9 Feb, 2022

Studio City prints upsized secured bonds at par to yield 7%; terms

Studio City Co. Ltd. has priced a $350 million tranche of 7% five-year senior secured notes tight of guidance, according to market sources. Deutsche Bank was sole bookrunner for the deal, which was upsized from $300 million.

The fixed-rate debt, along with approximately $300 million of equity issuance, was marketed to partially fund the capital expenditures of a remaining Studio City project and for general corporate purposes. The incremental proceeds resulting from the upsize will be used for additional liquidity and general corporate purposes, sources said.

Studio City Co. Ltd. operates as a subsidiary of Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd., a developer and operator of casinos and entertainment resort facilities. Corporate ratings are B+/B1, with negative outlooks at S&P Global Ratings and Moody's.

In a Feb. 8 ratings action report, Moody's noted that the proposed issues will significantly strengthen Studio City's liquidity profile and help it contain a deteriorating capital structure caused by weak cash flow and capital spending used for the project. However, the agency does expect the company's financial leverage to remain weak through 2022 and noted "lingering uncertainties" in the gaming market as the driver for the negative outlook.

Terms:

Issuer Studio City Co. Ltd.
Ratings B+/Ba3
Amount $350 million
Issue Senior secured notes (144A/Reg S)
Coupon 7%
Price 100
Yield 7%
Maturity Feb. 15, 2027
Call Non-call two (first call at 103.5% on Feb. 15, 2024; then 101.75% on Feb. 15, 2025; then par on Feb. 15, 2026, and thereafter).
Trade (date) Feb. 9, 2022
Settle Feb. 16, 2022 (T+5)
Sole bookrunner DB (B&D)
Joint lead managers BOC (Macau)/BOCOM (Macau)/ICBC (Macau)
Price talk 7.25% area
Notes Upsized from $300 million; change of control put at 101%; special put option at 100% upon the occurrence of certain events relating to the termination, rescission, revocation or modification of gaming license or certain service agreements.