Las Vegas Sands Corp. LVS is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 21, after the closing bell.
LVS’ earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, with an average earnings surprise of 8.5%.
Trend in the Estimate Revision of LVS
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter earnings per share (EPS) is pegged at 77 cents, indicating a decline of 1.3% from 78 cents reported in the year-ago quarter.
Las Vegas Sands Corp. Price and EPS Surprise
Las Vegas Sands Corp. price-eps-surprise | Las Vegas Sands Corp. Quote
For revenues, the consensus mark is pegged at nearly $3.4 billion. The figure indicates an increase of 2.2% from the year-ago quarter.
Let’s take a look at how things might have shaped up in the quarter.
Factors Likely to Shape Las Vegas Sands’ Q3 Results
Las Vegas Sands' third-quarter performance is likely to have benefited from strong premium gaming demand, enhanced hospitality offerings and improving customer engagement across its Singapore and Macao operations. The company's focus on attracting high-value patrons through upgraded accommodations, improved service levels and targeted marketing initiatives is expected to have supported gaming volumes and revenues in the to-be-reported quarter.
In Singapore, Marina Bay Sands is likely to have remained a key growth driver, supported by sustained demand from affluent travelers and its expanded premium suite offerings. Management highlighted that suite renovations, enhanced customer service and improved gaming experiences have strengthened the property's earnings potential. Continued momentum in mass gaming, alongside efforts to attract high-value customers and optimize suite yields, is expected to have supported third-quarter performance.
Macao operations are also likely to have benefited from improving gaming volumes and market-share gains, particularly in the premium mass and VIP segments. Sands China's investments in customer service, expanded gaming table operating hours and upgraded hospitality offerings are expected to have supported visitation and gaming activity. Strong customer response to enhancements at The Londoner Macao and Four Seasons, along with a favorable entertainment calendar, is likely to have aided gaming and non-gaming revenues.
Our model projects Macao revenues to increase 5% year over year to $2 billion, while revenues from Plaza Macao and Four Seasons Macao are expected to fall 20.4% to $163.9 million in the third quarter.
On the profitability front, intense competition in Macao's premium gaming market and elevated customer reinvestment requirements are likely to have pressured margins. Ongoing renovations at The Venetian Macao may also have constrained room availability. Additionally, fluctuations in gaming hold rates and high-value patron visitation could have created volatility in revenues and earnings. Continued spending on service enhancements may have further weighed on profitability, although management expects operating expense growth to moderate in the second half of 2026.
However, efforts to optimize customer reinvestment and moderate operating expense growth are expected to have aided margins. Management indicated that the pace of operating expense increases in Macao should slow during the second half of 2026 following significant investments in staffing, gaming table operating hours and service enhancements.
Reflecting these investments, our model projects total operating expenses to increase 1.2% year over year to $2.64 billion in the third quarter.
What Our Model Says About LVS Stock
Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Las Vegas Sands this time around. The company does not have the right combination of the two key ingredients, a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold), to increase the odds of an earnings beat.
LVS’ Earnings ESP: Las Vegas Sands has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
LVS’ Zacks Rank: The company carries a Zacks Rank #3 at present.
Stocks Poised to Beat on Earnings
Here are some stocks from the Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector that investors may consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat.
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation VAC has an Earnings ESP of +10.02% and a Zacks Rank of 1 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Marriott Vacations is expected to register a 45% increase in earnings for the to-be-reported quarter. VAC reported better-than-expected earnings in the trailing three out of four quarters and missed once, the average surprise being 1.3%.
Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. LIND currently has an Earnings ESP of +11.08% and a Zacks Rank of 1.
LIND’s earnings for the to-be-reported quarter are expected to increase 24.2%. Lindblad Expeditions reported better-than-expected earnings in the trailing three out of four quarters and missed once, the average surprise being 222.3%.
Rush Street Interactive, Inc. RSI currently has an Earnings ESP of +2.44% and a Zacks Rank of 3.
RSI’s earnings for the to-be-reported quarter are expected to increase 55.6%. Rush Street Interactive reported better-than-expected earnings in the trailing two out of four quarters, missed estimates once and reported in line once, with the average surprise being 6.3%.
Beyond Nvidia: AI's Second Wave Is Here
The AI revolution has already minted millionaires. But the stocks everyone knows about aren't likely to keep delivering the biggest profits. AI’s second wave is moving from infrastructure to implementation and these companies are at the forefront of this transition, positioned to become what Amazon and Google were to the internet era.
See Stocks Now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS): Free Stock Analysis Report
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (VAC): Free Stock Analysis Report
Lindblad Expeditions (LIND): Free Stock Analysis Report
Rush Street Interactive, Inc. (RSI): Free Stock Analysis Report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).