乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 Reaches Settlement With Banks for $1.73 Billion of Cash and Financing
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, June 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 Corporation (NYSE: HUN) today announced it has reached agreement with Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank (the "Banks") to settle 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站's claims and end the ongoing trial against them in Texas state court for fraud and tortious interference in connection with 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站's terminated merger agreements with Basell and Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the Banks are providing the following to 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 today:
-- $620 million in cash -- $500 million senior secured term loan financing, 7 year term at LIBOR + 2.25% -- $600 million unsecured note financing, 7 year term at 5.5% -- $12 million reimbursement of litigation costs
Including the $1.0 billion settlement with Hexion and Apollo in December of 2008, cumulative settlement proceeds total in excess of $2.7 billion. The settlement proceeds from the Banks will be used to repay certain of 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站's outstanding indebtedness and further enhance the company's liquidity. The company intends to continue to pay its quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share. It is currently expected that 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 will use settlement proceeds to repay its $295 million of senior secured notes (due 2010, rate of 11.625%). 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 also intends to substantially reduce the size of its current revolving credit facility due 2010. 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 expects the $620 million of cash proceeds to incur cash taxes at a rate of approximately 23% which will eliminate its domestic tax net operating loss position.
Peter 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站, President and CEO, stated: "This settlement with the Banks marks a very successful conclusion to this litigation for the company and all of its stakeholders. The cash and financing will enhance our already enviable cash position to more than approximately $1.7 billion and provide us much greater flexibility as we manage our business. The financing offers us a much lower average cost of borrowing and extends the maturities of our borrowings such that the earliest meaningful maturity is July 2012. We are well positioned to prosper as we move forward past this concern."
Jon M. 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站, Founder and Executive Chairman of 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 Corporation, commented: "I am very pleased with this settlement by the Banks. Our officers and trial team did an outstanding job at trial and I believe this settlement reflects those efforts and the integrity with which our company conducts its business. We will put these proceeds to good use as we press forward to write the next successful chapter of our company history."
Pro forma net debt as of March 31, 2009 reduces from $3.3 billion to $2.8 billion. Below is a summary of the company's debt, pro forma adjusted to include the likely use of settlement proceeds:
乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 Corporation Pro Forma Capitalization as of March 31, 2009 Pro forma March $in Millions March 31, 2009 Adjustments 31, 2009 Debt: Senior Secured Credit Facility 1,524 500(a) 2,024 Senior Secured Notes 295 (295) - Senior Notes 198 600(a) 798 Senior Subordinated Notes 1,238 - 1,238 Other Debt 284 - 284 HC Convertible Notes 235 - 235 Total Debt 3,774 805 4,579 Total Cash 473 1,271(b) 1,744 Net Debt $3,301 $2,835 Off Balance Sheet A/R Securitization $328 $328 (a) Bank settlement financing above shown at face value, future GAAP financial statements will reflect at fair market value which may differ from the face amount. (b) Cash adjustments exclude the benefit of litigation reimbursement costs of up to $12 million and are net of estimated cash taxes of $144 million.
About 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站:
乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 is a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals. Its operating companies manufacture products for a variety of global industries, including chemicals, plastics, automotive, aviation, textiles, footwear, paints and coatings, construction, technology, agriculture, health care, detergent, personal care, furniture, appliances and packaging. Originally known for pioneering innovations in packaging and, later, for rapid and integrated growth in petrochemicals, 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 today has more than 12,000 employees and operates from multiple locations worldwide. The Company had 2008 revenues exceeding $10 billion. For more information about 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站, please visit the Company's website at .
Forward-Looking Statements:
Statements in this release that are not historical are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations. The forward-looking statements in this release are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the company's operations, markets, products, services, prices and other factors as discussed in the 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 companies' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Significant risks and uncertainties may relate to, but are not limited to, financial, economic, competitive, environmental, political, legal, regulatory and technological factors. In addition, the completion of any transactions described in this release is subject to a number of uncertainties and closing will be subject to approvals and other customary conditions. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such transactions will be completed or that the company's expectations will be realized. The company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by applicable laws.
SOURCE 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 Corporation
Released June 23, 2009