Hayes Lemmerz' bank debt traded down to the 75 range, a six-point drop in a week, following a conference call by the company. According to sources, on Oct. 9 the paper was bid at 81. Then last Wednesday a class action lawsuit was filed against the company on charges that it made a series of misrepresentations to the market concerning its financial results for fiscal 2000 and the first quarter of fiscal 2001. The allegations center around charges that a reported net loss of $41.8 million for fiscal 2000 was understated by at least 31% and was actually $56.4 million for that fiscal period. Hayes Lemmerz, based in Northville, Mich., is a worldwide manufacturer of steel and aluminum products. Calls to William Shovers, cfo, were not returned.
Still, a dealer noted some optimism for the credit, saying that Hayes Lemmerz could benefit from car manufacturers offering interest-free financing on new car purchases. The company is a supplier to the manufacturers. The company has a $1.1 billion credit facility that breaks down into two tranches. It matures in four years and is priced at 2% over LIBOR. CIBC World Markets, Dresdner Bank, Credit Suisse First Boston, and Merrill Lynch are the mandated arrangers, according to Capital DATA Loanware.