On Tuesday, Citi updated its stance on Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ:WYNN), adjusting the price target to $116 from the previous $121, while maintaining a Buy rating on the company's stock. The adjustment follows Wynn Resorts' third-quarter earnings call for 2024, where several key points were highlighted by the company's management.
In Las Vegas, Wynn Resorts' management emphasized the challenging comparisons coming up in the fourth quarter of 2024. However, they also noted that the upcoming Formula 1 event is expected to be favorable for Wynn, with room rates significantly higher than competitors on the Las Vegas Strip. For the month of October 2024, Wynn Las Vegas experienced substantial growth in slot handle, table drop, and non-gaming demand.
The company's operations in Macau also showed positive signs in October 2024. Wynn Resorts reported a healthy Mass table drop, robust direct VIP volumes, and a 99% hotel occupancy rate. During the National Day Golden Week, the Mass table drop increased by nearly 30% year-over-year, indicating a strong performance in the region.
Despite the intense competition in Macau, Wynn's management does not anticipate the competitive landscape to become more challenging. Citi's analyst noted these factors in the decision to maintain the Buy rating but slightly lowered the price target to $116, reflecting a modest shortfall in the third-quarter 2024 results for Wynn Resorts.
In other recent news, Wynn Resorts has reported a modest increase in revenue and profitability during its Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Call. The company highlighted growth in key markets, strategic capital investments, and a robust liquidity position, with $3.5 billion on hand. Wynn Resorts also declared a dividend of $0.25 per share and announced a $1 billion increase in its share repurchase authorization, indicating confidence in its financial health and future prospects.
Key developments included a 1% increase in normalized revenue in Las Vegas, a 5% rise in hotel revenue in the same city, and a 4% growth in slot handle. Further, Encore Boston's EBITDAR increased by 4% year-over-year, reaching $63 million, while Macau operations saw a 3% rise in EBITDA, with a 6% increase in operating revenue. The construction of Wynn Al Marjan Island in the UAE is progressing well, with capital expenditures of $101 million primarily allocated for renovations and enhancements.
InvestingPro Insights
To complement Citi's analysis of Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ:WYNN), recent data from InvestingPro offers additional insights into the company's financial performance and market position.
Wynn Resorts has demonstrated impressive growth, with revenue increasing by 44.65% over the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, reaching $7.11 billion. This robust growth aligns with the positive trends observed in Las Vegas and Macau operations mentioned in the article. The company's gross profit margin stands at a strong 69.02%, reflecting efficient cost management and potentially supporting the premium positioning highlighted by higher room rates during events like Formula 1.
InvestingPro Tips suggest that Wynn has shown a strong return over the last three months, with data indicating a 30.48% price total return over this period. This performance could be attributed to the positive developments in both Las Vegas and Macau markets discussed in the earnings call. Additionally, analysts predict that the company will be profitable this year, which is consistent with the Buy rating maintained by Citi.
For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 5 additional tips for Wynn Resorts, providing a deeper understanding of the company's financial health and market position.
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