SINGAPORE: Genting Singapore shares fell more than 7% on Thursday, a day after the casino operator announced a S$4.5 billion investment to expand its resort in the city-state and the government increased entry levies.
In announcing the expansion of Genting’s Resorts World Sentosa and Las Vegas Sands Corp’s Marina Bay Sands resorts late on Wednesday, Singapore’s government said it would raise casino entry levies for citizens and permanent residents from April 4.“Higher investment cost, levies to be introduced on April 4 and gaming taxes from CY22F onwards are near-term downers,” analyst Cezzane See at CGS-CIMB said in a research note.
While Genting’s investment plan had long-term benefits, it would “likely reset its earnings growth and cash pile,” See said. Shares of Genting Singapore, whose biggest shareholder is Malaysia’s Genting Bhd, fell to S$0.99 on Thursday, their lowest since early January.
More Bung Moktar