Huntsman International has received an amendment that would allow the company to apply any proceeds from the issuance of new bonds directly to amortization payments due on the "A" term loan, rather than use the proceeds to pay down each of the credit's tranches on a pro rata basis. Given the recent amendment some investors believe that the company will pursue a bond deal in the near future. Still, others think that the provision was put in under more long-term consideration.
The company's "A" term loan was quoted in the 97 1/4-98 1/4 context and its "B/C" tranche had a market of 98-99 last week. With the amendment, Huntsman was also able to loosen some of its covenants, namely increase its minimum leverage ratio and decrease its required interest coverage ratio through the second quarter of 2004. Huntsman currently has $1.368 billion in credit facilities outstanding. Finance officials at Huntsman could not be reached by press time.