As part of its ongoing strategy to optimise the structure and cost of its debt, the Group has today successfully priced and placed the refinancing of its EUR 425m fixed-to-floating Tranche C2A loan issued in May 2017 at the Eurotunnel level1, which will become callable in June 20222. The new loan (at the Eurotunnel level) will have a fixed rate of 3.531% until 2031, resulting in a 9-year expected economic maturity3 and total cash savings of c. €100m over these 9 years compared to the post June 2022 pre-refinancing terms of the existing Tranche C2A loan.4.
Getlink Successfully Prices Green
The new loan is being financed through notes1, which are being issued to investors under a private placement arranged by Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE and BNP Paribas as Joint Placement Agents.
The new notes are being issued under Getlink’s new Green Finance Framework, published here: https://www.getlinkgroup.com/content/uploads/2022/04/Getlink-Green-Finance-Framework-April-2022.pdf and are expected to be rated BBB by S&P Global Ratings UK Limited, BBB by Fitch Ratings Limited and Baa2 by Moody’s Investors Service Ltd.
To account for the new debt’s initial 9-year fixed rate coupon period, the Group has partially unwound its interest rate hedges in place since 2007 over the corresponding 9-year maturity. The related hedge break costs of €118million and other transaction costs will be paid separately using the Group’s cash resources.
Geraldine Perichon, CFO of Getlink SE, said: “This transaction demonstrates the continued investor confidence on our strategy and their appetite for Eurotunnel debt despite current market volatility. The attractive pricing conditions achieved will enable the Group to further improve cash flow and optimize its financing structure.”
The settlement date of the new notes is expected to be on 12 May 2022.