Ameristar Casinos Reports Record Third Quarter Financial Results
LAS VEGAS, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ameristar Casinos,
Inc. (NASDAQ:ASCA) today announced record financial results for the
third quarter of 2004, reflecting the continued growth of the
company. Third Quarter Highlights * Record consolidated net
revenues of $215.7 million, representing an increase of $14.1
million, or 7.0%, over the third quarter of 2003. * Record third
quarter consolidated EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measure which is
defined and reconciled with operating income below) of $59.2
million, representing an increase of $9.1 million, or 18.2%, over
the third quarter of 2003. * Record third quarter consolidated
operating income of $40.3 million, an increase of $6.1 million, or
17.9%, from the prior-year third quarter. * Record third quarter
net income of $16.6 million, up $4.7 million, or 39.7%, from the
third quarter of 2003. * Diluted earnings per share of $0.60 for
the third quarter of 2004, compared to $0.44 for the third quarter
of 2003. Our previously issued earnings guidance for the third
quarter of 2004 indicated a range of $0.50 to $0.53 per share.
Analysts' latest consensus estimate for the third quarter of 2004,
as reported by Thomson First Call, was $0.52. * On August 17, 2004,
our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.125
per share, which was paid on September 15, 2004 to our shareholders
of record as of August 31, 2004. * During the third quarter of
2004, we prepaid $15.0 million of long-term debt under our senior
credit facilities, further improving our total debt leverage ratio
(as defined in our senior credit agreement) from 3.49:1 at December
31, 2003 to 2.99:1 at September 30, 2004. * We extended and
improved our leadership position in market share (based on gross
gaming receipts) in our Kansas City, Council Bluffs and Vicksburg
markets during the third quarter of 2004 compared to the same
period in 2003. * We are continuing to progress toward the
completion of our pending acquisition of Mountain High Casino in
Black Hawk, Colorado. Subject to the receipt of regulatory
approval, we anticipate the closing to occur in December 2004.
Craig H. Neilsen, Chairman and CEO, stated: "We are very pleased
with our performance in the third quarter of 2004. We believe our
financial results further validate our business model and evidence
the continued successful implementation of our operating
strategies. In particular, we had significant flow-through during
the third quarter of 2004 compared to the same period in 2003, as
net revenues increased by 7.0% and EBITDA increased by 18.2%, which
demonstrates the effectiveness of our cost-containment strategies.
In addition, the major investment in slot technology we have made
over the past year, including our accelerated implementation of
coinless slot technology and the further introduction of lower
denomination slot machines, has significantly contributed to the
continued financial success we have achieved in the third quarter
of 2004. We are committed to maintaining the most advanced casino
floor in each of our markets, which we expect will result in
continued financial success for our company." Financial Results Net
Revenues Net revenues for the third quarter of 2004 increased to
$215.7 million, an increase of 7.0% compared to the third quarter
of 2003. All of our properties improved in net revenues, with
increases of 11.5% at Ameristar Vicksburg, 9.8% at Ameristar
Council Bluffs, 7.3% at Ameristar Kansas City, 4.4% at Ameristar
St. Charles and 3.4% at the Jackpot Properties. For the quarter,
Ameristar Vicksburg and Ameristar Council Bluffs further improved
their long-time market leadership positions to 44.9% and 41.3%,
respectively, with increases of 4.9 and 1.9 percentage points,
respectively, over the prior-year third quarter. Ameristar Kansas
City also maintained its market share leadership, as it increased
reported market share to 35.4%, up 0.6 percentage point over the
prior-year third quarter. The reported market share for Ameristar
St. Charles was 31.1%, which represented a decline of 0.8
percentage point compared to the third quarter of 2003. Led by a
$20.1 million (11.9%) increase in slot revenues, consolidated
casino revenues for the third quarter of 2004 increased $20.1
million, or 10.3%, from the third quarter of 2003. We believe that
the growth in slot revenues has been driven by our continued
accelerated implementation of coinless slot technology at our
Ameristar-branded properties, which are now nearly 100% coinless.
In addition, we believe our continued leadership in the
introduction of new-generation, lower denomination slot machines at
our Ameristar-branded properties has contributed to the improvement
in slot revenues, due to the popularity of this segment of the slot
market. We also believe casino revenues increased, in part as a
result of our continued successful implementation of our targeted
marketing programs, which is evidenced by a 20.5% increase in rated
play at our Ameristar-branded properties when compared to the third
quarter of 2003. Promotional allowances (which are deducted in
arriving at net revenues) increased $9.7 million, or 30.5%, in the
third quarter of 2004 compared to the 2003 third quarter, in part
due to the increase in rated play. We believe the quality of our
food and beverage operations also contributed to our record third
quarter financial performance. Food and beverage revenues increased
by $2.8 million, or 10.7%, in the third quarter of 2004 compared to
the prior-year third quarter. The increase was principally
attributable to our new food and beverage venues that opened at
Ameristar Kansas City late in the third quarter of 2003 and
Ameristar Vicksburg's newly renovated Heritage Buffet, which was
completed in the fourth quarter of 2003. In the first quarter of
2005, we expect to complete a major renovation of our buffet at
Ameristar Council Bluffs, which we believe will favorably impact
future gaming and food and beverage revenues at the property.
Operating Income and EBITDA In the third quarter of 2004,
consolidated operating income increased $6.1 million, or 17.9%, to
$40.3 million and consolidated operating income margin improved 1.7
percentage points from the prior-year third quarter, to 18.7%.
Operating income margin increased at Ameristar Kansas City,
Ameristar Vicksburg and the Jackpot Properties by 3.4, 2.1 and 5.7
percentage points, respectively, when compared to the same period
in 2003. Consolidated EBITDA increased 18.2% to $59.2 million
compared to the third quarter of 2003. Additionally, consolidated
EBITDA margin in the third quarter of 2004 increased from 24.9% to
27.5%, primarily due to Ameristar Kansas City, Ameristar Vicksburg
and the Jackpot Properties, where EBITDA margin improved 5.5, 3.0
and 5.7 percentage points, respectively, from the prior-year third
quarter. The growth in EBITDA, operating income and the related
margins at these properties was principally driven by both the
increase in revenues noted above and the continued implementation
of cost-containment initiatives. Additionally, Ameristar Kansas
City had $1.3 million of non-recurring expenses in the third
quarter of 2003 related to the introduction of the "All New
Ameristar Kansas City." At Ameristar St. Charles, operating income
for the third quarter decreased $0.3 million and the related margin
dropped 1.4 percentage points to 22.3% compared to the 2003 third
quarter. Although EBITDA was flat, the property saw a decline in
EBITDA margin of 1.2 percentage points during the third quarter.
The declines in the margins and operating income were primarily the
result of higher marketing costs in a more competitive market
environment, due to the expanded facilities and increased marketing
and promotional activities of our principal competitor in the St.
Louis market. In addition, the margins and operating income were
negatively impacted by increased employee benefit costs. Ameristar
Council Bluffs increased third quarter operating income by $1.0
million and third quarter EBITDA by $1.4 million when compared to
the prior-year period. The improvements in operating income and
EBITDA occurred despite a 2% increase in the Iowa tax rate on
gaming revenues of riverboat casinos, which became effective July
1, 2004. Operating income margin decreased 0.5 percentage point to
30.1% and EBITDA margin declined 0.1 percentage point to 36.9% due
to higher health insurance costs and the aforementioned tax
increase. Corporate expense decreased $0.5 million in the third
quarter of 2004 compared to the same quarter of 2003. The decrease
in corporate expense was primarily the result of $0.9 million in
costs incurred in 2003 relating to the unsuccessful pursuit of a
corporate acquisition. Year to date, corporate expense increased
$3.0 million, or 11.4%, compared to the first nine months of 2003.
This increase resulted primarily from the continued growth of the
company and increased development activities. We expect this trend
to continue through the remainder of 2004 and 2005 as we seek
growth through development opportunities, including in the United
Kingdom and Pennsylvania, and through acquisition opportunities.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased to $18.9 million in
the third quarter of 2004 from $15.9 million in the third quarter
of 2003, primarily due to the increase in our depreciable assets
resulting from the completion of enhancement and renovation
projects at Ameristar Kansas City in September 2003 and Ameristar
Vicksburg in December 2003, the continued implementation of
coinless slot technology and the introduction of lower denomination
slot machines at our Ameristar-branded properties. Net Income and
Diluted Earnings Per Share For the third quarter of 2004, net
income increased 39.7% to $16.6 million, from $11.9 million for the
third quarter of 2003. Diluted earnings per share were $0.60 in the
quarter ended September 30, 2004, compared to $0.44 in the
corresponding prior-year quarter. Interest expense for the 2004
third quarter was $13.8 million, down $1.3 million from the third
quarter of 2003. The decline in interest expense was due to a
decrease in our long-term debt levels as we continued to prepay
senior debt, the termination of our interest rate swap agreement on
March 31, 2004, and lower interest rates on our senior credit
facilities year-over-year. We incurred non-operating losses on
early retirement of debt in the third quarters of 2004 and 2003 in
the amounts of $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Our
effective income tax rate for the quarter ended September 30, 2004
increased to 37.2% from 37.0% for the quarter ended September 30,
2003, due primarily to a slight increase in our effective state
income tax rate. Liquidity and Capital Resources Our financial
position remains strong, with approximately $76.2 million of cash
and cash equivalents and $68.9 million of available borrowing
capacity under our senior credit facilities as of September 30,
2004. During the third quarter of 2004, we reduced our long-term
debt by approximately $15.8 million, including the prepayment of
$15.0 million of principal under our senior credit facilities. At
September 30, 2004, our total debt was $669.7 million, representing
a decrease of $47.2 million (6.6%) from December 31, 2003. In the
fourth quarter of 2004, we expect to borrow up to an additional
$115.0 million under our senior credit facilities in order to fund
our pending acquisition of Mountain High Casino. Capital
expenditures for the third quarter of 2004 totaled $20.6 million
and included the continued acquisition of coinless slot machines,
the implementation of information technology solutions to enhance
our operating capabilities and capital projects at all of our
properties. For the year, we expect that capital expenditures will
be approximately $85 million. Planned Capital Improvement Projects
Following the closing of the Mountain High Casino acquisition, we
intend to invest approximately $90 million in capital expenditures
to improve the competitiveness of the property, as well as make
other operational enhancements. The planned capital improvements
include reconfiguration and expansion of the gaming area, the
introduction of cashless slot technology and other gaming equipment
upgrades, construction of a 300-room AAA Four Diamond-quality hotel
and additional covered parking, an upgrade of the food and beverage
outlets and the addition of a casual dining restaurant. All of
these improvements are expected to be completed during 2005, with
the exception of the hotel, which we expect will be completed by
mid-2007. We are currently planning to expand the number of gaming
positions, including the addition of poker rooms, at our Council
Bluffs and Vicksburg properties. We anticipate completion of these
gaming expansions to occur by the end of 2005. In addition, we are
currently planning a complete renovation of the hotel rooms at
Ameristar Kansas City and Ameristar Council Bluffs, which are
expected to be completed in the fall of 2005. At Ameristar St.
Charles, we are currently designing planned capital improvements,
which include a 300-room all-suite hotel, 20,000 square feet of
meeting facilities, a new entertainment pavilion and an additional
parking garage. We expect to begin construction on these
improvements in the first half of 2005, and we believe they will
further strengthen the competitive position of the property. We
expect the return on our investment from these development projects
to be similar to that of other projects we have completed in the
recent past. Outlook Based on our preliminary results of operations
to date in October 2004 and our outlook for the remainder of the
quarter, we currently estimate operating income of $33 million to
$35 million, EBITDA of $52 million to $54 million (given
anticipated depreciation expense of $19 million), interest expense
of $14 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.41 to $0.45 for
the fourth quarter of 2004. Gaming regulatory authorities in Iowa,
Mississippi and Missouri currently publish, on a monthly basis,
gross gaming revenue, market share and other financial information
with respect to the gaming facilities, including Ameristar's, that
operate within their respective jurisdictions. Because various
factors in addition to our gross gaming revenue (including changes
in operating costs, promotional allowances and other expenses)
influence our operating income, EBITDA and diluted earnings per
share, such reported information, as it relates to Ameristar, may
not be indicative of the results of our operations for such periods
or for future periods. Conference Call We will hold a conference
call to discuss our third quarter results and guidance for the
fourth quarter at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on October 28, 2004. The
call can be accessed live by calling (800) 967-7185. It can be
replayed until November 4, 2004 at 1:00 a.m. Eastern Time by
calling (888) 203-1112 and using the access code number 961941.
Forward-Looking Information This press release contains certain
forward-looking information that generally can be identified by the
context of the statement or the use of forward-looking terminology,
such as "believes," "estimates," "anticipates," "intends,"
"expects," "plans," "is confident that" or words of similar
meaning, with reference to Ameristar or our management. Similarly,
statements that describe our future plans, objectives, strategies,
financial results or position, operational expectations or goals
are forward-looking statements. It is possible that our
expectations may not be met due to various factors, many of which
are beyond our control, and we therefore cannot give any assurance
that such expectations will prove to be correct. For a discussion
of relevant factors, risks and uncertainties that could materially
affect our future results, attention is directed to "Item 1.
Business - Risk Factors" and "Item 7. Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and
"Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" in our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004. About Ameristar
Ameristar Casinos, Inc. is a leading Las Vegas-based gaming and
entertainment company known for its premier properties
characterized by innovative architecture, state-of-the-art casino
floors and superior dining, lodging and entertainment offerings.
Ameristar's focus on the total entertainment experience and the
highest quality guest service has earned it a leading market share
position in each of the five markets in which it operates. Founded
in 1954 in Jackpot, Nevada, Ameristar recently marked its 10th
anniversary as a public company. The company has a portfolio of six
casinos: Ameristar Kansas City; Ameristar St. Charles (greater St.
Louis); Ameristar Council Bluffs (Omaha, Nebraska and southwestern
Iowa); Ameristar Vicksburg (Jackson, Mississippi and Monroe,
Louisiana); and Cactus Petes and the Horseshu in Jackpot, Nevada
(Idaho and the Pacific Northwest). Visit Ameristar Casinos' Web
site at http://www.ameristar.com/ (which shall not be deemed to be
incorporated in or a part of this news release). AMERISTAR CASINOS,
INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share Data) (Unaudited) Three
Months Nine Months Ended September 30, Ended September 30, 2004
2003 2004 2003 REVENUES: Casino $215,001 $194,865 $642,216 $566,752
Food and beverage 28,828 26,034 86,073 74,109 Rooms 6,959 6,602
20,019 18,123 Other 6,370 5,833 17,785 16,271 257,158 233,334
766,093 675,255 Less: Promotional allowances 41,507 31,806 126,074
90,381 Net revenues 215,651 201,528 640,019 584,874 OPERATING
EXPENSES: Casino 94,768 89,382 285,716 260,043 Food and beverage
16,314 15,730 47,342 43,760 Rooms 1,706 1,651 4,912 4,712 Other
4,244 3,307 10,736 9,216 Selling, general and administrative 39,321
41,227 115,555 111,216 Depreciation and amortization 18,888 15,888
54,016 46,666 Impairment loss 100 147 196 687 Total operating
expenses 175,341 167,332 518,473 476,300 Income from operations
40,310 34,196 121,546 108,574 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): Interest
income 69 71 157 282 Interest expense (13,806) (15,115) (43,029)
(48,344) Loss on early retirement of debt (202) (415) (673) (415)
Other 50 126 (46) 160 INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX PROVISION 26,421
18,863 77,955 60,257 Income tax provision 9,820 6,979 30,434 22,186
NET INCOME $16,601 $11,884 $47,521 $38,071 EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Basic $0.61 $0.45 $1.76 $1.44 Diluted $0.60 $0.44 $1.71 $1.41
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING: Basic 27,107 26,489 26,986
26,376 Diluted 27,779 27,297 27,744 27,025 AMERISTAR CASINOS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA (Dollars in
Thousands) (Unaudited) Three Months Nine Months Ended September 30,
Ended September 30, 2004 2003 2004 2003 Consolidated cash flow
information Cash flows provided by operations $28,071 $26,110
$124,276 $112,126 Cash flows used in investing $(22,447) $(17,711)
$(72,608) $(60,732) Cash flows used in financing $(19,100)
$(29,180) $(53,686) $(60,507) Net revenues Ameristar St. Charles
$68,883 $66,005 $209,332 $191,842 Ameristar Kansas City 59,520
55,480 174,160 159,832 Ameristar Council Bluffs 44,229 40,285
129,056 116,753 Ameristar Vicksburg 26,364 23,643 81,289 70,924
Jackpot Properties 16,655 16,115 46,182 45,523 Consolidated net
revenues $215,651 $201,528 $640,019 $584,874 Operating income
(loss) Ameristar St. Charles $15,380 $15,644 $51,147 $46,301
Ameristar Kansas City 12,111 9,365 33,487 31,230 Ameristar Council
Bluffs 13,317 12,339 38,388 33,718 Ameristar Vicksburg 6,241 5,109
20,972 16,301 Jackpot Properties 3,501 2,462 7,054 7,516 Corporate
and other (10,240) (10,723) (29,502) (26,492) Consolidated
operating income $40,310 $34,196 $121,546 $108,574 EBITDA (1)
Ameristar St. Charles $21,542 $21,423 $68,825 $63,696 Ameristar
Kansas City 17,228 12,977 47,780 41,158 Ameristar Council Bluffs
16,312 14,903 46,883 41,271 Ameristar Vicksburg 9,124 7,471 29,427
23,436 Jackpot Properties 4,476 3,414 9,888 10,436 Corporate and
other (9,484) (10,104) (27,241) (24,757) Consolidated EBITDA
$59,198 $50,084 $175,562 $155,240 Operating income margins (2)
Ameristar St. Charles 22.3% 23.7% 24.4% 24.1% Ameristar Kansas City
20.3% 16.9% 19.2% 19.5% Ameristar Council Bluffs 30.1% 30.6% 29.7%
28.9% Ameristar Vicksburg 23.7% 21.6% 25.8% 23.0% Jackpot
Properties 21.0% 15.3% 15.3% 16.5% Consolidated operating income
margin 18.7% 17.0% 19.0% 18.6% AMERISTAR CASINOS, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA - CONTINUED
(Unaudited) Three Months Nine Months Ended September 30, Ended
September 30, 2004 2003 2004 2003 EBITDA margins (1) Ameristar St.
Charles 31.3% 32.5% 32.9% 33.2% Ameristar Kansas City 28.9% 23.4%
27.4% 25.8% Ameristar Council Bluffs 36.9% 37.0% 36.3% 35.3%
Ameristar Vicksburg 34.6% 31.6% 36.2% 33.0% Jackpot Properties
26.9% 21.2% 21.4% 22.9% Consolidated EBITDA margin 27.5% 24.9%
27.4% 26.5% (1) EBITDA is earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is presented solely as a
supplemental disclosure because management believes that it is a
widely used measure of operating performance in the gaming industry
and a principal basis for the valuation of gaming companies. Our
credit agreement also requires the use of EBITDA as a measure of
compliance with our principal debt covenants. In addition,
management uses property-level EBITDA (EBITDA before corporate
expense) as the primary measure of our operating properties'
performance, including the evaluation of operating personnel.
EBITDA margin is EBITDA as a percentage of net revenues. EBITDA
should not be construed as an alternative to income from operations
(as determined in accordance with GAAP) as an indicator of our
operating performance, or as an alternative to cash flows from
operating activities (as determined in accordance with GAAP) as a
measure of liquidity, or as an alternative to any other measure
determined in accordance with GAAP. We have significant uses of
cash flows, including capital expenditures, interest payments,
taxes and debt principal repayments, which are not reflected in
EBITDA. It should also be noted that not all gaming companies that
report EBITDA calculate EBITDA in the same manner as we do. (2)
Operating income margin is operating income as a percentage of net
revenues. RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) TO EBITDA
(Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited) The following table sets forth a
reconciliation of operating income (loss), a GAAP financial
measure, to EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure. Three Months Nine
Months Ended September 30, Ended September 30, 2004 2003 2004 2003
Ameristar St. Charles: Operating income $15,380 $15,644 $51,147
$46,301 Depreciation and amortization 6,162 5,779 17,678 17,395
EBITDA $21,542 $21,423 $68,825 $63,696 Ameristar Kansas City:
Operating income $12,111 $9,365 $33,487 $31,230 Depreciation and
amortization 5,117 3,612 14,293 9,928 EBITDA $17,228 $12,977
$47,780 $41,158 Ameristar Council Bluffs: Operating income $13,317
$12,339 $38,388 $33,718 Depreciation and amortization 2,995 2,564
8,495 7,553 EBITDA $16,312 $14,903 $46,883 $41,271 Ameristar
Vicksburg: Operating income $6,241 $5,109 $20,972 $16,301
Depreciation and amortization 2,883 2,362 8,455 7,135 EBITDA $9,124
$7,471 $29,427 $23,436 Jackpot Properties: Operating income $3,501
$2,462 $7,054 $7,516 Depreciation and amortization 975 952 2,834
2,920 EBITDA $4,476 $3,414 $9,888 $10,436 Corporate and other:
Operating loss $(10,240) $(10,723) $(29,502) $(26,492) Depreciation
and amortization 756 619 2,261 1,735 EBITDA $(9,484) $(10,104)
$(27,241) $(24,757) Consolidated: Operating income $40,310 $34,196
$121,546 $108,574 Depreciation and amortization 18,888 15,888
54,016 46,666 EBITDA $59,198 $50,084 $175,562 $155,240
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040930/LATH017LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Ameristar Casinos, Inc.
CONTACT: Tom Steinbauer, Senior Vice President of Finance, Chief
Financial Officer of Ameristar Casinos, Inc., +1-702-567-7000 Web
site: http://www.ameristar.com/
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