SUN INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS
Press Release: Sun International
May 8, 1999
Sun International Hotels Limited (NYSE: SIH) reported net income for the first quarter of $30.7 million, excluding
gain on sale of assets, compared to $29.9 million for the same period last year. Earnings per share for the quarter
were $0.90 excluding the gain on sale, compared to $0.87 for the same period last year.
Paradise Island:
The Company's flagship Paradise Island operations generated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation (EBITDA)
of $45.8 million compared to$24.3 million in the same period last year. The opening of the 1,201 Royal Towers at
Atlantis was the primary contributor to the 89% increase in EBITDA. Atlantis achieved an occupancy of 83% for the
quarter and an average room rate of $235, which was 6% above last year's average room rate.
The Ocean Club achieved an average occupancy of 73% for the quarter at an average room rate of $662, an 11% increase
in the average room rate from the same period last year.
The Company's expansion of Atlantis opened successfully on December 12, 1998. The expansion includes the 1,201-room
Royal Towers, bringing the total number of guest rooms at Atlantis to 2,327. The expansion also includes a 100,000
sq. ft. casino and entertainment center, a 63-slip marina and expansive marine habitats, adventure rides, swimming
pools and other entertainment attractions. The new Atlantis Casino, with approximately 1,000 slot machines and
78 table games, is the center of the new entertainment complex, which spans a seven-acre lagoon and connects the
Royal Towers to the Coral Towers. Chairman and CEO Sol Kerzner commented, "we are encouraged with consumer
demand for Atlantis, and that despite doubling the capacity of the resort, we were able to achieve very strong
occupancy levels."
Several new facilities at Atlantis were unveiled during the quarter. In February, the Spa at Atlantis opened, offering
guests a luxury spa experience. In addition, the previously announced sports center was opened.
Atlantic City:
Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City generated EBITDA of $1.2 million for the quarter compared to $6.7 million
for the same period last year. As a result of the Company's previously announced renovation of Resorts, the property
experienced construction disruption in the casino and some of its public spaces. Beginning in February, the property
has been operating with over 25% of its slot machines off the casino floor at any one time. Further,poor weather
during the quarter had the effect of depressing the property's operating results. The Company expects to have completed
the major work within the casino during May and anticipates re-launching the renovated property during July.
The Company's renovation of the Resorts Casino Hotel commenced during November 1998. The redevelopment includes
the renovation of a substantial portion of the hotel's public spaces, including the lobby and casino as well as
the development of several new restaurants. The 500-room hotel tower and all its guest rooms will also be upgraded.
The project is anticipated to cost approximately $50 million. Mr. Kerzner noted that "we expect that the renovated
property with its remodeled casino and new specialty restaurants and lounges will dramatically enhance the customer
experience. We anticipate that the repositioned property should be able to compete very effectively in Atlantic
City, which continues to be a very robust gaming market."
Connecticut:
The Mohegan Sun Casino, which is managed by Trading Cove Associates, a partnership in which the Company has a 50%
interest, performed very well for the quarter, generating earnings before interest, taxes, management fees,depreciation
and bingo ("Adjusted EBITDA") of $54.3 million, an 12% increase over the same period last year. The property's
operating results were negatively impacted during January by several severe winter storms over the weekends, whereas
EBITDA for February and March was 20% higher than the prior year. The property achieved an Adjusted EBITDA margin
of 35% for the quarter.Slot revenues for the quarter increased by 16% over the same period last year with a slot
win per unit per day of $409 compared to $359 last year. The overall Connecticut gaming market continued to demonstrate
strong growth in the quarter, with slot revenues increasing by 7% over the same period last year. The Company's
share of management and development fees was $8.5 million for the quarter compared to $7.9 million last year.
The Company has furnished its quarterly results to the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Inquiries should be directed to Drew Goldman, Vice President of Investor Relations and Strategic
Planning, of Sun International Hotels Limited at 242-363-6021.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.