Key Takeaways

Shares of MGM Resorts International ( MGM ) soared nearly 15% to lead S&P 500 gainers Thursday, a day after the hotel and casino operator beat profit and sales estimates on strong China demand, and gave positive comments about 2025.

MGM reported fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.45, which was $0.08 above the consensus estimate of analysts surveyed by Visible Alpha. Even though revenue slipped less than 1% year-over-year to $4.35 billion, it also exceeded forecasts.

MGM China revenue grew 4% to $1.0 billion, "primarily to an increase in casino revenues from favorable hold compared to the prior year." Casino sales also helped boost revenue 7% to $932 million at its Regional Operations, although the increase was "partially attributable to the effects of the union strike at MGM Grand Detroit in the prior year." Digital revenue jumped 15% to $140 million as MGM expanded into new markets.

Las Vegas Strip Resorts Revenue Lags

Las Vegas Strip Resorts revenue was the only laggard, falling 6% to $2.2 billion on a drop in casino and room revenues. It also faced a big comparison to last year’s fourth quarter, when the city hosted a major Formula 1 racing event.

CEO Bill Hornbuckle noted that the company not only got a boost from China, it also has been encouraged "by the strong demand we're seeing in the business so far in 2025, which positions us well for continued growth." Hornbuckle added that December was MGM's best-ever convention booking month, and in January, it recorded revenue growth at its Las Vegas Strip Resorts and Regional Operations, along with strong future bookings.

Despite today's advance, shares of MGM Resorts International are down about 12% in the last year.

IAC ( IAC ), the parent of Investopedia publisher Dotdash Meredith, holds a stake in MGM Resorts International.

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