ISLE Isleworth Healthcare Acquisition Corporation

SAINT LOUIS, June 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISLE) (the "Company") today reported financial results for the fourth fiscal quarter and fiscal year ended April 29, 2012, and other Company-related news. 

Consolidated Results

The following table outlines the Company's financial results (dollars in millions, except per shares data, unaudited): 

Commenting on the results, President and Chief Executive Officer Virginia McDowell said, "Overall, we had a solid quarter marked by incremental revenue growth resulting from our refined business model, more favorable weather conditions than last year and an increasingly renewed asset base.  Even after adjusting for the fact that fiscal 2012 had an additional week when compared to fiscal 2011, we grew revenues and adjusted EBITDA. In fiscal 2012 we continued to improve our balance sheet even while investing to improve our existing properties and building Cape Girardeau."

"We are pleased to announce that we expect to open Cape Girardeau by November 1 of this year, two full months ahead of our initial schedule, and will complete the rebranding of Vicksburg within the next several months.  Further, as we continue to renew our asset base and provide guests with more options and more experiences, we have an aggressive schedule of targeted capital improvements planned for our properties during the coming months, including renovated hotel rooms, new buffets and a full rollout of our enhanced customer loyalty program."

"The quarter and year also contained a significant number of unusual items including items related to assets sales, impairment charges and insurance recoveries from flooding which are detailed below."

Operating Results

During the quarter, we generally benefited from improved operations, cost reductions, marketing investments and seasonally mild weather, in addition to the favorable calendar, except as otherwise noted. The following is a discussion of the operating results at our properties during the quarter by state.

Colorado – Net revenues increased 14.4% to $34.1 million and adjusted EBITDA increased 54.6% to $9.5 million.  Operating margins increased 720 basis points to 27.8%.  Our properties in Black Hawk benefited from favorable weather conditions, completed facility enhancements, including renovations to the poker room and casino floor, and a reduced gaming tax rate compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.

Florida – Net revenues increased to $48.5 million from $41.6 million and adjusted EBITDA increased $1.5 million to $10.8 million. Our property in Pompano continued to exhibit revenue growth resulting from changes to our game mix, enhanced food and beverage amenities and the rollout of our enhanced customer loyalty program during the prior quarter, while competing with a major new expansion at our nearest competitor. 

Iowa – Our property in Waterloo showed strong growth in adjusted EBITDA margins during the quarter, growing 260 basis points to 35.6%, as a result of operating improvements and reduced costs.  In the Quad Cities net revenues increased a combined $2.6 million and adjusted EBITDA increased $0.5 million.

Louisiana – Net revenues increased 11.6% to $38.7 million and adjusted EBITDA increased 6.0% to $7.2 million.  Adjusted EBITDA margins decreased 90 basis points to 18.6%, primarily a result of severance and marketing costs resulting from the consolidation of our riverboat operations into a single facility.  We are benefitting from a lower cost structure in Lake Charles as a result of consolidation following the sale of our smaller riverboat in February 2012.

Mississippi – Net revenues increased 2.1% to $37.7 million and adjusted EBITDA decreased 3.7% to $12.1 million.  Adjusted EBITDA margins decreased 190 basis points to 32.1%.  Our properties in Mississippi continue to face difficulties stemming from a lagging economy in the area.  In particular, our property in Lula is facing increased competitive pressure from competing facilities in Arkansas.  However, in Vicksburg we benefited from operating improvements compared to the prior year quarter as adjusted EBITDA margins improved from 34% to 39%, partially offset by construction disruption associated with the ongoing rebranding of the facility.

Missouri – Net revenues increased $0.8 million at our Kansas City property, however adjusted EBITDA decreased $0.6 million to $5.7 million, primarily as a result of competitive market pressures following the opening of a new facility in the area during the quarter.  Our property in Boonville increased adjusted EBITDA margins 120 basis points as a result of operating efficiencies and the introduction of the Farmers' Pick Buffet in the beginning of this fiscal quarter.

The following items impacted the Company's net income during the quarter and year ended April 29 2012;

• Following the announcement of the pending sale of our Biloxi property, we recorded a charge of $112.6 million to write-down the value of the property to the sale price of $45 million.  The impairment charge and operating results of the property for all presented periods have been reflected in discontinued operations in the attached schedules.
• We recorded a charge of $16.1 million related to the sale of our smaller riverboat and associated gaming license in Lake Charles, Louisiana, completed on February 9, 2012.  All operations have been successfully consolidated onto the larger riverboat facility.
• We recorded an impairment charge of $14.4 million against the goodwill at our Lula property during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.
• Net revenues and operating income for the fourth quarter include $8.6 million of insurance recoveries received as a result of business interruption claims related to flooding along the Mississippi River during fiscal 2012.
• We recorded a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets related to our continuing operations of $8.7 million in accordance with the provisions of applicable accounting standards.
• We accrued approximately $2.0 million, including interest, in connection with a judgment issued in a legal case in connection with the Company's previously owned property in Vicksburg, Mississippi, which was sold in July 2006.  We are appealing the judgment and plan to vigorously defend our position.

Corporate Expenses

Corporate and development expenses were $10.8 million for the quarter, an increase of $0.3 million compared to prior year.  The increase is primarily due to the accrual of the judgment mentioned above and increased insurance costs in the current year offset by debt refinancing costs of $3.0 million in the prior year.

Non-cash stock compensation expense was $1.3 million for the quarter compared to $1.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. For the fiscal year, non-cash stock compensation expense was $7.3 million, compared to $6.9 million in fiscal 2011.

Experience Enhancements

We continue to make targeted cost-efficient improvements at our properties in order to reposition our product offerings to exceed customer expectations. We are focused on improving the guest experience by refreshing and right sizing many of our casino floors and, in particular, are improving and expanding our array of non-gaming amenities.

Rebranding – At Rainbow Casino in Vicksburg, we expect to complete the $5 million Lady Luck Casino rebranding by the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2013.  The rebranding will introduce upgraded amenities from our portfolio of brands including an Otis and Henry's restaurant, and a Lone Wolf bar.

Hotel Renovations – We are currently renovating the 253 hotel rooms in the main hotel tower in Lake Charles and 237 rooms in the Isle Black Hawk Hotel.  We expect the $15 million complete refurbishment of the Lake Charles rooms to be completed by November 1, 2012.  In Black Hawk we are replacing carpet, wall coverings, and furniture at an expected cost of approximately $2.0 million, and expect to be completed by December 1, 2012.

Food and Beverage Offerings – Our first Farmer's Pick Buffet in Boonville has received outstanding customer feedback, and we intend to open additional Farmer's Pick Buffets in fiscal 2013 including at Cape Girardeau, Pompano, Black Hawk and Waterloo.  Additionally, we plan to add a Lone Wolf bar in our Waterloo facility.

Customer Loyalty Program – Our enhanced customer loyalty program, the Fan Club, was introduced at its third and fourth locations, Kansas City and Lake Charles, during the quarter.  It has proven successful in expanding customer options and should result in more efficient marketing moving forward.  We expect to introduce the program to five additional properties during the first and second quarters of fiscal 2013, and intend to have it fully implemented across the portfolio by the end of fiscal 2013.

Development

Cape Girardeau, Missouri – Construction of our Cape Girardeau, Missouri project continues to progress ahead of schedule and we are happy to report that we now expect to complete construction on and open our facility in Cape Girardeau by November 1, 2012, an additional month ahead of the previously announced expedited schedule and two months ahead of our original construction schedule.  However, the expected cost of the project has been revised to $135 million from the previously estimated $125 million.

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Pennsylvania – The appeal hearing for the gaming license awarded to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort for the final resort license in Pennsylvania was held on March 7, 2012. No date has been determined for an expected ruling on the appeal or the ultimate resolution of the matter.  We expect to begin construction on the property following a successful conclusion to the appeal process and receiving any other necessary approvals, and to open the property approximately nine months after the commencement of construction.

Capital Structure and FY 2013 Guidance

As of April 29, 2012, the Company had:

• $94.5 million in cash and cash equivalents, excluding $12.6 million in restricted cash;
• $1.2 billion in total debt; and
• $258 million in net line of credit availability.

Fiscal Year 2012 capital expenditures were $75.2 million, of which $34.9 million related to Cape Girardeau, $0.7 million related to Nemacolin and $39.6 million related to maintenance capital and projects at our existing properties.

At the end of the fiscal year our net leverage, as calculated under our senior credit facility was approximately 5.7x compared to 6.2x at the end of fiscal 2011.

The Company provided guidance for the following specific non-operating items for fiscal year 2013:

• Depreciation and amortization expense is expected to be approximately $76 million to $78 million.
• The Company expects cash income taxes pertaining to FY 2013 operations to be less than $5 million, primarily representing state income taxes.
• Interest expense is expected to be approximately $83 million to $85 million, net of capitalized interest.
• Corporate and development expenses for FY 2013 are expected to be approximately $40 million, including approximately $6 million in non-cash stock compensation expense.
• Capital expenditures for FY 2013 are expected to be approximately $140 million to $150 million, including approximately $85 million remaining to be spent in Cape Girardeau.  The balance of the spending will complete the Lake Charles and Black Hawk hotel renovations, the Vicksburg rebranding, Farmer's Pick conversions and recurring maintenance capital. We have not forecasted any material capital spending related to Nemacolin due to the uncertainty of the timing of the appeal process or ultimate resolution.
• We expect to incur approximately $5.5 million of pre-opening expenses related to Cape Girardeau.
• Fiscal 2013 will be a 52 week year whereas fiscal 2012 was a 53 week year

Conference Call Information

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. will host a conference call on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 9:00 am Central Time during which management will discuss the financial and other matters addressed in this press release.  The conference call can be accessed by interested parties via webcast through the investor relations page of the Company's website, www.islecorp.com, or, for domestic callers, by dialing 877-917-8929.  International callers can access the conference call by dialing 517-308-9020.  The conference call reference number is 9992348. The conference call will be recorded and available for review starting at midnight central on Thursday, June 7, 2012, until midnight central on Thursday, June 14, 2012, by dialing 888-568-0918; International: 203-369-3790 and access number 5218.

About Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. is a leading regional gaming and entertainment company dedicated to providing guests with exceptional experience at each of the 15 casino properties that it owns and operates, primarily under the Isle and Lady Luck brands.  The Company currently owns and operates gaming and entertainment facilities in Mississippi, Louisiana, Iowa, Missouri, Colorado and Florida. The Company is also currently developing a new facility in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and has been licensed to develop a new facility with Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Western Pennsylvania. More information is available at the Company's website, www.islecorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements, which are subject to change. These forward-looking statements may be significantly impacted, either positively or negatively by various factors, including without limitation, licensing, and other regulatory approvals, financing sources, development and construction activities, costs and delays, weather, permits, competition and business conditions in the gaming industry. The forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements herein.

Additional information concerning potential factors that could affect the Company's financial condition, results of operations and expansion projects, is included in the filings of the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, its Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.