Delay in annual report as it assesses financial position and liquidity needs
AP 5 March 2009
(LAS VEGAS) MGM Mirage said on Tuesday that it may default on its debt amid development of its biggest casino project ever, the US$8.6 billion CityCenter in Las Vegas.
Unless the economy turns around and more people start gambling again, the Las Vegas-based casino company believes that it will break its loan agreements this year, it said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
That would mean a default on its senior credit facility, which MGM has asked to modify.
MGM Mirage, owned by billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian, will delay filing its annual report until March 17 because it is still assessing its financial position and liquidity needs, the company said in Tuesday’s unscheduled filing.
One factor in the delay, the company reported, was its decision last week to tap US$842 million of its US$4.5 billion senior revolving credit agreement to cover general expenses.
At the end of September 2008, MGM Mirage had US$13.29 billion in long-term debt.
Many US casino companies borrowed huge sums in the last few years to develop resorts in the United States and abroad. But several are having trouble making payments on that debt because their revenue has fallen sharply over the past year as fewer patrons spend less money on gambling and services.
Chief executive Jim Murren, who took over late last year, has said that the company is exploring half a dozen deals around the world in which MGM Mirage would lend its name and expertise to generate income.
It sold the Treasure Island casino on the Las Vegas Strip to Kansas billionaire Phil Ruffin for US$775 million and has since been shopping for other properties, including nearly 122 ha of land in Nevada and Atlantic City, New Jersey, and two airplanes.
MGM Mirage has not reported on its financial position since September nor posted its earnings for the quarter that ended Dec 31.
The March 17 report is to include an auditor’s assessment of whether MGM Mirage can continue as a company.
Another casino operator, Las Vegas Sands Corp, faced similar questions from its auditor in November, but the concerns were removed after the company raised US$2.1 billion in capital by selling common stock and preferred stock with warrants.
In September, Sands’ billionaire founder and CEO Sheldon Adelson and his wife invested US$475 million in the company to help meet its debt obligations.
MGM Mirage has said that it still needs to raise US$1.2 billion to finish CityCenter on the Las Vegas Strip. The 27 ha complex of hotels, a casino, condos and retail space has been called the largest privately financed project in US history.
CityCenter is a joint venture of MGM Mirage and Dubai World subsidiary Infinity World Development Corp. Dubai World also owns a 9.4 per cent stake in MGM Mirage.
Analyst Robin Farley of UBS Investment Research told investors on Tuesday that MGM Mirage and Dubai World each need to fund about US$1.3 billion for CityCenter this year.
‘MGM had expected to fund their portion with condo sales proceeds; however, we expect many of the condo sales may not close,’ Mr. Farley said.
MGM Mirage’s profit during the first three quarters of 2008 fell 59 per cent compared with the same period in 2007, from US$712.21 million to US$292.7 million.
Joseph Weinert, senior vice-president of casino consulting business Spectrum Gaming Group in Linwood, New Jersey, said that MGM Mirage’s filing on Tuesday is a sign of the times.
‘When you have one of the industry giants walking a financial tightrope, it really speaks to the state of the whole industry,’ Mr. Weinert said. ‘MGM is a widely respected company both on Wall Street and in the gaming street, and to see a company like that in the situation it’s in, it’s a troubling sign for Las Vegas.’
Shares of MGM Mirage dropped 37 US cents, or 14 per cent, to US$2.25 in after-hours electronic trading. It ended the regular session at US$2.62, down 43 US cents or 14 per cent from its previous close. The stock has lost most of its value since peaking at US$64.73 last March.
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MGM Mirage says it may default on debt
Delay in annual report as it assesses financial position and liquidity needs
AP
5 March 2009
(LAS VEGAS) MGM Mirage said on Tuesday that it may default on its debt amid development of its biggest casino project ever, the US$8.6 billion CityCenter in Las Vegas.
Unless the economy turns around and more people start gambling again, the Las Vegas-based casino company believes that it will break its loan agreements this year, it said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
That would mean a default on its senior credit facility, which MGM has asked to modify.
MGM Mirage, owned by billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian, will delay filing its annual report until March 17 because it is still assessing its financial position and liquidity needs, the company said in Tuesday’s unscheduled filing.
One factor in the delay, the company reported, was its decision last week to tap US$842 million of its US$4.5 billion senior revolving credit agreement to cover general expenses.
At the end of September 2008, MGM Mirage had US$13.29 billion in long-term debt.
Many US casino companies borrowed huge sums in the last few years to develop resorts in the United States and abroad. But several are having trouble making payments on that debt because their revenue has fallen sharply over the past year as fewer patrons spend less money on gambling and services.
Chief executive Jim Murren, who took over late last year, has said that the company is exploring half a dozen deals around the world in which MGM Mirage would lend its name and expertise to generate income.
It sold the Treasure Island casino on the Las Vegas Strip to Kansas billionaire Phil Ruffin for US$775 million and has since been shopping for other properties, including nearly 122 ha of land in Nevada and Atlantic City, New Jersey, and two airplanes.
MGM Mirage has not reported on its financial position since September nor posted its earnings for the quarter that ended Dec 31.
The March 17 report is to include an auditor’s assessment of whether MGM Mirage can continue as a company.
Another casino operator, Las Vegas Sands Corp, faced similar questions from its auditor in November, but the concerns were removed after the company raised US$2.1 billion in capital by selling common stock and preferred stock with warrants.
In September, Sands’ billionaire founder and CEO Sheldon Adelson and his wife invested US$475 million in the company to help meet its debt obligations.
MGM Mirage has said that it still needs to raise US$1.2 billion to finish CityCenter on the Las Vegas Strip. The 27 ha complex of hotels, a casino, condos and retail space has been called the largest privately financed project in US history.
CityCenter is a joint venture of MGM Mirage and Dubai World subsidiary Infinity World Development Corp. Dubai World also owns a 9.4 per cent stake in MGM Mirage.
Analyst Robin Farley of UBS Investment Research told investors on Tuesday that MGM Mirage and Dubai World each need to fund about US$1.3 billion for CityCenter this year.
‘MGM had expected to fund their portion with condo sales proceeds; however, we expect many of the condo sales may not close,’ Mr. Farley said.
MGM Mirage’s profit during the first three quarters of 2008 fell 59 per cent compared with the same period in 2007, from US$712.21 million to US$292.7 million.
Joseph Weinert, senior vice-president of casino consulting business Spectrum Gaming Group in Linwood, New Jersey, said that MGM Mirage’s filing on Tuesday is a sign of the times.
‘When you have one of the industry giants walking a financial tightrope, it really speaks to the state of the whole industry,’ Mr. Weinert said. ‘MGM is a widely respected company both on Wall Street and in the gaming street, and to see a company like that in the situation it’s in, it’s a troubling sign for Las Vegas.’
Shares of MGM Mirage dropped 37 US cents, or 14 per cent, to US$2.25 in after-hours electronic trading. It ended the regular session at US$2.62, down 43 US cents or 14 per cent from its previous close. The stock has lost most of its value since peaking at US$64.73 last March.
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