Why Wynn Resorts, Limited's Shares Are Up 33% in 2016

Image source: Wynn Resorts.

What: Shares of gaming operator Wynn Resorts, Limited have jumped 33% so far in 2016, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, as investors anticipate its biggest growth project in years.

So what: Wynn Palace, the company's newest property in Macau within the Cotai region, will be a $4.1 billion expansion in the world's largest gaming market. It could also be Wynn's biggest cash generator from the day it opens in August.

Generally, there's also been more optimism about Macau's gaming market so far this year. Gaming revenue has appeared to stabilize and is down just 11.4% this year, which compares to a 37% decline at this time last year.

Now what: Cotai resorts have been the most profitable in Macau, with some generating over $1 billion in EBITDA -- a proxy for cash flow -- annually. If the past is any indication, Wynn will likely move to the top of that chart when Wynn Palace opens and that's what has investors so excited. I don't think shares look as undervalued today as they did when the year began, but if Wynn Palace performs as expected the stock still has lots of upside and a nice 2.2% dividend yield.

The article Why Wynn Resorts, Limited's Shares Are Up 33% in 2016 originally appeared on Fool.com.

Travis Hoium owns shares of Wynn Resorts. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.