ISLE Isleworth Healthcare Acquisition Corporation

ST. LOUIS, June 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISLE) ("Isle") today reported financial results for the fourth fiscal quarter and fiscal year ended April 28, 2013.

2013 Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights

• Net revenues, excluding insurance recoveries in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, declined from $282.4 million to $268.1 million, and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA decreased from $69.8 million to $59.1 million.
• Adjusted income per share, which normalizes for the effect of non-recurring and unusual items, was $0.24 compared to $0.39 in the prior year period.
• The extra week in fiscal 2012 is estimated to have an approximately $18 million impact on net revenues and an approximately $5 million impact on Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, or approximately $0.13 in adjusted income per share.

Discussing the results, president and chief executive officer Virginia McDowell said, "Consistent with other regional gaming companies, the quarter presented a difficult operating environment in our markets, as the combination of continuing economic challenges, changes in payroll tax rates and the delay in income tax refunds led to softer business levels at our casinos.  In addition, when compared to the extremely mild winter in fiscal 2012, there was significant impact from weather-related disruptions in the fiscal 2013 quarter.  Finally, the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 contained an extra 14^th week compared to 13 weeks in this year's quarter.  Adjusting for the extra week in fiscal 2012 and last year's insurance recoveries, we believe our results were in-line with other regional casino operators."

Summary of Consolidated Operating Results

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

In addition to the extra week in fiscal 2012, the following items impacted income from continuing operations during the quarters and years ended April 28, 2013 and April 29, 2012:

• Net revenues and operating income for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012 included $8.6 million of insurance recoveries received as a result of business interruption claims related to flooding along the Mississippi River.
• The Company recorded $50.1 million in impairment charges in fiscal 2013 and $30.5 in fiscal 2012.
• Pre-opening expenses were $1.0 million higher than in the fiscal 2012 quarter due to the impending opening of the new Lady Luck Nemacolin Casino.
• Depreciation and amortization increased from $17.9 million to $20.4 million primarily as a result of the opening our Cape Girardeau, Missouri casino.
• Interest expense in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 includes approximately $2.2 million in charges related to the Company's recently completed financing transactions.

McDowell continued, "Fiscal 2013 was marked by tremendous progress in our efforts to renew our asset base, even in a challenging operating environment.  We opened Cape Girardeau, rebranded Vicksburg as a new Lady Luck, completed the sale of Biloxi, renovated our hotels in Lake Charles and Black Hawk and introduced many new outlets of our popular food and beverage concepts, including the Farmer's Pick Buffet and Otis & Henry's Bar & Grill.

"We are aggressively implementing cost efficiencies at our properties and corporate office that we expect to save us approximately $­­2 million per year, including the consolidation of our two Black Hawk properties under a single management team, and efficiencies at our corporate office through cost-reductions and attrition. In connection with these moves we incurred approximately $0.9 million in severance expenses in the fourth quarter.

"The ramp of our Cape Girardeau property has been slower than expected. While we were successful in building our database during the fourth quarter, our promotional spending did not generate the desired results. Recently introduced measures aimed at rationalizing our marketing programs and reducing operating costs should have a positive impact on EBITDA moving forward.

"In addition, we are looking forward to the debut of our new, flagship Lady Luck property at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in western Pennsylvania.  Lady Luck Nemacolin is scheduled to open to the public on July 1^st, pending final regulatory approvals.  And we are looking forward to continuing to work closely with our partner in Philadelphia as the Gaming Control Board outlines next steps in the competitive licensing process for the remaining Category 2 gaming license in Pennsylvania."

Fourth Quarter Property Operating Results  

As previously stated the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 contained 14 weeks compared to 13 weeks in the fiscal 2013 quarter.  This fact would lead to an approximately 7% reduction in net revenue and Adjusted EBITDA on a comparable basis before any other factors are considered.

Black Hawk – Net revenues decreased $2.8 million to $31.2 million and Adjusted EBITDA decreased $1.7 million to $7.8 million.  Results were negatively impacted by weather, as the market experienced 17 days of snow compared to only 6 days in the prior year and a year-over-year increase in the gaming tax rate, which resulted in $0.3 million in additional gaming taxes.

Pompano – Net revenues decreased from $48.5 million to $46.4 million and Adjusted EBITDA decreased $1.0 million to $9.8 million, attributable to increased marketing and a heightened promotional environment during the quarter.

Iowa – Net revenues decreased $4.8 million (7.2%) to $61.8 million and Adjusted EBITDA decreased $2.5 million to $17.8 million.  In Davenport, we were closed for eight days in April due to flooding.   We estimate that this had approximately $0.5 million impact on Adjusted EBITDA.  In Waterloo, we are currently renovating the casino bar and building a Farmers Pick Buffet.  Severe winter weather impacted results during 5 of the 13 weeks of the quarter.

Lake Charles – Net revenues decreased from $38.7 million to $32.9 million and Adjusted EBITDA decreased $1.2 million to $6.0 million primarily as a result of increased competitive pressures. 

Missouri – Combined net revenues in Boonville, Caruthersville and Kansas City decreased $8.5 million to $47.9 million and Adjusted EBITDA decreased $2.6 million to $14.5 million. In Boonville results were hampered by significantly worse weather year over year and construction late in the quarter when we began renovations to our casino floor and Lone Wolf bar. In Caruthersville, we have shifted our marketing dollars to new territories, leading to improved revenue from west Tennessee; however the property was still impacted by the opening of Cape Girardeau.  In Kansas City, we continue to face the ramp-up of new competition which opened in the prior year quarter, and severe weather impacted results.

Cape Girardeau generated net revenues of $16.7 million and Adjusted EBITDA $1.6 million. We recently made significant changes to our management and marketing strategy that, we believe, will benefit EBITDA moving forward as we refine our operations in the developing market.

Mississippi – Net revenues decreased $6.7 million to $31.0 million and Adjusted EBITDA decreased $4.4 million to $7.8 million.  The Mississippi market continues to feel the impact of a sluggish economy.  All of our casinos in Mississippi felt the impact of the delayed IRS refunds as the amount of refund checks cashed fell by 22%.  In Vicksburg, increased market share at our newly rebranded Lady Luck were not enough to offset an overall 7% decline in market revenue. Vicksburg revenues decreased $1.1 million to $9.3 million and Adjusted EBITDA decreased $1.3 million to $2.8 million. New competition in Natchez led to a $2.7 million decrease in net revenue and a $2.3 million decrease in Adjusted EBITDA, as we are aggressively positioning to maintain market share.

Corporate Expenses

Corporate and development expenses were $7.2 million for the quarter, a decrease of $3.6 million compared to prior year, primarily due to reduced incentive compensation of $3.5 million, as we did not meet the threshold annual performance level under our management incentive program, and reduced insurance costs of approximately $0.7 million, offset by $0.9 million in severance expenses. In addition, non-cash stock compensation expense was $0.9 million for the quarter compared to $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.

For the fiscal year, non-cash stock compensation expense was $4.8 million, compared to $7.3 million in fiscal 2012.

Development

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Pennsylvania –  Lady Luck Nemacolin is scheduled to open to the public July 1, 2013, subject to final regulatory approval.  Lady Luck Nemacolin is planned to include 600 slot machines, 28 table games and two food and beverage outlets.  The Company expects the total project to cost approximately $60 million, including $12.5 million in licensing fees.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – On February 1, 2013, we entered into an agreement with Tower Entertainment, LLC, to operate the proposed $700 million casino entertainment complex, dubbed The Provence, in Philadelphia, if selected for licensure by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.  As proposed the 1.25 million square foot project is expected to  include a 125-room hotel, a casino featuring approximately 3,000 electronic gaming machines and 150 table games, as well as a rooftop village, concert hall, 8 restaurants, private swim club, night club, retail shopping and meeting and event space.  The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has held public input hearings for the competitors for Pennsylvania's final remaining slot machine and table games licenses.  The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has not announced a timeline for suitability hearings or eventual licensure.

Capital Structure and FY 2014 Guidance

As of April 28, 2013, the Company had:

• $68.5 million in cash and cash equivalents, excluding $11.4 million in restricted cash and investments;
• $1.2 billion in total debt; and
• $90 million in net line of credit availability.

Fiscal year 2013 capital expenditures were $153.2 million, of which $79.0 million related to our new casino in Cape Girardeau, $23.7 million related to the development of Lady Luck Nemacolin, and $50.5 million related to maintenance capital and projects at our existing properties.

The Company provided guidance for the following specific non-operating items for fiscal year 2014:

• Depreciation and amortization expense is expected to be approximately $91 million to $93 million.
• The Company expects cash income taxes pertaining to FY 2014 operations to be less than $2 million, primarily representing state income taxes.
• Interest expense is expected to be approximately $88 million to $90 million, net of capitalized interest.
• Corporate and development expenses for FY 2014 are expected to be approximately $34 million, including approximately $5 million in non-cash stock compensation expense.
• Capital expenditures for FY 2014 are expected to be approximately $80 million to $83 million, including approximately $30 million for the completion of Lady Luck Nemacolin.
• We expect to incur approximately $2.5 million of incremental pre-opening expenses related to Lady Luck Nemacolin.

Conference Call Information

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. will host a conference call on June 6, 2013 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 1955456. The conference call will be recorded and available for review starting at midnight central on June 6, 2013, until midnight central on June 13, 2013, by dialing 866-422-8156; International: 203-369-0832 and access number 4589.

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 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 at 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.

CONTACTS: 
Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.,
  Dale Black, Chief Financial Officer-314.813.9327
  Jill Alexander, Senior Director of Corporate Communication-314.813.9368

1. Adjusted EBITDA is "earnings before interest and other non-operating income (expense), income taxes, stock-based compensation, preopening expense, valuation charges and other unusual items (see Note 4 below) and depreciation and amortization." Adjusted EBITDA is presented solely as a supplemental disclosure because management believes that it is 1) a widely used measure of operating performance in the gaming industry, 2) used as a component of calculating required leverage and minimum interest coverage ratios under our Senior Credit Facility and 3) a principal basis of valuing gaming companies. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA as the primary measure of the Company's operating properties' performance, and they are important components in evaluating the performance of management and other operating personnel in the determination of certain components of employee compensation.  Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to operating income as an indicator of the Company's operating performance, as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity or as an alternative to any other measure determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).  The Company has significant uses of cash flows, including capital expenditures, interest payments, taxes and debt principal repayments, which are not reflected in Adjusted EBITDA.  Also, other gaming companies that report Adjusted EBITDA information may calculate Adjusted EBITDA in a different manner than the Company.  A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income is included in the financial schedules accompanying this release.
   
   Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by net revenues before insurance recoveries.
   
   Certain of our debt agreements use a similar calculation of "Adjusted EBITDA" as a financial measure for the calculation of financial debt covenants and includes add back of items such as gain on early extinguishment of debt, pre-opening expenses, certain write-offs and valuation expenses, and non-cash stock compensation expense. Reference can be made to the definition of Adjusted EBITDA in the applicable debt agreements on file as Exhibits to our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 
   
   
2. We have received insurance recoveries related to our flood claims associated with the flooding along the Mississippi River in the first quarter of fiscal 2012.
   
   
3. Valuation charges in the fourth quarter and fiscal 2013 consist of goodwill impairment charges of $34.1 million at our Lula property and $16.0 million at our Natchez property. Valuation charges and other in the fourth quarter and fiscal 2012 consists of a goodwill impairment charge at our Lula property of $14.4 million, a charge of $16.1 million at our Lake Charles property related to the sale of our smaller riverboat and associated gaming license, and a charge of $2.0 million at Corporate in connection with a legal judgment.
   
   
4. Financing charges relate to non-capitalizable fees of $1.5 million associated with the tender offer of our 7% Senior Subordinated Notes during fiscal 2013, recorded in Corporate and development expenses, and the non-cash write-off of deferred financing costs of $2.2 million and $3.3 million during the fourth quarter and fiscal 2013, respectively, related to debt refinancing and recorded in interest expense.
   
   
5. Because of our tax valuation allowances, there is no adjustment for income taxes on the above items during fiscal 2013.

SOURCE Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.