Monarch Casino & Resort Q1 Results Solid, Analyst Sees Upside Catalysts

Despite weather challenges in Reno, Monarch Casino & Resort (NASDAQ: MCRI) posted strong first-quarter financial results, prompting at least one analyst to highlight positives in the regional casino operator’s story.

The Atlantis Reno operator reported first-quarter adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of $36.5 million on net revenue of $116.6 million. Both figures were records for the company, though the EBITDA number slightly missed Wall Street estimates. In addition to the Reno property, Monarch’s other casino hotel is its eponymous venue in the fast-growing Black Hawk, Colo. market, where the operator is adding market share.

In Black Hawk, we continued to expand market share. All revenue categories, including casino, food and beverage and hotel continued their growth and we believe Monarch Black Hawk has yet to realize its full potential,” said Monarch CEO John Farahi.

The company is renovating Atlantis Reno to keep up with competitive demands in that market and expects room upgrades in its second hotel there to be completed in late May.

Monarch Casino Safe, Underappreciated Story

At a time when macroeconomic headwinds could weigh on some regional casinos, Monarch has benefits, including ownership of its real estate and a strong balance sheet.

“Commentary on capital allocation was consistent, and we believe the potential for further return of capital via special dividends (barring an acquisition) remains underappreciated,” wrote Stifel analyst Jeffrey Stantial in a letter published Wednesday evening. “Looking forward, we see MCRI as a likely flight-to-safety beneficiary amidst decelerating regional GGR trends, given a pristine balance sheet, real estate ownership, a higher average income customer base, and structural economic tailwinds underpinning market growth.”

Stantial rates the stock a “buy,” with a $91 price target, implying upside of 18.6% from Wednesday’s close.

Blame it On the Rain

Actually, blame it on the snow. That being Monarch’s first-quarter EBITDA miss. Bad weather in Reno, which affected inbound routes from the important Northern California market, was problematic over five weekends and several weekday stretches in the first three months of the year. That probably created a $3 million EBITDA “headwind,” according to Stantial.

Bad weather in Reno usually isn’t an issue in the second and third quarters, and Stantial noted overall demand trends for Monarch are sturdy.

“Our industry checks suggest stable underlying trends thus far. Still, we see this as a key focus as earnings progress, especially as MCRI would likely be the last regional operator to notice any softness in the consumer, given a comparatively higher-income customer base,” concluded the analyst.