Genting Berhad (GENTMK)

Genting Berhad's current credit level is investment grade, but headroom is not thick. Genting Berhad's consolidated group has strong integrated resorts in Malaysia and Singapore, substantial cash, domestic and international capital-market access, and a multi-regional business base, so the covered issuer is not likely to experience a collapse in credit quality in the short term. However, given the FY2025 EBITDA decline, parent-attributable loss, increase in total borrowings, cash decline, large investments and Negative outlooks from multiple rating agencies, the credit direction is not stable improvement but a weak sideways trend until investment payback and deleveraging are demonstrated. The probability of rapid credit deterioration is not high at present, but if RWS, RWNYC, RWLV, refinancing markets and regulatory events all deteriorate at the same time, rating reactions near the lower end of investment grade could become rapid.

The credit is supported by the quality of business assets. RWG and RWS are integrated resort assets with high barriers to entry in Asia, combining tourism, gaming, hotels, theme parks and MICE. In addition, Genting Berhad's consolidated group has RWNYC, RWLV, the UK, the Bahamas, Plantation and Power. Operating cash flow in 2025 was positive at RM5.90bn, cash and cash equivalents were RM18.00bn, and immediate liquidity against short-term borrowings is large. Access to both the domestic RM market and international bond markets is also supportive.

The credit is constrained by investment burden and structure. FY2025 total borrowings were RM40.81bn, heavy relative to adjusted EBITDA. RWS 2.0, RWNYC, RWLV, Genting Highlands and Energy projects are future growth drivers, but they are also upfront investments and refinancing risks. The tender for GOHL 2027 notes and issuance of subordinated perpetual securities are positive for maturity management, but they bring greater capital-structure complexity and high distribution rates through hybridisation. Parent-level creditors need to examine not only consolidated EBITDA, but also which legal entity holds cash, which debts have collateral, guarantees or subordination, and how much subsidiary dividends can be upstreamed.