Studio City Finance Limited Announces Tender Offer for Up to US$100 Million of Its 6.000% Senior Notes due 2025

Rhea-AI Summary

Studio City Finance announces a cash tender offer for up to US$100 million of its 6.000% senior notes due 2025. The offer expires on May 6, 2024, with an early tender premium available. Notes may be subject to proration if the Maximum Tender Amount is exceeded.

Financial Analyst

The initiation of a cash tender offer by Studio City Finance for its outstanding senior notes is a strategic financial maneuver that potentially indicates a realignment of the company's capital structure. The decision to repurchase debt ahead of maturity can be a lever to manage interest expenses and improve balance sheet health. By offering a premium to early participants, Studio City Finance is incentivizing a swift response, potentially reducing the outstanding debt burden more quickly.

From a financial perspective, this move could be indicative of the company's liquidity status and future interest rate expectations. If the company anticipates rising interest rates, repurchasing debt with a fixed interest rate now could be financially advantageous. However, the action may also reflect a surplus of cash on hand, suggesting that the company is looking for ways to deploy capital effectively, rather than holding it in low-yield cash reserves or making new investments.

Debt Market Analyst

Analyzing the senior notes tender offer, one critical aspect is the potential impact on the bond market and the company's credit rating. Such offers can signal to the market that the issuer is proactively managing its debt profile, which may be received positively by credit rating agencies and investors. The specifics of the tender offer, such as the 'Maximum Tender Amount' and the tiered pricing structure, provide insight into the company's approach to debt management and investor relations.

The tender offer's structure, with its early tender premium, is designed to encourage note holders to act quickly, which could result in a favorable uptake rate. The ability of Studio City Finance to execute this tender offer successfully can also reflect on the broader industry's financial health, potentially setting a precedent for similar transactions by other firms within the sector.

Market Research Analyst

The announcement of a tender offer by Studio City Finance is likely to be scrutinized by investors for its implications on the company's stock performance. The repurchase of debt can often be interpreted as a sign of confidence by management in the company's financial prospects, which could have a positive effect on the stock market valuation. The details provided in the tender offer, such as the pricing and deadlines, will be key factors in determining the market's reaction.

Investors will also consider the company's strategic reasons behind the offer, such as a possible reduction in cost of capital or a preemptive move against adverse market conditions. The market's response will hinge on the perceived effectiveness of this financial strategy and its alignment with the company's long-term goals. The involvement of established financial institutions as dealer managers could lend credibility to the tender offer, potentially affecting investor sentiment.

MACAU, April 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Studio City Finance Limited (“Studio City Finance”) today announces that it has initiated a cash tender offer for up to an aggregate principal amount of US$100 million (the “Maximum Tender Amount”) of its outstanding 6.000% senior notes due 2025 (ISIN: US86389QAE26 and USG85381AE48) (the “Notes” and such tender offer, the “Tender Offer”).

The Tender Offer is being made upon and is subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Offer to Purchase, dated April 8, 2024 (the “Offer to Purchase”). The Tender Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 6, 2024, unless extended or terminated by Studio City Finance (the “Expiration Time”). Tenders of the Notes may be withdrawn at any time at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 19, 2024 (the “Withdrawal Deadline”), but may not be withdrawn thereafter except in certain limited circumstances where additional withdrawal rights are required by law.

The consideration for each US$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 19, 2024 (the “Early Tender Date”), and accepted for purchase will be US$1,000, which includes an early tender premium. The consideration for each US$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) after the Early Tender Date and on or prior to the Expiration Time and accepted for purchase will be US$970. Notes will be accepted only in minimum denominations of US$200,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof. The Notes may be subject to proration if the aggregate principal amount of the Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) would cause the Maximum Tender Amount to be exceeded.

The settlement for Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) on or prior to the Early Tender Date and accepted for purchase is expected to occur on April 24, 2024 (the “Early Payment Date”) (or the Final Payment Date (defined below) if Studio City Finance elects not to have an Early Payment Date). The settlement for Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) following the Early Tender Date but on or prior to the Expiration Time and accepted for purchase is expected to be May 8, 2024 (the “Final Payment Date”). If the Tender Offer is fully subscribed as of the Early Tender Date, holders who validly tender Notes following the Early Tender Date will not have any of their Notes accepted for payment unless Studio City Finance increases the Maximum Tender Amount.

Studio City Finance has reserved the right to extend, amend or terminate the Tender Offer at any time in its sole discretion, including by increasing or decreasing the Maximum Tender Amount. Studio City Finance is not required to extend the Withdrawal Deadline in connection with any such increase or decrease.

The Tender Offer is being made solely pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, which sets forth the complete terms of the Tender Offer. Copies of the Offer to Purchase are available from the Tender and Information Agent, Kroll Issuer Services Limited, at the following website: https://deals.is.kroll.com/studiocity. Studio City Finance has engaged Deutsche Bank AG, Singapore Branch and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC to act as the dealer managers for the Tender Offer. Questions regarding the terms of the Tender Offer should be directed to Deutsche Bank AG, Singapore Branch at One Raffles Quay, #17-00 South Tower, Singapore 048583, Attention: Global Risk Syndicate (Tel: +65 6423-4229), with a copy to Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch at Winchester House, 1 Great Winchester Street, London EC2N 2DB, United Kingdom, Attention: Liability Management Group (Tel: +44 207-5458011) and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. at 1 Columbus Circle, New York, New York 10019, United States of America, Attention: Liability Management Group (Tel: +1 855-287-1922 / +1 212-250-7527) or Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC at 1585 Broadway, 6^th Floor, New York, New York 10036, United States of America, Attention: Liability Management Group (Tel: +1 212-761-1057 / +1 800-624-1808, Email: debt_advisory@morganstanley.com). Studio City Finance has appointed Kroll Issuer Services Limited to serve as the tender and information agent for the Tender Offer. Questions regarding the procedures for participating in the Tender Offer or requests for additional copies of the Offer to Purchase should be directed to Kroll Issuer Services Limited, Attention: Mu-yen Lo and Kevin Wong (Tel: +852 2281-0114, Email: studiocity@is.kroll.com).

This press release is not an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy or an offer to purchase or sell any securities. The Tender Offer is being made solely by the Offer to Purchase. None of Studio City Finance, its board of directors, the trustee, the dealer managers, the tender and information agent or any of their respective affiliates make any recommendations as to whether or not holders should tender their Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer, and no one has been authorized by any of them to make such recommendations. Holders must make their own decisions as to whether to tender their Notes, and, if so, the principal amount of the Notes to tender.

The distribution of this announcement in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession this press release comes are required to inform themselves about, and to observe, any such restrictions.

This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to acquire, purchase or subscribe for the securities referred to herein. Nothing in this press release constitutes an offer to buy, or a solicitation of an offer to sell, securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this press release specifically include statements regarding Studio City Finance’s plans and expected timing with respect to the Tender Offer. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Studio City Finance’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited to, (i) the pace of recovery from the impact of COVID-19 on our business, our industry and the global economy, (ii) risks associated with the amended gaming law in Macau and its implementation by the Macau government, (iii) changes in the gaming market and visitations in Macau, (iv) capital and credit market volatility, (v) local and global economic conditions, (vi) our anticipated growth strategies, (vii) gaming authority and other governmental approvals and regulations, and (viii) our future business development, results of operations and financial condition. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “target”, “aim”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “believe”, “potential”, “continue”, “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Studio City International Holdings Limited’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Studio City Finance undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

For the investment community, please contact:
Jeanny Kim
Senior Vice President, Group Treasurer
Tel: +852 2598 3698
Email: jeannykim@melco-resorts.com

For media enquiries, please contact:
Chimmy Leung
Executive Director, Corporate Communications
Tel: +852 3151 3765
Email: chimmyleung@melco-resorts.com 

FAQ

What is the Maximum Tender Amount for Studio City Finance's senior notes tender offer?

The Maximum Tender Amount is up to US$100 million.

When does the Tender Offer expire?

The Tender Offer expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 6, 2024.

Is there an early tender premium available for the Notes?

Yes, there is an early tender premium included in the consideration for validly tendered Notes before the Early Tender Date.

What happens if the Maximum Tender Amount is exceeded?

The Notes may be subject to proration if the Maximum Tender Amount is exceeded.

Who are the dealer managers for the Tender Offer?

Deutsche Bank AG, Singapore Branch and Morgan Stanley & Co. are the dealer managers for the Tender Offer.