Skip Header
Important information: The value of investments can go down as well as up so you may get back less than you invest. Investors should note that the views expressed may no longer be current and may have already been acted upon. This is a third-party news feed and may not reflect Fidelity’s views.

Entain reprices two term loans, revises interest cost outlook

(Sharecast News) - Betting and gambling giant Entain announced the successful repricing of two of its existing 'Term Loan B' loans on Monday, along with the pricing and allocation of fungible add-ons, in a bid to optimise its financial position. The FTSE 100 company said for the dollar-denominated term loan maturing in October 2029, it reduced the existing $1.74bn loan's margin by 75 basis points to 275 basis points, with the removal of the credit adjustment spread of 10 basis points.

Additionally, an extra $500m (£400m) fully fungible add-on was secured, maintaining the revised margin of 275 basis points over term SOFR, and allocated at an original issue discount of 99.875.

Similarly, for the euro-denominated term loan maturing in June 2028, Entain said it reduced the existing €1,030 million loan's margin by 50 basis points to 325 basis points.

An additional €235m (£200m) fully fungible add-on was secured, maintaining the revised margin of 325 basis points over EURIBOR, and allocated at an original issue discount of 99.75.

The add-ons were scheduled to fund in mid-May, and would be swapped to sterling.

Entain said the net proceeds, with £300m designated to immediately repay the bank loan borrowed in the first quarter of 2024, would provide incremental liquidity of about £295m after fees, allowing it to minimise drawings under its revolving credit facility for the rest of the financial year.

The board said the refinancing actions were net debt neutral.

While the net impact of the repricing and add-on did not alter the previously-guided cash interest costs for the current financial year, Entain said it was adopting a more conservative view of interest costs for the balance of the year, reflecting economic forecasts indicating a slower rate of interest rate reduction.

As a result, its revised guidance for cash interest for the 2024 financial year was about £265m.

The profit and loss interest charge, adjusting for IFRS 16 interest and fee amortisation, was anticipated to be about £285m.

At 0808 BST, Entain shares were down 0.8% at 777.92p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.

Share this article

Related Sharecast Articles

Thor posts strong first half, lowers full-year production guidance
(Sharecast News) - Gold explorers and miner Thor Explorations reported a solid first-half performance on Friday, although it lowered its full-year production guidance.
Trinity delays publication of scheme document for its takeover
(Sharecast News) - Trinity Exploration & Production announced a delay in the publication of the scheme document related to its recommended cash acquisition by Lease Operators on Friday.
Celadon confident in seeing through funding challenges
(Sharecast News) - Cannabis-based medicines specialist Celadon Pharmaceuticals updated the market on its financial position on Friday, amid ongoing challenges related to delays in expected funding.
Sound Energy inks bridge finance deal ahead of SEME sale completion
(Sharecast News) - Sound Energy has entered into a bridge financing facility agreement for up to £1.5m, it announced on Friday.

Important information: This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice. When you are thinking about investing in shares, it’s generally a good idea to consider holding them alongside other investments in a diversified portfolio of assets. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Award-winning online share dealing

Search, compare and select from thousands of shares.

Expert insights into investing your money

Our team of experts explore the world of share dealing.