WPG stock: Mall Owner Washington Prime Is Said to Prepare Bankruptcy Filing

 March 4, 2021

Introduction

It is learning opportunity for me to watch WPG stock, and see if there is chance for WPG stock to avoid bankruptcy. 

Bankruptcy

Debt is a serious issue. I like to learn from reading the following content for the article. 

Here is the article. 

(Bloomberg) -- Mall owner Washington Prime Group is preparing a potential bankruptcy filing as time runs out to avert a default after it skipped an interest payment on its debt, according to people with knowledge of the plans.

The real estate investment trust, which owns about 100 malls throughout the U.S., said last month that it would use a 30-day grace period to continue negotiations with its lenders. Yet those talks are faltering, said the people, who asked not to be named discussing confidential preparations.

The plan to file for Chapter 11 protection isn’t final and could change if negotiations evolve or the company’s grace period is extended, the people added. A representative for Washington Prime declined to comment.

Shares of Washington Prime sunk as much as 63% to $2.34 after Bloomberg reported the potential filing, triggering multiple trading halts.

Short interest in the stock grew in late 2020, exceeding 30% of the outstanding shares as recently as October, according to Bloomberg data. The shares continued to trade as high as $7.49 even after the skipped debt payment. Day traders and Reddit investors began flocking to certain heavily shorted names in hopes of profiting when short sellers covered their bets.

Pandemic Impact

Here are highlights:

1. Idea: convert about $260 million worth of its unsecured bonds into $175 million of preferred equity issued by a new special purpose entity
2. Fact: failed to reach an agreement with debt holders with idea in item 1. 
3. Fact: Two of Washington Prime’s competitors, CBL & Associates Properties and Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, filed for bankruptcy within hours of each other last year.
4. Short over 30%, last October short squeeze -> stock went higher than $7.49 <- skipped debt payment. 

Columbus, Ohio-based Washington Prime has said the impact from the Covid-19 pandemic could affect its ability to comply with debt covenants and continue operations, or remain a going concern “under certain circumstances.” It said in November that it was “actively negotiating” with debt holders to cut borrowings.

At that time, Chief Executive Officer Lou Conforti emphasized that bankruptcy was not on the table.

“It’s important to note that this action, and I would like everybody listen up, in no way shape or form has anything to do with a bankruptcy or a corporate restructuring and if anything, will serve as a testament to our operational abilities,” Conforti said in a conference call with investors.

Washington Prime has been working with advisers from law firm Kirkland & Ellis and investment bank Guggenheim to help it handle its maturities, which include a first-lien term loan due in June. In December, it attempted to convert about $260 million worth of its unsecured bonds into $175 million of preferred equity issued by a new special purpose entity, but failed to reach an agreement with debt holders.

Representatives for Kirkland & Ellis and Guggenheim didn’t comment.

Read more: DISTRESSED DAILY: Mall REIT’s Retail Bet Hits a Debt Problem

The company said its rent collection rate dropped to 52% during the second quarter of 2020, dragging down the price of its junior debt to about two-thirds of face value and its shares to penny-stock status. In the third quarter, collections improved to around 87%.

The pandemic has left mall owners struggling to keep up with debt payments as mandated store closures kept shoppers away and tenants sought rent deferrals. Two of Washington Prime’s competitors, CBL & Associates Properties and Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, filed for bankruptcy within hours of each other last year.

Washington Prime’s tenants also include retailers like J.C. Penney Co. and former Ann Taylor parent Ascena Retail Group Inc., which sought court protection and shuttered stores last year, citing pain from the pandemic.