Sands China Q4 profit drops 15%

Giant casino operator still plans to open fifth Macao site, reports

Sands China Ltd, the Macao casino operator controlled by billionaire Sheldon Adelson, reported earnings that missed analyst estimates after China's clampdown on graft and illicit fund flows into the city deterred high-end gamblers.

Profit fell 15 percent from a year earlier to $713.2 million in the fourth quarter based on adjusted property earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, according to parent Las Vegas Sands Corp's earnings statement. That compares with the median estimate of $728 million from 10 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.