• Subscribe
  • Magazines
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Thursday 18 September 2025
  • zh-hant 中文
  • ja 日本語
  • en English
IAG
Advertisement
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Result
IAG
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Result
IAG
No Result
View All Result

Fitch issues “B-” rating on Universal’s planned notes offering but cautious on refinancing risks

Newsdesk by Newsdesk
Tue 23 Jul 2024 at 06:20
Private: Philippines police arrest five Chinese nationals found holding kidnapped man in room at Okada Manila
13
SHARES
331
VIEWS
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Ratings agency Fitch has assigned Universal Entertainment Corporation’s proposed US-dollar senior notes maturing in 2029 an expected rating of “B-” with a Recovery Rating of “RR4” but has placed the company’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating of “B-” on Rating Watch Negative (RWN) because it has not yet signed off on the raising of new funds.

In a note, Fitch observed that the issuance of new notes will primarily be used to refinance US$760 million notes due December 2024 – a date it says is “drawing closer”.

“While the company is in advanced stages of executing a refinancing plan, legally binding commitments to refinance are not in place,” the agency said. “Fitch will resolve the RWN, and affirm the rating at its current level, once the refinance plan is completed at the terms communicated.”

Of concern to Fitch is the fact that the looming US$760 million debt maturity is substantial relative to Universal’s liquidity and cash flow profile, stating that “risks remain” despite the company having demonstrated that it is advanced stages of refinancing, including locking in a US$400 million loan through the operating entity of its Philippines integrated resort, Okada Manila.

On an operational level, Fitch said it remains confident in the long-term prospects of Okada Manila, “underpinned by the Philippines’ healthy economic growth and continued recovery in visitations.” Despite weaker performance in the VIP segment, non-VIP has remained resilient and recorded consistent earnings during 1Q24, the agency observed.

Fitch also points to consistent earnings from Universal’s pachinko and pachislot business in Japan, where sales volume has continued to rise in recent years due in part to emerging replacement demand and its ability to develop machines that are in demand and comply with regulations in a timely manner.

“We forecast near-term performance of the segment to remain steady, though downside could arise from players’ changing preferences,” Fitch said.

However, the agency also noted that Universal could suffer long-term from its limited operating scale.

“Over half of Universal’s EBITDA is from its IR operation, comprising a single casino asset in the Philippines, which presents heightened concentration risk,” it said. “Furthermore, Universal’s business profile is weighed down by bleak long-term growth prospects in the domestic pachinko/pachislot market.”

RelatedPosts

Interview with Newport World Resorts’ Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez

Interview with Newport World Resorts’ Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez

Wed 17 Sep 2025 at 19:04
Publication of record

Melco ordered to pay total US$13,700 to City of Dreams Manila workers let go during COVID

Wed 17 Sep 2025 at 17:03
PAGCOR executive says technology advancements aiding rise in illegal online gaming operators

PAGCOR executive says technology advancements aiding rise in illegal online gaming operators

Mon 15 Sep 2025 at 22:25
Philippines’ maiden PIGO platform generates GGR of US$2.3 million in first six months of operation

DigiPlus said to be eying acquisition of land-based casino pending online gaming regs

Mon 15 Sep 2025 at 21:59
Load More
Tags: Fitch RatingsJapanNotesOkada ManilapachinkoPhilippinesUniversal Entertainment Corp
Share5Share1
Newsdesk

Newsdesk

The IAG Newsdesk team comprises some of the most experienced journalists in the Asian gaming industry. Offering a broad range of expertise, their decades of combined know-how spans multiple countries across a variety of topics.

Current Issue

Editorial – Flipping the script

Editorial – Flipping the script

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 12:30

This month represents an important milestone for Inside Asian Gaming as we launch IAG EXPO – an expansion of the...

Asia market roundup

Asia market roundup

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 12:26

Inside Asian Gaming takes a deep dive into the state of Asia-Pacific’s key gaming markets: who’s hot, who’s not and...

Rewriting the rules

Rewriting the rules

by Newsdesk
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 11:43

IAG EXPO, taking place at Newport World Resorts from 8 to 10 September, is not your usual trade show. IAG...

Test of character

Test of character

by Newsdesk
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 11:28

Since its establishment in 1989, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has developed into the world’s most trusted name when it comes...

Evolution Asia
Evolution Asia
Aristocrat
GLI
Nustar
SABA
Mindslot
Solaire
Hann
Tecnet
NWR
NWR

Related Posts

10 Years Ago – Reimagining Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan cabinet approves budget proposal to increase betting levy, double casino entry for locals

by Newsdesk
Thu 18 Sep 2025 at 02:27

The Sri Lankan cabinet has approved a proposal in the country’s 2025 budget that will see the betting levy increased and casino entry fee for locals doubled. According to a report by local business media outlet Economy Next, Cabinet Spokesman...

CDC Gaming announces reimagined Day Zero Party including “10 Women Rising in Gaming” presentation at Resorts World Las Vegas’ Allē Lounge on 66, on 5 October 2025, the Sunday prior to G2E

CDC Gaming announces reimagined Day Zero Party including “10 Women Rising in Gaming” presentation at Resorts World Las Vegas’ Allē Lounge on 66, on 5 October 2025, the Sunday prior to G2E

by Newsdesk
Thu 18 Sep 2025 at 02:08

CDC Gaming, the premier source of news, commentary and analysis for the gaming industry in the Americas and sister company to Inside Asian Gaming, has announced a revamped, reimagined and refreshed Day Zero Party ahead of this year’s Global Gaming...

Wynn says UAE development contribution to total around US$900 million as Thailand opportunity looms large

Cryptocurrency payments, smart table rollout across all games among technology innovations being planned at Wynn Al Marjan Island

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 18 Sep 2025 at 02:01

Wynn Al Marjan Island is looking to open with smart gaming tables installed across all or most of its gaming areas and payment options that include cryptocurrencies, the company has revealed. David Patent, Executive Vice President, Gaming Operations at Wynn’s...

Interview with Newport World Resorts’ Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez

Interview with Newport World Resorts’ Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez

by Newsdesk
Wed 17 Sep 2025 at 19:04

IAG sat down with Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez – the President and CEO of Newport World Resorts – to discuss the property’s recent market share gains and what new features and attractions we can expect to see in the coming months.

Your browser does not support the video tag.


IAG

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • NEWSFEED
  • MAG ARTICLES
  • VIDEO
  • OPINION
  • TAGS
  • REGIONAL
  • EVENTS
  • CONSULTING
  • CONTRIBUTORS
  • MAGAZINES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Subscribe
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • Magazines
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • About
  • Home for G2E Asia

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • English