Is Las Vegas Sands The Right Stock For Your Portfolio

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Jul 28, 2012
Las Vegas Sands Corporation (LVS, Financial) is one of the largest casino operators in the world. It is the owner and operator of several resorts in United States and Asian countries. Having started with Grand Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, the company has diversified its business portal to new areas such as Sands Expo and Convention Centers. These business centers are providing world class convention and high-end gaming facilities. The company has recently expanded its business to Asian countries like China and Singapore. Further, the Las Vegas Sands Corporation is currently in the process of searching for new opportunities in United Kingdom, Europe and other Asian regions. The properties of the company in United States include The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino, Five-Diamond luxury resorts on the Las Vegas Strip, the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. In Macau, China, with over 70% shares, Sands China is operating a series of integrated resort properties, namely The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, the Four Seasons Hotel Macao, and the Plaza Casino. In Singapore, the company operates iconic Marina Bay Sands which is famous as a high-class world tourism destination.

Diversification strategy

The professional approach of Las Vegas Sands Corporation has won the leadership of the market by acquiring the highest market share in the hotel sector and the gaming industry. With a clear vision supported by highly organized marketing strategies, the company is in the process of expanding its business path by searching new opportunities. The Las Vegas Sands diversified its business to Macau located in China, which is the largest gaming market in the world. Macau is the only legitimate market for the gaming industry in China. The growth potential of the gaming industry is high in Macau. The revenue generated from the gaming industry was increased by 42% in 2011 compared to the year 2010. It is expected that this growth will continue with the development of infrastructure. Further, Macau is a strategic location that has easy access through road, air or sea.

The next targeted market, Singapore, is also well known as a vibrant tourist destination. Increase in tourist arrivals will continuously contribute to the increase of revenues generated. Singapore, with well-developed infrastructure facilities, has welcomed over 13 million tourists in the year 2011, which is a 14% increase compared to the last year. This potential growth has offered Las Vegas Sands Corporation an immense opportunity to cater the tourism market with high-end hotel facilities and gaming entertainments.

Financial Stability

The net income of Las Vegas Sands Corporation has reached over $1.5 billion in the year 2011. It is the largest net income recorded so far. Compared to the year 2010, it is around 160% increase (2.5 fold increase) of the net income in 2011. Net revenue accounted for $9.4 billion in 2011, a 1.4 fold increase, compared to the $6.8 billion in 2010. Total assets of the company are $22 billion, while total capital expenditure is $1.5 billion. The current ratio, which shows the ability of the company to bear the liabilities stands at 2.2 which is within the acceptable range. I believe that the company is viable. The net income as a percentage of capital employed (Return on Capital Expenditure, ROCE) stands at 8, which is a significant amount showing an adequate return compared to the capital employed. The basic income per share is $1.74 in 2011, whereas it was $0.61 in 2010.

Competition

The company is facing tough challenges from competitors in each business segment. In Macau, the competition is high, as the Macau government has granted concessions for six companies including Las Vegas Sands Corporation. Wynn Resorts (WYNN, Financial), Altira, City of Dreams, Galaxy, and MGM Grand (MGM, Financial) are the main competitors that engage in the same business in Macau. These companies are operating casinos and hotels worldwide, making a challenging competition against Las Vegas Sands Corporation. Resort World Sentosa is the only competitor in Singapore, which is a family tourist destination that has casinos, hotels, theme parks, exhibition facilities etc.

The major competitor of Las Vegas Sands resorts in Macau, the Wynn Resorts, is strengthening its capacity over the time. The net revenue of Wynn resorts is $3.8 billion in 2011 with a profit of $0.8 billion. The total assets amount to $2.2 billion of which current assets is $0.8 billion. However, the current ratio stands at 0.7, which is not within my safety range.

Summary

Las Vegas Sands Corporation is an integrated resort company which is famous for high-end accommodation, convention center facilities and gaming entertainments. It has already expanded its operations out of the United States to Asian countries, such as Macau-China and Singapore. The diversification strategy has worked well, and the company is generating more revenues from Macau and Singapore that U.S. Also, the company is in the process of finding new opportunities in UK, Europe and other Asian countries.

I believe that this company is financially stable and has a great growth potential. The growth proved by the rise in income and better positive financial ratios. After losing almost 50% of its market cap, Las Vegas looks like a cheap deal. The company is performing well and facing the challenges of powerful competitors like Wynn resorts, Alitra, City of Dreams, Resort World Sentosa etc. However, the competitors are still far behind with the performance of Sands Corporation. It is a roller-coaster stock, but looks fundamentally cheap.