logo
The High-Stakes Talks Behind New World's Mega Loan Deal

The High-Stakes Talks Behind New World's Mega Loan Deal

Bloomberg30-06-2025
When property industry veteran Echo Huang took over New World on Nov. 29, becoming the Hong Kong company's third chief executive in as many months, she had an unenviable task. New World's share price had lost over 80% in five years. It had just booked its first annual loss in two decades. Debt maturities were looming, and a property slump in both Hong Kong and mainland China was holding back asset sales.
Over the following months, the real estate giant was locked in high-stakes, monthslong negotiations over a record $11 billion refinancing. Read the story of how New World fought to avoid an imminent crisis — one that could have dwarfed the failure of China Evergrande Group, considering the relative size of Hong Kong's economy. Nobody wanted to be the banker who tipped the financial center's fragile property market into crisis.
In another sign of how the multi-year property crisis in China has increasingly pressured Hong Kong developers, real-estate firm Emperor's shares fell the most this year Monday before paring some losses, after it reported overdue bank loans and said it's talking to banks on a restructuring plan. Property prices in the city have dropped around 30% over the past four years, and are now around a nine-year low, as banks tighten credit lines.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

India Trade Pact Nears, US Beef Floods In--What Investors Should Watch Next
India Trade Pact Nears, US Beef Floods In--What Investors Should Watch Next

Yahoo

time7 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

India Trade Pact Nears, US Beef Floods In--What Investors Should Watch Next

Australia may be on the brink of deepening its trade ties with India, according to Trade Minister Don Farrell, who suggested a broader free trade deal could have been inked months ago if not for a timing clash with the May election. Speaking at the Lowy Institute, Farrell hinted that the delay was procedural, not political, and noted that his Indian counterpart is currently focused on high-stakes tariff talks with President Donald Trump's administration. The existing FTAsigned back in April 2022cut tariffs across most sectors, but left out sensitive Australian exports like chickpeas, dairy, and wheat. Farrell expects those gaps could be closed bit by bit, as part of a multi-stage rollout. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 7 Warning Signs with TSN. That optimism is surfacing just as India finalizes a major agreement with the UK and bilateral trade with Australia hits nearly A$50 billion ($32.9 billion) in 2023. Farrell said the structure of a final deal with India is likely to be incremental, owing to political realities on both sides. Still, with Canberra actively seeking to diversify away from Chinaits top trading partnera more comprehensive agreement with India could be a meaningful next step. For investors eyeing agri-exporters, particularly in grains and dairy, the next phase of negotiations could shape longer-term access to one of the world's fastest-growing consumer markets. In a separate move with potential ripple effects, Australia just lifted all remaining restrictions on US beef importsa long-standing ask from the Trump administration. The announcement triggered a celebratory post from President Trump on TruthSocial, but Farrell was quick to tamp down the political narrative, stating the decision was based on science and years of internal review. We haven't done this to win favorwe think the Americans should trade with us anyway, he said. Whether this opens the door to a broader trade pact with the US remains to be seen, but the development is unlikely to go unnoticed by investors in US meat giants like Tyson Foods (NYSE:TSN) or Brazil's JBS, both of which could stand to benefit from expanded market access. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

North Norfolk has highest proportion of properties owned outright
North Norfolk has highest proportion of properties owned outright

Yahoo

time7 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

North Norfolk has highest proportion of properties owned outright

North Norfolk has highest proportion of properties owned outright Nearly half of properties in North Norfolk are owned outright by their occupants, a higher proportion than any other local authority in England, new figures show. The thin strip of East Anglia coastline, which includes the seaside towns of Cromer and Sheringham, has for several years been the area of England with the largest percentage of population aged 65 and over. The data has been published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) as part of its latest estimates of household tenure, which also includes figures for accommodation that is rented or owned with a mortgage or loan. North Norfolk tops the list for the highest percentage of properties owned outright by occupants (49.8%), followed by Rother in East Sussex (48.7%), Staffordshire Moorlands (48.2%), Derbyshire Dales (48.2%) and East Lindsey in Lincolnshire (47.4%). Three of these five – North Norfolk, Rother and East Lindsey – are also the local authorities where people aged 65 and over account for the largest share of the population. The areas with the greatest proportion of homes owned outright by occupants tend to be in coastal regions or away from cities, the ONS said. The top five with the lowest percentage of outright ownership are all in London: Tower Hamlets (8.4%), Hackney (10.0%), Southwark (10.8%), Islington (11.8%) and Lambeth (12.1%). However, the trend is reversed for properties that are privately rented. Here the top five areas with the highest proportion are all in the capital: City of London (51.8%), Westminster (47.9%), Kensington & Chelsea (42.8%), Newham (41.1%) and Tower Hamlets (41.0%). The bottom five are outside cities and away from heavily built-up areas: North East Derbyshire (10.3%), South Staffordshire (10.6%), Rochford in Essex (10.6%), Bromsgrove in Worcestershire (10.7%) and Maldon in Essex (11.7%). The ONS figures are for 2023 and suggest there were a total of 23.7 million households in England living in 25.4 million dwellings. Of this total, 8.3 million dwellings (32.6%) were owned outright, 7.6 million (29.8%) were owned with a mortgage or a loan, 5.3 million (20.8%) were privately rented and 4.2 million (16.7%) were socially rented, mainly from housing associations and local authorities. Wokingham in Berkshire has the highest proportion of properties owned with a mortgage or loan (42.3%), followed by Dartford in Kent (41.4%), Hart in Hampshire (39.5%), Bracknell Forest in Berkshire (39.4%) and Reigate & Banstead in Surrey (39.0%). The areas with the lowest proportion are again all in London: Westminster (13.3%), Kensington & Chelsea (13.8%), Camden (14.9%), City of London (15.1%) and Islington (17.1%). For properties that are socially rented, the top five areas are in the capital: Islington (38.9%), Southwark (38.5%), Hackney (38.5%), Lambeth (33.4%) and Camden (31.7%). The bottom five are Castle Point in Essex (5.3%), Wokingham (7.1%), Medway in Kent (7.3%), Wyre in Lancashire (7.6%) and Ribble Valley in Lancashire (7.8%).

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. Revises Credit Facility
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. Revises Credit Facility

Yahoo

time7 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. Revises Credit Facility

PHOENIX, July 25, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (Nasdaq: SFM) today announced the closing of a $600 million revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility") under a credit agreement dated as of July 25, 2025. The Revolving Credit Facility refinances the company's previous $700 million revolving credit facility, which was replaced in connection with Sprouts' entry into the Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility contains terms and conditions substantially similar to the company's previous facility, with a commitment expiration date of July 2030, revised pricing terms for loans and commitments thereunder, and additional covenant flexibility. At closing, Sprouts had no outstanding borrowings and letters of credit of $23 million outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility, with a remaining availability of $577 million. "While we plan to continue to fund operations and unit growth through our robust cash flow generation, this facility provides Sprouts with financial flexibility as we grow," said Curtis Valentine, chief financial officer of Sprouts. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., acted as administrative agent, issuing bank, and swingline lender. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Truist Securities, Inc. and PNC Capital Markets LLC acted as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, Truist Bank and PNC Bank, National Association, acted as co-syndication agents, and Bank of America, N.A., BMO Bank, N.A., and U.S. Bank, National Association acted as co-documentation agents. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and federal securities laws, and we intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbor created thereby. Such forward-looking statements include, among others, our plans regarding unit growth and cash flow generation as well as our company growth. Forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, us. The risks and uncertainties to which the forward-looking statements are subject include, without limitation, adverse impacts due to general economic conditions that impact consumer spending or result in competitive responses, our ability to maintain or improve our operating margins, and other risks detailed in the "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements," "Risk Factors," and other sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, we disclaim any obligation, and do not intend, to publicly update or review any of our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Corporate Profile True to its farm-stand heritage, Sprouts offers a unique grocery experience featuring an open layout with fresh produce at the heart of the store. Sprouts inspires wellness naturally with a carefully curated assortment of better-for-you products paired with purpose-driven people. The healthy grocer continues to bring the latest in wholesome, innovative products made with lifestyle-friendly ingredients such as organic, plant-based and gluten-free. Headquartered in Phoenix, and one of the largest and fastest growing specialty retailers of fresh, natural and organic food in the United States, Sprouts employs approximately 35,000 team members and operates more than 450 stores in 24 states nationwide. To learn more about Sprouts, and the good it brings communities, visit View source version on Contacts Investor Contact: Susannah Livingston(602) 682-1584susannahlivingston@ Media Contact: media@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store