Takeaway: If we had to pick one (we don't) Macau long, Galaxy would be it, owing to an earlier opening of Phase II and more defensible VIP exposure

Mostly in-line quarter on lowered expectations. Only operator to grow VIP YoY in Q3

GALAXY Q3 2014 CONFERENCE CALL NOTES - gdgdg

CONF CALL

  • Perfect storm in Macau
  • Only company in Macau to report gains in VIP revenues and volumes
  • Galaxy Macau
    • VIP bad luck reduced EBITDA by HK$50m
    • Win/table/day +27% YoY
    • Shifted 10% of mass capacity to VIP rooms
    • Slot:  reported record win
    • LTM ROI:  60%
  • Starworld 
    • Win rate:  2.66%
    • No bad luck impact
    • Closed 2 VIP rooms in 3Q and additional 2 VIP rooms in October (15% of capacity) to reallocate tables to higher yielding use (mix of VIP and MASS).
    • LTM ROI: 108%
  • Galaxy Macau PH2:  on budget, on schedule for mid-2015, excited to introduce Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott hotels to the market
  • Grand Waldo:  on schedule; will unveil plans in January; aim to re-launch in early 2015
  • Galaxy Macau Cotai 3/4:  will double area of Ph1/2 to 2 million sq meters
  • Debt:  $240m at end of 3Q 2014

Q & A

  • Smoking ban:  have fully complied with regulations
  • Mass premium tables reclassification into VIP:  working close with govt on clarity on this issue.  There is cash play in VIP direct rooms. 
  • Starworld/Galaxy Macau 99% occupancy:  everyone is running near full capacity; market is undersupplied
  • Japan/Taiwan/South Korea:  actively exploring partnerships in Japan
  • Corporate expense: will see some lift when PH2 opens but trying to do things as efficiently as they can
  • Junkets:  large guys are getting better; smaller guys are experiencing challenges
  • Galaxy Macau PH2:  
    • Will have additional smoking chambers in mass floors (have 4 in PH1 and developing some in PH2 to comply with regulations)
    • Retail:  Fully leased; rents are healthy
    • VIP rooms Galaxy Macau:  still sees strong demand and into PH2.
      • Combination of new and existing junkets into PH2
    • Will add 6-8k new employees (4-6 wks from openings); quite confident in getting the necessary labor
  • Table allocations for PH2 and Grand Waldo:  have certain expectations; still in dialogue with govt