Merrill Lynch and Bank of America's credit for Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) proved a hit with the buyside last week, with roughly 25 institutions signing on. The credit was four times oversubscribed, leading to a 1/4% reverse flex on the $100 million "B" loan, said a banker. Pricing is now LIBOR plus 31/ 4% although, if AMO achieves a four-B rating, pricing will tighten further to LIBOR plus 3%. Moody's Investors Service rates the loan at B1--one notch lower than Standard & Poor's--but has the credit on positive outlook. Merrill bankers declined to comment, and B of A bankers did not return calls.
The buyside raised some concern over the asset coverage of the loan, but senior secured leverage is low and AMO operates in a good sector with positive demographic trends, a banker noted.
The financing package, which backs the spin-off of AMO from Allergan (LMW, 6/3), also saw some structural changes. The bond offering was upsized from $175 million to $200 million, and the revolver was cut from $40 million to $35 million. BANK ONE, ABN Amro and Union Bank of California signed onto the revolver. The deal closed on Friday. Calls to Allergan spokesperson Suki Shattuck were not returned.