When Las Vegas Sands
For the fourth quarter, Las Vegas Sands reported record growth in Macao property EBITDA, which increased by 27.2%, as well as an adjusted property EBITDA increase of 39.6% at Marina Bay Sands. Year over year, the company also set new record highs for net revenue of $9.41 billion and adjusted property EBITDA of $3.53 billion.
Sands shareholders will receive $0.25 per share ever quarter, with the first payment on March 30, 2012 (for shareholders of record on March 20). Las Vegas Sands will now join Wynn Resorts
In the past, other casino operators have paid shareholders, but no longer do. MGM Resorts
Wynn, Las Vegas Sands, and Melco Crown all boast debt-to cash-ratios of 3-to-1 or lower, which may spark Melco to follow Sands' lead in respects to paying a dividend. Looking at this metric for MGM, Boyd, and Penn national -- which have 6.8-1, 18-1, and 9.8-1 ratios, respectively -- it is easy to see they need to concentrate on lowering debt before giving back to shareholders.
Foolish take
In my opinion Las Vegas Sands is now a grade-A stock: It has solid and very reliable growth, great management, and now a dividend. Although Sands didn't make the list of 11 rock-solid dividend-paying companies in the past, maybe now it will. Check out who did make the list by clicking here.