Senior Credit Analyst, Lucror Analytics

Leonard Law, CFA

Senior Credit Analyst

High Yield Experts

Lucror Analytics

Lucror Analytics is a leading credit and ESG research specialist and a provider of technology solutions for differentiated fixed income strategies. Our roots are in bottom-up fundamental credit analysis with a specialization in high yield corporate credits from Europe, Asia and Latin America. We are one of few research specialists integrating ESG considerations with fundamental credit research through a dedicated ESG platform. Our ESG assessment covers five key criteria: Disclosure, E,S, & G Pillars, Controversies, ESG Impact on Credit and ESG Momentum.

Recognizing the importance and value-add of Factor Investing in fixed income, Lucror developed the Smart Quant Navigator (SQN), an intuitive platform that helps clients devise and implement factor-based strategies ranging from pure quant to active fundamental, with integrated ESG.

Our company has been at the forefront of developments in the fixed income markets, identifying opportunities and consistently delivering new products and value-adding solutions to clients. Lucror has close relationships with the largest and most reputable asset managers, family offices, hedge funds, investment and wealth managers globally.

Credit

Melco Resorts and Entertainment (MLCO) announced yesterday that it is planning to issue USD 500 mn in 8NC3 notes. In addition, subsidiary Studio City has initiated a tender offer to repurchase up to USD 100 mn of the STCITY 6.0 '25s. We view positively MLCO's proposed bond issuance and the maturity extension of its credit facilities, as well as Studio City's tender offer, as they demonstrate management's proactive approach in managing the company's debt maturities. The transactions will significantly reduce MLCO's refinancing risk in FY 2025, as the company would have c. USD 1.5 bn of availability under its credit facilities that can be used to help repay the USD 1.0 bn MPEL 4.875 '25s due in June 2025. Moreover, management has committed to prioritise debt reduction over dividend payments in FY 2024. We view the price talk of 7.75-7.875% as fair.

  Melco Resorts and Entertainment (MLCO) announced yesterday that it is planning to issue USD 500 mn in 8NC3 notes. In addition, subsidiary Studio City has initiated a tender offer to repurchase up to USD 100 mn of the STCITY 6.0 '25s. We view positively MLCO's proposed bond issuance and the maturity extension of its credit facilities, as well as Studio City's tender offer, as they demonstrate management's proactive approach in managing the company's debt maturities. The transactions will significantly reduce MLCO's refinancing risk in FY 2025, as the company would have c. USD 1.5 bn of availability under its credit facilities that can be used to help repay the USD 1.0 bn MPEL 4.875 '25s due in June 2025. Moreover, management has committed to prioritise debt reduction over dividend payments in FY 2024.   We view the price talk of 7.75-7.875% as fair. 

Melco Resorts - Event Flash - Proposing USD 500 Mn 8NC3 Notes Issuance - Lucror Analytics

Melco Resorts' (MLCO) results remained soft in Q4 and FY 2023. GGR from the company's Macau properties improved sequentially in Q4, but continued to underperform peers relative to the 2019 levels. Moreover, EBITDA from City of Dreams (COD) Manila was flat, while earnings from COD Mediterranean fell due to conflict in the Middle East. MLCO’s weaker earnings recovery meant that the pace of its net debt reduction in FY 2023 (-7% y-o-y) has lagged those of peers such as Sands China (-19%), MGM China (-23%) and Wynn Macau (-10%). That said, from a credit perspective, we are less concerned about the softer earnings performance of Wynn Macau and Melco Resorts (vs. for MGM China and Sands China), as we believe these companies will prioritise using FCF generation to gradually deleverage. In our opinion, the slower pace of deleveraging for Wynn Macau and Melco Resorts may delay the resumption of dividend payments, but is unlikely to affect the companies' refinancing abilities.

  Melco Resorts' (MLCO) results remained soft in Q4 and FY 2023. GGR from the company's Macau properties improved sequentially in Q4, but continued to underperform peers relative to the 2019 levels. Moreover, EBITDA from City of Dreams (COD) Manila was flat, while earnings from COD Mediterranean fell due to conflict in the Middle East.   MLCO’s weaker earnings recovery meant that the pace of its net debt reduction in FY 2023 (-7% y-o-y) has lagged those of peers such as Sands China (-19%), MGM China (-23%) and Wynn Macau (-10%). That said, from a credit perspective, we are less concerned about the softer earnings performance of Wynn Macau and Melco Resorts (vs. for MGM China and Sands China), as we believe these companies will prioritise using FCF generation to gradually deleverage. In our opinion, the slower pace of deleveraging for Wynn Macau and Melco Resorts may delay the resumption of dividend payments, but is unlikely to affect the companies' refinancing abilities. 

Melco Resorts - Earnings Flash - FY 2023 Results - Lucror Analytics

Lucror Analytics Weekly Wraps provide an overview of all Morning Views comments and reports published by our analyst team in the past week, and also showcase a list of the most-read reports.In this Insight:<ol><li><a href='/entities/lippo-malls-indonesia-retail-trust' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Lippo Malls Indonesia Retail Trust</a></li><li><a href='/entities/vedanta-resources-ltd' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Vedanta Resources</a></li><li><a href='/entities/renew-energy-global-plc' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>ReNew Energy Global </a></li><li><a href='/entities/china-jinmao-holdings-group' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>China Jinmao Holdings</a></li><li><a href='/entities/geely-automobile-holdings-ltd' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Geely Auto</a></li></ol>and more...

Lucror Analytics Weekly Wraps provide an overview of all Morning Views comments and reports published by our analyst team in the past week, and also showcase a list of the most-read reports.In this Insight:Lippo Malls Indonesia Retail TrustVedanta ResourcesReNew Energy Global China Jinmao HoldingsGeely Autoand more...

Lucror Analytics Weekly Wraps provide an overview of all Morning Views comments and reports published by our analyst team in the past week, and also showcase a list of the most-read reports.In this Insight:<ol><li><a href='/entities/sunny-optical-technology-group' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Sunny Optical Technology Group</a></li><li><a href='/entities/yuexiu-property-co-ltd' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Yuexiu Property </a></li><li><a href='/entities/vedanta-resources-ltd' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Vedanta Resources</a></li><li><a href='/entities/tata-motors-ltd' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Tata Motors Ltd</a></li><li><a href='/entities/adani-ports-special-economic-zone-ltd' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone</a></li></ol>and more...

Lucror Analytics Weekly Wraps provide an overview of all Morning Views comments and reports published by our analyst team in the past week, and also showcase a list of the most-read reports.In this Insight:Sunny Optical Technology GroupYuexiu Property Vedanta ResourcesTata Motors LtdAdani Ports & Special Economic Zoneand more...

In our inaugural Asian Monthly for 2024, we discuss the regional credit outlook for the year, with a focus on China, India, Indonesia as well as our favoured bonds. We also provide a review of 2023, including new Asian USD corporate bond issuances and defaults last year.

  In our inaugural Asian Monthly for 2024, we discuss the regional credit outlook for the year, with a focus on China, India, Indonesia as well as our favoured bonds. We also provide a review of 2023, including new Asian USD corporate bond issuances and defaults last year. 

Asia Monthly - 2024 Asia Credit Outlook And 2023 In Review - Lucror Analytics

Hong Kong

Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited is a developer, owner, and operator of integrated resorts with entertainment and casino gaming facilities across Asia and Europe. The company's portfolio includes properties such as City of Dreams Macau, Altira Macau, Studio City Macau, City of Dreams Manila, and City of Dreams Mediterranean, as well as the Mocha Clubs slot machine brand. Incorporated in 2004, the company is headquartered in Hong Kong.

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Melco Resorts & Entertainment (MLCO US)

Melco Resorts - Event Flash - Proposing USD 500 Mn 8NC3 Notes Issuance - Lucror Analytics

Melco Resorts and Entertainment (MLCO) announced yesterday that it is planning to issue USD 500 mn in 8NC3 notes. In addition, subsidiary Studio...

Lucror Analytics

Melco Resorts - Earnings Flash - FY 2023 Results - Lucror Analytics

Melco Resorts' (MLCO) results remained soft in Q4 and FY 2023. GGR from the company's Macau properties improved sequentially in Q4, but continued...

Lucror Analytics

Weekly Wrap - 19 Jan 2024

Lucror Analytics Weekly Wraps provide an overview of all Morning Views comments and reports published by our analyst team in the past week, and...

Lucror Analytics

Weekly Wrap - 12 Jan 2024

Lucror Analytics Weekly Wraps provide an overview of all Morning Views comments and reports published by our analyst team in the past week, and...

Lucror Analytics

Asia Monthly - 2024 Asia Credit Outlook And 2023 In Review - Lucror Analytics

In our inaugural Asian Monthly for 2024, we discuss the regional credit outlook for the year, with a focus on China, India, Indonesia as well as...

Lucror Analytics

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