FCCB
FCCB
FCCB
What is FCCB?
Foreign Currency Convertible Bond is a type of
convertible bond issued in a currency different than
the issuer's domestic currency.
It is a quasi-debt instrument which are attractive to
both investors and issuers. The investors receive the
safety of guaranteed payments on the bond and
are also able to take advantage of any large
price appreciation in the company's stock.
Due to the equity side of the bond, which adds value,
the coupon payments on the bond are lower for the
company, thereby reducing its debt-financing costs.
ISSUE OF FCCBS
An Indian company or a body corporate,
created by an Act of Parliament may issue
FCCBs not exceeding US $ 500 million in
any one financial year to a person resident
outside India under the automatic route,
without the approval from Government or
the Reserve Bank.
REMEDIES TAKEN BY
GOVERNMENT
Promoters or issuers of foreign currency
convertible bonds (FCCBs) may be allowed to
buy back the bonds if they go in for
prepayment.
Also, promoters are likely to be allowed to
utilise the unused portion of the foreign
currency-denominated borrowings parked
overseas. This could also be utilised to meet the
redemption pressure after the bonds mature.
CONTD..
It has now been decided to permit premature
buyback of FCCBs. For the buyback of FCCBs
out of rupee resources the RBI has fixed a
minimum discount of 25% on the book value.
The amount of the buyback is limited to US
$50 mn of the redemption value per company
wherein this window will be kept open till
March 09.
To Buyback FCCB out of Foreign Currency
minimum discount of 15% on the book value.
IS THIS ENOUGH?
FOR R-COM
Reliance Communication would most likely be the first
company to announce buy back of its Foreign Currency
Convertible Bonds (FCCBs)
R-Com had issued zero-coupon FCCBs in February 2007,
to raise USD 1 billion. The bonds are now trading at a
35% discount to the issue price, meaning, its bonds
worth has now come down to US$650 million
RCom, as it currently has over Rs.100 billion in cash
reserves, which also includes about US$ 600 million
worth of investments in mutual funds overseas
This move to buy back by Rcom is good, as it would help
the company reduce its liability and also bring down its
forex exposure.
TATA MOTORS
Tata Motors has cumulative outstanding FCCBs
worth Rs.44.87bn.
Compared to current market price of Rs.152 the
FCCBs is at a 85% discount compared to the
conversion price. Considering the large capex
program planned by the company and the downturn
in automobile industry, shut down of production
facilities, likely increase in borrowings to fund JLR,
it could face difficulties in terms of cash flow
management in near term future and is unlikely to
opt for pre-payment option for FCCBs.
CONCLUSION
Two to three years back Indian markets were on
high growth and FCCBs became popular for raising
funds from overseas market. With the fall in the
market, many FCCBs has gone down, which means
no money and more problem in the market.
Issuing companies will now have to search for
resources to repay the debt along with redemption
period whenever it matures. For this companies will
seek to fresh borrowings, with high interest rates,
which in turn would impact their
profitability.Another option, which companies have
is to reset the conversion clause, to bring it closer to
reality.