Pandemic Blues Weighing On MGM Resorts Stock

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MGM Resorts

[Updated 2021/08/02]

After surpassing pre-Covid levels in June, the shares of MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM) have observed a slight correction due to continued weakness in Macau, resurgence of infections in the U.S., and a broader downtrend in sports betting stocks. The company’s long-term focus is on expanding its presence in Asia and attaining a sizable market share of the domestic sports betting & iGaming industry. While the strategic direction is likely to result in revenue and earnings growth, the near-term slump in discretionary spending is a drag on the company’s finances. Trefis highlights the quarterly trends in revenues, earnings, stock price, and expectations for Q2 2021 in an interactive dashboard analysis, MGM Resorts Earnings Preview.

How did MGM Resorts perform during the first quarter?

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MGM’s Q1 2021 revenues observed a 27% contraction over Q1 2020 and a 48% contraction over Q1 2019 as business activity remained low from pandemic related restriction measures. Table games drop and room occupancy rates improved sequentially across the company’s Regional and Macau properties with the rise in air travel demand. The company reported a net loss of $331 million and burned $87 million of operating cash last quarter. Given a similar macroeconomic environment, the second quarter revenues are likely to observe a 38% contraction over Q2 2019 (pre-pandemic).

[Updated 2021/04/28] – Time To Book Profits In MGM Resorts Stock?

The shares of MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM) have gained 13% in the past month supported by the growing market presence of its sports betting and iGaming application, BetMGM. Interestingly, the shares of its competitors, Penn National Gaming and Draft Kings have trended downward. Is it time to book profits in MGM stock? Comparing the $9 billion gain in MGM’s market capitalization with a $6 billion rise in Penn National since August 2020 (investor optimism lifted sports betting stocks in Q3 2020), Trefis believes that MGM stock has reached its near-term potential. Recently, MGM Resorts highlighted in its investor presentation that it is targeting a 20-25% share of the U.S. sports betting and iGaming industry – similar to other sports betting applications including FanDuel, Draft Kings, and Penn’s Barstool. Thus, high competitive rivalry from conventional casinos and online betting applications is expected to weigh on MGM in the long run. Our interactive dashboard highlights the historical trends in MGM Resorts’ revenues, earnings, and stock price, Buy Or Fear MGM Resorts Stock?

[Updated 2021/03/25]

After reaching the highs of $64 in October 2020, Draft Kings stock (NASDAQ: DKNG) has gained just 12% despite the company increasing its U.S. iGaming market’s projection from $21 billion in March 2020 to $40 billion as per a recent investor presentation. The sizable jump in the total addressable market has propelled DKNG’s revenue expectations by 55% with a targeted market share of 15-20%. Interestingly, MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM) is also eyeing a 15% share of the U.S. sports betting industry as highlighted in the recent earnings release. Draft Kings and BetMGM are amongst the most popular sports betting applications in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Nevada – the states accounting for almost 75% of the total sports betting handle. Comparing the massive $28 billion market capitalization of Draft Kings with just a $4 billion surge in MGM’s value from pre-Covid levels, Trefis believes that DKNG stock looks expensive.

If you are interested in holding MGM Resorts stock, Trefis Machine Learning Engine for MGM Resorts tests the chances of rise for a shorter or a longer time period. You can test the chance of an upside or downside over different time intervals such as a quarter, month, or even just one day!

[Updated 2021/01/08]

Recently, MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM) made an offer to acquire Entain plc at 1,383 pence per share for a value of just over $11 to expand its presence in the global sports betting and iGaming industry. Per its Q3 2020 earnings report, MGM targets a 15-20% share of the U.S. sports betting and iGaming market [1]. And the acquisition move is aligned with this long-term plan.

However, Trefis believes that a potential Entain deal is unlikely to drive a stock surge anytime soon. This is because shares of the integrated resort operator have completely recovered to pre-Covid levels primarily due to its presence in the sports betting industry through BetMGM. In sharp contrast, MGM’s immediate competitors, Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts, have seen their stocks lag the broader markets since January 2020 due to headwinds in Macau and Vegas. Another factor reinforcing our belief is that MGM’s $6.4 billion gain in market capitalization since August 2020 is similar to Penn National’s $6.5 billion market cap gain over the same period. Penn National is also looking to follow a similar growth trajectory as MGM over the coming years and has reported a string of acquisitions to strengthen its presence in the sports betting and iGaming market.

We highlight the historical trends in MGM Resorts’ revenues, earnings, and stock price in an interactive dashboard analysis, Why MGM Resorts Stock Has Gained 22% Between 2018-End And Now?

Comparing MGM Resorts gains with Penn National Gaming

In 2019, MGM Resorts generated $13 billion in total revenues, with a 50% contribution by the gaming segment. As the company’s properties are primarily located in the U.S. with a diversified product portfolio, including table games and slots, its top-line growth has remained sluggish in the past few years. Therefore, the budding sports betting industry is a strong revenue and earnings opportunity for the company.

According to recent filings, MGM Resorts targets a 15-20% market share in the sports betting and iGaming market. Considering a similar market share for Penn National Gaming, as highlighted in our earlier analysis, its stock has gained $6.5 billion in market capitalization since August 2020. Thus, we believe that the $6.4 billion surge in MGM’s market capitalization, which has also resulted in the stock’s full recovery to pre-Crisis level, is driven by investors expecting the company’s expansion in the sports betting industry. Thus, we believe that the consummation of Entain acquisition is unlikely to drive further gains in MGM stock.

Overview of Sports Betting Industry

After the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (“PASPA”), the sports betting and iGaming industry went live in 25 states. Currently, Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania account for almost 75% of sports betting handle. At maturity, the sports betting & iGaming industry is likely to reach $40 billion in the U.S. and $70 billion globally. Thus, multiple sports betting applications, including Fanduel, bet365, HardRock Café, BetMGM, and William Hill, are eyeing a sizable share of the pie.

 

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Notes:
  1. Q3 2020 Earnings Presentation []