Levels for Qwest Communications International's bank debt fell to a wide 75-80 after the company admitted that the U.S. Attorney's office in Denver was conducting a criminal investigation into the company. The name had been offered at 83 before the announcement, one dealer noted. No trades were reported and another dealer suggested that investors are waiting to see what happens next. A spokesman confirmed the investigation but said the U.S. Attorney's office has not disclosed the scope or the specifics of the probe. He could not comment on the bank debt levels.
WorldCom's bank debt and bond levels also narrowed to the 20-22 level after Qwest's announcement. Dealers explained that the company's bonds had been trading in the 19-24 range, up from the mid- to low teens, as investors were hopeful that discussions between the company and lending banks would result in a secured deal that would keep the company out of bankruptcy. The potential for that deal does not seem to be affecting the bank paper. The company's bank debt is most often quoted alongside the January 2003 and May 2003 notes. Dealers said the company's bank debt has not yet changed hands since it plummeted last months and the latest does of bad news from Qwest isn't helping. Calls to the company were not returned by press time.
Xerox's bank debt has been moving briskly in the secondary markets this week with levels on all tranches dipping about a point early in the week and then recovering by Wednesday. Traders quoted the name's "B" tranche in the 92-94 context and the "C" piece in the 97 1/2 - 98 1/2 context by midweek. Lawrence Zimmerman, company cfo, could not be reached by press time.