A consortium of investors, including Oaktree Capital Management, Sona Asset Management, Caxton Associates, Northlight Group, and Sparta Capital Management, are asserting their right to early repayment following Essity’s sale of 51.6% of its shares in Vinda. The creditors argue that this qualifies as a “cessation of business” event, triggering default provisions under the bond terms.
In October, Essity announced that it had received a request for early redemption from a few holders of corporate bonds maturing in 2029, 2030, and 2031. The company stated in a press release that these holders claim an Event of Default has occurred under the bond terms. However, Essity, after seeking professional advice, maintains that no Event of Default has taken place and deems the request unfounded.
Responding to these claims on Monday, Essity addressed the situation, noting that the investors’ holdings represent a small portion of the outstanding bonds. The company reiterated its stance that there is no basis for the demand for early repayment under the bond terms.
Despite an initially strong performance, Essity’s stock has since retreated. At the time of writing, the stock is up by 0.2%.
This dispute between Essity and its bondholders highlights the complexities of corporate finance and the intricacies of bond agreements. The clash of interpretations regarding default events and early repayment rights underscores the importance of clear and precise language in financial contracts. As the situation unfolds, investors and market observers will be closely monitoring the outcome and its implications for both parties involved.