Las Vegas Sands to pay down more than us$ 1 billion of debt

"We are pleased to announce that we are paying down over us$ 1 billion of debt, which significantly advances our deleveraging strategy," said Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO Sheldon G. Adelson. "Additionally, the successful execution of this amendment has extended our debt maturities at favorable interest rates, strengthened our balance sheet, meaningfully enhanced our liquidity and leaves our company well positioned to pursue additional growth opportunities in emerging gaming markets."

The amendment of the credit facility extended the maturity of nearly 75% of the company's approximately us$ 3.9 billion of outstanding United States term loans to 2015 and 2016. After the us$ 1 billion pay down of the extended term loans, which should occur later this week, the interest rate on the remaining principal balance of the extended term loans will be LIBOR plus 2.75%. The us$ 980 million of term loans that were not extended as part of the amendment will continue to accrue interest at LIBOR plus 1.75% and will mature in 2013 and 2014, consistent with the original terms of the loans.

In addition, the amendment also extended to 2014 more than us$ 530 million of revolving commitments from certain of the lenders at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.5%. The company has no amounts outstanding on the revolving portion of the credit facility at this time. The amendment also favorably modified the leverage covenants on the facility.

The company submitted today a filing on Form 8-K which contains additional details of the amendment to the United States credit facility.