Who will lead the pack in earnings report?

CASINO giants this week will go head to head in releasing their earnings. Investors are estimating that Macau and the U.S will lead the way, especially as Macau expands its glittering empire and a growth spurt in the U.S leisure market.

Sands will report first-quarter results after the market close on Wednesday. Highly rated gambling equipment maker Bally Technologies (BYI) will announce a day later. On tap early Tuesday are slot machine and table game maker Boyd Gaming (BYD) and rival International Game Technology (IGT).

Las Vegas is also leading the pack, especially with its Macau Cotai Sands casino and plans to spend a staggering $35 billion in Barcelona or Madrid. Sands on April 11 opened the Sands Cotai, its newest Macau casino resort. Investment by Sands and its partners at the site is said to top $8 billion.

Analysts expect Sands to post a 59 cent profit, a 60% jump from 37 cents for the same quarter last year. Revenue is seen climbing about 23% to $2.59 billion.

Bally, which makes gambling gear that it rents and sells to casinos, is forecast to report a 56% spike in earnings per share to 67 cents, on 17% growth in revenue, to $223 million.Boyd Gaming is expected to reverse last year’s 10 cent loss with an 87 cent profit in the first quarter of 2012.

Investors will look for signs that its recovery, which has been erratic, can continue.