Boyd Gaming reports 2018 Q2 results

Boyd Gaming Corporation today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018.

Keith Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boyd Gaming, said: "We continued to achieve strong results in the second quarter, making significant progress executing against our strategic plan. We delivered revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth across every segment of our business, as Companywide operating margins reached record levels. We continued to make steady progress toward completing the acquisition of five new properties in the Midwest and Northeast. We further diversified our business by purchasing a distributed gaming operation in Illinois, and are actively preparing to participate in expanded sports betting across the United States. And we used our growing free cash flow to further deleverage the balance sheet, increase our cash dividend, and continue our share repurchase program. In all, this was another quarter of significant progress, and I remain confident about the direction of our Company."

Boyd Gaming reported second-quarter revenues of $616.8 million, up 2.1% from $604.1 million in the second quarter of 2017. Income from continuing operations, net of tax, for the second quarter was $38.6 million, or $0.34 per share, compared to $27.7 million, or $0.24 per share, for the prior-year second quarter. The Company reported net income, including discontinued operations, of $38.9 million, or $0.34 per share, for the second quarter of 2018, compared to $48.7 million, or $0.42 per share, for the year-ago period. Discontinued operations, net of tax, reflects income of $0.3 million in the second quarter of 2018 and $21.0 million in the prior-year second quarter for payments received related to a previously-sold interest in Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa.

Total Adjusted EBITDA(1) was $163.4 million, up 8.0% from $151.4 million in the second quarter of 2017. Adjusted Earnings(1) for the second quarter 2018 were $44.0 million, or $0.38 per share, compared to Adjusted Earnings of $30.4 million, or $0.26 per share, for the same period in 2017.

Operations Review

Las Vegas Locals
In the Las Vegas Locals segment, second-quarter 2018 revenues were $220.0 million, increasing from $216.7 million in the year-ago quarter. Second-quarter 2018 Adjusted EBITDA was $70.2 million, up 11.0% from $63.3 million in the second quarter of 2017. Operating margins rose more than 270 basis points year-over-year, reaching their highest second-quarter levels since 2005.

Adjusted EBITDA grew for the 13th straight quarter in the Las Vegas Locals segment, as revenues, Adjusted EBITDA and operating margins increased at every major property in the segment. Results benefited from continued marketing refinements, operating efficiencies throughout the business, and a strong regional economy.

Downtown Las Vegas
In the Downtown Las Vegas segment, revenues were $61.2 million in the second quarter of 2018, compared to $59.6 million in the year-ago period. Adjusted EBITDA rose 8.0% to $13.5 million, compared to $12.5 million in the second quarter of 2017.

All three downtown properties posted revenue and double-digit Adjusted EBITDA growth during the quarter, with strong gains from the recently renovated hotel room product at the California Hotel and Casino. Continued growth in visitation throughout the downtown area contributed to record revenues and Adjusted EBITDA at the Fremont Hotel and Casino. Strength in property operating results was partially offset by significantly higher fuel costs at the Company's Hawaiian charter service.

Midwest and South
In the Midwest and South segment, revenues were $335.6 million, up from $327.8 million in the second quarter of 2017. Adjusted EBITDA was $98.5 million, increasing 5.1% from $93.7 million in the year-ago period. Results for the segment include contributions from Lattner Entertainment, a distributed gaming operation in Illinois, acquired by the Company on June 1, 2018.

Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth was broad-based in the segment, as operating margins reached their highest levels in 16 years. Positive results were driven by refinements to marketing programs, ongoing operational efficiencies, and healthy economic conditions across the Company's regional markets.

Balance Sheet Statistics

As of June 30, 2018, Boyd Gaming had cash on hand of $632.8 million, and total debt of $3.56 billion. Cash and debt balances reflect the Company's issuance of $700 million in 6.000% Senior Notes due 2026, completed in June 2018.

Full-Year 2018 Guidance

For the full year 2018, Boyd Gaming is increasing its guidance for total Adjusted EBITDA to $618 million to $633 million. This revised guidance includes expected contributions from the Company's recently-acquired distributed gaming operation in Illinois, as well as revised estimates for Blue Chip Casino Hotel and Spa. It does not include any contributions from the Company's pending acquisitions of the four Pinnacle Entertainment properties or Valley Forge Casino Resort.