LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP - Quarter Report: 2008 September (Form 10-Q)

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

Commission file number 001-32373

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

(702) 414-1000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No þ

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant’s classes of common stock, as of October 31, 2008.

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP.

 

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP.

 

Table of Contents

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Current Report on Form 8-K of Las Vegas Sands Corp., a Nevada corporation (“LVSC”), and its subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”) filed on November 6, 2008. The year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. In the opinion of management, all adjustments and normal recurring accruals considered necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim period have been included. The interim results reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of expected results for the full year. The Company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “LVS.”

 

Operations

 

The Company owns and operates The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino (“The Venetian Las Vegas”), a Renaissance Venice-themed resort; The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino (“The Palazzo”), a resort featuring modern European ambience and design reminiscent of Italian affluent living; and an expo and convention center of approximately 1.2 million square feet (the “Sands Expo Center”). With the opening of The Palazzo in December 2007, these Las Vegas properties, situated on or near the Las Vegas Strip, form an integrated resort with approximately 7,100 suites; approximately 225,000 square feet of gaming space; a meeting and conference facility of approximately 1.1 million square feet; an enclosed retail, dining and entertainment complex located within The Venetian Las Vegas of approximately 440,000 net leasable square feet (“The Grand Canal Shoppes”), which was sold to General Growth Partners (“GGP”) in 2004; and an enclosed retail and dining complex located within The Palazzo of approximately 400,000 net leasable square feet (“The Shoppes at The Palazzo”), which was sold to GGP on February 29, 2008.

 

The Company also owns and operates the Sands Macao, the first Las Vegas-style casino in Macao, China, pursuant to a 20-year gaming subconcession. The Sands Macao offers over 229,000 square feet of gaming space and a 289-suite hotel tower, as well as several restaurants, VIP facilities, a theater, and other high-end services and amenities.

 

On August 28, 2007, the Company opened The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel (“The Venetian Macao”), which anchors the Cotai Strip^tm, a master-planned development of resort properties in Macao, China. With a theme similar to that of The Venetian Las Vegas, The Venetian Macao includes a 39-floor luxury hotel with over 2,900 suites; a casino floor of approximately 550,000 square feet; an approximately 15,000-seat arena; retail and dining space of approximately 1.0 million square feet; and a convention center and meeting room complex of approximately 1.2 million square feet.

 

On August 28, 2008, the Company opened the Four Seasons Hotel Macao (the “Four Seasons Macao”), which is located adjacent to The Venetian Macao. The Four Seasons Macao features 360 rooms and suites managed by Four Seasons Hotel Inc.; approximately 70,000 square feet of gaming space; several food and beverage offerings; conference and banquet facilities; and retail space of approximately 211,000 square feet, which is connected to the mall at The Venetian Macao. The property will also feature 19 Paiza mansions and the Four Seasons Private Apartments Macao, Cotai Strip^tm (the “Four Seasons Private Apartments”) consisting of approximately 1.0 million square feet of Four Seasons-serviced and -branded luxury apartment hotel units, which are currently expected to open in the third quarter 2009.

 

Development Projects

 

Given current conditions in the capital markets and the global economy and their impact on the Company’s ongoing operations, the Company has chosen to temporarily or indefinitely suspend portions of its development projects and will focus its development efforts on those projects with the highest rates of expected return on invested capital given the liquidity and capital resources available to the Company today. The continuing development plan, as outlined in further detail below, is dependent on the Company raising additional capital. If the Company is unable

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

to raise additional capital in the near term, the Company would need to consider further suspending portions, if not all, of its remaining global development projects.

 

United States Development Projects

 

St. Regis Residences

 

The Company has been constructing a St. Regis-branded high-rise residential condominium tower, the St. Regis Residences at The Venetian Palazzo (the “St. Regis Residences”), which is situated between The Palazzo and The Venetian Las Vegas on the Las Vegas Strip and is expected to feature approximately 400 luxury residences. On November 10, 2008, the Company announced the indefinite suspension of its construction activities for the project due to difficulties in the capital markets, reduced demand for Las Vegas Strip condominiums and the overall decline in general economic conditions. The Company will consider recommencing construction when these conditions improve and expects that it will take approximately 18 months from when construction recommences to complete the project. The cost to build the St. Regis Residences was expected to be approximately $600 million; however, the impact of the suspension on the estimated overall cost to build is currently not determinable. As of September 30, 2008, the Company has spent $86.0 million in construction costs and branding-related payments. The estimated cost to prepare the site for delay and to complete construction of the podium portion (which is part of The Shoppes at The Palazzo and includes already leased retail and entertainment space), which activities are expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2009, is approximately $95 million.

 

Sands Bethlehem

 

In August 2007, the Company’s indirect majority-owned subsidiary, Sands Bethworks Gaming LLC (“Sands Bethworks Gaming”), was issued a Pennsylvania gaming license by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The Company is in the process of developing a gaming, hotel, retail and dining complex called Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem (“Sands Bethlehem”), located on the site of the Historic Bethlehem Steel Works in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, which is approximately 70 miles from midtown Manhattan, New York. Bethworks Now, LLC, the Company’s joint venture partner, contributed the land on which Sands Bethlehem is being developed to Sands Bethworks Gaming and Sands Bethworks Retail, LLC, the owner of the retail portion of Sands Bethlehem, in September 2008.

 

On November 10, 2008, the Company announced suspension of construction of a portion of Sands Bethlehem due to difficulties in the capital markets and the overall decline in general economic conditions. The Company will continue construction of the casino component of the 124-acre development, which will open with 3,000 slot machines (increasing to 5,000 six months after the opening date) and a variety of dining options, as well as the parking garage and surface parking. Construction activities on the remaining components, which include a 300-room hotel, an approximate 200,000-square-foot retail facility, a 50,000-square-foot multipurpose event center and a variety of additional dining options, have been suspended until capital markets and general economic conditions improve. The cost to build Sands Bethlehem was expected to be approximately $600 million (excluding furniture, fixtures and equipment (“FF&E”), pre-opening and other costs), of which $236.9 million had been spent as of September 30, 2008. The Company has spent an additional $79.5 million on other costs related to the project, which includes the gaming license and pre-opening and other costs, as of September 30, 2008. The Company expects to incur an additional $282 million to complete the construction of the casino and parking components, and to prepare the additional components for delay, which are expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2009. The Company also expects to incur $145 million of additional costs to open the casino component, including FF&E, pre-opening and other costs. The estimated cost to build the remaining components of the project is currently not determinable.

 

Macao Development Projects

 

The Company has submitted plans to the Macao government for its Cotai Strip developments, which represent five integrated resort developments, in addition to The Venetian Macao and the Four Seasons Macao on an area of approximately 200 acres (which are referred to as parcels 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8). The developments are expected to include hotels, exhibition and conference facilities, casinos, showrooms, shopping malls, spas, restaurants, entertainment

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

facilities and other amenities. The Company has commenced construction or pre-construction for these five parcels and plans to own and operate all of the casinos in these developments under its Macao gaming subconcession.

 

On November 10, 2008, the Company announced its revised development plans for these parcels due to difficulties in the capital markets and the overall decline in general economic conditions. The Company plans to temporarily suspend construction of phase I of parcels 5 and 6, which includes the Shangri-La and Traders tower and the first Sheraton tower, along with the podium that encompasses the casino, associated public areas, portions of the shopping mall and approximately 100,000 square feet of meeting space, while the Company pursues project-level financing. The Company is targeting to complete the financing within the next three to six months; however, there can be no assurance that such financing will be obtained. Once financing has been obtained, the Company expects it will take approximately nine months to complete construction of phase I. Construction of phase II of the project, which includes the second Sheraton tower and the St. Regis serviced luxury apartment hotel, has been suspended until conditions in the capital markets and general economic conditions improve. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, the manager of the Sheraton hotels and St. Regis serviced luxury apartment hotel, has the right to terminate its management agreements if certain construction and opening obligations and deadlines are not met, and under the Company’s revised development plan, there is a significant risk that it will not meet at least some of these obligations and deadlines. The impact of the revised development plan on the estimated overall cost of the project is currently not determinable. The estimated total cost to build phase I and prepare the phase II components for delay is expected to be approximately $3.05 billion (excluding FF&E, pre-opening and other costs), of which $1.16 billion had been spent as of September 30, 2008. If the proposed project-level financing is unsuccessful, the Company expects to incur approximately $900 million in costs to prepare the project for delay. The Company has commenced pre-construction on parcels 7, 8 and 3, and will not commence construction until government approvals necessary to commence construction are obtained, regional and global economic conditions improve, future demand warrants and additional financing is obtained.

 

The impact of the delays or significant slow down of construction of the Cotai Strip developments on the Company’s overall estimated cost to build is currently not determinable. As of September 30, 2008, the Company has capitalized $4.33 billion in construction costs on the Cotai Strip, including The Venetian Macao and Four Seasons Macao. The Company will need to arrange additional financing to fund the balance of the Company’s Cotai Strip developments and there is no assurance that it will be able to obtain any of the additional financing required.

 

The Company has received a land concession from the Macao government to build on parcels 1, 2 and 3, including the sites on which The Venetian Macao (parcel 1) and Four Seasons Macao (parcel 2) are located. The Company does not own these land sites in Macao; however, the land concession, which has an initial term of 25 years and is renewable at the Company’s option, grants it the exclusive use of the land. As specified in the land concession, the Company is required to pay premiums, which are payable over four years or are due upon the completion of the corresponding resort, as well as annual rent for the term of the land concession. In October 2008, the Macao government amended the land concession to separate the retail mall and hotel portions of the Four Seasons Macao parcel, and allowed the Company to subdivide such parcel into four separate components, including the Four Seasons Private Apartments and retail mall portions. In consideration for the amendment, the Company paid an additional land premium of approximately $17.8 million and will pay adjusted annual rent over the remaining term of the concession, which increased slightly due to the revised allocation of parcel use.

 

The Company does not yet have all the necessary Macao government approvals that it will need in order to develop its planned Cotai Strip developments on parcels 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8. The Company has received a land concession for parcel 3, as previously noted, but has not yet been granted land concessions for parcels 5, 6, 7 and 8. The Company is in the process of negotiating with the Macao government to obtain the land concession for parcels 5 and 6, and will subsequently negotiate the land concession for parcels 7 and 8. Based on historical experience with the Macao government with respect to the Company’s land concessions for the Sands Macao and parcels 1, 2 and 3, management believes that the land concessions for parcels 5, 6, 7 and 8 will be granted; however, if the Company does not obtain these land concessions, it could forfeit all or a substantial part of its $1.45 billion in capitalized construction costs related to these developments as of September 30, 2008.

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Under its land concession for parcel 3, the Company is required to complete the development of this parcel by August 2011. If the Company is unable to meet the August 2011 deadline and that deadline is not extended, the Company could lose its right to continue to operate The Venetian Macao, Sands Macao, Four Seasons Macao or any other facility developed under its Macao gaming subconcession, and its investment to date on these developments could be lost. The Company believes that if it is not able to complete the development of parcel 3 by the deadline, it will be able to obtain an extension of the deadline; however, no assurances can be given that an extension will be granted by the Macao government.

 

Singapore Development Project

 

In August 2006, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Marina Bay Sands Pte. Ltd. (“MBS”), entered into a development agreement (the “Development Agreement”) with the Singapore Tourism Board (the “STB”) to build and operate an integrated resort called the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. The Marina Bay Sands is expected to include three 50+ story hotel towers (totaling approximately 2,600 rooms), a casino, an enclosed retail, dining and entertainment complex of approximately 750,000 net leasable square feet, a convention center and meeting room complex of approximately 1.3 million square feet, theaters and a landmark iconic structure at the bay-front promenade that will contain an art/science museum. The Company is continuing to finalize various design aspects of the integrated resort and is in the process of finalizing its cost estimates for the project. The Company expects the cost to build the Marina Bay Sands will be approximately 7.15 billion Singapore Dollars (“SGD,” approximately $4.99 billion at exchange rates in effect on September 30, 2008), which excludes FF&E, pre-opening and other costs but includes payments made in 2006 for land premium, taxes and other fees. As the Company has obtained Singapore-denominated financing and primarily pays its costs in Singapore Dollars, exposure to foreign exchange gains/losses is expected to be minimal. The Company has spent approximately SGD 2.59 billion (approximately $1.81 billion at exchange rates in effect on September 30, 2008) in construction costs as of September 30, 2008. Based on the Company’s current development plan, it intends to continue construction on its existing timeline with the majority of the project targeted to open in late 2009.

 

Hengqin Island Development Project

 

The Company has entered into a non-binding letter of intent with the Zhuhai Municipal People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China to work together to create a master plan for, and develop, a leisure and convention destination resort on Hengqin Island, which is located within mainland China, approximately one mile from the Cotai Strip. In January 2007, the Company was informed that the Zhuhai Government established a Project Coordination Committee to act as a government liaison empowered to work directly with the Company to advance the development of the project. On November 10, 2008, the Company announced the indefinite suspension of the project because of the difficult global economic and credit market environment.

 

Other Development Projects

 

The Company is currently exploring the possibility of developing and operating additional properties, including integrated resorts, in other Asian and U.S. jurisdictions, and in Europe. In July 2008, the Company withdrew a previously submitted application to develop a casino resort in the Kansas City, Kansas, metropolitan area.

 

Development Financing Strategy

 

The Company held unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents of approximately $1.28 billion and $239.1 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2008. As previously described, the Company has a number of significant development projects in the United States, Macao and Singapore, some of which it plans to temporarily or indefinitely suspend due to current conditions in the global capital markets and overall decline in general economic conditions, which have had an impact on the Company’s ongoing operations. Through September 30, 2008, the Company has principally funded its development projects through borrowings under the bank credit facilities of its operating subsidiaries, operating cash flows and proceeds from the disposition of non-core assets. In 2007, the Company began to execute its financing strategy to secure additional borrowing capacity to fund its existing and future development projects and operations in Asia, including Macao and Singapore, and the United

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

States. In the near term, the Company will seek to borrow significant amounts under its existing and potential future bank credit facilities, if available, or raise equity capital as the Company funds components of its revised development strategy and, as further described below, will require additional capital to fund the completion of its projects. If the Company is unable to raise additional capital in the near term, the Company would need to consider further suspending portions, if not all, of its remaining global development projects.

 

In April 2007, the Company increased the size of its Macao credit facility from $2.5 billion to $3.3 billion to continue funding the development of The Venetian Macao and the Four Seasons Macao as well as portions of its other Macao development projects. As of September 30, 2008, the Company has fully drawn the revolving facility of the Macao credit facility and had construction payables of approximately $385.5 million related to its Macao development projects. The Company expects to incur additional construction costs of $337 million to complete the Four Seasons Private Apartments and the remaining portions of the Four Seasons Macao by the third quarter of 2009. In addition, the Company expects to incur additional costs, including FF&E, pre-opening, land premium and other costs, of approximately $126 million (some of which relates to FF&E costs that will be recouped in connection with the sale of the Four Seasons Private Apartments). In the near term, cash balances at the Company’s Macao subsidiaries, operating cash flows from Sands Macao, The Venetian Macao and Four Seasons Macao, and cash from LVSC, if available, together with proceeds from borrowings under the U.S. senior secured credit facility, if available, will be used to fund these amounts. The Company was in the process of arranging up to $5.25 billion of secured bank financing, the proceeds of which would have been used to refinance the amount currently outstanding under the Macao credit facility and to provide incremental borrowings to fund the Four Seasons Private Apartments, the completion of the Four Seasons Macao and the development of parcels 5 and 6, and to continue funding its other Cotai Strip development projects; however, given the conditions in the global credit markets, the Company was unable to reach arrangements with its prospective lenders. As a result, the Company plans to temporarily suspend construction on parcels 5 and 6, until project-level financing is obtained, which it is currently pursuing and targets to complete in the next three to six months; however, there can be no assurance that such financing will be obtained. Additional financing will be required to complete the development and construction of parcels 7, 8 and 3, once those construction activities commence.

 

In May 2007, the Company entered into a $5.0 billion U.S. senior secured credit facility with respect to its Las Vegas operations. A portion of the proceeds from this facility was used to refinance the indebtedness collateralized by the Company’s Las Vegas integrated resort, including The Venetian Las Vegas, The Palazzo, The Shoppes at The Palazzo and Sands Expo Center, and to fund the design, development and construction costs incurred in connection with the completion of The Palazzo, The Shoppes at The Palazzo, St. Regis Residences and Sands Bethlehem. As of September 30, 2008, the Company had approximately $601.1 million of available borrowing capacity, net of outstanding letters of credit but including approximately $7.7 million committed to be funded by Lehman Brothers Commercial Paper Inc. The U.S. senior secured credit facility permits the Company to make investments in certain of its subsidiaries and certain joint ventures not party to the U.S. senior secured credit facility, including its foreign subsidiaries and other development projects outside of Las Vegas, in an amount not to exceed $2.1 billion, and also permits the Company to invest in its Sands Bethlehem project so long as no more than 30% of any such investment is in the form of an equity contribution to the project, with the balance to be in the form of a secured intercompany loan. As of September 30, 2008, the Company has invested approximately $1.7 billion of the permitted $2.1 billion to fund a portion of its required equity contribution to the Marina Bay Sands project and investments with respect to its other development projects, including in Macao. As announced on November 10, 2008, with the delayed development of the St. Regis Residences and the Company’s focus on the construction of the casino and parking components of Sands Bethlehem, the Company expects to incur additional construction costs of approximately $95 million and $282 million, respectively. The Company also expects to incur $145 million of additional costs to open the casino component of Sands Bethlehem, including FF&E, pre-opening and other costs. The Company will continue to use excess operating cash flows, proceeds from the sale of non-core assets, such as The Shoppes at The Palazzo, cash contributed by LVSC, if available, and proceeds from borrowings under the U.S. senior secured credit facility, if available, to fund its revised development strategy, as well as construction costs incurred in Macao and its required equity contributions to the Marina Bay Sands.

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

In December 2007, the Company entered into a SGD 5.44 billion credit facility (approximately $3.80 billion at exchange rates in effect on September 30, 2008) to fund development and construction costs and expenses at the Marina Bay Sands, which closed and funded in January 2008. A portion of the proceeds from this facility, together with a portion of the Company’s initial SGD 800.0 million (approximately $558.4 million at exchange rates in effect on September 30, 2008) equity contribution, were used to repay outstanding borrowings of $1.32 billion under the Company’s Singapore bridge facility. As of September 30, 2008, the Company had SGD 2.86 billion (approximately $2.0 billion at exchange rates in effect on September 30, 2008) available for borrowing under the Singapore credit facility, net of outstanding banker’s guarantees and undrawn amounts committed to be funded by Lehman Brothers Finance Asia Pte. Ltd., which will be used to fund a significant portion of the design, development and construction costs of the Marina Bay Sands project. Subsequent to September 30, 2008, the Company has drawn an additional SGD 161.5 million (approximately $112.7 million at exchange rates in effect on September 30, 2008) under the Singapore credit facility and has contributed additional equity of SGD 100.0 million (approximately $69.8 million at exchange rates in effect on September 30, 2008). Under the terms of the Singapore credit facility, the Company is obligated to fund at least 20% of the total costs and expenses incurred in connection with the design, development and construction of the Marina Bay Sands project with equity contributions or subordinated intercompany loans, with the remaining 80% funded with debt, including debt under the Singapore credit facility. Through September 30, 2008, the Company has funded its equity contribution requirement through borrowings under the U.S. senior secured credit facility and operating cash flows generated from the Company’s Las Vegas operations. Based on current development plans, the Company intends to continue construction on Marina Bay Sands on its existing timeline. Additional financings are planned to complete the development and construction of the Marina Bay Sands; however, there can be no assurance that such financing will be obtained when planned.

 

Commencing September 30, 2008, the U.S. senior secured credit facility and FF&E financings require the Company’s Las Vegas operations to comply with certain financial covenants at the end of each quarter, including to maintain a maximum leverage ratio of net debt, as defined, to trailing twelve-month adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, as defined (“Adjusted EBITDA”). In order to comply with the maximum leverage ratio covenant as of December 31, 2008, and subsequent quarterly periods, the Company will need to (i) achieve increased levels of Adjusted EBITDA at its Las Vegas properties; (ii) decrease the rate of spending on its global development projects; (iii) obtain additional financing at the parent company level, the proceeds from which could be used to reduce the Company’s Las Vegas operations’ net debt; (iv) elect to contribute up to $50.0 million of capital from cash on hand to the Las Vegas operations (such contribution having the effect of increasing Adjusted EBITDA by up to $50.0 million per quarter for purposes of calculating maximum leverage (the “EBITDA true-up”)); or in some cases (v) a combination thereof.

 

As the Company’s Las Vegas properties did not achieve the levels of Adjusted EBITDA necessary to maintain compliance with the maximum leverage ratio for the quarterly period ending September 30, 2008, the Company completed a private placement of $475.0 million in convertible senior notes with the Company’s principal stockholder and his family and used a portion of the proceeds to exercise the EBITDA true-up provision. The EBITDA true-up, by itself, would not have been sufficient to maintain compliance with the maximum leverage ratio as of September 30, 2008. Accordingly, the entire proceeds from the offering were immediately contributed to Las Vegas Sands, LLC (“LVSLLC”) to reduce the net debt of the parties to the domestic credit facilities in order to maintain compliance with the maximum leverage ratio for the quarterly period ending September 30, 2008.

 

Based upon current Las Vegas operating estimates for the quarter ending December 31, 2008 and quarterly periods during 2009, as well as the fact that the Company has continued to fund its development projects outside of Las Vegas, in whole or in part, with borrowings under the U.S. senior secured credit facility, the Company expects the amount of its material domestic subsidiaries’ indebtedness will be beyond the level allowed under the maximum leverage ratio. If the Company’s Las Vegas Adjusted EBITDA levels do not increase sufficiently, reduced spending on the Company’s revised global development projects, as described above, is not sufficient, and the EBITDA true-up is not sufficient or available to enable the Company to maintain compliance under the maximum leverage ratio, the Company will need to obtain significant additional capital at the parent level. As previously announced, the Company has been working with its financial advisor to develop and implement a capital raising program that the Company believes would be sufficient to address the Company’s current and anticipated funding needs;

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

however, no assurance can be given that the program will be successful. If none of the foregoing occurs, the Company would need to obtain waivers or amendments under its domestic credit facilities, and no assurances can be given that the Company will be able to obtain these waivers or amendments. If the Company is unable to obtain waivers or amendments if and when necessary, the Company would be in default under its domestic credit facilities, which would trigger cross-defaults under its airplane financings and convertible senior notes. If such defaults or cross-defaults were to occur and the respective lenders chose to accelerate the indebtedness outstanding under these agreements, it would result in a default under the Company’s senior notes. Any defaults or cross-defaults under these agreements would allow the lenders, in each case, to exercise their rights and remedies as defined under their respective agreements. If the lenders were to exercise their right to accelerate the indebtedness outstanding, there can be no assurance that the Company would be able to refinance any amounts that may become accelerated under such agreements. Under the terms of the U.S. senior secured credit facility, if a default or a material adverse change, as defined in the agreement, were to occur or exist at the time of borrowing, it would preclude the Company’s domestic subsidiaries from accessing any available borrowings (including the $400.0 million under the Delayed Draw II Facility, which expires November 23, 2008, and $201.1 million under the Revolving Facility). If the Company is not able to access these borrowings and raise sufficient additional capital, (i) the Company will not be able to fund its ongoing equity contributions under its Singapore credit facility, and as a result, will not be able to borrow any additional amounts under that facility which may limit its ability to complete construction of the project, (ii) as the Company has fully drawn the revolving portion of its Macao credit facility, the Company will not be able to pay the remaining construction costs of the Four Seasons Macao and Four Seasons Private Apartments if free cash flow from the Sands Macao, The Venetian Macao and Four Season Macao is not sufficient to pay those costs, (iii) the Company may be unable to comply with the maximum leverage ratio covenant under its Macao credit facility at the end of the first quarter of 2009, which would result in a default under the agreement and would allow the lenders to exercise their rights and remedies under the agreement including acceleration of the indebtedness outstanding, (iv) the Company may not be able to continue providing working capital to its ferry operations, and (v) the Company would need to immediately suspend portions, if not all, of its remaining global development projects. These factors raise a substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurement. SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. The provisions of SFAS No. 157 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. In January 2008, the FASB deferred the effective date for one year for certain non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The Company has adopted the provisions of this standard and such application did not have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. See “— Note 9 — Fair Value Measurements” for disclosures required by this standard.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Liabilities Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” Under SFAS No. 159, the Company may elect to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value, which are not otherwise currently required to be measured at fair value. The decision to measure items at fair value is made at specific election dates on an irrevocable instrument-by-instrument basis and requires recognition of the changes in fair value in earnings and expensing upfront costs and fees associated with the item for which the fair value option is elected. Fair value instruments for which the fair value option has been elected and similar instruments measured using another measurement attribute are to be distinguished on the face of the statement of financial position. SFAS No. 159 is

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

effective for financial statements beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company has adopted the provisions of this standard and did not elect the fair value option for eligible items that existed at January 1, 2008.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, “Business Combinations,” which requires an acquirer to recognize the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date, with limited exceptions specified in the statement. SFAS No. 141R applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of an entity’s fiscal year that begins after December 15, 2008. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this standard; however, the Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 141R will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — An Amendment of ARB No. 51,” which establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Specifically, this statement requires the recognition of a noncontrolling interest (minority interest) as equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate from the parent’s equity. The amount of net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest will be included in consolidated net income on the face of the income statement. SFAS No. 160 clarifies that changes in a parent’s ownership interest in a subsidiary that do not result in deconsolidation are equity transactions if the parent retains its controlling financial interest. In addition, this statement requires that a parent recognize a gain or loss in net income when a subsidiary is deconsolidated and also requires expanded disclosures regarding the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this standard; however, the Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 160 will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” which requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities and thereby improves the transparency of financial reporting. The objective of the guidance is to provide users of financial statements with: an enhanced understanding of how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for; and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 also requires several added quantitative disclosures in financial statements. SFAS No. 161 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this standard; however, the Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 161 will have a material effect on its disclosures.

 

In April 2008, FASB issued Staff Position (“FSP”) No. 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets,” which amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” The intent of this FSP is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS No. 141R. FSP No. 142-3 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this standard; however, the Company does not expect the adoption of FSP No. 142-3 will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In May 2008, FASB issued FSP Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) No. 14-1, “Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash Upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement),” which applies to convertible debt instruments, that by their stated terms, may be settled in cash (or other assets) upon conversion, including partial cash settlement of the conversion option. FSP APB No. 14-1 requires bifurcation of the instrument into a debt component that is initially recorded at fair value and an equity component. The difference between the fair value of the debt component and the initial proceeds from issuance of the instrument is recorded as a component of equity. The liability component of the debt instrument is accreted to par using the effective yield method; accretion is reported as a component of interest expense. The equity component is not subsequently re-valued as long as it continues to qualify for equity treatment. FSP APB No. 14-1 must be applied retrospectively to

 

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previously issued cash-settleable convertible instruments as well as prospectively to newly issued instruments. FSP APB No. 14-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this standard.

 

Other First Quarter Charges

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company recorded a net charge of $3.3 million to properly account for $3.9 million of convention, retail and other, pre-opening and general and administrative expenses that had not been accrued, offset by $0.6 million of convention, retail and other revenues that had not been recorded as of December 31, 2007. Because the amounts involved were not material to the Company’s financial statements in any individual prior period, and the cumulative amount is not material to the estimated results of operations for the year ending December 31, 2008, the Company recorded the cumulative effect of correcting these items during the three months ended March 31, 2008.

 

 

Changes in stockholders’ equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

At September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balance consisted solely of foreign currency translation adjustments. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, comprehensive loss amounted to $44.7 million and $33.8 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, comprehensive income (loss) amounted to $(43.7) million and $76.9 million, respectively.

 

The weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share consisted of the following:

 

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

Property and equipment consists of the following (in thousands):

 

 

Construction in progress consists of the following (in thousands):

 

 

As of September 30, 2008, portions of The Venetian Macao, The Palazzo and The Shoppes at The Palazzo remain under construction and are scheduled to be completed during 2008. Approximately $380.2 million in building and improvements, $30.2 million in furniture, fixtures, equipment and leasehold improvements (with total accumulated depreciation of $10.5 million) and $197.6 million in construction in progress as of September 30, 2008, related to The Shoppes at The Palazzo, which was sold to GGP (see “— Note 7 — Mall Sale”). The $100.8 million in other construction in progress consists primarily of projects in Las Vegas and airplane and other related refurbishment costs at corporate.

 

As of September 30, 2008, the cost of property and equipment that the Company is leasing to tenants as part of its Macao mall operations was $271.5 million with accumulated depreciation of $15.7 million.

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company capitalized interest expense of $38.4 million, $100.6 million, $64.2 million and $169.0 million, respectively.

 

As described in “— Note 1 — Organization and Business of Company,” on November 10, 2008, the Company announced its plan to temporarily or indefinitely suspend portions of its development projects given the current conditions in the capital markets and the global economy and their impact on the Company’s ongoing operations. If circumstances change, the Company may be required to record impairment charges related to these developments in the future.

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):

 

 

Corporate and U.S. Related Debt

 

New Senior Secured Credit Facility

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company has drawn $775.9 million, net of repayments, under the Revolving Facility, which matures in May 2012 and has no interim amortization, and $598.5 million, net of repayments, under the Delayed Draw I Facility, which matures in May 2014 and is subject to quarterly principal amortization payments in an amount equal to 0.25% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding and a balloon payment of $566.4 million due May 2014. As of September 30, 2008, the Company had $201.1 million of available borrowing capacity under the Revolving Facility, net of outstanding letters of credit and including approximately $7.7 million committed to be funded by Lehman Brothers Commercial Paper Inc. No amount has been drawn under the $400.0 million Delayed Draw II Facility, which is available until November 23, 2008. Refer to “— Note 1 — Organization and Business of Company” regarding potential limitations on future borrowings under the facility.

 

Convertible Senior Notes

 

In September 2008, the Company sold, in a private placement transaction, $475.0 million of its 6.5% convertible senior notes due 2013 (the “Convertible Senior Notes”). The Convertible Senior Notes are subject to quarterly interest payments, commencing January 1, 2009, and will mature on October 1, 2013, unless earlier converted or repurchased by the Company. The initial conversion rate is 20.141 shares of common stock per $1,000

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

principal amount (equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $49.65 per share of common stock). The initial conversation rate will be subject to adjustment under certain circumstances. Following any fundamental change, as defined in the agreement, that occurs prior to the maturity date, the Company will be required to make an offer to purchase the Convertible Senior Notes. The Company’s principal stockholder and his family were granted pre-emptive rights with respect to any future proposed issuance or sale by the Company of equity interests (including convertible or exchangeable securities), pursuant to which they will be able to purchase a portion of the offered equity interests based on their fully diluted common stock ownership in the Company.

 

The Convertible Senior Notes will not be convertible until all necessary approvals have been obtained, including listing of the Company’s common stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Senior Notes on the NYSE and until the stockholder approval of the issuance of the common stock upon conversion of the Convertible Senior Notes is effective. If the Company does not obtain all required approvals within 120 days of the issuance of the Convertible Senior Notes, the Company will pay a fee based on a rate of 2.0% per annum on the aggregate amount of Convertible Senior Notes outstanding thereafter and until the Company receives all required approvals.

 

The Convertible Senior Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, which contains covenants that, subject to certain exceptions and conditions, limit the ability of the Company to enter into sale and leaseback transactions in respect of its principal properties, create liens on its principal properties and consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of its directly held assets and includes certain default and cross-default provisions.

 

Macao Related Debt

 

Ferry Financing

 

In January 2008, in order to finance the purchase of ten ferries, the Company entered into a 1.21 billion Hong Kong dollar (“HKD,” approximately $155.7 million at exchange rates in effect on September 30, 2008) secured credit facility, which is available for borrowing for up to 18 months after closing. The proceeds from the secured credit facility were used to reimburse the Company for cash spent to date on the construction of the ferries and to finance the completion of the remaining ferries. The facility is collateralized by the ferries and is guaranteed by Venetian Macau Limited (“VML”). The facility matures in January 2018 and is subject to 34 quarterly payments commencing at the end of the 18-month availability period. Borrowings under the facility bear interest at the Hong Kong Interbank Offer Rate (“HIBOR”) plus 2.0% if borrowings are made in Hong Kong Dollars (5.7% as of September 30, 2008) or the London Interbank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 2.0% if borrowings are made in U.S. Dollars. All borrowings under the facility, which was fully drawn as of September 30, 2008, were made in Hong Kong Dollars.

 

In July 2008, the Company exercised the accordion option on the secured credit facility agreement that financed the Company’s original ten ferries and executed a supplement to the secured credit facility agreement. The supplement increased the secured credit facility by an additional HKD 561.6 million (approximately $72.3 million at exchange rates in effect on September 30, 2008), of which the Company has drawn HKD 163.3 million (approximately $21.0 million at exchange rates in effect on September 30, 2008) as of September 30, 2008. The proceeds from this supplemental facility are being used to reimburse the Company for cash spent to date on construction of four additional ferries and to finance the remaining progress payments on those ferries. The supplemental facility is secured by the additional ferries and is guaranteed by VML.

 

Singapore Related Debt

 

MBS entered into the Singapore bridge facility in August 2006 to pay the land premium to the STB under the Development Agreement and to commence construction of the Marina Bay Sands. As the facility was to mature in August 2008, the Company entered into the Singapore permanent facility agreement in December 2007. Upon closing in January 2008, a portion of the borrowings under the Singapore permanent facilities, as well as equity contributions made by the Company to MBS, were used to repay the outstanding balances on the Singapore bridge facility, and to pay fees, costs and expenses related to entering into the Singapore permanent facility agreement. The Company incurred a charge of approximately $4.0 million for loss on early retirement of debt in January 2008 as a result of refinancing the Singapore bridge facility.

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Singapore Permanent Facilities

 

In December 2007, MBS signed a facility agreement (the “Singapore Permanent Facility Agreement”) providing for a SGD 2.0 billion (approximately $1.40 billion at exchange rates in effect on September 30, 2008) term loan (“Singapore Permanent Facility A”) that was funded in January 2008, a SGD 2.75 billion (approximately $1.92 billion at exchange rates in effect on September 30, 2008) term loan (“Singapore Permanent Facility B”) that is available on a delayed draw basis until December 31, 2010, a SGD 192.6 million (approximately $134.4 million at exchange rates in effect on September 30, 2008) banker’s guarantee facility (“Singapore Permanent Facility C”) to provide the bankers’ guarantees in favor of the STB required under the Development Agreement that was fully drawn in January 2008, and a SGD 500.0 million (approximately $349.0 million at exchange rates in effect on September 30, 2008) revolving credit facility (“Singapore Permanent Facility D” and collectively, the “Singapore Permanent Facilities”) that is available until February 28, 2015. As of September 30, 2008, the Company had SGD 2.86 billion (approximately $2.0 billion at exchange rates in effect on September 30, 2008) available for borrowing, net of outstanding banker’s guarantees and undrawn amounts committed to be funded by Lehman Brothers Finance Asia Pte. Ltd., under the Singapore Permanent Facilities.

 

The indebtedness under the Singapore Permanent Facility Agreement is collateralized by a first-priority security interest in substantially all of MBS’s assets, other than capital stock and similar ownership interests, certain furniture, fixtures, fittings and equipment and certain other excluded assets.

 

The Singapore Permanent Facilities mature on March 31, 2015, with MBS required to repay or prepay the Singapore Permanent Facilities under certain circumstances. Commencing March 31, 2011, and at the end of each quarter thereafter, MBS is required to repay the outstanding Singapore Permanent Facility A and Facility B loans on a pro rata basis in an aggregate amount equal to SGD 125.0 million (approximately $87.2 million at exchange rates in effect on September 30, 2008) per quarter. In addition, commencing at the end of the third full quarter of operations of the Marina Bay Sands, MBS is required to further prepay the outstanding Singapore Permanent Facility A and Facility B loans on a pro rata basis with a percentage of excess free cash flow (as defined by the Singapore Permanent Facility Agreement).

 

Borrowings under the Singapore Permanent Facilities bear interest at the Singapore Swap Offer Rate plus a spread of 2.25% per annum (3.5% as of September 30, 2008). MBS is required to pay standby interest fees of 1.125% per annum and 0.90% per annum on the undrawn amounts under Singapore Permanent Facility B and Facility D, respectively. MBS is required to pay a commission of 2.25% per annum on the bankers’ guarantees outstanding under the Singapore Permanent Facilities for the period during which any banker’s guarantees are outstanding.

 

To meet the requirements of the Singapore Permanent Facility Agreement, the Company entered into three interest rate cap agreements in June 2008, with notional amounts of $300.0 million, $235.0 million and $150.0 million, all of which expire in June 2011. The Company entered into four additional interest rate cap agreements in July and August 2008, with notional amounts of $200.0 million, $175.0 million, $175.0 million and $75.0 million, which expire in July or August 2011. The provisions of the interest rate cap agreements entitle the Company to receive from the counterparties the amounts, if any, by which the selected market interest rates exceed the strike rate (which range from 4.0% to 5.0%) as stated in such agreements. There was no net effect on interest expense as a result of the interest rate cap agreements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008.

 

The Singapore Permanent Facility Agreement contains affirmative and negative covenants customary for such financings, including, but not limited to, limitations on liens, annual capital expenditures other than project costs, indebtedness, loans and guarantees, investments, acquisitions and asset sales, restricted payments, affiliate transactions and use of proceeds from the Singapore Permanent Facilities. The Singapore Permanent Facility Agreement also requires MBS to comply with financial covenants as of the end of the first full quarter beginning not less than 183 days after the commencement of operations of the Marina Bay Sands, including maximum ratios of total indebtedness to Adjusted EBITDA, minimum ratios of Adjusted EBITDA to interest expense, minimum Adjusted EBITDA requirements and maintaining a positive net worth. The Singapore Permanent Facility Agreement also contains events of default customary for such financings.

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

 

Cash flows from financing activities related to long-term debt are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and various state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is subject to federal, state and local, or foreign income tax examinations by tax authorities for years after 2002. The Internal Revenue Service is currently examining the U.S. federal income tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006. To date, there are no proposed adjustments that the Company believes will have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax positions in the provision for income taxes on the statement of operations. At September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had approximately $0.8 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of interest accrued. No penalties were accrued for at September 30, 2008 or December 31, 2007.

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

Stock-based compensation activity was as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands, except weighted average grant date fair values):

 

 

The fair value of each option grant was estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

 

 

The Shoppes at The Palazzo opened on January 18, 2008, with some tenants not yet open and with construction of certain portions of the mall not yet completed. The Company contracted to sell The Shoppes at The Palazzo to GGP pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement dated as of April 12, 2004, as amended (the “Amended Agreement”). The total purchase price to be paid by GGP for The Shoppes at The Palazzo is determined by taking The Shoppes at The Palazzo’s net operating income, as defined in the Amended Agreement, for months 19 through 30 of its operations (assuming that the rent and other periodic payments due from all tenants in month 30 was actually due in each of months 19 through 30, provided that this 12-month period can be delayed if certain conditions are satisfied) divided by a capitalization rate. The capitalization rate is 0.06 for every dollar of net operating income up to $38.0 million and 0.08 for every dollar of net operating income above $38.0 million. On the closing date of the sale, February 29, 2008, GGP made its initial purchase price payment of $290.8 million based on projected net operating income for the first 12 months of operations (only taking into account tenants open for business or paying rent as of February 29, 2008). Pursuant to the Amended Agreement, periodic adjustments to the purchase price (up or down, but never to less than $250.0 million) are to be made based on projected net operating income for the then upcoming 12 months. Subject to adjustments for certain audit and other issues, the final adjustment to the purchase price will be made on the 30-month anniversary of the closing date (or later if certain conditions are satisfied) and will be based on the previously described formula. For all purchase price and purchase price adjustment calculations, “net operating income” will be calculated by using the “accrual” method of

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

accounting. Pursuant to the Amended Agreement, the Company received an additional $4.6 million in June 2008, representing the adjustment payment at the fourth month after closing. There was another required purchase price adjustment on October 15, 2008; however, no payment was made by GGP, and GGP and the Company disagree on this adjustment calculation and whether it results in an increase or a decrease (in which case the Company would owe money to GGP) in the purchase price. GGP and the Company are in discussions to attempt to resolve their disagreement. Due to the general downturn in national and local retail, economic and market conditions, there can be no assurance of what the final purchase price will be, although the Company currently believes that it will be in excess of costs incurred in constructing The Shoppes at The Palazzo; however, if circumstances change, the Company may be required to record an impairment charge in the future. Based on GGP’s current financial condition, there can be no assurance that GGP will make its future periodic payments.

 

In the Amended Agreement, the Company agreed to lease certain restaurant and retail space on the casino level of The Palazzo to GGP pursuant to a master lease agreement (the “Master Lease”). Under the Master Lease, which was executed concurrently with, and as a part of, the closing on the sale of The Shoppes at The Palazzo to GGP on February 29, 2008, The Palazzo leased nine restaurant and retail spaces on the casino level of The Palazzo, currently occupied by various tenants, to GGP for 89 years with annual rent of one dollar per year, and GGP assumed the various tenant operating leases for those spaces. Under generally accepted accounting principles, the Master Lease does not qualify as a sale of the real property covered by the Master Lease, which real property was not separately legally demised. Accordingly, $41.8 million of the mall sale transaction has been deferred as prepaid operating lease payments to The Palazzo, which is amortized into income on a straight-line basis over the 89-year lease term. An additional $7.0 million of the total proceeds from the mall sale transaction has been deferred as unearned revenues as of September 30, 2008. This balance will increase as additional purchase price proceeds are received.

 

In addition, the Company agreed with GGP to lease certain spaces located within The Shoppes at The Palazzo for a period of 10 years with total fixed minimum rents of $0.7 million per year, subject to extension options for a period of up to 10 years and automatic increases beginning on the second lease year. Under generally accepted accounting principles, a gain on the sale has not been recorded as the Company has continuing involvement in the transaction related to the completion of construction on the remainder of The Shoppes at The Palazzo, certain activities to be performed on behalf of GGP and the uncertainty of the final sales price, which will be determined in 2010 as previously described. Therefore, $243.9 million of the mall sale transaction has been recorded as deferred proceeds from the sale as of September 30, 2008, which accrues interest at an imputed interest rate offset by (i) imputed rental income and (ii) rent payments made to GGP related to those spaces leased back from GGP. The property sold to GGP will remain as assets of the Company (of which $597.5 million has been capitalized as of September 30, 2008) with depreciation continuing to be recorded until the final sales price determination has been made.

 

 

The Company has entered into various joint venture agreements with independent third parties; whereby these third parties will operate a variety of restaurants in The Venetian Las Vegas and The Palazzo. The operations of these restaurants have been consolidated by the Company in accordance with FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 46R, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” The Company evaluates its investments in joint ventures to assess the appropriateness of their consolidation into the Company when events have occurred that would trigger such an analysis.

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The joint ventures had total current assets of $5.2 million and fixed assets of $53.6 million as of September 30, 2008. The following is summarized income statement data for our consolidated joint ventures for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 (in thousands):

 

 

 

As discussed in “— Note 1 — Organization and Business of Company,” the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157 with respect to fair value measurements of (a) nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the Company’s financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually) and (b) all financial assets and liabilities. Under SFAS No. 157, fair value is defined as the exit price, or the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. SFAS No. 157 also establishes a valuation hierarchy for inputs in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs (inputs market participants would use based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company) and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs (inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions based upon the best information available in the circumstances) by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs (other than quoted prices) that are observable for the assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the assets or liabilities. Categorization within the hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

The following table provides the assets carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2008 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

NOTE 10 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company is involved in other litigation in addition to those noted below, arising in the normal course of business. Management has made certain estimates for potential litigation costs based upon consultation with legal

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

counsel. Actual results could differ from these estimates; however, in the opinion of management, such litigation and claims will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

The Palazzo Construction Litigation

 

Lido Casino Resort, LLC (“Lido”), formerly a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and now merged into Venetian Casino Resort, LLC (“VCR”), and its construction manager, Taylor International Corp. (“Taylor”), filed suit in March 2006 in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada (the “District Court”) against Malcolm Drilling Company, Inc. (“Malcolm”), the contractor on The Palazzo project responsible for completing certain foundation work (the “District Court Case”). Lido and Taylor claim in the District Court Case that Malcolm was in default of its contract for performing defective work, failing to correct defective work, failing to complete its work and causing delay to the project. Malcolm responded by filing a Notice of a Lien with the Clerk of Clark County, Nevada in March 2006 in the amount of approximately $19.0 million (the “Lien”). In April 2006, Lido and Taylor moved in the District Court Case to strike or, in the alternative, to reduce the amount of, the Lien, claiming, among other things, that the Lien was excessive for including claims for disruption and delay, which Lido and Taylor claim are not lienable under Nevada law (the “Lien Motion”). Malcolm responded in April 2006 by filing a complaint against Lido and Taylor in District Court of Clark County, Nevada seeking to foreclose on the Lien against Taylor, claiming breach of contract, a cardinal change in the underlying contract, unjust enrichment against Lido and Taylor and bad faith and fraud against Taylor (the “State Court Case”), and simultaneously filed a motion in the District Court Case, seeking to dismiss the District Court Case on abstention grounds (the “Abstention Motion”). In response, in June 2006, Lido filed a motion to dismiss the State Court Case based on the principle of the “prior pending” District Court Case (the “Motion to Dismiss”). In June 2006, the Abstention Motion was granted in part by the United States District Court, the District Court Case was stayed pending the outcome of the Motion to Dismiss in the State Court Case and the Lien Motion was denied without prejudice. In January 2008, the parties agreed to the dismissal of the District Court Case without prejudice. Prior to agreeing on that dismissal, Lido and Malcolm entered into a stipulation under which Lido withdrew the Motion to Dismiss, and in July 2006 filed a replacement lien motion in the State Court Case. The lien motion in the State Court Case was denied in August 2006 and Lido and Taylor filed a permitted interlocutory notice of appeal to the Supreme Court of Nevada in September 2006. In April 2007, Malcolm filed an Amended Notice of Lien with the Clerk of Clark County, Nevada in the amount of approximately $16.7 million plus interest, costs and attorney’s fees. In August 2007, Malcolm filed a motion for partial summary judgment, seeking the dismissal of the counterclaim filed in the State Court Case by Lido to the extent the claim sought lost profits. After argument, the motion for partial summary judgment was denied without prejudice on October 23, 2007, and a conforming order was entered in December 2007. Argument on the appeal of the denial of the lien motion in the State Court was heard by the Supreme Court in March 2008, but a decision has not yet been issued. In January 2008, Malcolm filed a series of three motions and again sought summary judgment on the counterclaim filed in the State Court Case and VCR, as successor in interest to Lido, and Taylor sought summary judgment on certain of Malcolm’s claims. The motions for summary judgment were all denied without prejudice except that claims of Malcolm totaling approximately $675,000 were dismissed. In May 2008, the Supreme Court vacated the order denying the motion to strike the mechanic’s lien and remanded to the trial court for a decision on the lien during the upcoming trial. The trial commenced in June 2008, was adjourned in early July 2008 and resumed on November 3, 2008. Management has determined that based on proceedings to date, an adverse outcome is not probable. VCR, as successor in interest to Lido, intends to defend itself against the claims pending in the State Court Case.

 

Litigation Relating to Macao Operations

 

On October 15, 2004, Richard Suen and Round Square Company Limited filed an action against LVSC, Las Vegas Sands, Inc. (“LVSI”), Sheldon G. Adelson and William P. Weidner in the District Court of Clark County, Nevada, asserting a breach of an alleged agreement to pay a success fee of $5.0 million and 2.0% of the net profit from the Company’s Macao resort operations to the plaintiffs as well as other related claims. In March 2005, LVSC was dismissed as a party without prejudice based on a stipulation to do so between the parties. On May 17, 2005, the plaintiffs filed their first amended complaint. On February 2, 2006, defendants filed a motion for partial summary

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

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judgment with respect to plaintiffs’ fraud claims against all the defendants. On March 16, 2006, an order was filed by the court granting defendants’ motion for partial summary judgment. Pursuant to the order filed March 16, 2006, plaintiffs’ fraud claims set forth in the first amended complaint were dismissed with prejudice as against all defendants. The order also dismissed with prejudice the first amended complaint against defendants Sheldon G. Adelson and William P. Weidner. On May 24, 2008, the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiffs in the amount of $43.8 million. On June 30, 2008, a judgment was entered in this matter in the amount of $58.6 million (including pre-judgment interest). The Company has begun the appeals process, including its filings on July 15, 2008, with the trial court of a motion for judgment as a matter of law or in the alternative, a new trial and a motion to strike, alter and/or amend the judgment. The grounds for these motions include (1) insufficient evidence that Suen conferred a benefit on LVSI, (2) the improper admission of testimony, (3) the Court’s refusal to give jury instructions that the law presumes that government officials have performed their duties regularly, and that the law has been obeyed, and (4) jury instructions that improperly permitted the plaintiff to recover for the services of others. These motions were scheduled to be heard on September 29, 2008, but have been postponed to December 8, 2008. If the Company is unsuccessful in obtaining the relief sought from the trial court, it intends to continue to vigorously pursue available appeals. The Company believes that it has valid bases in law and fact to overturn or appeal the verdict. As a result, the Company believes that the likelihood that the amount of the judgment will be affirmed is not probable, and, accordingly, that the amount of any loss cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. Because the Company believes that this potential loss is not probable or estimable, it has not recorded any reserves or contingencies related to this legal matter. In the event that the Company’s assumptions used to evaluate this matter as neither probable nor estimable change in future periods, it may be required to record a liability for an adverse outcome.

 

On January 26, 2006, Clive Basset Jones, Darryl Steven Turok (a/k/a Dax Turok) and Cheong Jose Vai Chi (a/k/a Cliff Cheong), filed an action against LVSC, LVSLLC, Venetian Venture Development, LLC (“Venetian Venture Development”) and various unspecified individuals and companies in the District Court of Clark County, Nevada. The plaintiffs assert breach of an agreement to pay a success fee in an amount equal to 5% of the ownership interest in the entity that owns and operates the Macao gaming subconcession as well as other related claims. In April 2006, LVSC was dismissed as a party without prejudice based on a stipulation to do so between the parties. Discovery has begun in this matter and the case is currently set for trial in late spring or early summer 2009. Management believes that the plaintiff’s case against the Company is without merit. The Company intends to defend this matter vigorously.

 

On February 5, 2007, Asian American Entertainment Corporation, Limited (“AAEC”) filed an action against LVSI, VCR, Venetian Venture Development, William P. Weidner and David Friedman in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada. The plaintiffs assert breach of contract by LVSI, VCR and Venetian Venture Development of an agreement under which AAEC would work to obtain a gaming license in Macao and, if successful, AAEC would jointly operate a casino, hotel and related facilities in Macao with Venetian Venture Development and Venetian Venture Development would receive fees and a minority equity interest in the venture and breach of fiduciary duties by all of the defendants. The plaintiffs have requested an unspecified amount of actual, compensatory and punitive damages, and disgorgement of profits related to our Macao gaming license. The Company filed a motion to dismiss on July 11, 2007. On August 1, 2007, the Court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss the complaint against all defendants without prejudice. The plaintiffs have appealed this decision. Management believes that the plaintiff’s case against the Company is without merit. The Company intends to defend this matter vigorously.

 

Singapore Development Project

 

On August 23, 2006, the Company entered into the Development Agreement with the STB, which requires the Company to construct and operate the Marina Bay Sands in accordance with the Company’s proposal for the integrated resort and in accordance with the agreement. The Company is continuing to finalize various design aspects of the integrated resort and is in the process of finalizing its cost estimates for the project. The cost to build the Marina Bay Sands is expected to be in excess of $4.5 billion, which is inclusive of the land premium, taxes and other fees previously paid. As discussed in “— Note 4 — Long-Term Debt — Singapore Related Debt — Singapore Permanent Facilities,” the Company entered into the SGD 5.44 billion (approximately $3.80 billion at

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

exchange rates in effect on September 30, 2008) Singapore Permanent Facility Agreement to fund a significant portion of the construction, operating and other development costs of the Marina Bay Sands.

 

Other Commitments

 

In January 2008, the Company entered into agreements to purchase an additional four ferries at an aggregate cost of approximately $72.0 million to be built for the Company’s Macao operations. As of September 30, 2008, the Company was obligated to make future payments of $52.3 million.

 

 

The Company’s principal operating and developmental activities occur in three geographic areas: Las Vegas, Macao and Singapore. The Company reviews the results of operations for each of its key operating segments: The Venetian Las Vegas, which includes the Sands Expo Center; The Palazzo; Sands Macao; The Venetian Macao; Four Seasons Macao; and Other Asia (comprised primarily of the ferry operations). The Company also reviews construction and development activities for each of its primary projects: The Venetian Las Vegas; The Palazzo; Sands Macao; The Venetian Macao; Four Seasons Macao; Other Asia (comprised of the ferry operations and various other operations that are ancillary to the Company’s properties in Macao); Marina Bay Sands in Singapore; Other Development Projects (on Parcels 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the Cotai Strip); and Corporate and Other (comprised primarily of the airplanes, St. Regis Residences and Sands Bethlehem). The Venetian Las Vegas and The Palazzo operating segments are managed as a single integrated resort and have been aggregated as one reportable segment, the Las Vegas Operating Properties, considering their similar economic characteristics, types of customers, types of service and products, the regulatory business environment of the operations within each segment and the Company’s organizational and management reporting structure. The information as of December 31, 2007, and

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, has been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. The Company’s segment information is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

 

 

LVSC is the obligor of the 6.375% Senior Notes (the “Senior Notes”) due 2015, issued on February 10, 2005. LVSLLC, VCR, Mall Intermediate Holding Company, LLC, Venetian Venture Development, Venetian Transport, LLC, Venetian Marketing, Inc., Lido Intermediate Holding Company, LLC and Lido Casino Resort Holding Company, LLC (collectively, the “Original Guarantors”), have jointly and severally guaranteed the Senior Notes on a full and unconditional basis. Effective May 23, 2007, in conjunction with entering into the New Senior Secured Credit Facility, LVSC, the Original Guarantors and the trustee entered into a supplemental indenture related to the Senior Notes, whereby the following subsidiaries were added as full and unconditional guarantors on a joint and several basis: Interface Group-Nevada Inc., Palazzo Condo Tower, LLC, Sands Pennsylvania, Inc., Phase II Mall Holding, LLC and Phase II Mall Subsidiary, LLC (collectively with the Original Guarantors, the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”). On February 29, 2008, all of the capital stock of Phase II Mall Subsidiary, LLC was sold to GGP and in connection therewith, it was released as a guarantor under the Senior Notes. As described in “— Note 7 — Mall Sale,” the sale of The Shoppes at The Palazzo is not complete from an accounting perspective due to the Company’s continuing involvement in the transaction related to the completion of construction on the remainder of The Shoppes at The Palazzo, certain activities to be performed on behalf of GGP and the uncertainty of the final sales price. Certain of the assets, liabilities, operating results and cash flows related to the ownership and operation of the mall by Phase II Subsidiary, LLC subsequent to the sale will continue to be accounted for by the Guarantor

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Subsidiaries until the final sales price has been determined, and therefore are included in the “Guarantor Subsidiaries” columns in the following condensed consolidating financial information. As a result, net assets of $350.9 million (consisting of $597.5 million of fixed assets, offset by $246.6 million of liabilities consisting primarily of deferred proceeds from the sale) and capital expenditures of $194.7 million as of September 30, 2008 and a net loss of $4.0 million and $9.1 million (consisting primarily of depreciation expense) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, related to the mall and are being accounted for by the Guarantor Subsidiaries; however, these balances and amounts are not collateral for the Senior Notes and should not be considered as credit support for the guarantees of the Senior Notes.

 

As a result of the supplemental indenture related to the Senior Notes and the sale of the Phase II Mall Subsidiary, LLC, there has been a change in the group of subsidiaries that are the Guarantor Subsidiaries. Accordingly, the Company has reclassified prior periods to conform to the current presentation of the Guarantor Subsidiaries.

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The condensed consolidating financial information of LVSC, the Guarantor Subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, is as follows (in thousands):

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
September 30, 2008

 

 

LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
December 31, 2007