted property EBITDA margin," "hold-normalized adjusted property EBITDA," "hold-normalized adjusted property EBITDA margin," "hold-normalized adjusted net income," and "hold-normalized adjusted earnings per diluted share." The Company believes these measures represent important internal measures of financial performance. Set forth in the financial schedules accompanying this release are reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measure disclosure by the Company has limitations and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. The definitions of our non-GAAP financial measures and the specific reasons why the Company's management believes that the presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors regarding the Company's financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are presented below.

The following non-GAAP financial measures are used by management, as well as industry analysts, to evaluate the Company's operations and operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are presented so that investors have the same financial data that management uses in evaluating financial performance with the belief that it will assist the investment community in properly assessing the underlying financial performance of the Company on a year-over-year and a quarter sequential basis.

Adjusted net income, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, excludes certain non-recurring corporate expenses, pre-opening expense, development expense, gain or loss on disposal of assets, loss on modification or early retirement of debt and other income and expense, attributable to Las Vegas Sands, net of income tax. Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share are presented as supplemental disclosures as management believes they are (1) each widely used measures of performance by industry analysts and investors and (2) a principal basis for valuation of gaming companies, as these non-GAAP measures are considered by many as alternative measures on which to base expectations for future results. These measures also form the basis of certain internal management performance expectations.

Consolidated adjusted property EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is net income before stock-based compensation expense, corporate expense, pre-opening expense, development expense, depreciation and amortization, amortization of leasehold interests in land, gain or loss on disposal of assets, interest, other income or expense, gain or loss on modification or early retirement of debt and income taxes. Management utilizes consolidated adjusted property EBITDA to compare the operating profitability of its operations with those of its competitors, as well as a basis for determining certain incentive compensation. Gaming companies have historically reported adjusted property EBITDA as a supplemental performance measure to GAAP financial measures. In order to view the operations of their casinos on a more stand-alone basis, gaming companies, including Las Vegas Sands Corp., have historically excluded certain expenses that do not relate to the management of specific casino properties, such as pre-opening expense, development expense and corporate expense, from their adjusted property EBITDA calculations. Consolidated adjusted property EBITDA should not be interpreted as an alternative to income from operations (as an indicator of operating performance) or to cash flows from operations (as a measure of liquidity), in each case, as determined in accordance with GAAP. The Company has significant uses of cash flow, including capital expenditures, dividend payments, interest payments and debt principal repayments, which are not reflected in consolidated adjusted property EBITDA. Not all companies calculate adjusted property EBITDA in the same manner. As a result, consolidated adjusted property EBITDA as presented by Las Vegas Sands Corp. may not be directly comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

Hold-normalized adjusted property EBITDA, a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure, that, in addition to the aforementioned reasons for the presentation of consolidated adjusted property EBITDA, is presented to adjust for the impact of certain variances in table games' win percentages, which can vary from period to period. Hold-normalized adjusted property EBITDA is based on applying a Rolling Chip win percentage of 2.85% to the Rolling Chip volume for the quarter if the actual win percentage is outside the expected range of 2.7% to 3.0% for our Macao and Singapore properties, and applying a win percentage of 25.0% for Baccarat and 18.0% for non-Baccarat games to the respective table games drops for the quarter if the actual win percentages are outside the expected ranges of 21.0% to 29.0% for Baccarat and 16.0% to 20.0% for non-Baccarat at our Las Vegas properties. No hold adjustments are made for Sands Bethlehem. We do not present adjustments for Non-Rolling Chip drop for our table games play at our Macao and Singapore properties, nor for slots at any of our properties. Hold-normalized adjusted property EBITDA is also adjusted for the estimated gaming taxes, commissions paid to third parties on the incremental win, bad debt expense, discounts and other incentives that would have been incurred when applying the win percentages noted above to the respective gaming volumes. The hold-normalized adjusted property EBITDA measure presents a consistent measure for evaluating the operating performance of our properties from period to period.

Hold-normalized adjusted net income and hold-normalized adjusted earnings per diluted share are additional supplemental non-GAAP financial measures that, in addition to the aforementioned reasons for the presentation of adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share, are presented to adjust for the impact of certain variances in table games' win percentages, which can vary from period to period.

The Company may also present the above items on a constant currency basis. This information is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated by translating current quarter local currency amounts to U.S. dollars based on prior period exchange rates. These amounts are compared to the prior period to derive non-GAAP constant-currency growth/decline. Management considers non-GAAP constant-currency growth/decline to be a useful metric to investors and management as it allows a more direct comparison of current performance to historical performance.

The Company also makes reference to adjusted property EBITDA margin and hold-normalized adjusted property EBITDA margin, which are calculated using the aforementioned non-GAAP financial measures.