Investors are looking closely at two new leveraged buyout deals, including a UBS Warburg-led deal for Herbalife and a UBS Warburg and Bank of America-led deal for The Columbia House Company. As eager as buysiders are to get paper, they are taking a close look at these credits as price remains a concern on the first and collateral coverage a concern on the latter. An investor considering the Herbalife deal said he thinks the deal should get a 100 basis point hike to make up for risks associated with the credit. "I'd like a 100 [basis points] increase but realistically I'll settle for 25 or 50," said the buysider regarding pricing. He noted positively that roughly $175 million in equity has been pumped into the structure. "Pricing is going to have to increase to get this one done. The assets are a draw back," he said.
May 23, 2002