Macau March revenue falls, and investors love it

Casino shares rallied in the US and Hong Kong after Macau reported gaming revenue fell 0.4% in March, beating expectations of a much worse showing. But the real story remains behind the numbers.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

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Big trends loom behind Macau casino figures

After falling in January, Macau casino revenue rose in February but was down for the larger Chinese New Year period. Behind those headlines, there two big trends lurk.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

Macau casino revenue fall ‘not THAT bad’

JPMorgan analyst DS Kim says Macau’s 5% fall in casino revenue in January was “not THAT bad,” and he’s right for several reasons.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

Investors misunderstand Macau transition

Every year, I make forecasts about Asian gaming for the year ahead. For 2019, I’m offering predictions about Macau, Japan, online gaming, Korea and Vietnam. And as the year wraps up, I check the accuracy of those forecasts.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

Investors discount Macau’s healthy transition

After long relying on VIP players, Macau casinos are moving toward the more stable mass market segment. That’s progress investors should applaud, not punish.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

Macau casinos ace August, beating estimates

Following three disappointing months, Macau casinos post strong August revenue. Though investors remain cautious, the underlying growth story of Macau’s transition from VIP gambling hub to middle market tourist destination keeps moving ahead.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

Macau run still has legs

Even though May revenue growth fell short of expectations, Macau casinos have found a sweet spot with continued VIP momentum and expanding overnight visits by mass market customers.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

China travelers to move down market

A series of Sanford Bernstein reports shows that the wave of Chinese travelers is rising from below the current super-wealthy level, posing a raft of new challenges. Morgan Stanley research highlights some of those issues are previewing now in Macau.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

VIP revival tests Macau mass hysteria

As high rollers return and new rules restrict smaller money movements, longstanding assumptions that Macau and Beijing prefer mass market gambling look more dubious.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

VIPs fuel Macau casino recovery

Macau casino revenue rose 26% in June, its biggest percentage increase since the city’s recovery began last August, to US$2.5 billion. Once again, high rollers led the rebound, even though the government wants to see more mass market tourism.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.