MACAU, March 01, 2022 (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 fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021.

Total operating revenues for the fourth quarter of 2021 were US$28.4 million, compared to total operating revenues of US$23.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The change was due to the increase in revenues from the provision of gaming related services, partially offset by lower non-gaming revenues.

Revenues from the provision of gaming related services are derived from the provision of facilities for the operations of the 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$91.1 million and US$87.6 million for the fourth quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Studio City’s rolling chip volume was US$474.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 versus US$449.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The rolling chip win rate was 1.84% in the fourth quarter of 2021 versus negative 0.13% in the fourth quarter of 2020. The expected rolling chip win rate range is 2.85% - 3.15%.

Mass market table games drop decreased to US$253.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared with US$305.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The mass market table games hold percentage was 29.6% in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to 27.0% in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Gaming machine handle for the fourth quarter of 2021 was US$262.4 million, compared with US$257.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The gaming machine win rate was 2.8% in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to 2.2% in the fourth 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$87.0 million and US$91.3 million in the fourth quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Revenues from the provision of gaming related services were US$4.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, compared with revenues from the provision of gaming related services of negative US$3.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. Revenues from the provision of gaming related services are net of gaming taxes and the costs incurred in connection with the on-going 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 fourth quarter of 2021 were US$24.3 million, compared with US$27.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2020.

Operating loss for the fourth quarter of 2021 was US$45.0 million, compared with operating loss of US$51.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.        

Studio City generated negative Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ of US$10.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to negative Adjusted EBITDA of US$14.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The change was mainly attributable to the increase in revenues from the provision of gaming related services, partially offset by lower non-gaming revenues.

Net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited for the fourth quarter of 2021 was US$53.9 million, compared with net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited of US$61.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The net loss attributable to participation interest was US$10.6 million and US$12.0 million in the fourth quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively.   

Other Factors Affecting Earnings

Total net non-operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2021 were US$20.0 million, which mainly included interest expense of US$21.9 million, net of amounts capitalized.

Depreciation and amortization costs of US$31.8 million were recorded in the fourth 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 December 31, 2021 referred to in Melco’s earnings release dated March 1, 2022 (“Melco’s earnings release”) is US$10.4 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 December 31, 2021 aggregated to US$499.4 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 and original issue premiums at the end of the fourth quarter of 2021, was US$2.09 billion (December 31, 2020: US$1.58 billion).

Capital expenditures for the fourth quarter of 2021 were US$188.1 million.

Full Year Results

For the year ended December 31, 2021, Studio City International Holdings Limited reported total operating revenues of US$106.9 million, compared to US$49.2 million in the prior year. The increase in total operating revenues was primarily attributable to higher revenues from the provision of gaming related services and non-gaming revenues as a result of a year-over-year increase in inbound tourism in 2021.

Operating loss for 2021 was US$191.6 million, compared with operating loss of US$279.9 million for 2020.

Studio City generated negative Adjusted EBITDA of US$56.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to negative Adjusted EBITDA of US$113.8 million in 2020. The change in Adjusted EBITDA was mainly attributable to higher revenues from the provision of gaming related services and non-gaming revenues.

Net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited for 2021 was US$252.6 million, compared with net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited of US$321.6 million for 2020. The net loss attributable to participation interest for 2021 was US$49.4 million and the net loss attributable to participation interest for 2020 was US$83.5 million.

Subsequent Events

On February 7, 2022, Studio City Company Limited (“Studio City Company”), a subsidiary of the Company, announced an offering of senior secured notes and, concurrently, the Company announced that it had entered into subscription agreements with certain existing institutional holders of its ordinary shares and American Depositary Shares, each representing four Class A ordinary shares (“ADSs”), which hold, in aggregate, over 99% of the Company’s outstanding shares, for total proceeds of US$300 million. The Company is in the process of closing the private placement.

The senior secured notes were issued on February 16, 2022, with an aggregate principal amount of US$350 million, 7.00% coupon and 5 year tenor (the “Notes”). Net proceeds from the issuance of the Notes will be used to partially fund the capital expenditures of the remaining project for Studio City and for general corporate purposes.

Recent Developments

COVID-19 outbreaks continue to have a material effect on our operations, financial position, and future prospects into the first quarter of 2022.

Our operations remain impacted by travel restrictions and quarantine requirements. The appearance of COVID-19 cases in Macau in late September 2021 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. Since October 19, 2021, authorities have eased pandemic prevention measures such that travelers no longer require 14-day quarantine on arrival in Zhuhai, and the validity of nucleic acid tests to enter Zhuhai was extended from 24 hours to 7 days. However, health-related precautionary measures remain in place and non-Macau resident individuals who are not residents of Taiwan, Hong Kong, or the PRC continue to be unable to enter Macau, except if they have been in Hong Kong or mainland PRC in the preceding 21 days and are eligible for an exemption application.

Uncertainty around COVID-19 outbreaks will continue into 2022 with travel bans or restrictions, visa restrictions and quarantine requirements being key factors impacting 2022 performance. We remain optimistic on the long-term growth prospects for both Macau and Studio City. We expect both Macau and Studio City to benefit from the continued economic growth in China, infrastructure developments in the Greater Bay Area and new property openings in Cotai.

We continue our efforts to complete the construction of Studio City Phase 2 by the deadline set in the land concession of December 27, 2022. This expansion designed by renowned international architecture firm Zaha Hadid Architects 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 a total of 1,100 square meters of state-of-the-art MICE space. Furthermore, Studio City Phase 2 will also feature a hotel tower under the W Hotel brand in partnership with Marriott International.

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, (vii) proposed amendments to the gaming law in Macau, the extension of current gaming concessions and subconcessions and tender for new gaming concessions, and (viii) 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

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:
Jeanny Kim
Senior Vice President, Group Treasurer
Tel: +852 2598 3698
Email: JeannyKim@melco-resorts.com

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