Caesars Could Benefit from Consumer Spending Shift

Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ:CZR) is among the casino operators that could benefit as consumers direct more discretionary spending toward services away from goods, according to a research firm.

During the initial days of the coronavirus pandemic, consumer spending largely focused on goods. Conversely, services, such as nearly anything related to travel, languished due to pandemic-related restrictions, reduced airline flight offerings, and vaccine requirements, among other factors. That trend is reversing, and it could benefit travel and leisure equities, including casino operators.

As spending shifts back to services, one of the areas that we think is best poised to benefit is the travel and entertainment industry. This sector includes air travel, cruise lines, gaming, hotels, and ride-hailing, and is supported by technology providers dedicated to the travel sector,” writes Morningstar analyst Dave Sekera.

There’s something to that thesis, as the American Gaming Association (AGA) last week noted that May 2022 was the best May on record for the domestic and commercial casino industry, with gross gaming revenue , representing the industry’s second-best month on record. That’s particularly relevant for Caesars because it’s the largest casino operator in the country by number of venues.

As with other gaming equities, . The shares are sagging due to culprits such as inflation and margin concerns. On the bright side, margin concerns may be exaggerated, and Caesars may have some momentum on that front.

Additionally, Harrah’s parent is the second-largest on the Las Vegas Strip a status that is vital to the underlying investment thesis. Sin City is amidst one of its best GGR stretches ever. That’s taking place with still-slack Sunday through Wednesday occupancy rates, indicating that casino companies such as Caesars could benefit in a material fashion when convention and meeting business returns in earnest.

“With over 60 million members in its industry loyalty program, leadership in digital and sports gaming, and additional synergies to be derived from its merger with Eldorado in 2020, we think Caesars is the best positioned to benefit from the recovery in the gaming industry,” notes Sekera.

The Morningstar analyst adds is another potential beneficiary of elevated consumer services spending. The research firm has five-star and four-star ratings on Caesars and MGM.

Obviously, getting guests to the tables and slot machines is a vital part of the casino business model. But for integrated resort operators like Caesars, filling hotel rooms is nearly as important.

On that front, there’s evidence of a potential rebound materializing, which could gather more momentum in 2023, assuming conventions return to Las Vegas.

“As vacations were postponed and business trips canceled in 2020, on average, the amount of revenue per available room dropped more than 60% across the hotel industry,” concludes Sekera. “Revenue and occupancy levels began to rebound in 2021, and in 2022, we expect that many hotels will return to 90% of their pre-pandemic levels. Generally, we expect the hotels under our coverage to return to pre-pandemic levels in 2023.”