MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM) could evaluate more acquisitions following the purchase of LeoVegas while continuing to reward investors via share buybacks, noted CFO Jonathan Halkyard.
He made the comments Tuesday at Deutsche Bank’s 30th Annual Leveraged Finance Conference. MGM recently put the finishing touches on its $607 million acquisition of LeoVegas — a move that positions the casino giant to expand its internet gaming and sports betting footprints in Europe.
Halkyard told analysts and investors at the conference LeoVegas had some acquisitions in the works prior to MGM floating its takeover off in May, but the Swedish gaming company faced capital constraints in getting deals done. With a strong cash position, MGM could evaluate some of the irons LeoVegas had in the fire, but Halkyard didn’t identify specific targets.
Echoing comment he’s made at previous investment confabs, Halkyard told attendees at the Deutsche Bank conference that MGM will remain a dedicated buyer of its own stock, noting the gaming company repurchased about 30% of its market capitalization over the past year.
Encouraging Convention Signs, Stock Comments
Due to its status as the largest operator on the Las Vegas Strip, integral to the MGM investment thesis is the return of convention and meeting business to the largest US casino center. After a multi-year delay following induced by the coronavirus pandemic, group and meeting turnover appears to be trending in the right direction, noted Halkyard.
A year ago, people were very tentative in their planning and cancellation clauses and rebooking were heavily negotiated,” said the MGM finance boss. “We’re seeing very much a return to normalcy or even real enthusiasm around the group and meeting business and that’s extending deep into the first and second quarter of 2023.”
Halkyard said the group and meeting business accounts for 20% of MGM’s turnover and its pricing sets a base for the rest of the operator’s revenue management endeavors. For MGM and rivals, conventions are vital because those get-togethers boost midweek occupancy rates in Las Vegas.
In discussing the company’s shares, Halkyard pointed out the stock trades at an implied US enterprise value/earnings before interest depreciation and amortization (EV/EBITDA) of just 5.3x. That doesn’t include the company’s nearly 56% stake in MGM China and that estimate ascribes no value to BetMGM. At the end of the second quarter, MGM Resorts had $4.34 billion in cash and total liquidity of $4.34 billion.
Speaking of BetMGM…
BetMGM — the internet casino and online sportsbook operator in which MGM holds a 50% interest — issued bullish financial commentary in May. Halkyard reiterated that view at the Deutsche Bank conference.
The MGM CFO said that by the end of this year, the casino company and partner Entain will have contributed $1 billion in capital to the iGaming unit. He added BetMGM should turn profitable on an EBITDA basis by the end of 2023.
BetMGM has about 30% of the US online casino market while its closest competitor hovers around 20%. Regarding online sports betting, BetMGM is a solid number two, though it trails leader FanDuel by a wide margin.
Halkyard said MGM enjoys advantages in internet gaming by way of its land-based casinos, citing Michigan, where it runs MGM Grand Detroit, as a prime example.
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