MACAU, April 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited (NASDAQ:MLCO) ("Melco" or the "Company"), a developer, owner, and operator of integrated resort facilities in Asia and Europe, today reported its unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2024. Total operating revenues for the first quarter of 2024 were US$1.11 billion, representing an increase of approximately 55% from US$716.5 million for the comparable period in 2023. The increase in total operating revenues was primarily attributable to the improved performance in all gaming segments and non-gaming operations, largely driven by the continued recovery in inbound tourism to Macau during the first quarter of 2024. Operating income for the first quarter of 2024 was US$125.4 million, compared with operating income of US$0.4 million in the first quarter of 2023. Melco generated Adjusted Property EBITDA(1) of US$298.8 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared with Adjusted Property EBITDA of US$190.8 million in the first quarter of 2023. Net income attributable to Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited for the first quarter of 2024 was US$15.2 million, or US$0.03 per ADS, compared with net loss attributable to Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited of US$81.3 million, or US$0.18 per ADS, in the first quarter of 2023. Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests was US$14.6 million and US$19.4 million during the first quarters of 2024 and 2023, respectively, all of which were related to Studio City, City of Dreams Manila, and City of Dreams Mediterranean and Other. Mr. Lawrence Ho, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We have had an eventful year so far. We have had a shift in management, our sales force has been restructured, we knocked down walls and started reconfiguring our gaming areas and opened several new retail outlets at Studio City – to name just a few of the initiatives taken so far. On the financing side, we repaid another US$250 million in debt, raised US$750 million in bonds, and extended the maturity of our US$1.9 billion revolving credit facility, significantly reducing our refinancing risk in 2025. "Our improving results in March and April reflect the marketing initiatives we have implemented and the new business we have generated since the management changes in late February, as we continue to focus on providing our patrons with the best premium experience available in Macau and lead the market in all areas of our business. We are extremely optimistic about the continued growth of gaming, entertainment and leisure in Macau and expect to maintain our leadership position with our exceptional portfolio of products. "City of Dreams Manila in the Philippines has continued to show solid results in the mass segment but was impacted by luck factors in VIP. City of Dreams Mediterranean and our satellite casinos in Cyprus exhibited positive cash flow through the first quarter despite continued conflicts in the region and we are cautiously optimistic that we can expand our business into the seasonally strong summer months." City of Dreams First Quarter Results For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, total operating revenues at City of Dreams were US$550.9 million, compared with US$358.3 million in the first quarter of 2023. City of Dreams generated Adjusted EBITDA of US$153.6 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared with Adjusted EBITDA of US$94.9 million in the first quarter of 2023. The year-over-year increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily a result of better performance in all gaming segments and non-gaming operations. Rolling chip volume was US$5.69 billion for the first quarter of 2024 versus US$4.04 billion in the first quarter of 2023. The rolling chip win rate was 2.23% in the first quarter of 2024 versus 2.41% in the first quarter of 2023. The expected rolling chip win rate range is 2.85%-3.15%. Mass market table games drop increased to US$1.48 billion in the first quarter of 2024, compared with US$1.02 billion in the first quarter of 2023. The mass market table games hold percentage was 31.7% in the first quarter of 2024, compared with 27.0% in the first quarter of 2023. Gaming machine handle for the first quarter of 2024 was US$890.0 million, compared with US$655.7 million in the first quarter of 2023. The gaming machine win rate was 3.1% in the first quarter of 2024 versus 3.9% in the first quarter of 2023. Total non-gaming revenue at City of Dreams in the first quarter of 2024 was US$80.6 million, compared with US$58.3 million in the first quarter of 2023. Altira Macau First Quarter Results For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, total operating revenues at Altira Macau were US$34.2 million, compared with US$23.8 million in the first quarter of 2023. Altira Macau generated Adjusted EBITDA of US$1.4 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared with negative Adjusted EBITDA of US$2.0 million in the first quarter of 2023. The year-over-year change in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily a result of better performance in the mass market segment. In the mass market table games segment, drop was US$140.7 million in the first quarter of 2024 versus US$82.6 million in the first quarter of 2023. The mass market table games hold percentage was 24.3% in the first quarter of 2024, compared with 25.0% in the first quarter of 2023. Gaming machine handle for the first quarter of 2024 was US$93.9 million, compared with US$74.3 million in the first quarter of 2023. The gaming machine win rate was 3.2% in the first quarter of 2024 versus 3.6% in the first quarter of 2023. Total non-gaming revenue at Altira Macau in the first quarter of 2024 was US$5.0 million, compared with US$3.7 million in the first quarter of 2023. Mocha and Other First Quarter Results Total operating revenues from Mocha and Other were US$31.9 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared with US$30.0 million in the first quarter of 2023. Mocha and Other generated Adjusted EBITDA of US$7.5 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared with Adjusted EBITDA of US$7.7 million in the first quarter of 2023. Mass market table games drop was US$58.9 million in the first quarter of 2024 versus US$37.7 million in the first quarter of 2023. The mass market table games hold percentage was 16.2% in the first quarter of 2024 versus 16.8% in the first quarter of 2023. Gaming machine handle for the first quarter of 2024 was US$527.6 million, compared with US$519.0 million in the first quarter of 2023. The gaming machine win rate was 4.5% in the first quarter of 2024 versus 4.7% in the first quarter of 2023. Studio City First Quarter Results For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, total operating revenues at Studio City were US$331.4 million, compared with US$142.2 million in the first quarter of 2023. Studio City generated Adjusted EBITDA of US$87.9 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared with Adjusted EBITDA of US$20.6 million in the first quarter of 2023. The year-over-year increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily a result of better performance in all gaming segments and non-gaming operations. Studio City's rolling chip volume was US$525.8 million in the first quarter of 2024 versus US$718.5 million in the first quarter of 2023. The rolling chip win rate was 3.72% in the first quarter of 2024 versus 1.59% in the first quarter of 2023. The expected rolling chip win rate range is 2.85%-3.15%. Mass market table games drop increased to US$923.3 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared with US$480.6 million in the first quarter of 2023. The mass market table games hold percentage was 29.5% in the first quarter of 2024, compared with 24.7% in the first quarter of 2023. Gaming machine handle for the first quarter of 2024 was US$824.3 million, compared with US$431.7 million in the first quarter of 2023. The gaming machine win rate was 3.2% in the first quarter of 2024, compared with 3.8% in the first quarter of 2023. Total non-gaming revenue at Studio City in the first quarter of 2024 was US$70.7 million, compared with US$25.1 million in the first quarter of 2023. City of Dreams Manila First Quarter Results For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, total operating revenues at City of Dreams Manila were US$110.7 million, compared with US$133.3 million in the first quarter of 2023. City of Dreams Manila generated Adjusted EBITDA of US$37.8 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared with Adjusted EBITDA of US$60.9 million in the comparable period of 2023. The year-over-year decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily a result of softer performance in the rolling chip segment. City of Dreams Manila's rolling chip volume was US$527.7 million in the first quarter of 2024 versus US$655.8 million in the first quarter of 2023. The rolling chip win rate was 2.20% in the first quarter of 2024 versus 5.43% in the first quarter of 2023. The expected rolling chip win rate range is 2.85%-3.15%. Mass market table games drop increased to US$180.6 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared with US$177.1 million in the first quarter of 2023. The mass market table games hold percentage was 31.8% in the first quarter of 2024, compared with 31.2% in the first quarter of 2023. Gaming machine handle for the first quarter of 2024 was US$1.13 billion, compared with US$979.5 million in the first quarter of 2023. The gaming machine win rate was 5.0% in the first quarter of 2024 versus 5.4% in the first quarter of 2023. Total non-gaming revenue at City of Dreams Manila in the first quarter of 2024 was US$28.8 million, compared with US$28.6 million in the first quarter of 2023. City of Dreams Mediterranean and Other First Quarter Results The Company operates three satellite casinos in Cyprus in conjunction with City of Dreams Mediterranean. Total operating revenues at City of Dreams Mediterranean and Other for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 were US$52.4 million, compared with US$27.8 million in the first quarter of 2023. City of Dreams Mediterranean and Other generated Adjusted EBITDA of US$10.5 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared with Adjusted EBITDA of US$8.7 million in the first quarter of 2023. Rolling chip volume was US$5.2 million for the first quarter of 2024 versus US$0.5 million in the first quarter of 2023. The rolling chip win rate was 8.47% in the first quarter of 2024, compared with 32.91% in the first quarter of 2023. The expected rolling chip win rate range is 2.85% - 3.15%. Mass market table games drop was US$108.2 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared with US$42.2 million in the first quarter of 2023. The mass market table games hold percentage was 25.6% in the first quarter of 2024, compared with 21.7% in the first quarter of 2023. Gaming machine handle for the first quarter of 2024 was US$504.0 million, compared with US$384.9 million in the first quarter of 2023. The gaming machine win rate was 5.1% in the first quarter of 2024 versus 4.9% in the first quarter of 2023. Total non-gaming revenue at City of Dreams Mediterranean and Other in the first quarter of 2024 was US$11.8 million, compared with US$0.2 million in the first quarter of 2023. Other Factors Affecting Earnings Total net non-operating expenses for the first quarter of 2024 were US$121.1 million, which mainly included interest expenses of US$124.2 million, partially offset by interest income of US$4.5 million. Depreciation and amortization costs of US$136.8 million were recorded in the first quarter of 2024, of which US$5.0 million related to the amortization expense for land use rights. The Adjusted EBITDA for Studio City for the three months ended March 31, 2024 referred to above was US$21.7 million more than the Adjusted EBITDA of Studio City contained in the earnings release for Studio City International Holdings Limited ("SCIHL") dated April 30, 2024 (the "Studio City Earnings Release"). The Adjusted EBITDA of Studio City contained in the Studio City Earnings Release includes certain intercompany charges that are not included in the Adjusted EBITDA for Studio City contained in this press release. Such intercompany charges include, among other items, fees and shared service charges billed between SCIHL and its subsidiaries and certain subsidiaries of Melco. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA of Studio City included in this press release does not reflect certain gaming concession related costs and 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, 2024 aggregated to US$1.29 billion, including US$124.9 million of restricted cash. Total debt, net of unamortized deferred financing costs and original issue premiums, was US$7.32 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2024, a reduction of approximately US$150 million compared to the total debt balance as of December 31, 2023, primarily as a result of the approximately US$150 million repayment of loans drawn under our revolving credit facility. Available liquidity, including cash and undrawn revolving credit facilities, as of March 31, 2024, was US$2.36 billion. Capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2024 were US$36.4 million, which included costs related to the enhancement projects at City of Dreams in Macau and Studio City. Recent Developments On April 8, 2024, Melco extended the maturity date on its HK$14.85 billion (equivalent to US$1.92 billion) revolving credit facility from April 29, 2025 to April 29, 2027. In addition, on April 9, 2024, Melco, through its wholly owned subsidiary Melco Resorts Finance Limited ("Melco Resorts Finance"), announced that it had successfully priced an international offering of senior unsecured notes for an aggregate principal amount of US$750 million at a coupon of 7.625% due 2032 (the "MRF Notes"). The MRF Notes were issued and settled on April 17, 2024. The proceeds from the MRF Notes were used to repay loans drawn under Melco's revolving credit facility, and therefore the balance sheet impact of the MRF Notes is debt neutral. On April 8, 2024, Studio City Finance Limited ("Studio City Finance") announced that it initiated a cash tender offer for up to an aggregate principal amount of US$100,000,000 of its outstanding 6.000% senior notes due 2025 (the "SCF Notes" and such tender offer, the "Tender Offer"). The early tender period expired on April 19, 2024 (the "Early Tender Date") and at the Early Tender Date, valid tenders had been received (and not validly withdrawn) with respect to US$307,150,000 aggregate principal amount of the SCF Notes. An aggregate principal amount equal to US$100,029,000 of the tendered SCF Notes were accepted by Studio City Finance for repurchase and cancelled. Conference Call Information Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited will hold a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2024 financial results on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (or 8:30 p.m. Singapore Time). To join the conference call, please register in advance using the below Online Registration Link. Upon registering, each participant will receive the dial-in numbers and a unique Personal PIN which can be used to join the conference. Online Registration Link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI3c8083a4cd13420cb5143cd18ed15b6e An audio webcast and replay of the conference call will also be available at http://www.melco-resorts.com. 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. Melco Resorts & Entertainment 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 pace of recovery from the impact of COVID-19 on our business, our industry and the global economy, (ii) risks associated with the amended Macau gaming law and its implementation by the Macau government, (iii) changes in the gaming market and visitations in Macau, the Philippines and the Republic of Cyprus, (iv) capital and credit market volatility, (v) local and global economic conditions, (vi) our anticipated growth strategies, (vii) gaming authority and other governmental approvals and regulations, 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 (1)   "Adjusted EBITDA" is net income/loss before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening costs, development costs, property charges and other, share-based compensation, payments to the Philippine parties under the cooperative arrangement (the "Philippine Parties"),   integrated resort and casino rent and other non-operating income and expenses. "Adjusted Property EBITDA" is net income/loss before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening costs, development costs, property charges and other, share-based compensation, payments to the Philippine Parties, integrated resort and casino rent, Corporate and Other expenses and other non-operating income and expenses. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Property EBITDA are presented exclusively as supplemental disclosures because management believes they are widely used to measure the performance, and as a basis for valuation, of gaming companies. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Property EBITDA as measures of the operating performance of its segments and to compare the operating performance of its properties with those of its competitors.The Company also presents Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Property EBITDA because they are used by some investors as ways to measure a company's ability to incur and service debt, make capital expenditures, and meet working capital requirements. Gaming companies have historically reported similar measures as supplements to financial measures in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, in particular, U.S. GAAP or International Financial Reporting Standards. However, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Property EBITDA should not be considered as alternatives to operating income/loss as indicators of the Company's performance, as alternatives to cash flows from operating activities as measures of liquidity, or as alternatives to any other measure determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Unlike net income/loss, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Property EBITDA do not include depreciation and amortization or interest expense and, therefore, do not reflect current or future capital expenditures or the cost of capital. The Company recognizes these limitations and uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Property EBITDA as only two of several comparative tools, together with U.S. GAAP measurements, to assist in the evaluation of operating performance. Such U.S. GAAP measurements include operating income/loss, net income/loss, cash flows from operations and cash flow data. The Company has significant uses of cash flows, including capital expenditures, interest payments, debt principal repayments, taxes and other recurring and nonrecurring charges, which are not reflected in Adjusted EBITDA or Adjusted Property EBITDA. Also, the Company's calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Property EBITDA may be different from the calculation methods used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited. The use of Adjusted Property EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA has material limitations as an analytical tool, as Adjusted Property EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA does not include all items that impact our net income/loss. 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 and Adjusted Property 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, development costs and property charges and other, net of noncontrolling interests and taxes calculated using specific tax treatments applicable to the adjustments based on their respective jurisdictions. Adjusted net income/loss attributable to Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited and adjusted net income/loss attributable to Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited per share ("EPS") are presented as supplemental disclosures because management believes they are widely used to measure the performance, and as a basis for valuation, of gaming companies. These measures are used by management and/or evaluated by some investors, in addition to income/loss and EPS computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as an additional basis for assessing period-to-period results of our business. Adjusted net income/loss attributable to Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited and adjusted net income/loss attributable to Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited per share 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 Melco Resorts & Entertainment 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 Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited The Company, with its American depositary shares listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (NASDAQ:MLCO), is a developer, owner and operator of integrated resort facilities in Asia and Europe. The Company currently operates Altira Macau (www.altiramacau.com), an integrated resort located at Taipa, Macau and City of Dreams (www.cityofdreamsmacau.com), an integrated resort located in Cotai, Macau. Its business also includes the Mocha Clubs (www.mochaclubs.com), which comprise the largest non-casino based operations of electronic gaming machines in Macau. The Company also majority owns and operates Studio City (www.studiocity-macau.com), a cinematically-themed integrated resort in Cotai, Macau. In the Philippines, a Philippine subsidiary of the Company currently operates and manages City of Dreams Manila (www.cityofdreamsmanila.com), an integrated resort in the Entertainment City complex in Manila. In Europe, the Company operates City of Dreams Mediterranean in Limassol in the Republic of Cyprus (www.cityofdreamsmed.com.cy). The Company also continues to operate three satellite casinos in other cities in Cyprus (the "Cyprus Casinos"). For more information about the Company, please visit www.melco-resorts.com. The Company is majority owned by Melco International Development Limited, a company listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, which is in turn majority owned and led by Mr. Lawrence Ho, who is the Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. For the investment community, please contact:Jeanny KimSenior Vice President, Group TreasurerTel: +852 2598 3698Email: For media enquiries, please contact:Chimmy LeungExecutive Director, Corporate CommunicationsTel: +852 3151 3765Email:               Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (In thousands, except share and per share data)               Three Months Ended   March 31,   2024     2023               Operating revenues:           Casino $ 913,320     $ 599,000   Rooms   100,838       58,588   Food and beverage   66,105       36,755   Entertainment, retail and other   32,144       22,137   Total operating revenues   1,112,407       716,480               Operating costs and expenses:           Casino   (609,751 )     (398,869 ) Rooms   (29,252 )     (14,351 ) Food and beverage   (54,737 )     (27,514 ) Entertainment, retail and other   (16,626 )     (6,026 ) General and administrative   (126,955 )     (110,004 ) Payments to the Philippine Parties   (8,489 )     (13,348 ) Pre-opening costs   (2,289 )     (13,112 ) Development costs   (138 )     -   Amortization of land use rights   (4,976 )     (5,658 ) Depreciation and amortization   (131,822 )     (115,801 ) Property charges and other   (2,022 )     (11,442 ) Total operating costs and expenses   (987,057 )     (716,125 ) Operating income   125,350       355   Non-operating income (expenses):           Interest income   4,538       6,794   Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized   (124,192 )     (108,958 ) Other financing costs   (1,624 )     (934 ) Foreign exchange losses, net   (1,828 )     (819 ) Other income, net   2,000       660   Total non-operating expenses, net   (121,106 )     (103,257 ) Income (loss) before income tax   4,244       (102,902 ) Income tax (expense) benefit   (3,694 )     2,241   Net income (loss)   550       (100,661 ) Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests   14,620       19,373   Net income (loss) attributable to Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited $ 15,170     $ (81,288 )             Net income (loss) attributable to Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited per share:       Basic $ 0.012     $ (0.061 ) Diluted $ 0.012     $ (0.061 )             Net income (loss) attributable to Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited per ADS:       Basic $ 0.035     $ (0.184 ) Diluted $ 0.035     $ (0.184 )             Weighted average shares outstanding used in net income (loss) attributable to Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited per share calculation:           Basic   1,311,270,775       1,325,716,287   Diluted   1,318,824,507       1,325,716,287               Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, except share and per share data)                           March 31,   December 31,   2024     2023     (Unaudited)                   ASSETS                       Current assets:           Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,164,076     $ 1,310,715   Restricted cash   26       27   Accounts receivable, net   82,999       91,638   Receivables from affiliated companies   1,080       797   Inventories   29,649       29,427   Prepaid expenses and other current assets   113,811       111,688   Total current assets   1,391,641       1,544,292               Property and equipment, net   5,422,840       5,533,994   Intangible assets, net   295,239       304,652   Goodwill   81,460       81,582   Long-term prepayments, deposits and other assets, net   124,869       100,320   Restricted cash   124,897       125,094   Operating lease right-of-use assets   58,304       62,356   Land use rights, net   576,933       582,782   Total assets $ 8,076,183     $ 8,335,072               LIABILITIES AND DEFICIT                       Current liabilities:           Accounts payable $