hard · Debt Capital Markets credit-ratings-risk
A B2/B-rated borrower operates under a senior secured credit facility with a 'covenant-lite' documentation package.
If the company's EBITDA declines by 40%, causing its leverage ratio to rise from 5.5× to 8.0× (well above the 7.0× incurrence test for new debt), which of the following best describes the lenders' immediate rights?
- The lenders can immediately issue a notice of default and begin a 30-day clock toward debt acceleration due to the breach of the leverage ceiling.
- The lenders are entitled to a 'step-up' in the interest margin to compensate for the higher credit risk associated with the 8.0× leverage.
- The lenders can force the company into a restructuring negotiation because the incurrence test acts as a 'soft' maintenance trigger.
- The lenders cannot declare a default or accelerate the debt solely based on the leverage spike, as no maintenance covenant has been breached.
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