Doosan Bobcat

Doosan Bobcat Inc. has succeeded in repricing its long-term loan based on its strong business performance, robust financial structure, and upgraded credit rating.

On December 1, Doosan Bobcat Inc. announced that it had successfully repriced its Term Loan B (TLB)* for US$660 million as of November 29, 2019.
* TLB (Term Loan B): TLB refers to a source of project financing provided by US financial institutions including institutional investors and banks.

The repricing has lowered the interest rate spread for Doosan Bobcat’s TLB by 25bp from the previous ‘3-month Libor + 2.00%’ to ‘3-month Libor + 1.75%,’ which it is estimated will save the company around US$1.7 million in financing costs each year.

The 1.75% spread, the lowest for a TLB granted to businesses, suggests that Doosan Bobcat’s business credibility and financial structure have been highly appraised by investors in the United States, the world’s largest financial market. Since Doosan Bobcat procured US$1.3 billion in a TLB at a spread rate of 3.5% in 2013, the company has repaid part of the loan early and succeeded in repricing the remainder multiple times based on its robust business performance and sound financial structure, to the extent that the initial spread has now been halved to 1.75%.

Last May, S&P Global Ratings gave Doosan Bobcat a two-notch upgrade on its TLBs from BB to BBB (investment grade), which was instrumental in reducing the company’s TLB spread. Recently, Doosan Bobcat secured a US$165 million credit line** for the first time in its history on the back of its improved credit rating.
**Credit Line: A credit line refers to the credit limit set by banks for a certain period of time during which the firm in question can borrow and repay money at any time without security within the set limit.

“It is very significant that we have succeeded in readjusting our interest rate and secured the lowest spread possible amid numerous uncertain external factors,” stated a Doosan Bobcat executive in charge of the matter. “We will now focus our attention on securing a medium- to long-term growth engine by expanding the scope of our business and enhancing our product competitiveness in the compact equipment market, in particular, on the back of our improved credit rating, stable business performance, and efficient cash management.