Monarch Casino Reports Third Quarter Results

Monarch Casino Reports Third Quarter Results

RENO, Nev., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCRI) (the "Company"), owner of the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa (the "Atlantis") in Reno, Nevada, today announced results for the quarter ended September 30, 2008.

The Company reported net revenue of $38.8 million, an 11.0% decline from the $43.6 million reported for the comparable quarter in 2007. The Company announced third quarter 2008 income from operations of $6.2 million, EBITDA(1) of $8.5 million and diluted EPS of 25 cents which represent decreases of 47.5%, 37.9% and 39.0%, respectively, when compared to the prior year's third quarter. These decreases were driven primarily by the decrease in net revenue combined with a $760 thousand increase in casino operating expense primarily related to the cost of increased complimentary food, beverages and other services provided to casino patrons. Selling, general and administrative expense of $12.7 million for the quarter was flat compared to the third quarter of 2007.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2008, the Company drew an additional $8.5 million under its $50 million credit facility, bringing the total amount drawn at September 30, 2008 to $42.5 million. The additional credit line draws were used to pay for previously announced amounts under the Company's $50 million expansion project and a $12.5 million Atlantis Convention Center Skybridge project. The resultant interest expense recognized during the current quarter was $83 thousand.

The Company used its invested cash reserves during the second quarter of 2008 for the capital projects and share repurchases. This decrease in invested cash reserves resulted in a decrease in interest income from the $568 thousand reported in the third quarter of 2007 to $36 thousand in the current quarter. Current quarter interest income represents interest earned on a note receivable.

As previously announced, the Company's $50 million, 116,000 square feet, expansion project opened in July 2008 with the exception of the expanded and upgraded spa facilities which are expected to open in the first quarter of 2009. The Atlantis' casino floor has been expanded by over 10,000 square feet, or approximately 20%, to include a redesigned, significantly upgraded and expanded race and sports book of approximately 4,000 square feet, an enlarged and upgraded poker room and other general gaming space. The first floor expansion also includes the "Manhattan Deli", a New York deli-style restaurant. The second floor ballroom and convention space has been expanded with the addition of approximately 27,000 square feet of new space that is equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual technology. The Company is in the process of remodeling the pre-expansion areas of the Atlantis to be consistent with the upgraded standards of the new facilities. This upgrade work is expected to be ongoing over the next several quarters.

The Company's previously announced $12.5 million Atlantis Convention Center Skybridge project, which will provide guests with a convenient, traffic-free stroll between the Atlantis and the 500,000 square-foot Reno-Sparks Convention Center in an enclosed, climate controlled environment, is on track to be completed late in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Monarch's CEO and Co-Chairman John Farahi commented on the Company's performance: "This quarter's results reflect the continued weakness of the national and northern Nevada economy. Consistent with the last several quarters, other factors negatively impacting our Company's results include aggressive marketing and discount programs initiated by our competitors, disruption from construction related to our capital projects, and legal expenses associated with ongoing and previously disclosed litigation. We anticipate that downward pressure on profits will persist as long as we continue to experience these adverse conditions."

Mr. Farahi added, "Despite the challenging economic climate, we remain very enthusiastic about our recent and ongoing improvements to the Atlantis facility. The race and sports book, Manhattan Deli restaurant, expanded poker room, and state-of-the-art meeting space provide many new opportunities for us to deliver the superior Atlantis guest experience that sets us apart from our competitors. Guest feedback on these recently opened facilities has been extremely positive. When the Skybridge project is completed in the fourth quarter of this year, it will establish Atlantis as the only property offering the convenience of being physically connected with the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. We plan to open our new and expanded spa in the first quarter of 2009. Additionally, to complement all of these new offerings, we are in the process of updating the look and feel of our pre-existing facilities to match those of the newer facilities."

Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary, owns and operates the tropically-themed Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno, Nevada. The Atlantis is the closest hotel-casino to, and is directly across the street from, the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. The Atlantis features a Sky Terrace, a unique structure rising approximately 55 feet above street level and spanning 160 feet across Virginia Street with no intermediate support pillars. The Sky Terrace connects the Atlantis to a 16-acre parcel of land owned by the Company, that is compliant with all casino zoning requirements and is suitable and available for future expansion and growth. Currently, the Company uses this parcel for additional paved parking for the Atlantis. The existing Atlantis site offers almost 1,000 guest rooms in three contiguous high-rise hotel towers and a motor lodge. The Atlantis features approximately 61,000 square feet of high-energy casino space with 38 table games and approximately 1,500 slot and video poker machines, a race and sports book, Keno and a poker room, and offers a variety of dining choices in the form of ten high-quality food outlets.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which are subject to change, including, but not limited to, comments relating to (i) future operating performance, (ii) economic and market conditions, (iii) ongoing expansion and upgrade plans, and (iv) the liquidity requirements of the Company. Actual results and future events and conditions may differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning potential factors that could affect the Company's financial results is included in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, which are available on the Company's web site.

For additional information visit Monarch's web site at monarchcasino.com.

    (1)  "EBITDA" consists of net income plus provision for income taxes,
         interest expense, depreciation and amortization less interest
         income.  EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to
         operating income (as determined in accordance with generally
         accepted accounting principles) as an indicator of the Company's
         operating performance, as an alternative to cash flows from
         operating activities (as determined in accordance with generally
         accepted accounting principles) or as a measure of liquidity.
         This item enables comparison of the Company's performance with the
         performance of other companies that report EBITDA, although some
         companies do not calculate this measure in the same manner and
         therefore, the measure as presented may not be comparable to
         similarly titled measures presented by other companies.



                              Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.
                       Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
                                      (unaudited)

                            Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended
                               September 30,             September 30,
                             2008        2007         2008          2007

    Revenues
      Casino           $27,612,822  $29,936,988   $77,041,679  $84,512,978
      Food and
       beverage         10,582,809   11,011,808    29,891,424   32,084,196
      Hotel              6,301,547    8,002,564    17,677,248   21,857,687
      Other              1,181,343    1,229,521     3,598,915    3,703,972
         Gross
          revenues      45,678,521   50,180,881   128,209,266  142,158,833
    Less promotional
     allowances         (6,891,322)  (6,557,585)  (19,804,909) (19,192,626)
         Net revenues   38,787,199   43,623,296   108,404,357  122,966,207
    Operating expenses
      Casino             9,991,844    9,232,990    28,005,260   26,970,411
      Food and
       beverage          5,218,032    5,381,681    14,513,679   15,217,367
      Hotel              1,983,818    2,161,564     6,056,911    6,416,669
      Other                338,847      386,056       998,498    1,127,113
      Selling,
       general and
       administrative   12,732,367   12,731,275    38,713,980   37,054,086
      Depreciation and
       amortization      2,353,562    1,982,184     6,388,848    6,122,600
         Total operating
          expenses      32,618,470   31,875,750    94,677,176   92,908,246
         Income from
          operations     6,168,729   11,747,546    13,727,181   30,057,961
    Other (expense)
     income
      Interest income       36,107      568,462       333,689    1,385,883
      Interest expense     (82,981)           -       (82,981)    (152,274)
         Total other
          (expense)
          income           (46,874)     568,462       250,708    1,233,609
         Income before
          income taxes   6,121,855   12,316,008    13,977,889   31,291,570
    Provision for
     income taxes       (2,096,160)  (4,280,000)   (4,847,260) (10,860,000)
         Net income     $4,025,695   $8,036,008    $9,130,629  $20,431,570

    Earnings per share
     of common stock
      Net income
         Basic               $0.25        $0.42         $0.53        $1.07
         Diluted             $0.25        $0.41         $0.53        $1.06

    Weighted average
     number of common
     shares and potential
     common shares
     outstanding
         Basic          16,122,048   19,079,062    17,238,273   19,080,347
         Diluted        16,141,830   19,366,043    17,314,438   19,352,064



                                 Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.
                             Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                          September 30,       December 31,
                                              2008                2007
                    ASSETS                 (unaudited)
    Current assets
      Cash and cash equivalents           $10,643,000        $38,835,820
      Receivables, net                      3,445,614          4,134,099
      Federal income tax refund receivable          -            998,123
      Inventories                           1,591,575          1,496,046
      Prepaid expenses                      3,544,082          3,144,374
      Deferred income taxes                   325,221          1,084,284
         Total current assets              19,549,492         49,692,746
    Property and equipment
      Land                                 12,162,522         10,339,530
      Land improvements                     3,511,484          3,166,107
      Buildings                            80,655,538         78,955,538
      Building improvements                10,435,062         10,435,062
      Furniture and equipment              74,373,657         72,511,165
      Leasehold improvements                1,346,965          1,346,965
                                          182,485,228        176,754,367
      Less accumulated depreciation
       and amortization                   (98,500,079)       (92,215,149)
                                           83,985,149         84,539,218
    Construction in progress               66,508,180         17,236,062
         Net property and equipment       150,493,329        101,775,280
    Other assets, net                       2,817,842          2,817,842
         Total assets                    $172,860,663       $154,285,868

        LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current liabilities
      Borrowings under credit facility    $42,500,000                 $-
      Accounts payable                     11,045,878         10,840,318
      Construction payable                  2,441,246          1,971,022
      Accrued expenses                      9,214,424          9,230,157
      Federal income taxes payable            190,074                  -
         Total current liabilities         65,391,622         22,041,497
    Deferred income taxes                   2,825,433          2,825,433
         Total Liabilities                 68,217,055         24,866,930

    Stockholders' equity
      Preferred stock, $.01 par value,
       10,000,000 shares
       authorized; none issued                      -                  -
      Common stock, $.01 par value,
       30,000,000 shares authorized;
       19,096,300 shares issued;
       16,122,048 outstanding at 9/30/08
       18,566,540 outstanding at 12/31/07     190,963            190,963
      Additional paid-in capital           27,510,467         25,741,972
      Treasury stock, 2,974,252
       shares at 9/30/08
       529,760 shares at 12/31/07,
       at cost                            (48,943,359)       (13,268,905)
      Retained earnings                   125,885,537        116,754,908
         Total stockholders' equity       104,643,608        129,418,938
         Total liability and
          stockholder's equity           $172,860,663       $154,285,868




                                 Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.
                          Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA (1)
                                         (unaudited)

                            Three Months Ended          Nine Months Ended
                               September 30,              September 30,
                            2008         2007          2008          2007
    Net income          $4,025,695    $8,036,008   $9,130,629   $20,431,570
    Adjustments
      Provision for
       income taxes      2,096,160     4,280,000    4,847,260    10,860,000
      Interest expense      82,981             -       82,981       152,274
      Depreciation &
       amortization      2,353,562     1,982,184    6,388,848     6,122,600
      Interest income      (36,107)     (568,462)    (333,689)   (1,385,883)
    EBITDA (1)          $8,522,291   $13,729,730  $20,116,029   $36,180,561


    (1)  "EBITDA" consists of net income plus provision for income taxes,
         interest expense, depreciation and amortization less interest
         income.  EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to
         operating income (as determined in accordance with generally
         accepted accounting principles) as an indicator of the Company's
         operating performance, as an alternative to cash flows from
         operating activities (as determined in accordance with generally
         accepted accounting principles) or as a measure of liquidity.
         This item enables comparison of the Company's performance with
         the performance of other companies that report EBITDA, although
         some companies do not calculate this measure in the same manner and
         therefore, the measure as presented may not be comparable to
         similarly titled measures presented by other companies.



Website: http://www.monarchcasino.com/




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