RadioShack refinancing US$535mil credit line

NEW YORK: RadioShack Corp, the electronics chain trying to stave off bankruptcy, agreed with a group led by Standard General LP to refinance a US$535mil credit facility to help it restock inventory before the holidays.

Standard General, a New York-based hedge fund, led a group of lenders that acquired the asset-backed revolving credit line from General Electric Co’s lending arm and agreed to loosen its borrowing terms, Fort Worth, Texas-based RadioShack said in a statement. Standard General and Litespeed Management LLC also agreed to provide US$120mil to cash collateralise letters of credit for the company. The retailer said it expects those funds to be converted into equity later.

The moves, some of which Bloomberg reported before the company’s announcement, may provide RadioShack with enough of a financial cushion to last through the crucial year-end shopping season. RadioShack has posted 10 straight quarters of losses, hurt by competition from e-commerce sites and discount retailers.

RadioShack’s US$324.8mil face value of 6.75% unsecured bonds due in May 2019 jumped 7.7 cents on the dollar to 41.8 centson Friday, according to Trace, the bond-price reporting system of the Regulatory Authority.

Standard General said in a filing last month that it was working to improve RadioShack’s liquidity ahead of the holiday season. The fund, RadioShack’s largest investor, also entered into a standstill agreement lasting until June 2015 that prevents it from taking over the board or proposing an acquisition or restructuring without RadioShack’s consent.

If the US$120mil is converted to equity, Standard General will be able to name four directors to the retailer’s board. RadioShack’s chief executive officer and two independent directors selected by the company also would sit on the board.

Existing shareholders would own 20% of the company’s shares if none of them purchase stock in a rights offering that is part of the aid package. Any entity acquiring shares in the offering would have its voting rights limited to about 35% of the stock.

The refinancing gives RadioShack access to more cash and greater flexibility, since the current debt agreement restricts how much money it can draw from the revolver, according to a Dec 13 filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. It also may provide the

Financial

Industry retailer with enough leeway to close a larger number of underperforming stores, helping the company consume less cash.

RadioShack creditors blocked a plan earlier this year to shut 1,100 stores, forcing the retailer to limit the closings to as many as 200. Standard General emerged as a potential saviour for the retailer in August, when Bloomberg reported that the hedge fund was in financing talks. The firm previously orchestrated a lifeline for American Apparel Inc, another troubled retailer.

RadioShack CEO Joe Magnacca has been remodeling stores and revamping its product line-up in a bid to revive sales. The former Walgreen Co executive, who took over last year, brought in a new leadership team and has outlined what he calls the “five pillars” of a turnaround, including boosting efficiency and repositioning its brand.

RadioShack said last month that it has liquidity of US$182.5mil, including US$30.5mil in cash. Without reaching a financing agreement, “we may not have enough cash and working capital to fund our operations beyond the very near term, which raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern,” the company said. – Bloomberg