Studio City International Holdings Limited Announces Unaudited Third Quarter 2023 Earnings

MACAU, Nov. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Studio City International Holdings Limited (NYSE: MSC) (“Studio City” or the “Company”), a world-class integrated resort located in Cotai, Macau, today reported its unaudited financial results for the third quarter of 2023.

Total operating revenues for the third quarter of 2023 were US$18.7 million, compared to total operating revenues of US$0.9 million in the third quarter of 2020. The change was due to the increase in revenues from the provision of gaming related services and higher non-gaming revenues as a result of a year-over-year increase in inbound tourism in the third quarter of 2023.

Revenues from the provision of gaming related services are derived from the provision of facilities for the operations of Studio City Casino by Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited (the “Gaming Operator”), a subsidiary of Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited (“Melco”) and holder of a gaming subconcession, and services related thereto.

Studio City Casino generated gross gaming revenues of US$85.0 million and US$23.4 million for the third quarters of 2023 and 2020, respectively.

Studio City’s rolling chip volume was US$472.4 million in the third quarter of 2023 versus US$148.8 million in the third quarter of 2020. The rolling chip win rate was 2.35% in the third quarter of 2023 versus 3.41% in the third quarter of 2020. The expected rolling chip win rate range is 2.85% – 3.15%.

Mass market table games drop increased to US$250.5 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared with US$49.7 million in the third quarter of 2020. The mass market table games hold percentage was 26.4% in the third quarter of 2023, compared to 31.5% in the third quarter of 2020.

Gaming machine handle for the third quarter of 2023 was US$271.5 million, compared with US$99.2 million in the third quarter of 2020. The gaming machine win rate was 2.9% in the third quarter of 2023, compared to 2.7% in the third quarter of 2020.

Total gaming taxes and the costs incurred in connection with the on-going operation of Studio City Casino deducted from gross gaming revenues were US$93.6 million and US$39.9 million in the third quarters of 2023 and 2020, respectively.

Revenues from the provision of gaming related services were negative US$8.6 million for the third quarter of 2023, compared with revenues from the provision of gaming related services of negative US$16.5 million for the third quarter of 2020. Revenues from the provision of gaming related services are net of gaming taxes and the costs incurred in connection with the operation of Studio City Casino deducted by the Gaming Operator pursuant to the Services and Right to Use Arrangements.

Total non-gaming revenues at Studio City for the third quarter of 2023 were US$27.3 million, compared with US$17.5 million for the third quarter of 2020.

Operating loss for the third quarter of 2023 was US$55.7 million, compared with operating loss of US$72.5 million in the third quarter of 2020.        

Studio City generated negative Adjusted EBITDA(1) of US$23.1 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to negative Adjusted EBITDA of US$30.2 million in the third quarter of 2020. The change was mainly attributable to the increase in revenues from the provision of gaming related services and higher non-gaming revenues.

Net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited for the third quarter of 2023 was US$63.2 million, compared with net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited of US$98.2 million in the third quarter of 2020. The net loss attributable to participation interest was US$12.4 million and US$22.9 million in the third quarters of 2023 and 2020, respectively.   

Other Factors Affecting Earnings

Total net non-operating expenses for the third quarter of 2023 were US$20.3 million, which mainly included interest expenses of US$23.6 million, net of amounts capitalized.

Depreciation and amortization costs of US$32.3 million were recorded in the third quarter of 2023, of which US$0.8 million was related to the amortization expense for the land use right.

The negative Adjusted EBITDA for Studio City for the three months ended September 30, 2023 referred to in Melco’s earnings release dated November 9, 2023 (“Melco’s earnings release”) is US$9.1 million less than the negative Adjusted EBITDA of Studio City contained in this press release. The Adjusted EBITDA of Studio City contained in this press release includes certain intercompany charges that are not included in the Adjusted EBITDA for Studio City contained in Melco’s earnings release. Such intercompany charges include, among other items, fees and shared service charges billed between the Company and its subsidiaries and certain subsidiaries of Melco. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA of Studio City included in Melco’s earnings release does not reflect certain intercompany costs related to the table games operations at Studio City Casino.

Financial Position and Capital Expenditures

Total cash and bank balances as of September 30, 2023 aggregated to US$651.1 million (December 31, 2020: US$575.4 million), including US$0.1 million of restricted cash (December 31, 2020: US$0.1 million). Total debt, net of unamortized deferred financing costs at the end of the third quarter of 2023, was US$2.09 billion (December 31, 2020: US$1.58 billion).

Capital expenditures for the third quarter of 2023 were US$142.3 million.

Recent Developments

COVID-19 outbreaks continue to have a material effect on our operations, financial position, and future prospects in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Our operations have been impacted by on-and-off travel restrictions and quarantine requirements as imposed by the governments of Macau, Hong Kong, and China in response to isolated cases.  The appearance of COVID-19 cases in early August 2023 led to city-wide mandatory testing, mandatory closure of most entertainment and leisure venues (casinos and gaming areas excluded), and strict travel restrictions and requirements being implemented to enter and exit Macau. Similarly in late September 2023, the identification of additional COVID-19 cases again led to a repeat of testing, closure, and travel restrictions, which led to reduced turnout for October Golden Week holiday. Since October 19, 2023, authorities have eased pandemic prevention measures such that travelers no longer require a 14-day quarantine on arrival in Zhuhai, and the validity of negative nucleic acid tests were extended from 24 hours to 48 hours or seven days. As a result, our visitation has been gradually recovering.

The construction of Studio Phase 2 is progressing on track for completion before December 27, 2023. This expansion will offer approximately 900 additional luxury hotel rooms and suites, an additional indoor/outdoor water park which is expected to be one of the largest in the world, a Cineplex, multiple fine-dining restaurants, and state-of-the-art MICE space.

The pace of recovery from COVID-19 will depend on future events, including duration of travel and visa restrictions, the pace of vaccination progress, development of new medicine for COVID-19, the impact of potentially higher unemployment rates, declines in income levels, and loss of personal wealth resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak affecting discretionary spending and travel, all of which remain highly uncertain.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Studio City International Holdings Limited (the “Company”) may also make forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), 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, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited to, (i) the global pandemic of COVID-19, caused by a novel strain of the coronavirus, and the continued impact of its consequences on our business, our industry and the global economy, (ii) growth of the gaming market and visitations in Macau, (iii) capital and credit market volatility, (iv) local and global economic conditions, (v) our anticipated growth strategies, (vi) gaming authority and other governmental approvals and regulations, and (vii) our future business development, results of operations and financial condition. 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. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(1)   “Adjusted EBITDA” is defined as net income/loss before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening costs, property charges and other and other non-operating income and expenses. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results. This non-GAAP financial measure eliminates the impact of items that we do not consider indicative of the performance of our business. While we believe that this non-GAAP financial measure is useful in evaluating our business, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not meant as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. It should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to net income/loss, cash flow or any other measure of financial performance or as an indicator of our operating performance, liquidity, profitability or cash flows generated by operating, investing or financing activities. The use of Adjusted EBITDA has material limitations as an analytical tool, as Adjusted EBITDA does not include all items that impact our net income/loss. In addition, the Company’s calculation of Adjusted EBITDA may be different from the calculation methods used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the historical non-GAAP financial measure to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA with the most comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP are provided herein immediately following the financial statements included in this press release.

(2)   “Adjusted net income/loss” is net income/loss before pre-opening costs, property charges and other and loss on extinguishment of debt, net of participation interest. Adjusted net income/loss is presented as supplemental disclosure because management believes it provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our performance, in addition to income/loss computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Adjusted net income/loss may be different from the calculation methods used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited. Reconciliations of adjusted net income/loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited with the most comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP are provided herein immediately following the financial statements included in this press release.

About Studio City International Holdings Limited

The Company, with its American depositary shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MSC), is a world-class integrated resort located in Cotai, Macau. For more information about the Company, please visit www.studiocity-macau.com.

The Company is strongly supported by its single largest shareholder, Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited, a company with its American depositary shares listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (Nasdaq: MLCO).

For the investment community, please contact:
Robin Yuen
Director, Investor Relations
Tel: +852 2598 3619
Email: [email protected]

For media enquiries, please contact:
Chimmy Leung
Executive Director, Corporate Communications
Tel: +852 3151 3765
Email: [email protected]

Studio City International Holdings Limited and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)
                       
                       
  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  September 30,   September 30,
  2021
  2020
  2021
  2020
                       
Operating revenues:                      
Provision of gaming related services $ (8,562 )   $ (16,534 )   $ (5,522 )   $ (38,986 )
Rooms   9,782       2,567       30,774       12,330  
Food and beverage   6,346       4,596       20,417       15,613  
Entertainment   1,383       134       2,428       1,025  
Services fee   6,330       4,612       19,493       19,706  
Mall   3,115       5,246       9,684       14,738  
Retail and other   329       319       1,213       1,077  
Total operating revenues   18,723       940       78,487       25,503  
                       
Operating costs and expenses:                      
Provision of gaming related services   (7,334 )     (7,368 )     (18,934 )     (18,932 )
Rooms   (3,217 )     (2,134 )     (9,328 )     (8,473 )
Food and beverage   (6,864 )     (4,451 )     (20,939 )     (20,556 )
Entertainment   (962 )     (682 )     (2,252 )     (2,676 )
Mall   (929 )     (1,101 )     (2,907 )     (3,648 )
Retail and other   (351 )     (239 )     (1,115 )     (880 )
General and administrative   (22,147 )     (15,181 )     (68,949 )     (69,787 )
Pre-opening costs   (6 )     (77 )     (739 )     (133 )
Amortization of land use right   (831 )     (834 )     (2,496 )     (2,499 )
Depreciation and amortization   (31,456 )     (41,517 )     (93,299 )     (122,406 )
Property charges and other   (346 )     100       (4,129 )     (4,101 )
Total operating costs and expenses   (74,443 )     (73,484 )     (225,087 )     (254,091 )
Operating loss   (55,720 )     (72,544 )     (146,600 )     (228,588 )
Non-operating income (expenses):                      
Interest income   841       423       2,350       1,175  
Interest expenses, net of amounts capitalized   (23,564 )     (29,982 )     (69,073 )     (81,081 )
Other financing costs   (106 )     (106 )     (314 )     (315 )
Foreign exchange gains (losses), net   2,484       (303 )     4,989       (4,107 )
Other expenses, net         (78 )           (255 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt         (18,497 )     (28,817 )     (18,497 )
Total non-operating expenses, net   (20,345 )     (48,543 )     (90,865 )     (103,080 )
Loss before income tax   (76,065 )     (121,087 )     (237,465 )     (331,668 )
Income tax credit (expense)   531       (36 )     (29 )     106  
Net loss   (75,534 )     (121,123 )     (237,494 )     (331,562 )
Net loss attributable to participation interest   12,367       22,880       38,885       71,427  
Net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited $ (63,167 )   $ (98,243 )   $ (198,609 )   $ (260,135 )
                       
Net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited                      
per Class A ordinary share:                      
Basic $ (0.171 )   $ (0.303 )   $ (0.536 )   $ (0.965 )
Diluted $ (0.171 )   $ (0.305 )   $ (0.536 )   $ (0.969 )
                       
Net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per ADS:                    
Basic $ (0.682 )   $ (1.212 )   $ (2.145 )   $ (3.861 )
Diluted $ (0.682 )   $ (1.221 )   $ (2.145 )   $ (3.878 )
                       
Weighted average Class A ordinary shares outstanding used in net loss                      
attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per Class A                      
ordinary share calculation:                      
Basic   370,352,700       324,207,049       370,352,700       269,481,487  
Diluted   370,352,700       396,718,809       370,352,700       341,993,247  
Studio City International Holdings Limited and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)
           
           
  September 30,   December 31,
  2021   2020
  (Unaudited)      
ASSETS          
           
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents $ 650,941     $ 575,215  
Restricted cash         13  
Accounts receivable, net   54       157  
Amounts due from affiliated companies   5,580       10,672  
Inventories   8,144       9,297  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   47,838       12,467  
Total current assets   712,557       607,821  
           
Property and equipment, net   2,401,336       2,180,897  
Intangible assets, net   3,132       4,005  
Long-term prepayments, deposits and other assets   71,605       117,555  
Restricted cash   130       131  
Operating lease right-of-use assets   14,640       17,379  
Land use right, net   113,131       116,109  
Total assets $ 3,316,531     $ 3,043,897  
           
LIABILITIES, SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND          
PARTICIPATION INTEREST          
           
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable $ 463     $ 206  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   131,824       118,946  
Income tax payable   12       33  
Amounts due to affiliated companies   40,702       42,966  
Total current liabilities   173,001       162,151  
           
Long-term debt, net   2,086,978       1,584,660  
Other long-term liabilities   26,980       11,778  
Deferred tax liabilities, net   495       448  
Operating lease liabilities, non-current   14,591       17,137  
Total liabilities   2,302,045       1,776,174  
           
Shareholders’ equity and participation interest:          
Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001; 1,927,488,240 shares      
authorized; 370,352,700 shares issued and outstanding   37       37  
Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001; 72,511,760 shares        
authorized; 72,511,760 shares issued and outstanding   7       7  
Additional paid-in capital   2,134,227       2,134,227  
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income   (1,290 )     11,876  
Accumulated losses   (1,284,769 )     (1,086,160 )
Total shareholders’ equity   848,212       1,059,987  
Participation interest   166,274       207,736  
Total shareholders’ equity and participation interest   1,014,486       1,267,723  
Total liabilities, shareholders’ equity and participation interest $ 3,316,531     $ 3,043,897  
Studio City International Holdings Limited and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of Net Loss Attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited to
Adjusted Net Loss Attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited (Unaudited)
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)
                       
                       
  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  September 30,   September 30,
  2021   2020   2021   2020
                       
Net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited $ (63,167 )   $ (98,243 )   $ (198,609 )   $ (260,135 )
Pre-opening costs   6       77       739       133  
Property charges and other   346       (100 )     4,129       4,101  
Loss on extinguishment of debt         18,497       28,817       18,497  
Participation interest impact on adjustments   (57 )     (3,141 )     (5,515 )     (4,123 )
Adjusted net loss attributable to                      
Studio City International Holdings Limited $ (62,872 )   $ (82,910 )   $ (170,439 )   $ (241,527 )
                       
Adjusted net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited                    
per Class A ordinary share:                      
Basic $ (0.170 )   $ (0.256 )   $ (0.460 )   $ (0.896 )
Diluted $ (0.170 )   $ (0.259 )   $ (0.460 )   $ (0.903 )
                       
Adjusted net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited                    
per ADS:                      
Basic $ (0.679 )   $ (1.023 )   $ (1.841 )   $ (3.585 )
Diluted $ (0.679 )   $ (1.035 )   $ (1.841 )   $ (3.612 )
                       
Weighted average Class A ordinary shares outstanding used in adjusted                      
net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited                      
per Class A ordinary share calculation:                      
Basic   370,352,700       324,207,049       370,352,700       269,481,487  
Diluted   370,352,700       396,718,809       370,352,700       341,993,247  
Studio City International Holdings Limited and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of Operating Loss to Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited)
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
                       
                       
  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  September 30,   September 30,
  2021   2020   2021   2020
               
Operating loss $ (55,720 )   $ (72,544 )   $ (146,600 )   $ (228,588 )
Pre-opening costs   6       77       739       133  
Depreciation and amortization   32,287       42,351       95,795       124,905  
Property charges and other   346       (100 )     4,129       4,101  
Adjusted EBITDA $ (23,081 )   $ (30,216 )   $ (45,937 )   $ (99,449 )
Studio City International Holdings Limited and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of Net Loss Attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited
 to Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited)
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
                       
                       
  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  September 30,   September 30,
  2021   2020   2021   2020
               
Net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited $ (63,167 )   $ (98,243 )   $ (198,609 )   $ (260,135 )
Net loss attributable to participation interest   (12,367 )     (22,880 )     (38,885 )     (71,427 )
Net loss   (75,534 )     (121,123 )     (237,494 )     (331,562 )
Income tax (credit) expense   (531 )     36       29       (106 )
Interest and other non-operating expenses, net   20,345       48,543       90,865       103,080  
Property charges and other   346       (100 )     4,129       4,101  
Depreciation and amortization   32,287       42,351       95,795       124,905  
Pre-opening costs   6       77       739       133  
Adjusted EBITDA $ (23,081 )   $ (30,216 )   $ (45,937 )   $ (99,449 )
                       
Studio City International Holdings Limited and Subsidiaries
Supplemental Data Schedule
                   
                   
      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   September 30,
       2021     2020     2021     2020 
Room Statistics(3):              
                   
    Average daily rate (4) $ 123     $ 119     $ 122     $ 134  
                   
    Occupancy per available room   52 %     13 %     54 %     20 %
                   
    Revenue per available room (5) $ 64     $ 16     $ 66     $ 27  
                   
                   
                   
Other Information(6):              
                   
    Average number of table games   291       291       291       279  
                   
    Average number of gaming machines   656       595       623       579  
                   
    Table games win per unit per day (7) $ 2,883     $ 774     $ 3,354     $ 2,234  
                   
    Gaming machines win per unit per day (8) $ 131     $ 48     $ 135     $ 96  
                   
                   
(3) Room statistics exclude rooms that were temporarily closed or provided to staff members due to the COVID-19 outbreak
(4) Average daily rate is calculated by dividing total room revenues including complimentary rooms (less service charges, if any) by total occupied rooms including complimentary rooms
(5) Revenue per available room is calculated by dividing total room revenues including complimentary rooms (less service charges, if any) by total rooms available
(6) Table games and gaming machines that were not in operation due to government-mandated closures or social distancing measures in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak have been excluded
(7) Table games win per unit per day is shown before discounts, commissions, non-discretionary incentives (including the point-loyalty programs) as administered by the Gaming Operator and allocating casino revenues related to goods and services provided to gaming patrons on a complimentary basis
(8) Gaming machines win per unit per day is shown before non-discretionary incentives (including the point-loyalty programs) as administered by the Gaming Operator and allocating casino revenues related to goods and services provided to gaming patrons on a complimentary basis

Studio City