CIRQUE CONSIDERS BANKRUPTCY

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is exploring debt restructuring options that include a potential bankruptcy filing, after it was forced to cancel shows because of the novel coronavirus outbreak, people familiar with the matter said. The famed Montreal-based circus company has had to temporarily lay off most of its staff after social distancing measures put in place to prevent the spread of the virus nixed its performances. Cirque du Soleil is working with restructuring advisers to address a cash crunch and its roughly US$900 million in debt, the sources said on Thursday. Creditors are also in talks with advisers as they prepare for possible negotiations with the company, the sources said. Cirque du Soleil has not yet decided how to address its strained finances, the sources cautioned, requesting anonymity to discuss confidential deliberations.