Changes in Hong Kong stocks | Gaming stocks continue to decline, Melco International Development (00200) falls by more than 3%, and there is a short-term downside risk in the gaming market

Zhitongcaijing · 2d ago

The Zhitong Finance App learned that gaming stocks continued to decline. As of press release, Macau International Development (00200) fell 3.44% to HK$3.37; Sands China (01928) fell 2.74% to HK$12.8; Wynn Macau (01128) fell 1.62% to HK$4.86; and MGM China (02282) fell 1.37% to HK$9.34.

According to the news, the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Shum Ho-fai, mentioned in the first Policy Address issued by the Legislative Council of the Special Administrative Region that in this year's budget, the gaming industry's revenue for the first quarter did not meet the expected target. If earnings still fail to meet the standards thereafter, it will directly affect the entire financial base. Morgan Stanley believes that Macau gaming stocks have downside risks in the short term. The bank pointed out that Macau's 2025 Policy Address shows a weak tax outlook. Local per capita consumption continues to decline, reflecting weak demand, which is difficult to recover in the short term. The gaming industry is facing challenges. EBITDA is expected to drop 5% year over year in the first quarter of 2025, although total gaming revenue increased 1% year over year, indicating negative operating leverage and declining profit margins.

According to a research report released by UBS, in various market segments, mass gaming (Mass) daily gaming revenue has dropped by about 5-6% month-on-month; VIP (VIP) daily gaming revenue has decreased by about 4-5% month-on-month. Among them, VIP betting's midfield win rate (VIPHold) is about 3%-3.3%. Looking ahead to the upcoming May 1st Golden Week, the bank predicts that the trend of hotel reservations in Macau is weaker than in the same period last year. According to the 30 hotels tracked by the bank, the number of hotels unable to stay or sold out decreased by 5 compared to the same period last year, and the price of hotels of the same type dropped by about 15% compared to the same period last year.