Studio City International Holdings Limited Announces Unaudited First Quarter 2021 Earnings


MACAU, April 28, 2021 (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 first quarter of 2021.

Total operating revenues for the first quarter of 2021 were US$28.6 million, compared to total operating revenues of US$37.1 million in the first quarter of 2020. The decrease in total operating revenues was due to the decrease in revenues from the provision of gaming related services and lower non-gaming revenues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a year-over-year decline in inbound tourism in the first quarter of 2021 since the first quarter of 2020 was only partially impacted by the restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

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$98.5 million and US$146.7 million for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Studio City’s rolling chip volume was US$0.50 billion for the first quarter of 2021 versus US$1.38 billion in the first quarter of 2020. The rolling chip win rate was 0.29% in the first quarter of 2021 versus 3.31% in the first quarter of 2020. The expected rolling chip win rate range is 2.85% - 3.15%.

Mass market table games drop decreased to US$309.3 million in the first quarter of 2021, compared with US$352.8 million in the first quarter of 2020. The mass market table games hold percentage was 29.1% in the first quarter of 2021, compared to 25.9% in the first quarter of 2020.

Gaming machine handle for the first quarter of 2021 was US$278.3 million, compared with US$311.1 million in the first quarter of 2020. The gaming machine win rate was 2.5% in the first quarter of 2021, compared to 3.2% in the first quarter of 2020.

Total gaming taxes and the costs incurred in connection with the operation of Studio City Casino deducted from gross gaming revenues were US$97.3 million and US$141.2 million in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Revenues from the provision of gaming related services were US$1.2 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared with revenues from the provision of gaming related services of US$5.5 million for the first 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 first quarter of 2021 were US$27.3 million, compared with US$31.6 million for the first quarter of 2020.

Operating loss for the first quarter of 2021 was US$45.1 million, compared with operating loss of US$63.4 million in the first quarter of 2020.

Studio City generated negative Adjusted EBITDA(1) of US$13.4 million in the first quarter of 2021, compared to negative Adjusted EBITDA of US$18.2 million in the first quarter of 2020. The change was mainly attributable to the lower operating costs as a result of lower business volumes and our cost containment efforts, partially offset by the decrease in revenues from the provision of gaming related services and lower non-gaming revenues.

Net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited for the first quarter of 2021 was US$75.8 million, compared with net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited of US$70.9 million in the first quarter of 2020. The net loss attributable to participation interest was US$14.8 million and US$21.3 million in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Other Factors Affecting Earnings

Total net non-operating expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were US$45.4 million, which mainly included loss on extinguishment of debt of US$28.8 million and interest expenses of US$23.2 million, net of amounts capitalized, partially offset by net foreign exchange gains of US$5.7 million.

Depreciation and amortization costs of US$31.6 million were recorded in the first quarter of 2021, 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 March 31, 2021 referred to in Melco’s earnings release dated April 28, 2021 (“Melco’s earnings release”) is US$8.2 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 March 31, 2021 aggregated to US$543.5 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 first quarter of 2021, was US$1.73 billion (December 31, 2020: US$1.58 billion).

Capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2021 were US$78.3 million.

Recent Developments

The COVID-19 outbreak continues to have a material effect on our operations, financial position, and prospects during the second quarter of 2021.

Despite the nationwide resumption of issuance of Individual Visit Scheme visas by China in September 2020, our operations continue to be impacted by significant travel bans, restrictions, and quarantine requirements imposed by the governments in Macau, Hong Kong and China, and such bans, restrictions and requirements have been, and may continue to be, modified by the relevant authorities from time to time as COVID-19 developments unfold. Additionally, health-related precautionary measures remain in place at our property, which continue to impact visitation and customer spending. Furthermore, we continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the construction of Studio City Phase 2. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, we estimated a construction period of approximately 32 months for Phase 2. With the disruptions from the COVID-19 outbreak, the construction period has been delayed and is expected to extend beyond the estimated 32 months and the current development period.

As the disruptions from the COVID-19 outbreak are ongoing, any recovery from such disruptions will depend on future events, such as the successful production, distribution and widespread acceptance of safe and effective vaccines, the development of effective treatments for COVID-19, including for new strains of COVID-19, the duration of travel and visa restrictions as well as customer sentiment and behavior, including the length of time before customers resume traveling and participating in entertainment and leisure activities at high-density venues and the impact of potential higher unemployment rates, declines in income levels and loss of personal wealth resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak on consumer behavior related to discretionary spending and traveling, all of which are 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: robinyuen@melco-resorts.com 

For media enquiries, please contact:
Chimmy Leung
Executive Director, Corporate Communications
Tel: +852 3151 3765
Email: chimmyleung@melco-resorts.com


       
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 
 March 31, 
 2021  2020  
       
Operating revenues:      
  Provision of gaming related services$1,233  $5,506  
  Rooms 9,606   8,659  
  Food and beverage 6,884   8,199  
  Entertainment 294   868  
  Services fee 6,799   8,757  
  Mall 3,330   4,527  
  Retail and other 418   557  
Total operating revenues 28,564   37,073  
       
Operating costs and expenses:      
  Provision of gaming related services (5,699)  (5,653) 
  Rooms (2,910)  (4,414) 
  Food and beverage (7,148)  (10,505) 
  Entertainment (569)  (1,218) 
  Mall (983)  (1,553) 
  Retail and other (361)  (365) 
  General and administrative (24,299)  (31,521) 
  Pre-opening costs (243)  (28) 
  Amortization of land use right (833)  (832) 
  Depreciation and amortization (30,756)  (39,960) 
  Property charges and other 142   (4,405) 
Total operating costs and expenses (73,659)  (100,454) 
Operating loss (45,095)  (63,381) 
Non-operating income (expenses):      
  Interest income 940   391  
  Interest expenses, net of amounts capitalized (23,168)  (25,779) 
  Other financing costs (104)  (104) 
  Foreign exchange gains (losses), net 5,726   (3,402) 
  Other expenses, net -   (88) 
  Loss on extinguishment of debt (28,817)  -  
Total non-operating expenses, net (45,423)  (28,982) 
Loss before income tax (90,518)  (92,363) 
Income tax (expense) credit (83)  210  
Net loss (90,601)  (92,153) 
Net loss attributable to participation interest 14,834   21,259  
Net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited$(75,767) $(70,894) 
       
Net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited      
  per Class A ordinary share:      
    Basic and diluted$(0.205) $(0.293) 
       
Net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per ADS:      
    Basic and diluted$(0.818) $(1.173) 
       
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 and diluted 370,352,700   241,818,016  
       



       
       
       
       
Studio City International Holdings Limited and Subsidiaries 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets 
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data) 
       
       
 March 31, December 31, 
 2021
 2020 
 (Unaudited)    
ASSETS      
       
Current assets:      
  Cash and cash equivalents$543,364  $575,215  
  Restricted cash 13   13  
  Accounts receivable, net 91   157  
  Amounts due from affiliated companies 13,057   10,672  
  Inventories 8,857   9,297  
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets 10,462   12,467  
Total current assets 575,844   607,821  
       
Property and equipment, net 2,224,693   2,180,897  
Intangible assets, net 3,839   4,005  
Long-term prepayments, deposits and other assets 114,265   117,555  
Restricted cash 130   131  
Operating lease right-of-use assets 17,290   17,379  
Land use right, net 114,931   116,109  
Total assets$3,050,992  $3,043,897  
       
LIABILITIES, SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND       
  PARTICIPATION INTEREST      
       
Current liabilities:      
  Accounts payable$476  $206  
  Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 82,499   118,946  
  Income tax payable 12   33  
  Amounts due to affiliated companies 36,478   42,966  
Total current liabilities 119,465   162,151  
       
Long-term debt, net 1,733,509   1,584,660  
Other long-term liabilities 16,299   11,778  
Deferred tax liabilities, net 551   448  
Operating lease liabilities, non-current 17,311   17,137  
Total liabilities 1,887,135   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 income 783   11,876  
  Accumulated losses (1,161,927)  (1,086,160) 
Total shareholders’ equity 973,127   1,059,987  
Participation interest 190,730   207,736  
Total shareholders’ equity and participation interest 1,163,857   1,267,723  
Total liabilities, shareholders’ equity and participation interest$3,050,992  $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 
 March 31, 
 2021 2020 
       
Net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited$(75,767) $(70,894) 
 Pre-opening costs 243   28  
 Property charges and other (142)  4,405  
 Loss on extinguishment of debt 28,817   -  
 Participation interest impact on adjustments (4,735)  (1,023) 
Adjusted net loss attributable to      
  Studio City International Holdings Limited$(51,584) $(67,484) 
       
Adjusted net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited    
  per Class A ordinary share:      
    Basic and diluted$(0.139) $(0.279) 
       
Adjusted net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited    
  per ADS:      
    Basic and diluted$(0.557) $(1.116) 
       
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 and diluted 370,352,700   241,818,016  
       



Studio City International Holdings Limited and Subsidiaries 
Reconciliation of Operating Loss to Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited) 
(In thousands of U.S. dollars) 
       
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 
 2021 2020 
     
Operating loss$(45,095) $(63,381) 
Pre-opening costs 243   28  
Depreciation and amortization 31,589   40,792  
Property charges and other (142)  4,405  
Adjusted EBITDA$(13,405) $(18,156) 
       



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 
 March 31, 
 2021 2020 
     
Net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited$(75,767) $(70,894) 
Net loss attributable to participation interest (14,834)  (21,259) 
Net loss (90,601)  (92,153) 
    Income tax expense (credit) 83   (210) 
    Interest and other non-operating expenses, net 45,423   28,982  
    Property charges and other (142)  4,405  
    Depreciation and amortization 31,589   40,792  
    Pre-opening costs 243   28  
Adjusted EBITDA$(13,405) $(18,156) 
       



            
Studio City International Holdings Limited and Subsidiaries  
Supplemental Data Schedule  
            
            
      Three Months Ended   
      March 31,   
      2021 2020   
Room Statistics(3):         
            
  Average daily rate (4)  $121  $137    
            
  Occupancy per available room  50%  43%   
            
  Revenue per available room (5) $60  $58    
            
            
            
Other Information(6):         
            
  Average number of table games  292   252    
            
  Average number of gaming machines  604   747    
            
  Table games win per unit per day (7) $3,476  $7,051    
            
  Gaming machines win per unit per day (8)$130  $174    
            
            
(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