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However, this news can only be negative. .
Your overweight in BBI / BEPPA aren't you.
are you sweating bullets yet or still confident you can hang on for the big win.
However, this news can only be negative. .
Word out of NZ indicates the "issue" is about regulatory approval from the NZ authorities. We will obviously know more on Thursday. However, this news can only be negative. IF the NZ authorities are taking the opportunity to screw BBI/QIC on electricity pricing, then it could affect the value of the asset.
Sure, BBI would love to keep all their assets but we are in the middle of a global credit crunch and BBI has mountains of debt and some of it is due this coming month. They have to sell assets. There is no other choice right now. I might be able to top up at 2.5c again.
Your overweight in BBI / BEPPA aren't you.
are you sweating bullets yet or still confident you can hang on for the big win.
Sweating bullets or confident? Cannot tell yet. I'll make a judgement call when I see the announcement with all the details.
However, it might be a very opportune time to top up in BBI/BEPPA as any negative reaction will be short lived in my opinion.
This latest “hurdle” is another reason why people should consider holding BEPPA at almost the same price as BBI. Remember BEPPA holders get a full $1 per BEPPA before BBI holders get 1c in the case of an orderly sales process. A fire sale would mean zero for BBI and BEPPA holders but honestly, what bank is going to order a fire sale of infrastructure assets when the assets are performing and more than covering the interest payments?
If administration were to happen, I believe the banks would allow an orderly sales process because the cash flows are covering debt requirements. There is a viable business there in BBI, unlike BNB and other companies who are either wiped out or are on a knife’s edge.
Hot off the press from ABN Amro.
* BBI have announced that it expects to achieve financial close on the
Powerco sell down (to QIC) today
* The terms of the sell down have changed to a 58% interest for NZ$423m
from a 50% interest for circa NZ$400m. This would suggest that the revised terms are in QIC's favour, but not of huge significance to BBI given its need for cash. Effectively the premium to book value has decreased from 25% to 12%.
* The application of the proceeds is not unexpected with the removal of
A$130m Powerco Tasmania debt, a reduction of A$116m corporate debt with the balance circa A$100m together with cash balances being paid meet Westnet Rail minority obligation (~A$145m).
* The Bank requirement to sweep all future cashflows and asset sale
proceeds to pay down debt is not a surprise. This is what BBI and we
expected would have to happen anyway. We estimate that BBI will have to pay down at least a further A$600-800m in corporate debt before it will get anywhere near an investment grade rating in the current market.
* Distributions will not be paid and BBI EPS dividends will remain deferred until BBI removes the cash sweep obligation by either: removing all corporate debt (asset sales); reduces corporate debt (asset sales and cash sweep) and refinances remaining corporate debt; OR reduces corporate debt (asset sales and cash sweep) and attains investment grade credit rating from Moody's.
* We continue to expect further asset sell down in Euro Ports which could net circa A$300m if the recent sell down terms and conditions are achieved.
We suspect DBCT is also attracting some interest, which we have an equity value of circa A$600m to A$700m (100%). However, BBI is not in a
particularly strong bargaining position and the European and Coal markets are not at their healthiest at present.
* The banks have also increased corporate debt margins by 200bps, which we estimate will add an extra A$30m to annual debt costs. Not of huge
significance but it may just prolong debt repayment.
* Today's announcement is in fact a pleasant surprise, we were fearing the worst. Anyway this eases slightly our short term debt concerns. However, BBI is not 'out of the woods' yet. The next milestones include:
• tomorrows HY result and underlying cashflows;
• PD Port refinancing expected to announced at tomorrows result;
• asset sales to further reduce corporate debt;
• NZ$210m Powerco refinancing (48%) due in Aug 09;
• A$250m DBNP (50%) refinance due July/Aug 09; and,
• €130m Europort refinance due July/Aug.
* The underlying asset value remains far higher than the current market
price. However, this will continue to be overshadowed by debt reduction and BBI's ability to meet its debt obligations and refinance commitments. This news is positive for existing BBI holders but we still think it is too early for new entrants to be chasing the stock just yet.
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