After the exertion to read the Offer Information Statement (OIS) of Hyflux's preference shares and perpetual capital securities (perps) in the past few weekends, this week's post will be a lighter one.
In my post last week, I extracted the relevant portions of the OIS of Hyflux's preference shares and perps to discuss the conditions upon which Hyflux could omit the preference dividend and perps distribution respectively. For me, the most surprising discovery is that the preference shares are ranked pari passu (or have the same seniority) with the perps! See the figure below, which is extracted from the perps' OIS.
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| Fig. 1: Relative Ranking of Hyflux's Preference Shares and Perps |
All along, I had thought that the preference shares would rank lower than the perps, mainly because the preference shares are a type of shares and perps have characteristics of a bond. Conventional wisdom suggests that a bond must rank higher in seniority than a share. It was only until I read the above from the perps' OIS that I realised that I was wrong!
The relative ranking of the preference shares and perps have important implications for their respective holders. If the preference shares were ranked below the perps, the preference shares would serve as a cushion for the perps. Any losses would be absorbed first by the ordinary shareholders, followed by the preference shareholders before the perp holders suffer a loss. As at Jun 2017, the total debt of Hyflux is $1,308.7M. The equity attributable to ordinary shareholders is about $226.9M (corresponding to net asset value per share of $0.289 for 785.3M shares, which is down from $0.451 in Dec 2016). The debt-to-ordinary-equity ratio works out to be 5.77, which is very high. If the preference shares were ranked below the perps, there is another $392.6M of preference equity between the ordinary equity and the perps. The debt-to-(ordinary + preference)-equity would be 2.11, which is a lot less than the original ratio of 5.77.
Unfortunately, that is not the case. Both preference shares and perps are ranked pari passu with each other. This means that both preference shareholders and perp holders share in the loss together if losses exceed the $226.9M equity attributable to ordinary shareholders.
The key takeaway for me from reading the Hyflux's OIS is never to assume the relative ranking of different instruments based on their names. And if you invest in fixed income instruments, better read the fine print too.
See related blog posts:
Very interesting to know Hyflux perpetuals and preference shares are ranked pari-passu and the implications. Do you think Hyflux will redeem back the preference shares next April? There is a 2% step up in coupon rate to 8% if there's no redemption.
ReplyDeleteHyflux is putting up assets for sale. I believe they are doing so to raise cash to redeem the preference shares.
DeleteHi,
DeleteNew to quasi bond-equity financial products. Good read.
For this preference shares and perpetual bonds having same seniority, is it a case by case basis in general? Or Hyflux is a special case? Based on your experiences?
Thks.
DeleteTraditionally, bonds rank above preference shares. Perps are a recent invention. They are a hybrid instrument, having characteristics of both bonds and shares. The only way to find out their relative ranking is to read the terms of the product.
I hold the cps but didnt buy the perps. Many times thought of selling the cps but decided to continue to take risk cos perps can cushion.
ReplyDeleteWhen you say the perps can cushion the pref, do you mean that after the issue of the perps, there are more people to share the load? In that manner, that is correct. In terms of seniority, both are equal and not cushioning the other.
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DeleteLogically speaking, Hyflux will like to redeem the CPS next Apr as there is a 2% "penalty" coupon step up. Moreover, investors' confidence in Hyflux may get a hit if it does not redeem.
DeleteHowever, I am still figuring out how Hyflux will raise the $392m. A possible scenario could be a partial redemption. Btw, you may want to be informed that there is a sizeable disposal of 4,000 CPS by a director on Jun 6, 2017.
Are there any reasons why do you think Hyflux cannot raise the cash for redemption?
DeleteMy thoughts are Hyflux is putting up assets for sale, so there will be some cash coming in if they are successful. However, some of the cash received might have to be used to repay the debts. Exactly how much is left to redeem the preference shares is uncertain.
Yes, partial redemption is possible. Thks for the info.
Hello there,
ReplyDeleteNew to semi bond value money related items. Great read.For this inclination shares and unending bonds having same position, is it a case by case premise by and large? Or, then again Hyflux is an uncommon case? In light of your encounters?
trephelix
Hi,
DeleteI believe Hyflux is an unusual case. Typically, bonds rank higher than preference shares.