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

SJM Holdings has released Q4 and FY 2023 numbers that were mixed, in our view. The ramp-up of Grand Lisboa Palace (GLP) remained slow, with the asset's GGR increasing 11% q-o-q in Q4 (in line with industry growth). As a result, SJM’s market share from Q2 to Q4 remained stagnant at c. 12%. On a brighter note, GLP achieved EBITDA breakeven in Q4/23, with earnings likely to rise further in FY 2024 (on the back of broader industry growth). In addition, excess staff costs stemming from the late-2022 closure of satellite casinos continued to narrow. The EBITDA margin has recovered to the pre-pandemic level of 12%, thanks to improvement in the higher-margin mass gaming segment, albeit this was partly offset by the impact from excess staff costs. We expect SJM to generate slightly positive FCF in FY 2024 (vs. neutral FCF in Q4/23). That said, the company’s profitability should lag that of peers for the next 1-2 years, as it is unlikely that the costs associated with having excess gaming staff on the payroll will be fully resolved until 2025. This means that SJM’s pace of deleveraging may remain slower than peers.

  SJM Holdings has released Q4 and FY 2023 numbers that were mixed, in our view. The ramp-up of Grand Lisboa Palace (GLP) remained slow, with the asset's GGR increasing 11% q-o-q in Q4 (in line with industry growth). As a result, SJM’s market share from Q2 to Q4 remained stagnant at c. 12%.   On a brighter note, GLP achieved EBITDA breakeven in Q4/23, with earnings likely to rise further in FY 2024 (on the back of broader industry growth). In addition, excess staff costs stemming from the late-2022 closure of satellite casinos continued to narrow. The EBITDA margin has recovered to the pre-pandemic level of 12%, thanks to improvement in the higher-margin mass gaming segment, albeit this was partly offset by the impact from excess staff costs.   We expect SJM to generate slightly positive FCF in FY 2024 (vs. neutral FCF in Q4/23). That said, the company’s profitability should lag that of peers for the next 1-2 years, as it is unlikely that the costs associated with having excess gaming staff on the payroll will be fully resolved until 2025. This means that SJM’s pace of deleveraging may remain slower than peers. 

SJM Holdings - 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/agile-property-holdings-ltd' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Agile Property Holdings</a></li><li><a href='/entities/china-vanke-co-ltd' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>China Vanke </a></li><li><a href='/entities/indika-energy-tbk-pt' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Indika Energy</a></li><li><a href='/entities/sk-hynix-inc' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>SK Hynix</a></li><li><a href='/entities/vedanta-resources-ltd' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Vedanta Resources</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:Agile Property HoldingsChina Vanke Indika EnergySK HynixVedanta Resourcesand more...

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.<ul><li><a href='#lucror-entity-26076'>China Vanke </a></li><li><a href='#lucror-entity-805'>SJM Holdings</a></li></ul>

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.China Vanke SJM Holdings

Morning Views Asia: China Vanke  , SJM Holdings

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.<ul><li><a href='#lucror-entity-805'>SJM Holdings</a></li></ul>

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.SJM Holdings

Global Gaming and Casinos Industry Specialist, Casino Business Review LLC

Howard J Klein

Global Gaming and Casinos Industry Specialist

Casino Business Review LLC

Extensive experience in marketing and development in the Asian gaming market

Global Gaming and Casinos Industry

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>SJM has lagged other sector peers in price recovery since the end of the Beijing zero covid ban policy last Janaury 6th.</li>
<li>The company last year underwent a significant reordering of its business model which is not yet reflected in its ongoing momentum towards regaining positive EBITDA.</li>
<li>Trading volume indicates ongoing interest but stock in our view has not yet reflected the continuation of positive sales growth leading to EBIDA turning positive in forward quarters.</li>
</ul>


SJM has lagged other sector peers in price recovery since the end of the Beijing zero covid ban policy last Janaury 6th.
The company last year underwent a significant reordering of its business model which is not yet reflected in its ongoing momentum towards regaining positive EBITDA.
Trading volume indicates ongoing interest but stock in our view has not yet reflected the continuation of positive sales growth leading to EBIDA turning positive in forward quarters.


SJM Holdings Ltd: H1 Results Foretell Recovery Momentum for the Stock Beginning to Build

Hong Kong

SJM Holdings Limited offers amusement and recreation services.  The Company operates casinos, hotels, and other tourism-related facilities in Macau.

SJM Holdings (880 HK)

SJM Holdings - Earnings Flash - FY 2023 Results - Lucror Analytics

SJM Holdings has released Q4 and FY 2023 numbers that were mixed, in our view. The ramp-up of Grand Lisboa Palace (GLP) remained slow, with the...

Lucror Analytics

Weekly Wrap - 05 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

Morning Views Asia: China Vanke , SJM Holdings

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region,...

Lucror Analytics

Morning Views Asia: SJM Holdings

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region,...

Lucror Analytics

SJM Holdings Ltd: H1 Results Foretell Recovery Momentum for the Stock Beginning to Build

SJM has lagged peers in price recovery in early post covid era but for H1 reported substantial gains in revenue and reduction of losses. It is...

Howard J Klein