MR
MGM Resorts International (MGM)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 2025 revenue was $4.25B, a slight beat versus S&P Global consensus ($4.238B), but Adjusted EPS of $0.24 missed Street ($~0.30); GAAP diluted EPS was a loss of $1.05 driven by a $256M goodwill impairment and ~$93M other non-cash write-offs tied to the Empire City license withdrawal . S&P Global values included below; Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
- Las Vegas softness (ADR and occupancy), MGM Grand room remodel, and lower hold pressured Las Vegas EBITDAR (-18% YoY); MGM China posted record Q3 Segment Adjusted EBITDAR and reached 15.5% market share .
- Strategic actions: sale of MGM Northfield Park operations for $546M (6.6x LTM EBITDAR) with master lease rent reduced by ~$54M at closing in H1 2026; BetMGM raised FY25 guidance and expects to distribute at least $200M to parents in 2025 (MGM expects ≥$100M in Q4) .
- Capital/catalysts: $300M USD-equivalent yen-denominated term loan A at ~2.5% to fund Osaka (upsize potential to $450M), signs of Las Vegas stabilization with group/convention strength and F1 demand; management reiterated high return thresholds and buyback priority given valuation .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
-
What Went Well
- MGM China delivered record Q3 Segment Adjusted EBITDAR ($284M, +20% YoY) and a 15.5% market share; management cited strong premium mass and new Alpha Gaming Club/Alpha Villas openings .
- BetMGM momentum: Q3 net revenue $667M (+23% YoY), EBITDA $41M; FY25 guidance raised to ≥$2.75B net revenue and ~$200M EBITDA with quarterly cash distributions to parents .
- Portfolio optimization: announced sale of MGM Northfield Park operations for $546M cash (
6.6x LTM EBITDAR) and rent reduction ($54M) upon closing, highlighting transaction multiples above MGM’s implied trading levels . - Quote: “We see signs of stabilization as the luxury market segment continues exhibiting strength. Groups and conventions are returning... F1 ticketing presales are pacing higher versus the prior year” .
-
What Went Wrong
- Las Vegas Strip Resorts net revenues fell 7% YoY to $2.0B and Segment Adjusted EBITDAR declined 18% to $601M, impacted by remodel disruption, lower ADR/occupancy, and lower table hold; insurance proceeds also decreased YoY .
- GAAP loss ($1.05 diluted EPS) due to a $256M goodwill impairment and ~$93M write-offs related to Empire City after withdrawing the NY commercial casino application (license term reduced to 15 years and competitive clustering) .
- MGM Digital posted a Segment Adjusted EBITDAR loss of $23M in Q3 (driven by Brazil investment); FY25 MGM Digital EBITDA losses could approach ~$100M, though MGM’s economic stake in Brazil is ~50% .
Financial Results
Actual vs S&P Global consensus (quarterly)
Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Segment breakdown – Net Revenues ($USD Billions)
Segment breakdown – Segment Adjusted EBITDAR ($USD Millions)
KPIs – Las Vegas Strip
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We see signs of stabilization as the luxury market segment continues exhibiting strength. Groups and conventions are returning... all MGM guest rooms [MGM Grand] will be upgraded and back online… F1 ticketing presales… pacing higher” .
- “We expect to receive at least $100 million in the fourth quarter from our $630 million total investment [BetMGM]… now… generating ample cash capable of funding growth and cash distributions” .
- “Given present circumstances with our share price, our return thresholds are pretty darn high… simply buying our own shares [free cash yield] probably 25% or 30%” .
- “Progress in Japan continues… raised a yen-denominated term loan A… $300 million USD at a borrowing cost of approximately 2.5%… ability to upsize to $450 million” .
- On Yonkers exit: “Competitive landscape… four proposals clustered… license reduced to 15 years… proposition no longer aligns with our commitment to capital stewardship…” .
Q&A Highlights
- New York/Yonkers: Decision to withdraw application due to competitive clustering, minimum tax obligations (~$400M), and shorter license term (15 years), lowering expected returns .
- Capital allocation/ROIC: Management emphasized high hurdle rates given perceived undervaluation, prioritizing buybacks; Japan remains a favored high-return project .
- Las Vegas segmentation: Luxury assets holding rate/volume; value-oriented properties (Luxor/Excalibur) challenged midweek amid reduced seats (Spirit bankruptcy), weaker drive/international traffic; pricing/value actions underway .
- Regional markets: Promotions measured; Borgata VIP upgrades yielding market outperformance; regional margins ~30% reflecting disciplined reinvestment .
- CapEx schedule: Aria renovation starts Nov 2026; principal work summer 2027; FY2026 CapEx below FY2025 .
Estimates Context
- Q3 revenue beat: $4.250B actual vs $4.238B consensus (small beat); Adjusted EPS miss: $0.24 vs ~$0.30 consensus; EBITDA far below consensus ($0.506B actual vs ~$1.096B) as MGM uses “Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA” and Street models differed; Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
- Drivers of miss: Las Vegas EBITDA down $130M YoY (remodel, lower hold, softer ADR/occupancy), lower insurance proceeds; GAAP loss from non-cash impairments tied to Empire City .
- Potential revisions: Street likely to trim near-term Las Vegas margin/ADR assumptions and adjust EBITDA modeling to MGM’s “Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA” definition; upward revisions to BetMGM FY25 net revenue/EBITDA and cash returns already reflected by guidance raise .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Near-term headwinds centered in Las Vegas; management indicates stabilization with group/convention strength and F1 demand, plus MGM Grand remodel completion providing rate/occupancy tailwinds into FY2026 .
- Macau remains a core growth engine with record Q3 EBITDAR and mid-teens share, supported by premium mass investments (Alpha Gaming Club/Villas) and suite conversions at Cotai in H1 2026 .
- BetMGM is now a cash-returning asset: FY25 guidance raised (≥$2.75B, ~$200M EBITDA) with quarterly distributions and ≥$100M to MGM in Q4, de-risking funding for digital initiatives .
- Portfolio optimization and lease economics: Northfield sale at 6.6x LTM EBITDAR and ~$54M rent reduction at closing enhance cash flow and focus capital on higher-return opportunities .
- Osaka financing secured at attractive rates (~2.5%); management targets high-teens returns at opening, with optionality to upsize financing to $450M .
- High return thresholds and buybacks remain the baseline allocation given management’s view of valuation; expect continued discipline in regional M&A and CapEx pacing .
- Risk watch: U.S. leisure pricing/value sensitivity, airline capacity (“seats”) impact, drive/international visitation, and Brazil investment drag at MGM Digital in FY2025; offset by convention calendar, Macau momentum, and BetMGM cash distributions .