Double-down or fold? Investors eye the best strategies for Macau casino stocks
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 01 2025
0mins
Should l Buy LVS?
Source: SeekingAlpha
Macau Casino Revenue Growth: Macau's gross gaming revenue rose by 6.8% year-over-year in February, reaching 19.74 billion patacas ($2.5 billion), surpassing expectations and indicating a potential recovery post-pandemic, although analysts remain cautious due to external economic pressures.
Impact of Trade Relations on Gaming Demand: Analysts warn that U.S.-China trade tensions and tariffs may reduce spending among high-value Chinese players, affecting the casino sector's growth, particularly as visitation from affluent cities has returned to pre-COVID levels but junket VIPs remain scarce.
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Analyst Views on LVS
Wall Street analysts forecast LVS stock price to rise
14 Analyst Rating
10 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 57.710
Low
56.89
Averages
69.12
High
80.00
Current: 57.710
Low
56.89
Averages
69.12
High
80.00
About LVS
Las Vegas Sands Corp. is a global developer and operator of destination properties (Integrated Resorts). The Integrated Resorts feature accommodations, gaming, entertainment and retail malls, convention and exhibition facilities, celebrity chef restaurants and other amenities. Its properties also cater to high-end players by providing them with luxury amenities and premium service levels. Its other amenities include luxury accommodations, restaurants, lounges, invitation-only clubs and private gaming salons. Its principal operating and developmental activities occur in two geographic areas: Macao and Singapore. In Macao, it owns The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel; The Londoner Macao; The Parisian Macao; The Plaza Macao and Four Seasons Macao, and Sands Macao. In Singapore, it owns Marina Bay Sands. It also has ferry operations. It owns and operates a collection of Integrated Resorts in the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (PRC) through Sands China Ltd.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Sands China Awarded Top Employer Certification for Second Year
- International Employer Recognition: Sands China has been awarded the Top Employer certification for the second consecutive year, joining 2,500 certified organizations globally, which highlights its excellence in adhering to international HR standards and reinforces its leadership position in Macao's tourism and service industry.
- Talent Attraction and Development: The company has created over 1,400 job roles, providing more than 90,000 employment opportunities, and introduced a 'stay away from overnight shift' hotel front office position to attract more local youth into the tourism and hospitality sector, thereby promoting economic diversification in Macao.
- Employee Welfare and Health: Sands China has implemented up to six days of paid Child Care Leave and a Parenthood Support Shift for new parents, emphasizing a family-friendly workplace, while also adopting AI-powered health screening tools to help employees identify potential health risks early, enhancing overall employee well-being.
- High Long-term Employee Retention: By the end of 2025, nearly 50% of the workforce, over 14,000 team members, have served the company for more than 10 years, reflecting a strong workplace culture and employee satisfaction that further enhances the company's competitive edge in the market.
See More
Sands China Earns 'Top Employer' Certification Again
- HR Strategy Recognition: Sands China has been awarded the 'Top Employer' certification for the second consecutive year, becoming the first integrated resort operator in the Asia Pacific to achieve this international recognition, highlighting its excellence in human resource management among 2,500 certified organizations worldwide.
- High Employee Retention: By the end of 2025, nearly 50% of employees have served over a decade, indicating the company's success in fostering trust and a strong corporate culture, further solidifying its position as Macau's largest private employer.
- Innovative Job Creation: The company has created new positions for people with disabilities, recognized as a best practice in the Top Employer Institute's white paper, reflecting Sands China's long-term commitment to diversity and inclusion while enhancing its corporate social responsibility image.
- Talent Development Programs: Sands China has launched over ten elite development programs and strengthened its academy curriculum, with the AI Up-skilling Programme introduced in 2025 further enhancing employees' core competitiveness, supporting Macau's economic diversification efforts.
See More
Sands China Celebrates Lunar New Year with Community Engagement
- Lunar New Year Celebration: Sands China celebrates the Lunar New Year annually with global visitors, emphasizing the company's commitment to traditional festivities and strengthening ties with local residents through active community engagement.
- Community Care Spirit: Upholding the 'Sands Cares' ethos, the company transforms festive blessings into meaningful actions, conveying care, warmth, and goodwill, which enhances its brand image and sense of social responsibility.
- Team Collaboration: Senior management collaborates with team members in community service, showcasing internal unity and cooperation, which fosters a sense of belonging and mission among employees.
- Cultural Heritage: By participating in Lunar New Year celebrations, Sands China not only promotes cultural heritage but also creates a positive social impact in the community, thereby increasing public recognition of the company.
See More
Las Vegas Sands Shares Plummet Amid Weak Macau Results
- Significant Stock Drop: Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS) saw its shares plummet by 13.96% on Thursday, closing at $52.71, as investors reacted negatively to weak performance in its Macau operations amid China's crackdown on high-rolling gamblers.
- Slight EBITDA Decline: For the full year 2025, adjusted EBITDA from Macau dipped to $2.31 billion from $2.33 billion, although the fourth quarter showed a 6.5% increase to $608 million, indicating short-term business fluctuations.
- Revenue Growth: Despite the overall EBITDA decline, Macau's revenue increased by 5% in 2025 to $7.47 billion, with fourth-quarter revenue surging by 16% to $2.06 billion year-on-year, reflecting resilience in market demand.
- Net Income Increase: Las Vegas Sands reported a 12% rise in attributable net income for 2025 to $1.627 billion, with fourth-quarter net income jumping 22% to $395 million, showcasing the company's enhanced profitability amid adversity.
See More
Stocks Recover from Significant Losses as Fed Chair Nomination Approaches
Big Tech Earnings: Investors are analyzing the earnings results from major companies like Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Tesla, with Apple also contributing to the earnings discussions.
Government Spending Agreement: The Senate and White House have reached a spending agreement, which appears to resolve the potential for another government shutdown.
See More
Las Vegas Sands Earnings Report Triggers Stock Plunge
- Earnings Beat: Las Vegas Sands reported net revenue of $3.65 billion, a 26% year-over-year increase, surpassing analyst expectations of $3.33 billion, yet the stock plummeted due to other concerns.
- Profitability Improvement: The company's net income rose 14% to $395 million under GAAP, with adjusted earnings per share increasing from $0.54 to $0.85, indicating enhanced profitability.
- Weak EBITDA Performance: Despite revenue growth, the adjusted EBITDA from its Macao resorts was $608 million, only a 6% increase year-over-year, significantly lower than the $806 million generated by Marina Bay Sands, raising investor alarms.
- Changing Market Dynamics: With Chinese authorities imposing restrictions on high-roller gamblers, Las Vegas Sands is forced to focus on lower-margin markets, presenting long-term profitability challenges and leading to bearish investor sentiment.
See More
Sands China Awarded Top Employer Certification for Second Year
- International Employer Recognition: Sands China has been awarded the Top Employer certification for the second consecutive year, joining 2,500 certified organizations globally, which highlights its excellence in adhering to international HR standards and reinforces its leadership position in Macao's tourism and service industry.
- Talent Attraction and Development: The company has created over 1,400 job roles, providing more than 90,000 employment opportunities, and introduced a 'stay away from overnight shift' hotel front office position to attract more local youth into the tourism and hospitality sector, thereby promoting economic diversification in Macao.
- Employee Welfare and Health: Sands China has implemented up to six days of paid Child Care Leave and a Parenthood Support Shift for new parents, emphasizing a family-friendly workplace, while also adopting AI-powered health screening tools to help employees identify potential health risks early, enhancing overall employee well-being.
- High Long-term Employee Retention: By the end of 2025, nearly 50% of the workforce, over 14,000 team members, have served the company for more than 10 years, reflecting a strong workplace culture and employee satisfaction that further enhances the company's competitive edge in the market.
See More
Sands China Earns 'Top Employer' Certification Again
- HR Strategy Recognition: Sands China has been awarded the 'Top Employer' certification for the second consecutive year, becoming the first integrated resort operator in the Asia Pacific to achieve this international recognition, highlighting its excellence in human resource management among 2,500 certified organizations worldwide.
- High Employee Retention: By the end of 2025, nearly 50% of employees have served over a decade, indicating the company's success in fostering trust and a strong corporate culture, further solidifying its position as Macau's largest private employer.
- Innovative Job Creation: The company has created new positions for people with disabilities, recognized as a best practice in the Top Employer Institute's white paper, reflecting Sands China's long-term commitment to diversity and inclusion while enhancing its corporate social responsibility image.
- Talent Development Programs: Sands China has launched over ten elite development programs and strengthened its academy curriculum, with the AI Up-skilling Programme introduced in 2025 further enhancing employees' core competitiveness, supporting Macau's economic diversification efforts.
See More
Sands China Celebrates Lunar New Year with Community Engagement
- Lunar New Year Celebration: Sands China celebrates the Lunar New Year annually with global visitors, emphasizing the company's commitment to traditional festivities and strengthening ties with local residents through active community engagement.
- Community Care Spirit: Upholding the 'Sands Cares' ethos, the company transforms festive blessings into meaningful actions, conveying care, warmth, and goodwill, which enhances its brand image and sense of social responsibility.
- Team Collaboration: Senior management collaborates with team members in community service, showcasing internal unity and cooperation, which fosters a sense of belonging and mission among employees.
- Cultural Heritage: By participating in Lunar New Year celebrations, Sands China not only promotes cultural heritage but also creates a positive social impact in the community, thereby increasing public recognition of the company.
See More
Las Vegas Sands Shares Plummet Amid Weak Macau Results
- Significant Stock Drop: Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS) saw its shares plummet by 13.96% on Thursday, closing at $52.71, as investors reacted negatively to weak performance in its Macau operations amid China's crackdown on high-rolling gamblers.
- Slight EBITDA Decline: For the full year 2025, adjusted EBITDA from Macau dipped to $2.31 billion from $2.33 billion, although the fourth quarter showed a 6.5% increase to $608 million, indicating short-term business fluctuations.
- Revenue Growth: Despite the overall EBITDA decline, Macau's revenue increased by 5% in 2025 to $7.47 billion, with fourth-quarter revenue surging by 16% to $2.06 billion year-on-year, reflecting resilience in market demand.
- Net Income Increase: Las Vegas Sands reported a 12% rise in attributable net income for 2025 to $1.627 billion, with fourth-quarter net income jumping 22% to $395 million, showcasing the company's enhanced profitability amid adversity.
See More
Stocks Recover from Significant Losses as Fed Chair Nomination Approaches
Big Tech Earnings: Investors are analyzing the earnings results from major companies like Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Tesla, with Apple also contributing to the earnings discussions.
Government Spending Agreement: The Senate and White House have reached a spending agreement, which appears to resolve the potential for another government shutdown.
See More
Las Vegas Sands Earnings Report Triggers Stock Plunge
- Earnings Beat: Las Vegas Sands reported net revenue of $3.65 billion, a 26% year-over-year increase, surpassing analyst expectations of $3.33 billion, yet the stock plummeted due to other concerns.
- Profitability Improvement: The company's net income rose 14% to $395 million under GAAP, with adjusted earnings per share increasing from $0.54 to $0.85, indicating enhanced profitability.
- Weak EBITDA Performance: Despite revenue growth, the adjusted EBITDA from its Macao resorts was $608 million, only a 6% increase year-over-year, significantly lower than the $806 million generated by Marina Bay Sands, raising investor alarms.
- Changing Market Dynamics: With Chinese authorities imposing restrictions on high-roller gamblers, Las Vegas Sands is forced to focus on lower-margin markets, presenting long-term profitability challenges and leading to bearish investor sentiment.
See More
