http://www.gulfkeystone.com/ The firms exploration programme in Algeria is going well and "the shares look good value", say the Investors Chronicle. Your comments please. goal.
Without explicitly using the words "we are 100% fucked and shareholders face either total or near wipeout" drowning in debt Gulf Keystone (GKP) has today pretty much fessed up to what a mess it is in. Not for the first time, the company is telling shareholders that the game is up. Natch they think they know better. They obviously don't remember the last days of Afren.
On 14 April Gulf said it was deferring payments of $26.4 million of interest as it was allowed to do until 2nd and 3rd May. Today the bond holders have agreed to a further extension until 20 May which could be pushed to 31 May. Gulf says the time will allow it an " extended period to continue the Stakeholder Discussions beyond the expiry of the grace periods for the April 2016 Coupon Payments."
But by not paying interest on 2nd and 3rd May Gulf will then formally be in default. And thus if more than 25% of either class of bond holders get together they can call for immediate repayment and Gulf just does not have the cash to meet such a call. Pro tem that looks unlikely but what is clear is that the only way out for Gulf is a massive debt for equity swap and then a further capital injection to fund capex to reverse output declines.
The company may well survive. But shareholders will face either wipeout ot as near as damn it via dilution. If existing punters end up with less than 1% of the equity (which is the best case scenario) a delisting to follow is almost inevitable. Even at 5p the shares are at least 80% overvalued and remain a stand out sell.
Had noticed that...over 25 million share traded and up over 30% at high yesterday's high point.....finished up 6%. No news.......
They are expecting a bag full of news imminently on restructuring and payments...
But a little unusual yesterday.....
(Bloomberg) — Gulf Keystone is in talks with potential new money providers to help restructure its debt, according to people familiar with the discussions, who asked not to be identified because the matter is private.
Co. is in negotiations with investors who may inject new money in exchange for stake in restructured business
Bondholders will swap some of their holdings for majority of equity
Moratorium on debt payments may be extended beyond today to allow enough time for negotiations.
Gulf Keystone spokesman Mark Antelme declined to comment on the restructuring or the talks with new investors