US Casino Stocks Are Surging Despite Macau Slowdown

Let’s face it. The stock market has been difficult to manage for the last 6 months, ever since the trade war between the United States and China began. In the past, casino stocks have also taken a nosedive. However, this year is a bit different. While early in 2018, casino stocks seemed to roll with the issues in Macau, and slide downward; the last month saw casino stocks rising. Many economic experts have said that they believe the growth in casino stocks is only the beginning, and they expect stocks to continue to rise. Rosier economic forecast flies in the face of Macau’s continued slow growth or even decline in some casinos—even those with US ties.

The Surge

The four largest casino holdings companies in the United States that also do business in Macau had higher than expected earnings in the country for November. Wynn Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, MGM, and Melco Resorts all did better than expected in the Macau market. Macau is the top gambling market in the world, with revenues of over $30 billion a year. The peninsula is home to 38 casinos, and is one of only two places in China where gambling is legal. While Hong Kong is known for its horse betting and sports betting companies, Macau is a casino area.

Why Now?

Economists think there are three reasons for the surge in profits, which points to a higher profit margin for the gaming companies. First, Macau itself is beginning to turn around, and has shown growth in the last quarter. Experts think that Macau is moving forward because the gambling hotspot is beginning to realize that they must have more to offer tourists besides merely gaming. In the past, Macau has relied on high rollers for its profit margin. In fact, the majority of the Las Vegas Sands’ investment in Macau was geared towards high rollers. They made up nearly 70% of the profit margin for the company’s Macau holdings. High rollers generally came into Macau on all-expenses-paid junkets. They would gamble for a day/night or over a weekend, and never leave the casino.

Casino Stock PerformanceHowever, increasingly that is not what is happening. Macau is finally taking cues from Las Vegas,  offering entertainment and attractions as well as family fun. The area is looking to rebrand itself as a vacation destination rather than just a gambling destination.

Another reason the stocks are improving is that the war of words between China and the United States appears to be on the decrease. There appears to be an effort in both countries to lessen the hostility and get a trade agreement hammered. While this negotiation is good for the United States, because we have trade relationships with China, it’s also good for China. In fact, China does a lot more business with the United States than the US does with China. The Chinese would

In addition, many of the casinos in Macau are owned by American companies, and the casinos were worried that a continuation of the trade dispute would mean the Chinese government could shut down the casino, which would cost American companies billions.

The Future

Many economists think this is only the beginning of the rise in casino stocks. Not only is the Macau market improving, but Las Vegas casinos have also seen a rise in profits during the last quarter of 2018. The largest gambling companies have casinos both in Macau and in Las Vegas, so they are reaping the benefits of both. Also, many of the large gaming companies are beginning to negotiate sportsbook deals for their casinos in the US that promise to bring in a whole new market of gamblers to their front doors.

If economists are correct, the casino growth in the stock market should continue to look brighter heading into 2019.

Disclaimer: All images are copyright to their respective owners and are used by USA Online Casino for informational purposes only.

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A Massachusetts native, blogger Angeline Everett grew up in the Allston neighborhood of Boston and earned a degree in casino management from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. After graduating, Angeline moved to Atlantic City where she joined the young team at the Borgata Casino as a compliance representative, while blogging on the side. After a few years in the back office, Angeline moved to the floor to work first at a casual poker dealer and later casual poker floor supervisor. Fascinated with games of chance since she was a child, Angeline currently divides her time between blogging and work on her first book.