Shares of Crown Resorts Ltd (ASX: CWN) have continued their turbulent run today, slipping a further 2.7% to $10.70 (up from a low of $10.57).
The shares began the week at a price of $12.95, but have since lost more than 17% of their market value on the back of multiple arrests of their staff members in China late last week. Unfortunately for shareholders of the business, the company was unable to provide any further details regarding the situation at this stage given the lack of information available.
However, as quoted by SBS, Chairman Robert Rankin did say "any assessment at this time as to any material impact on our business is both premature and speculative."
While the potential implications for Crown Resorts' business remain unclear, some investors will likely believe that the 17% plunge in their share price this week has been overdone, and conclude that now is a good time to buy the shares. While risk-averse investors may want to observe from the sidelines, investors willing to take on the additional risk for the potential reward could certainly take the opportunity to take a deeper look into the business's numbers.
Shares of SKYCITY Entertainment Group Limited-Ord (ASX: SKC) and Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR) have also shed 7.4% and 8.8% this week, respectively.
Although further light wasn't shed on the Chinese controversy surrounding Crown Resorts, the company did say it would proceed with plans to float a 49% stake in some of its Australian hotels (whereby Crown Resorts would retain the controlling 51%).
In a release to the market earlier, it said: "Following a detailed evaluation, the Crown Resorts Board has now endorsed the implementation of a potential IPO of a 49% interest in some of its Australian hotels and associated retail property, which are likely to include the Crown Promenade hotels in Melbourne and Perth and the Crown Metropol hotels in Melbourne and Perth."
It also said that, if implemented, the initial public offer (IPO) could realise "significant value" for shareholders, and all the while Crown will maintain a majority interest in a number of key assets.
Crown Resorts reported its full-year results in August this year, with revenue up 3.8% to $3.6 billion for the period. It also reported a net profit of $948 million, although the bulk of this was due to a once-off gain which investors shouldn't expect to see again in the future. On a normalised basis, earnings actually fell 22.7% to $406.2 million.
As it stands, Crown's shares are trading on normalised earnings per share of around 19.2x, as well as a partially franked 6.8% dividend yield.
