Isle Of Capri Casinos, Inc. Announces Fiscal 2017 Second Quarter Results

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISLE) (the "Company") today reported financial results for the second quarter ended October 23, 2016 and other Company-related news.

Fiscal 2017 Second Quarter Highlights 

• Diluted net income per share from continuing operations increased to $0.54 per share from $0.14 in the prior year quarter.
• Property Adjusted EBITDA increased 1.8% year over year, led by record second quarter results from the four Missouri properties and Waterloo.
• Adjusted EBITDA at Bettendorf increased 26.2% year over year in its first full quarter of operating the new land-based gaming and entertainment facility.

Consolidated Financial Results

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

Eric Hausler, the Company's chief executive officer, commented:

"We grew Property Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margins year over year during the second quarter.  In the first two months of the quarter, we experienced softer year-over-year trends; however, we saw a solid rebound in October, which has continued into the early part of our fiscal third quarter.   

"Property Adjusted EBITDA increased 1.8%, led by record quarterly Adjusted EBITDA results from our four Missouri properties and Waterloo, while Bettendorf generated strong initial results from its land-based facility, as Adjusted EBITDA increased 26.2% year over year. 

"Our Adjusted EBITDA was relatively flat year over year in the second quarter against a challenging comparison of a 9% increase in the prior year, as we had higher corporate expenses largely due to the impact of incremental legal expenses during the quarter. 

"The second quarter was the first full operating quarter for our new land-based casino and entertainment facility in Bettendorf.  We led the Quad Cities market in total gaming revenues in each of the months since the property opened.  While still early, we are pleased with the initial returns on our investment.  Customer reception to the land-based facility has been very positive. 

"During the quarter, we continued to reinvigorate our properties through prudent capital investments.  We expect to complete the previously announced buffet renovations at Kansas City and Black Hawk in early December.  We also completed the addition of new hotel furniture at Black Hawk, exterior painting and signage at Boonville and several other projects. 

"At the same time, we improved our balance sheet during the second quarter. Our debt balance is now below $900 million, as we reduced debt by $34.5 million during the second quarter.        

"During the quarter, we executed on a variety of other strategic initiatives which we believe significantly enhanced shareholder value.  Most notably, on September 19^th we announced that we have signed a definitive agreement to sell all of the outstanding shares of stock of the Company to Eldorado Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: ERI) for approximately $950 million in cash and stock.  We believe this transaction, which will create a regional gaming company with significant scale, geographic diversity and free cash flow, provides our shareholders with both immediate value and the benefit from the potential upside expected from the significant operating synergies between these two companies.  We are working closely with the Eldorado team to plan a smooth transition, and expect the transaction to close in the second quarter of calendar 2017. 

"Subsequent to the announcement of the transaction with Eldorado, we announced that we have entered into a definitive agreement to sell Marquette to an affiliate of Casino Queen for approximately $40 million.  In combination with the previously announced $134.5 million sale of Lake Charles to Laguna Development Corporation, the replacement of the riverboat in Bettendorf, and other completed transactions, over 95% of our pro forma Adjusted EBITDA is now generated by land-based or barge-based casino operations compared to five years ago when over 30% of our EBITDA came from first-generation riverboats." 

Financial Highlights

The second quarter results reflect both Lake Charles and Marquette in discontinued operations and as assets held for sale for all periods presented. 

Net revenues for the current quarter were $198.6 million, compared to $200.5 million in the prior year quarter, down 0.9%. 

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA was $42.9 million for the quarter compared to $43.3 million in the prior year quarter, down 0.9%.  Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margins increased slightly to 21.6%.  Operating income decreased to $21.3 million from $23.7 million in the prior year quarter, as the current quarter contained $3.4 million of transaction costs related to the previously announced transaction with Eldorado Resorts, Inc.

Interest expense was $16.8 million compared to $17.0 million in the prior year quarter, as a result of our lower overall debt balance.

Our income tax benefit for the current quarter reflects the reversal of $19.6 million in tax valuation allowances as a result of the announced sale of Lake Charles and Marquette associated with their indefinite lived intangible assets becoming definite lived.

On a GAAP basis, diluted income per share from continuing operations was $0.54 compared to diluted income per share from continuing operations of $0.14 in the prior year's quarter.  Adjusted diluted net income per share was $0.13 during the current quarter compared to $0.14 in the prior year's quarter.

Operating Results

(All comparisons are to the prior year quarter)

Black Hawk – Net revenues decreased $1.9 million, or 5.7%, to $31.7 million and Adjusted EBITDA decreased $1.0 million, or 9.7%, to $9.0 million, at our two casinos in Black Hawk. The property was impacted by the closure of the buffet for renovation during the quarter and an increased competitive environment.

Pompano – Net revenues decreased $1.1 million, or 2.7%, to $37.5 million, and Adjusted EBITDA decreased 9.1%, to $6.6 million at Pompano Park.  We experienced a brief closure for Hurricane Matthew during the quarter which impacted operating results.  We also expensed approximately $0.3 million in costs related to the potential development of a new administration building, which we determined we would not move forward with during the quarter.  

Iowa – Net revenues for our Iowa properties increased $1.9 million, or 4.8%, compared to prior year, and Adjusted EBITDA increased $1.5 million, to $12.9 million.

The second quarter was the first full quarter of operations at our new land-based facility in Bettendorf.  Net revenues increased $2.5 million and Adjusted EBITDA increased $1.3 million, or 26.2%, for the quarter year over year at our Bettendorf property.  Adjusted EBITDA margins improved 290 bps to 29.0%, from a combination of higher revenues and the new more efficient facility.  We will continue to refine the operations during the coming quarters to optimize our ramp up of the new facility.

Waterloo posted its highest second quarter Adjusted EBITDA since opening in June 2007 as a result of a more efficient cost structure.  Adjusted EBITDA margins at the property improved 185 basis points and Adjusted EBITDA increased $0.2 million, or 3.1%, to $6.8 million.

Mississippi – Net revenues for Lula and Vicksburg decreased 3.4%, to $18.4 million while Adjusted EBITDA increased $0.1 million, to $4.0 million, or 1.8%. 

Vicksburg's net revenues increased $0.5 million, or 7.9%, and Adjusted EBITDA increased $0.5 million, or 37.1%, to $1.8 million.  The property has continued to benefit from changes in our marketing reinvestment strategy and the management team's strong focus on operational efficiency.

The Lula market continues to be negatively impacted by increased competition in the Arkansas market.  Net revenues at our Lula property decreased $1.2 million, to $11.0 million and Adjusted EBITDA decreased $0.4 million, or 15.4%.   

Missouri – Net revenues for our Missouri properties increased $0.3 million, to $59.9 million and Adjusted EBITDA increased $1.1 million, to $17.1 million.  Our Missouri properties continue to post strong results with all four producing their highest second quarter Adjusted EBITDA since opening/acquisition.

Cape Girardeau's net revenues increased $0.3 million, or 1.9%, and Adjusted EBITDA increased $0.5 million, to $3.6 million or 14.2%.  The property's Adjusted EBITDA margin improved 254 bps and the property generated 155% flow-through on incremental revenues.

Boonville continues to post the Company's highest Adjusted EBITDA margin, at 36.6% for the quarter.  During the second quarter of fiscal 2017, net revenues increased 2.7%, to $19.4 million and Adjusted EBITDA increased 3.6%, to $7.1 million, as the property benefited from recent hotel room renovations as well as more productive marketing reinvestment.

Kansas City reported record second quarter Adjusted EBITDA, despite net revenues decreasing 2.9%, to $17.0 million. Adjusted EBITDA increased 7.5%, to $4.2 million. We began remodeling and rebranding the Kansas City buffet to a Farmer's Pick in late June which caused some construction disruption at the property. We expect to reopen the buffet in early December.

In Caruthersville, net revenues were flat at $8.2 million while Adjusted EBITDA improved by 4.6%, to $2.1 million, and Adjusted EBITDA margins improved 101 bps primarily due to continued strategic marketing spending and capital investments we have made to the property. 

Pennsylvania – At Nemacolin, net revenues decreased 6.2%, to $9.0 million while Adjusted EBITDA decreased $0.1 million to a loss of $(0.1) million.  The property was impacted by an increase in table games tax rates during the quarter, as well as an increase in state administrative fees.

Corporate Expenses

Corporate and development expenses were $8.3 million for the quarter compared to $7.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2016, largely as a result of higher legal fees of approximately $0.5 million related to ongoing litigation during the quarter.

Non-cash stock compensation expense was flat at $1.6 million for the second quarter of both fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016. 

Capital Structure and Capital Expenditures

As of October 23, 2016, the Company had:

• $53.9 million in cash and cash equivalents, excluding $32.0 million in restricted cash and investments;
• $897.2 million in total debt; and
• $249.4 million in net line of credit availability, the outstanding balance on the revolving credit facility was $42.3 million at quarter end, while leverage for bank purposes was 4.4x.

Second quarter capital expenditures were $10.0 million, excluding spending related to the land-based project in Bettendorf.  We spent $7.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 on the land-based project at Bettendorf.  For the project through the end of the second quarter, we have expended $51.6 million. 

Conference Call Information

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. will not be hosting a conference call this quarter.

About Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. is a leading regional gaming and entertainment company dedicated to providing guests with an exceptional experience at each of the 14 casino properties that it owns or operates, primarily under the Isle and Lady Luck brands.  The Company currently operates gaming and entertainment facilities in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Pennsylvania. More information is available at the Company's website, www.islecorp.com.

Additional Information

The information in this press release is not a substitute for the proxy statement/prospectus that Eldorado and Isle will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which will include a prospectus with respect to shares of Eldorado common stock to be issued in the merger and a proxy statement of each of Eldorado and Isle in connection with the mergers between Eldorado and Isle. The proxy statement/prospectus will be sent or given to the stockholders of Eldorado and Isle when it becomes available and will contain important information about the merger and related matters, including detailed risk factors. SECURITY HOLDERS OF ELDORADO AND ISLE ARE ADVISED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE BECAUSE IT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED MERGERS. The proxy statement/prospectus and other documents that will be filed with the SEC by Eldorado and Isle will be available without charge at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov, or by directing a request when such a filing is made to Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. by mail at 600 Emerson Road, Suite 300, Saint Louis, Missouri 63141, Attention: Investor Relations, by telephone at (314) 813-9200, or by going to the Investors page on Isle's corporate website at www.islecorp.com. A final proxy statement or proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to stockholders of Eldorado and Isle as of their respective record dates.

The information in this press release is neither an offer to sell nor the solicitation of an offer to sell, subscribe for or buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. This press release is also not a solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction pursuant to the proposed transactions or otherwise. No offer of securities or solicitation will be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Proxy Solicitation

Eldorado and Isle, and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transactions. Information about the directors and executive officers of Eldorado is set forth in the proxy statement for Eldorado's 2016 annual meeting of stockholders and Eldorado's 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Information about the directors and executive officers of Isle is set forth in the proxy statement for Isle's 2016 annual meeting of shareholders and Isle's Form 10-K for the year ended April 24, 2016. Investors may obtain additional information regarding the interests of such participants in the proposed transactions by reading the prospectus/proxy statement for such proposed transactions when it becomes available.

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 Isle's financial condition, results of operations and expansion projects, is included in Isle's filings with the SEC, including, but not limited to, its Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.

CONTACT:
Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.,

Jill Alexander, Senior Director of Corporate Communication-314.813.9368, http://www.islecorp.com

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SOURCE Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.