Taking a business-as-usual approach, Las Vegas Sands reported 4Q20 earnings and JP Morgan analyst Joseph Greff wasn’t blown away, writing that “we, like most investors, see the quarter and any outlook commentary offering little in the way of positive developments for Macau … given recent COVID-19 infection spikes in China and ensuing tightened control over tourist visa issuance for mainlanders to visit Macau.” Given the rampant nature of Coronavirus, Greff foresees but a “modest” boost from Chinese New Year. Mass-market tables and slots were down 64% year/year and VIP win fell 76%. Still, that’s a big improvement from 3Q20, when business was negligible. Greff pegs 3Q21 as the time Macao will come back. He recommended buying Macao-centric stocks, citing Melco Resorts & Entertainment, as well as “fatigue” about the pace of Macao’s comeback and that they are “under-owned in general.”
He does not think LVS will announce any share sales by Sheldon Adelson‘s heirs, which should reassure other investors,”which we think will bring a positive perspective to something that has been a source of a lot of incoming investor questions.” Questions also likely to be raised are whether Sands China will sell equity and board seats to a Chinese partner (easier to do without the querulous Adelson at the helm), and whether the Macanese government would approve. Such an initiative would undoubtedly help Sands China’s concession-renewal chances.
Las Vegas asset sales will also be a topic of interest, although “we can’t imagine anything is super warm on this front at prices close to where LVS sees their asset value [$6 billion].” And last but far from least, expect the topic of sports betting to rear its head. Our ears are tingling.
The impending matchup of Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady in the Super Bowl has TheLines.com reporting “historically high” over/unders. No shit, Sherlock. Those two were handing out touchdown passes like candy in yesterday’s conference finals, so Super Bowl LV looks to be a shootout for the ages, although the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a more convincing ground game. At this point, the Kansas City Chiefs are three-point favorites, perhaps due to the GOAT’s sometimes errant throwing arm (three interceptions against the Green Bay Packers). The over-under is a near-record 56 points. Could “Big Game” #55 surpass 2017’s 62 total points? (Brady was involved in that one, too.) Already there are prop bets galore, right down to what color of Gatorade will be dumped on the winning coach. Given the girth of Andy Reid and Bruce Arians, their teams should have some extra-large vats on hand.
Who opens a high-profile Las Vegas Strip restaurant in the teeth of a pandemic? Enrique Olvera, Daniela Soto-Innes and Santiago Perez, that’s who. This culinary Cerberus debuted Elio at Encore in late June (postponed from March). It obviously didn’t help when Encore closed midweek. Still, the trio’s timing was spectacularly bad. They attributed Elio’s failure “to the pandemic and associated decline in visitor volume.” Like, duh! “We will announce a new dining offering at the appropriate time, after business in Las Vegas begins to improve.” Yeah, that may have to wait awhile. Elio gave Andrea’s a kick in the patootie when it moved into the space last spring, another move in the de-Steveification of Wynncore. No replacement has been revealed, for obvious reasons.
Jottings: Inking a Vegas residency isn’t for the faint of heart these days. However, The Venetian will, in theory, host supergroup Chicago this September for a three-night stand. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 1 p.m., unless you’re a fan-club member, in which case they’re available tomorrow at 1. Club Grazie and Live Nation members can pile in at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. The base price is a reasonable $49.95 … Caesars Entertainment is planning a $47 million capex investment in Reno‘s Silver Legacy. It’s the nicest resort in town but a little refreshment never hurts … Sports betting only just went live in Virginia and Michigan but, boy, was there pent-up demand. Geocomply reports 7.5 million transactions from over 400K accounts, representing a quarter of the NFL bets placed last weekend … Encore Boston Harbor will resume around-the-clock gambling on Wednesday and reopen its hotel and spa “on a limited basis.” Encore had been operating 12 hours a day under Gov. Charlie Baker‘s safety restrictions. 25% capacity and face masks remain mandatory.
Just a ridiculous point spread on the Super Bowl, we all pay enough taxes as it is, paying a three point Brady tax is usurious… The Chiefs are a historic team, Mahomes is Johnny Unitas/Fran Tarkington, and they run the ball fine with rookie Edwards-Helaire… If the Chiefs jump out to a lead its all over, when the Buc’s have to pass to catch up, they struggle to protect Brady, who runs as fast as your average pine tree… This point spread tax is something every Lakers/Dodger fan has had to live through for decades, perhaps it will ease up in the future with widespread sports betting outside of Nevada, when you bet with the California commuters or on a larger than life cult of personality it costs you. Of course Brady could prove me wrong, he has done just that way too many times, I have to admit I am biased against him, my brother knows him from his work and says he is the nicest super celebrity he knows who is not named Larry David…