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Melco Crown Entertainment Announces First Quarter 2010 Earnings
April 28, 2010 at 7:53 AM EDT

NEW YORK, Apr 28, 2010 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) --Melco Crown Entertainment Limited (Nasdaq:MPEL), a developer and owner of casino gaming and entertainment resort facilities focused on the Macau market, today reported its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010.

For the first quarter of 2010, net revenue was US$567.6 million, representing an increase of approximately 162% from US$216.5 million for the comparable period ended March 31, 2009. The increase in net revenue resulted primarily from the opening of City of Dreams in June 2009.

Adjusted EBITDA (1) was US$86.9 million for the first quarter of 2010, as compared with Adjusted EBITDA of US$21.3 million in the first quarter of 2009. The year-over-year increase in Adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2010 was attributable to the opening of City of Dreams, combined with various expense management initiatives across the Company's three operating units.

The combined rolling chip table games hold percentage (calculated before discounts and commissions) across City of Dreams and Altira Macau in the first quarter of 2010 was 2.9%, within the expected rolling chip hold percentage range of 2.7% to 3.0%.

The company-wide mass market table games hold percentage (non rolling chip) in the first quarter of 2010 was 19.7%, which is above the previous target hold percentage range of 16.0% to 18.0%, but consistent with the mass market hold percentage at mass market focused properties, such as City of Dreams. Going forward, we target 18% to 20% for our company-wide mass market table games hold percentage.

On a U.S. GAAP basis, Melco Crown Entertainment recorded a net loss for the first quarter of 2010 of US$12.5 million, or a loss of US$0.02 per ADS, compared to a loss of US$35.3 million, or a loss of US$0.08 per ADS, in the first quarter of 2009. The year-over-year decrease in the net loss resulted from the earnings contribution from City of Dreams, partially offset by increased depreciation and amortization expenses and lower capitalized interest following the opening of City of Dreams.

Lawrence Ho, Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Melco Crown Entertainment commented, "The first quarter of 2010 was the first reporting period to benefit from the full complement of hotel rooms and the opening of other non-gaming amenities at City of Dreams. VIP gaming volume at City of Dreams remained strong and our mass market gaming volume continued to show meaningful sequential growth. Additionally, the improvement in our mass market hold percentage is an important driver of revenue and EBITDA and is a consequence of operational improvements rather than table game volatility. We are pleased that our first quarter results provide an early indication of this property's potential, though we continue to believe there is considerable room for additional improvement.

"At Altira Macau, not only has rolling chip turnover returned to pre-commission cap levels, but it has exceeded those levels. Our smooth transition into a traditional rolling chip business model has sustainably improved the profitability of our VIP business at this property.

"We are pleased to see company-wide profitability improve beyond what would be expected from increased gaming volume. Cost containment efforts, combined with reduced commission expense, are sustainably driving margin improvement across the Company.

"Additionally, as City of Dreams ramps up, our mix of business continues to shift favorably with a greater contribution from the higher margin mass market segment. This is enhancing our overall EBITDA margin and is expected to result in more stable and predictable earnings going forward.

"Overall, we continue to believe that the volume and profitability improvements to our business over the last two quarters are sustainable. We remain confident that our mass market gaming volume can continue to grow, as we roll out additional amenities at City of Dreams, such as The House of Dancing Water which is scheduled to open in the third quarter of this year."

City of Dreams 1Q Results

For the quarter ended March 31, 2010, net revenue at City of Dreams was US$336.3 million and Adjusted EBITDA was US$70.9 million.

Rolling chip volume totaled US$9.8 billion for the first quarter of 2010 and mass market table games drop (non rolling chip) totaled US$479.4 million. Slot handle was US$441.0million.

On a sequential basis from the fourth quarter of 2009, rolling chip volume increased 5%, mass market table drop increased 13%, and slot handle increased 18% in the first quarter of 2010.

Total non-gaming revenue at City of Dreams in the first quarter of 2010 was US$29.4 million. Occupancy per available room in the first quarter of 2010 was 75% and the average daily rate (ADR) was US$152 per occupied room.

Altira Macau 1Q Results

For the quarter ended March 31, 2010, net revenue at Altira Macau was US$197.2 million versus US$183.6 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2009. Altira Macau generated Adjusted EBITDA of US$21.8 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared with Adjusted EBITDA of US$20.2 million in the first quarter of 2009.

Rolling chip volume totaled US$9.9 billion in the first quarter of 2010, up from US$9.1 billion in the first quarter of 2009. In the mass market table games segment, drop (non rolling chip) totaled US$71.1 million in the first quarter of 2010, down from US$76.0 million generated in the comparable period in 2009.

Total non-gaming revenue at Altira Macau in the first quarter of 2010 was US$7.4 million, down from US$7.8 million in the first quarter of 2009. Occupancy per available room in the first quarter of 2010 was 92% and the ADR was US$166 per occupied room. This compares with occupancy and ADR of 89% and US$234, respectively, in the first quarter of 2009.

Mocha Clubs 1Q Results

Net revenue from Mocha Clubs totaled US$26.7 million in the first quarter of 2010, up from US$24.7 million in the first quarter of 2009.

Mocha Clubs generated US$6.5 million of Adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2010, which compares with US$6.8 million in the first quarter of 2009.

The number of gaming machines in operation at the Mocha Clubs averaged approximately 1,564 in the first quarter of 2010, an increase from an average of approximately 1,273 in the first quarter of 2009. The net win per gaming machine per day was US$187 in this period, as compared with US$211 in the same period in 2009.

Other Factors Affecting Earnings

Total non-operating expenses for the first quarter of 2010 were US$18.8 million, which included US$15.5 million in net interest expense and other finance costs of US$3.4 million. Capitalized interest during the first quarter of 2010 totaled US$3.7 million.

Depreciation and amortization costs of US$76.1 million were booked in the first quarter of 2010, of which US$14.3 million was related to the amortization of our gaming sub-concession and US$4.9 million was related to the amortization of land use rights.

Financial Position and Capital Expenditure

Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2010 totaled US$380.0 million, including US$127.1 million of restricted cash. Total senior secured debt at the end of the first quarter of 2010 was US$1.68 billion. Total debt to shareholders' equity as of March 31, 2010 was 72%.

Capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2010 were US$36.3 million, primarily attributable to City of Dreams.

Conference Call Information

Melco Crown Entertainment will hold a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2010 financial results on April 28, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (8:30 p.m. Hong Kong Time). To join the conference call, please use the dial-in details below:

  US Toll Free        1 866 202 3109
  US Toll /
   International      1 617 213 8844
  HK Toll             852 3002 1672
  HK Toll Free        800 96 3844
  UK Toll Free        00 800 280 02002
  Australia Toll
   Free               1 800 002 971

  Passcode            MPEL

An audio webcast will also be available at www.melco-crown.com.

To access the replay, please use the dial-in details below:

                                 1 888
  US Toll Free                   286 8010
                                 1 617
  US Toll / International        801 6888

  Passcode                       43959165

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "target," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. Melco Crown Entertainment Limited (the "Company") may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: growth of the gaming market and visitation in Macau; increased competition and other planned casino hotel and resort projects in Macau and elsewhere in Asia; the completion of infrastructure projects in Macau; government regulation of the casino industry; our ability to raise additional financing; obtaining approval from the Macau government for an increase in the developable gross floor area of the City of Dreams site; the formal grant of occupancy permits for areas of City of Dreams undergoing construction and/or development; our anticipated growth strategies; and our future business development, results of operations and financial condition. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on March 31, 2010 and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this release, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

(1) "Adjusted EBITDA" is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening costs, property charges and other, stock-based compensation costs, and other non-operating income and expenses. "Adjusted property EBITDA" is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening costs, property charges and other, stock-based compensation costs, corporate and other expenses and other non-operating income and expenses. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted property EBITDA are presented exclusively as a supplemental disclosure because management believes that it is widely used to measure the performance, and as a basis for valuation, of gaming companies. Management uses adjusted EBITDA and adjusted property EBITDA as a measure of the operating performance of its segments and to compare the operating performance of its properties with those of its competitors. The Company also presents adjusted EBITDA and adjusted property EBITDA because it is used by some investors as a way to measure a company's ability to incur and service debt, make capital expenditures, and meet working capital requirements. Gaming companies have historically reported adjusted EBITDA and adjusted property EBITDA as a supplement to financial measures in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). However, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted property EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to operating income as an indicator of the Company's performance, as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity, or as an alternative to any other measure determined in accordance with GAAP. Unlike net income, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted property EBITDA do not include depreciation and amortization or interest expense and therefore does not reflect current or future capital expenditures or the cost of capital. The Company compensates for these limitations by using adjusted EBITDA and adjusted property EBITDA as only one of several comparative tools, together with GAAP measurements, to assist in the evaluation of operating performance. Such GAAP measurements include operating income (loss), net income (loss), cash flows from operations and cash flow data. The Company has significant uses of cash flows, including capital expenditures, interest payments, debt principal repayments, taxes and other non-recurring charges, which are not reflected in adjusted EBITDA and adjusted property EBITDA. Also, the Company's calculation of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted property EBITDA may be different from the calculation methods used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited. Reconciliations of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted property EBITDA with the most comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP are provided herein immediately following the financial statements included in this press release.

(2) "Adjusted net (loss) income' is net (loss) income before pre-opening costs, property charges and other. Adjusted net (loss) income and adjusted net (loss) income per share ("EPS") are presented as supplemental disclosures because management believes that they are widely used to measure the performance, and as a basis for valuation, of gaming companies. These measures are used by management and/or evaluated by some investors, in addition to income and EPS computed in accordance with GAAP, as an additional basis for assessing period-to-period results of our business. Adjusted net (loss) income may be different from the calculation methods used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited. Reconciliations of adjusted net (loss) income with the most comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP are provided herein immediately following the financial statements included in this press release.

About Melco Crown Entertainment Limited

Melco Crown Entertainment Limited (the "Company"), is a developer, owner and through a Macau subsidiary which holds a gaming sub-concession, an operator of casino gaming and entertainment casino resort facilities. The Company currently operates Altira Macau (www.altiramacau.com) (formerly Crown Macau), a casino hotel located at Taipa, Macau and City of Dreams (www.cityofdreamsmacau.com), an integrated urban casino resort located in Cotai, Macau. The Company's business also includes the Mocha Clubs (www.mochaclubs.com), which feature a total of approximately 1,500 gaming machines in eight locations and comprise the largest non-casino based operations of electronic gaming machines in Macau. For more information about the Company, please visit www.melco-crown.com.

The Company has strong support from both of its major shareholders, Melco International Development Limited ("Melco") and Crown Limited ("Crown"). Melco is a listed company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and is substantially owned and led by Mr. Lawrence Ho, who is Co-Chairman, a Director and the CEO of the Company. Crown is a top-100 company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and led by Executive Chairman Mr. James Packer, who is also Co-Chairman and a Director of the Company.

                 Melco Crown Entertainment Limited
          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
  (In Thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

                                         Three Months Ended
                                              March 31,

                                        2010            2009
                                   --------------  --------------

                                    (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)(3)

  OPERATING REVENUES
  Casino                                $ 549,268       $ 213,001
  Rooms                                    19,010           4,451
  Food and beverage                        13,205           3,574
  Entertainment, retail and
   others                                   5,370           2,323
                                   --------------  --------------
  Gross revenues                          586,853         223,349

  Less: promotional allowances           (19,248)         (6,858)
                                   --------------  --------------

  Net revenues                            567,605         216,491
                                   --------------  --------------

  OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
  Casino                                (422,905)       (176,525)
  Rooms                                   (3,312)           (587)
  Food and beverage                       (9,489)         (2,725)
  Entertainment, retail and
   others                                 (2,096)           (179)
  General and administrative             (43,972)        (18,201)
  Pre-opening costs                       (4,072)        (18,286)
  Amortization of gaming
   subconcession                         (14,309)        (14,309)
  Amortization of land use rights         (4,880)         (4,543)
  Depreciation and amortization          (56,909)        (14,709)

  Property charges and others                 508              --
                                   --------------  --------------
  Total operating costs and
   expenses                             (561,436)       (250,064)
                                   --------------  --------------

  OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)                   6,169        (33,573)
                                   --------------  --------------
  NON-OPERATING EXPENSES
  Interest (expenses) income, net        (15,483)             121
  Other finance costs                     (3,400)         (1,196)
  Foreign exchange loss, net                (411)           (453)

  Other income, net                           490              --
                                   --------------  --------------

  Total non-operating expenses           (18,804)         (1,528)
                                   --------------  --------------
  LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAX                 (12,635)        (35,101)

  INCOME TAX CREDIT (EXPENSE)                 161           (222)
                                   --------------  --------------

  NET LOSS                             $ (12,474)      $ (35,323)
                                   ==============  ==============

  LOSS PER SHARE:

    Basic and diluted                   $ (0.008)       $ (0.027)
                                   ==============  ==============

  LOSS PER ADS:

    Basic and diluted                   $ (0.023)       $ (0.080)
                                   ==============  ==============

  WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES USED IN

  LOSS PER SHARE CALCULATION:

    Basic and diluted               1,595,175,859   1,322,512,422
                                   ==============  ==============


  (3) The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
   for 2009 reflect certain reclassifications, which have no
   effect on previously reported net loss, to conform to current
   period presentation.


             Melco Crown Entertainment Limited
           Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
               (In Thousands of U.S. dollars)


                                               December
                                  March 31,       31,
                                    2010         2009
                                 -----------  -----------
                                 (Unaudited)   (Audited)

  ASSETS

  CURRENT ASSETS
  Cash and cash equivalents         $252,858     $212,598
  Restricted cash                    127,148      236,119
  Accounts receivable, net           313,395      299,700
  Amounts due from an
   affiliated company                     --            1
  Amounts due from a
   shareholder                            12           --
  Inventories                          7,208        6,534
  Prepaid expenses and other
   current assets                     17,659       19,768
                                 -----------  -----------

  Total current assets               718,280      774,720
                                 -----------  -----------

  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET      2,765,539    2,786,646
  GAMING SUBCONCESSION, NET          699,670      713,979
  INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET               4,220        4,220
  GOODWILL                            81,915       81,915
  LONG-TERM PREPAYMENT AND
   DEPOSITS                           60,322       52,365
  DEFERRED TAX ASSETS                    191           --
  DEFERRED FINANCING COST             35,863       38,948

  LAND USE RIGHTS, NET               442,696      447,576
                                 -----------  -----------

  TOTAL                           $4,808,696   $4,900,369
                                 ===========  ===========

  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
   EQUITY

  CURRENT LIABILITIES
  Accounts payable                    $8,676       $8,719
  Accrued expenses and other
   current liabilities               424,230      497,767
  Income tax payable                     722          768
  Current portion of long-term
   debt                               89,008       44,504
  Amounts due to affiliated
   companies                           4,718        7,384

  Amounts due to shareholders              7           25
                                 -----------  -----------

  Total current liabilities          527,361      559,167
                                 -----------  -----------

  LONG-TERM DEBT                   1,594,199    1,638,703
  OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES         20,974       20,619
  DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES            17,709       17,757
  LOANS FROM SHAREHOLDERS            115,647      115,647
  LAND USE RIGHT PAYABLE              31,930       39,432

  SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Ordinary shares                     15,967       15,956
  Treasury shares                       (14)          (5)
  Additional paid-in capital       3,089,878    3,088,768
  Accumulated other
   comprehensive losses             (25,840)     (29,034)

  Accumulated losses               (579,115)    (566,641)
                                 -----------  -----------

  Total shareholders' equity       2,500,876    2,509,044
                                 -----------  -----------

  TOTAL                           $4,808,696   $4,900,369
                                 ===========  ===========


               Melco Crown Entertainment Limited
       Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted Net Loss
   (In Thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share
                             data)

                                       Three Months Ended
                                           March 31,

                                       2010         2009
                                    -----------  -----------
                                    (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)

  Net Loss                           $ (12,474)   $ (35,323)
    Pre-opening Costs                     4,072       18,286

    Property Charges and Others           (508)           --
                                    -----------  -----------

  Adjusted Net Loss                   $ (8,910)   $ (17,037)
                                    ===========  ===========


  ADJUSTED NET LOSS PER ADS:

    Basic and diluted                 $ (0.017)    $ (0.039)
                                    ===========  ===========



                                           Melco Crown Entertainment Limited
               Reconciliation of Operating Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Property EBITDA
                                             (In Thousands of U.S. dollars)

                                                            Three Months Ended March 31, 2010

                                                                                              Corporate
                                       Altira                                                    and
                                       Macau        Mocha            City of Dreams             Other        Total
                                    -----------  -----------  -----------------------------  -----------  -----------
                                    (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)           (Unaudited)           (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)

  Operating Income (Loss)               $12,197       $2,314                        $20,269   $ (28,611)       $6,169

    Pre-opening Costs                        --           --                          4,072           --        4,072
    Depreciation and Amortization        10,223        4,130                         46,399       15,346       76,098
    Stock-based Compensation               (86)           29                            158        1,005        1,106

    Property Charges and Others           (508)           --                             --           --        (508)
                                    -----------  -----------  -----------------------------  -----------  -----------
  Adjusted EBITDA                        21,826        6,473                         70,898     (12,260)       86,937

   Corporate and other expenses              --           --                             --       12,260       12,260
                                    -----------  -----------  -----------------------------  -----------  -----------

  Adjusted Property EBITDA              $21,826       $6,473                        $70,898          $--      $99,197
                                    ===========  ===========  =============================  ===========  ===========

                                                            Three Months Ended March 31, 2009

                                                                                              Corporate
                                       Altira                                                    and
                                       Macau        Mocha            City of Dreams             Other        Total
                                    -----------  -----------  -----------------------------  -----------  -----------
                                    (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)           (Unaudited)           (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)

  Operating Income (Loss)                $8,934       $2,641                      $(21,606)   $ (23,542)   $ (33,573)

    Pre-opening Costs                        --           --                         17,560          726       18,286
    Depreciation and Amortization        11,005        4,033                          3,331       15,192       33,561
    Stock-based Compensation                267          100                            715        1,934        3,016

    Property Charges and Others              --           --                             --           --           --
                                    -----------  -----------  -----------------------------  -----------  -----------
  Adjusted EBITDA                        20,206        6,774                             --      (5,690)       21,290

   Corporate and other expenses              --           --                             --        5,690        5,690
                                    -----------  -----------  -----------------------------  -----------  -----------

  Adjusted Property EBITDA              $20,206       $6,774                            $--          $--      $26,980
                                    ===========  ===========  =============================  ===========  ===========



               Melco Crown Entertainment Limited
    Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Property
                       EBITDA to Net Loss
                 (In Thousands of U.S. dollars)

                                        Three Months Ended
                                            March 31,

                                        2010         2009
                                     -----------  -----------
                                     (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)

  Adjusted Property EBITDA               $99,197      $26,980

   Corporate and other expenses         (12,260)      (5,690)
                                     -----------  -----------
  Adjusted EBITDA                         86,937       21,290
    Pre-opening Costs                    (4,072)     (18,286)
    Depreciation and Amortization       (76,098)     (33,561)
    Stock-based Compensation             (1,106)      (3,016)
    Property Charges and Others              508           --
    Interest and Other
     Non-Operating Expenses, Net        (18,804)      (1,528)

    Income Tax Credit (Expense)              161        (222)
                                     -----------  -----------

  Net Loss                            $ (12,474)   $ (35,323)
                                     ===========  ===========



             Melco Crown Entertainment Limited
                 Supplemental Data Schedule


                                       Three Months Ended
                                           March 31,

                                         2010       2009
                                      ---------  ---------
  Room Statistics:
    Altira Macau
      Average daily rate (4)              $ 166      $ 234
      Occupancy per available room          92%        89%
      Revenue per available room (5)      $ 153      $ 208

    City of Dreams
      Average daily rate (4)              $ 152        N/A
      Occupancy per available room          75%        N/A
      Revenue per available room (5)      $ 114        N/A

  Other Information:
    Altira Macau
      Average number of table games         217        254
      Table games win per unit per
       day (6)                         $ 14,715   $ 11,555

    City of Dreams
      Average number of table games         408        N/A
      Average number of gaming
       machines                           1,304        N/A
      Table games win per unit per
       day (6)                         $ 10,764        N/A
      Gaming machines win per unit
       per day (7)                       $  187        N/A

  (4) Average daily rate is calculated by dividing total
   room revenue by total occupied rooms
  (5) Revenue per available room is calculated by dividing
   total room revenue by total rooms available
  (6) Table games win per unit per day is shown before
   discounts and commissions
  (7) Gaming machines win per unit per day is shown before
   deducting cost for slot points

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: Melco Crown Entertainment Limited

CONTACT:  Melco Crown Entertainment Limited
Geoffrey Davis, CFA, Senior Vice President - Corporate Finance
+1 212 671 1936
geoffreydavis@melco-crown.com