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Recapitalize; Reports 2003 Full Year Net Loss of $87.3 million Compared to a Net Loss of $12.0 million for Full Year 2002 |
with Affiliate of CSFB, DLJ Merchant Banking Partners III, L.P. NEW YORK - Feb. 12, 2004 -- Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc. ("THCR" or the "Company") (NYSE: DJT) announced today that it has entered into an exclusivity agreement with DLJ Merchant Banking Partners III, L.P. ("DLJMB"), an affiliate of Credit Suisse First Boston ("CSFB"), in connection with DLJMB's proposed $400 million investment to sponsor a comprehensive recapitalization of the Company. DLJMB's proposed investment is in the form of common equity and will, if consummated, result in a substantial deleveraging of the Company's balance sheet. DLJMB would also become the majority shareholder of the Company, with Donald J. Trump continuing as the Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors and a significant equity holder. The proposed recapitalization is anticipated to, among other things, facilitate a large scale expansion of the Company's current properties and provide for additional development. In connection with the proposed recapitalization, the Company also intends to change its name to Trump International Corporation. Executive Vice President Scott C. Butera commented on the new developments, "We are very excited about our potential relationship with CSFB and DLJMB, and firmly believe we have the right partners to assist the Company in its proposed recapitalization. DLJMB is a growth-oriented investor focused on long-term value creation. DLJMB's investment and the proposed recapitalization will strengthen the Company's balance sheet, allow it to expand its well located casino properties and position the Company for growth. The Trump brand and commitment to providing its customers with a premier resort and casino experience has never been stronger than they are today. We are confident that this proposed transaction will allow the Company to maintain this commitment as well as serve as a springboard into new and exciting markets." Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Donald J. Trump, further commented, "This is a very significant event for our Company. Credit Suisse is one of the finest banking institutions in the world, and I am excited to partner with its leading private equity arm, DLJ Merchant Banking Partners. This potential relationship would greatly enhance our competitive position, and afford us an opportunity to extend the Trump brand globally." DLJMB's investment would be contingent upon a number of factors, including obtaining regulatory approvals, a restructuring of Trump Atlantic City Associates' First Mortgage Notes and Trump Casino Holdings' First and Second Mortgage Notes at a discount to the face value of such notes, and a purchase price of the Company's Common Stock by DLJMB within certain parameters. Although the Company has had extensive discussions with DLJMB regarding the potential transaction, it has not entered into any definitive agreements with DLJMB or any other parties concerning the proposed or any other recapitalization (other than the exclusivity agreement with DLJMB and an agreement to pay DLJMB expenses in certain circumstances and a fee if certain transactions occur within specified periods and DLJMB does not participate). There is no assurance that the terms of a definitive agreement concerning DLJMB's proposed investment will be reached between the Company and DLJMB, that the Company's debt will be restructured, or that any potential recapitalization will be proposed or consummated. The Company has retained UBS Investment Bank as its exclusive financial advisor in connection with the potential recapitalization. The Special Committee of the Company's Board of Directors has also retained financial and legal advisors to assist in evaluating the potential transaction. The Company's fourth quarter and fiscal year end results follow. The Company will not conduct its usual earnings conference call to discuss the earnings release with the investment community. Fourth Quarter and Year End Results: THCR today reported consolidated net revenues (defined as gross revenues less promotional allowances) for the quarter ended December 31, 2003 of $266.8 million, compared to $283.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. Consolidated income from operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2003 was $19.4 million, compared to $28.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. The net loss for the 2003 fourth quarter was $40.9 million, or $1.37 per share, compared to a net loss of $17.3 million, or $0.78 per share net of minority interest of $10.0 million, in the fourth quarter of 2002. EBITDA (defined as income from operations before depreciation, amortization, non-cash CRDA write-downs, debt renegotiation costs and corporate expenses) for the quarter ended December 31, 2003 was $49.3 million, compared to $64.0 million reported for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. Readers are advised that the term "EBITDA" is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles. The Company uses EBITDA because it believes that it is used by certain investors in measuring an entity's operating performance. A reconciliation of EBITDA to income from operations and net loss is included in the attached schedules. THCR's consolidated net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2003 were $1,161 million compared to $1,229 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. Consolidated income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2003 was $139.4 million, compared to $207.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. Consolidated net loss for the year ended December 31, 2003 was $87.3 million, or $3.39 per share net of minority interest of $5.1 million, compared to a net loss of $12.0 million, or $0.54 per share net of minority interest of $6.9 million, for the year ended December 31, 2002. EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2003 of $254.9 million, compared to $321.6 million reported for the year ended December 31, 2002. Chief Operating Officer Mark A. Brown commented, "2003 was a year full of challenges. The first and fourth quarters had very severe weather with record snowfalls and cold temperatures, and the second quarter was affected by a still slowing economy and the war in Iraq. The opening of the Borgata was felt by Atlantic City casinos in general, most notably those properties in the Marina District including Trump Marina, and impacted the Company's operating results in the second half of the year. The Company responded to these challenges by continuing to update its gaming floor with popular games utilizing cashless technology and reducing its work force to improve its operating margins. The Company is committed to recapturing its lost market share by providing great service and innovative programs in an attractive environment. We believe the proposed recapitalization plan would assist in this initiative." Mr. Brown added, "The fourth quarter results in Atlantic City, while trailing prior year amounts, declined at a lower rate than the 2003 third quarter. The Company believes this indicates the effectiveness of its cost control programs. Trump Indiana's fourth quarter results were reduced by $6.3 million of additional accrued real estate taxes caused by substantial two-year retroactive real estate assessments in Lake County. The Company will appeal the assessments." Trump Taj Mahal Associates ("Taj Associates") reported net revenues of $110.8 million for the 2003 fourth quarter, compared to $117.5 million for the same quarter in 2002. Income from operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2003 was $13.0 million, compared to $15.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. EBITDA was $25.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2003, compared to $29.3 million, respectively, for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. Taj Associates reported net revenues of $487.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to $515.9 million for 2002. Income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2003 was $72.4 million, compared to $101.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. EBITDA decreased to $120.2 million in 2003, compared to $145.7 million in 2002. Trump Plaza Associates ("Plaza Associates") reported net revenues of $65.8 million for the 2003 fourth quarter, compared to $73.3 million for the same quarter in 2002. Income from operations for the 2003 fourth quarter was $4.0 million, compared to $5.1 million for the 2002 fourth quarter. EBITDA decreased to $11.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2002, compared to $13.4 million for the same quarter in 2002. Plaza Associates reported net revenues of $291.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to $316.2 million for 2002. Plaza Associates' income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2003 was $35.4 million, compared to $52.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. EBITDA was $60.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to $76.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. Trump Marina, Inc. ("Trump Marina") reported net revenues of $55.4 million for the 2003 fourth quarter, compared to net revenues of $61.7 million for the 2002 fourth quarter. Trump Marina's income from operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2003 was $3.9 million, compared to $2.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. EBITDA was $10.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2003, compared to $12.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. For the year ended December 31, 2003, Trump Marina reported net revenues of $250.4 million, compared to net revenues of $270.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. Income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2003 was $24.2 million, compared to $34.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. Trump Marina's EBITDA for 2003 was $48.5 million, compared to $64.5 million for 2002. Trump Indiana, Inc. ("Trump Indiana") reported net revenues of $33.8 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2003, compared to net revenues of $29.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. Loss from operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2003 was $1.2 million, compared to income from operations of $4.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. Trump Indiana's EBITDA for the 2003 fourth quarter decreased to $1.6 million, compared to EBITDA of $8.7 million for the 2002 fourth quarter. Included in the decrease in EBITDA for the 2003 fourth quarter is an increase in accrued real estate taxes of $6.3 million at Trump Indiana due to a retroactive two-year reassessment of the property which the Company intends to vigorously contest. For the year ended December 31, 2003, Trump Indiana reported net revenues of $128.4 million, compared to net revenues of $124.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. For the year ended December 31, 2003, Trump Indiana's income from operations was $9.7 million, compared to $20.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. Trump Indiana's 2003 EBITDA was $22.6 million, compared to $33.1 million for 2002. Under its management agreement for Trump 29 Casino, THCR Management Services, LLC earned management fees of $0.9 million and $3.9 million during the quarter and the year ended December 31, 2003, respectively, and incurred associated general and administrative costs of $0.1 million and $0.4 million during the quarter and year ended December 31, 2003, respectively. Trump Atlantic City Associates' ("TACA") combined net revenues of Trump Plaza and Trump Taj Mahal for the quarter ended December 31, 2003 was $176.7 million, compared to $190.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. Income from operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2003 was $16.9 million, compared to $20.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. EBITDA for the 2003 fourth quarter was $36.9 million, compared to $42.6 million for the same period in 2002. For the year ended December 31, 2003, TACA reported net revenues of $778.7 million, compared to net revenues of $832.1 million for 2002. Income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2003 was $107.2 million, compared to $152.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. EBITDA was $180.3 million for 2003, compared to a 2002 EBITDA of $221.9 million. TACA anticipates making the next interest payment on its 11-1/4% First Mortgage Notes due 2006 by May 30, 2004, as permitted by the indentures governing such indebtedness. Trump Casino Holdings, LLC's ("TCH") combined net revenues of Trump
Marina, Trump Indiana and THCR Management Services for the quarter ended
December 31, 2003 was $90.1 million, compared to $92.3 million for the
quarter ended December 31, 2002. Income from operations for the quarter
ended December 31, 2003 was $4.3 million, compared to $7.5 million for
the quarter ended December 31, 2002. EBITDA for the quarter ended December
31, 2003 was $12.4 million, compared to EBITDA of $21.4 million for the
same period in 2002. For the year ended December 31, 2003, TCH reported
combined net revenues of $382.8 million, compared to net revenues of $397.0
million for 2002. Income from operations for the year ended December 31,
2003 was $40.2 million, compared to $56.6 million for the year ended December
31, 2002. TCH's 2003 EBITDA was $74.6 million, compared to $99.8 million
for 2002. In accordance with its underlying indentures, TCH will pay an
additional 1% interest on its First and Second Mortgage Notes commencing
on March 15, 2004 through March 14, 2005.
THCR is a leading gaming company that owns and operates four properties and manages one property under the Trump brand name. THCR's owned assets include Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort and Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, located on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Trump Marina Hotel Casino, located in Atlantic City's Marina District, and the Trump Casino Hotel, a riverboat casino located in Gary, Indiana. In addition, the Company manages Trump 29 Casino, a Native American owned facility located near Palms Springs, California. Together, the properties comprise approximately 452,360 square feet of gaming space and 3,180 hotel rooms and suites. The Company is the sole vehicle through which Donald J. Trump conducts gaming activities and strives to provide customers with outstanding casino resort and entertainment experiences consistent with the Donald J. Trump standard of excellence. THCR is separate and distinct from Mr. Trump's real estate and other holdings. CSFB Private Equity, the global private equity arm of Credit Suisse First Boston, is the largest private equity manager in the world, with more than $29 billion of assets under management. CSFB Private Equity is comprised of investment funds that focus globally on leveraged buyouts, mezzanine, and real estate investments and includes the family of DLJ Merchant Banking funds. DLJ Merchant Banking is currently investing through DLJ Merchant Banking Partners III, L.P. which has capital commitments of $5.3 billion. All statements, trend analysis and other information contained in this release relative to THCR's or its subsidiaries' performance, trends in THCR's or its subsidiaries' operations or financial results, plans, expectations, estimates and beliefs, as well as other statements including words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "will," "could" and other similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. |
Contact:
Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, Inc. Scott C. Butera 212-891-1500 www.trump.com |
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