Chinese developer Shimao Group proposed the repayment of its $11.8bn offshore debt over a period of 3-8 years via a two-class restructuring plan, as per a Reuters report. The two classes are known as the Class A and Class B plans. Lucror Analytics mentions the following details regarding the restructuring plan:
- Under the Class A plan, it would repay debt of $4.65bn consisting of syndicated loans and guarantee bilateral loans into new 6Y amortizing debt as follows:
- Amortizing payments will start at the 36th month (14% of principal). This will be followed by the 42nd month (14% of principal), 48th month (14% of principal), 54th month (14% of principal), 60th month (14% of principal), 66th month (15% of principal) and 72nd month (15% of principal).
- Under the Class B plan, it would repay $7.13bn across all public/private bonds and unguaranteed bilateral loans of $340mn via six tranches of new notes as follows:
- Tranche 1: Notes with a maturity of 39 months (9% of principal)
- Tranche 2: Notes with a maturity of 45 months (9% of principal)
- Tranche 3: Notes with a maturity of 57 months (18% of principal)
- Tranche 4: Notes with a maturity of 69 months (18% of principal)
- Tranche 5: Notes with a maturity of 81 months (23% of principal)
- Tranche 6: Notes with a maturity of 93 months (23% of principal).
The restructuring does not include a haircut for creditors, and the company will pay coupons on the new notes (rate to be determined).However, the plans will exclude $2.3bn in offshore debt including project loans, and loans backed by onshore financial institutions. It was reported that creditors were unhappy and wanted Shimao to treat all classes of offshore creditors equally. Sources said that creditors requested Shimao to prevent capital from flowing out from its offshore entities. Creditors were also said to be planning to ask the company for an increase in the ratio of the amortized repayment, and a sweetener to enhance the credit profile of Shimao’s debt.
Besides, Shimao also is reported to have told some of its offshore creditors that it planned to pay them interest after its cash flow recovers. The developer will retain the right to dispose two assets in Hong Kong and use the proceeds for pro-rata repayment/prepayment/
Separately, Cinda Real Estate plans to buy a 50% stake in a property project in eastern China along with creditor’s rights from a venture of Sunac Real Estate. The deal size would be worth RMB 157mn ($22.9mn). Cinda said that the deal would facilitate smooth operation of the project and debt recovery.
