Leads Scotia Capital, CIBC World Markets and Credit Suisse First Boston have set pricing and launched syndication of the credit for Bell Actimedia. The success of Dex Media East augurs well for the transaction, said one buysider. However, he said there are differences between the transactions. "Actimedia has slightly higher senior leverage at 4.5 times," he noted. He also said being in Canada provides certain tax benefits. "All-in-all, this should price at least a little below Dex," he said. Dex was sold at 99 with a LIBOR plus 4% spread, though it broke above par after allocation.
The $720 million U.S. dollar denominated eight-year "B" piece for Actimedia is priced at LIBOR plus 3 1/2%. The six-year, C$400 million "A" loan and six-year C$100 million revolver are both priced at LIBOR plus 3%. The revolver also has a 75 basis points commitment fee. The directory business is being acquired by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and the Teacher's Merchant Bank from Bell Canada for C$3 billion. Calls to the banks were not returned by press time.