NOT AN ANALYST

Synopsis Chemtura Corp is among the largest publicly traded chemical Companies in the United States, dedicated to the manufacturing and marketing of specialty chemical products. The Company filed for bankruptcy protection on March 18, 2009, as a result of a sharp decline in demand for its products and restricted access to credit. The Debtor has until June 2010 to file a plan of reorganization and it estimates to emerge from bankruptcy by the 3^rd Q of 2010.

Investment Thesis Buy the 7% 2009 notes as they provide an attractive risk/reward ratio compared to other debt in the capital structure. The notes trade around 107 cents on the dollar and have virtually no downside and have significant upside potential if converted into equity.

Valuation The Company is worth around $2,000 mm, which should cover all the unsecured debt and existing liabilities, including a large diacetyl claim. The valuation is based on 2009 EBITDA growth of 10% to 18% and a multiple of 7.72 derived from comparable Companies.

EBITDA In 2010, EBITDA will range between $285 and $300 mm, which represents a growth of 10% to 18% from 2009 levels. The growth is justified by a stronger demand for the Company’s products and emergence from bankruptcy. Peak cycle EBITDA was recorded around $400-450 mm during 2005-2007, but these level will be probably be attainable after 2015.

Multiple The 6.78 multiple represents an average of the EV/2010E EBITDA multiple extracted from Companies in the industry with similar fundamentals like market capitalization and debt (Albermale-ALB, Ashland-ASH and Lubrizol-LZ). I applied a 10% growth rate to the 2009 EBITDA level of the Companies analyzed. For reference, Chemtura’s market capitalization in 2007 was $1,050 and total debt to capital was 38.2%.

Capital Structure The DIP loan was refinanced at a lower rate on February 12 and increased by $50 mm to $450 mm to fund bankruptcy charges and ongoing capital requirements. The Term Loan, which constitutes part of DIP financing, has been fully drawn as of February 12. Borrowing under the 2007 Credit Facility were $154 mm as of January 31^st 2010, however this amount can increase following the drawing of certain letters of credit issued under the Facility. The 2009 notes and the 2016 notes are senior unsecured and guaranteed by certain subsidiaries. The 2026 notes senior unsecured parent Company notes and are not guaranteed by any subsidiary.  

2009 Notes Senior unsecured and guaranteed by Great Lakes Chemical, a subsidiary of the Debtor, which merged with Crompton Corp. to form Chemtura Corp. in 2005. In virtue of their maturity, the notes cannot be reinstated. In the worst case scenario, they’ll be repaid out at par plus post-petition interest. In the best case scenario, they’ll be converted to equity and participate in an upside potential materially above par.  

Other Liabilities The Debtor is subject to various other legacy liabilities, including environmental liabilities, estimated to be around $146 mm over 10 years, pension and OPEB (other-post-retirement-obligations) of about $172 mm. The Company, primarily through its non-Debtor subsidiary, Chemtura Canada, is also exposed to diacetyl litigation, estimated around $300 mm. Claims have been filed arguing that exposure to diacetyl, a chemical used to enhance and mimic food flavorings, caused workers to develop a disease that affected their lungs.

Risks The 2009 notes have virtually no downside risk. However, the risk of reinstatement for the 2016 and 2026 notes, will force repayment for the 2009 notes. The negative pledge clause in the notes would be triggered, so the notes would need to be reinstated as secured debt. In case of a debt to equity conversion, the creditors will have a lower claim on the Company’s assets if the Equity Committee will push for a high valuation above $2,500 mm.

This is an overview of the restructuring businesses discussed on the Blog, to update investors on recent developments. I would be glad to give my feedback, or receive yours, on the on any bankruptcy proceedings discussed here.

CIT Group – It emerged from Bankruptcy on December 10 and it’s now trading under “CIT” on the NYSE. As you remember, the Company cancelled the old equity and issued 200 mm of new common shares. The implementation of the Company’s strategy unfolds around CIT Banks; the subsidiary will be the focal point for the origination of middle market loans, bank deposits and other businesses like Vendor Finance (which provides leasing solutions) and Trade Finance (factoring and ABS). That is currently on hold; waiting regulatory approval from the FDIC. On July 2009, the FDIC imposed a “Cease and Desist Order” on CIT Bank, which prevents the subsidiary to grow deposits given the weakness of the institution at the time.

CIT_New_Business_Model

General Growth Properties – The Debtor is expecting to emerge from bankruptcy by the end of June 2010. There are still 3,000 mm in Secured Mortgage debt that need to be reorganized before a plan of reorganization for the Unsecured (Rouse Bonds, GGP LP Notes and TRUPS) and Secured Notes (2008 Credit Facility, 2006 Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility) is implemented. Most likely maturities for the remaining Mortgage Debt will be postpones at higher rates and a debt-to-equity conversion will be implemented for all or part of the Unsecured Notes. Worth noting is the dividend of 0.19 dollars a share that the Bankruptcy Court authorized the Debtor to pay to common shareholders in order to maintain the REIT tax status and avoid tax penalties.

Chemtura Corp – The December MOR (Monthly Operating Report) reported EBITDA of 54 mm, which brings the 2009 EBITDA to 251 mm, well above my expectations of 220 mm. We might be able to see some equity value up to 2 dollars a share even before a POR is unfolded. The Equity Committee was appointed on December 29 and I am under the impression that the current shares will continue to trade post bankruptcy and reinstated on the NYSE, but shareholders will experience dilution (probably around 50%) due to debt-to-equity conversion and/or new offering. Read my last post on Chemtura Corp for more details on that.

Idearc Corp – The Restructuring process was completed on January 4 and the business emerged under the name of Supermedia Inc which symbolizes a new line of business that the Company launched.  The pre-emergence common stock of Idearc Inc. (which has traded under the symbol “IDARQ.PK “) was cancelled effective December 31, 2009 and the Company now trades on the NASDAQ under “SPMD”. The new name symbolizes the continuity of the old business and the implementation of new products. More details on the different business segments are highlighted in the presentation attached.

SuperMedia_New_Business_Model

Accuride Corp – A third amendment to the Plan of Reorganization was filed with the Bankruptcy Court on December 21. The last date to vote on the Plan is January 29 and the confirmation hearing is scheduled for February 10 2010. The Equity Committee has urged shareholders to strongly reject the plan, arguing that a 2% share of the reorganized Company (which will become 0.6% after dilution) is far too little. The Committee plans to object the Plan at the Confirmation Hearing, and might be able to get away with more, maybe 5% of the reorganized equity. The Committee is not wrong, given the fact that creditors are expected to get no more that 100% recovery plus accrued interest through bankruptcy, but because the proposed Plan offers a significant equity interest to creditors, the upside will be more that 100%. Look at my previous post on Accuride Corp on December 9 for more details about the POR and dilution.

Chemtura Corp is expected to come up with a plan of reorganization in the next three months and emerge from bankruptcy by the middle of 2010. I am proposing a potential plan of reorganization that sees part of the Unsecured Notes reinstated and a 550 mm Exit Facility. In my previous post, I highlighted how the Company needed to generate 2010 EBITDA>270 mm to have equity value. Now, I recognize that the 4.5x multiple used was probably too conservative, therefore with a multiple of 6.00x and with a lower 2010 EBITDA forecast, there can be some equity value.

2009 Developments

Term of the DIP Loan – 250 mm Term Loan, 64 mm Revolving Credit and 86 mm Revolver that will be converted in a Term Loan once the Company exits bankruptcy

DIP Fees – Around 10.5% for the 250 mm Term Loan and 64 mm Revolver; around 6.5% for the 86 mm Revolver. There is a 1.5% unused fee for the unused portion of the Revolving Credit average balance, a 2% exit fee on the 86 mm payable to the lenders and 3% exit fee on all other commitments. The DIP Loan matures in March 18 2010

DIP Term Balance – 165 mm of the Term Loan was used in March to fully terminate the US Receivable Facility and to fund working capital. The remaining 85 mm of the Term Loan was used in April to fund certain outstanding amounts owed to Secured Creditors under the amended 2007 Credit Facility.

Assumptions

Emergence from BK – Before the end of 2010, probably around the 3Q of 2010

PVC additive business – The transaction will generate 45 mm in cash, capital expenditures will be reduced by 18% or 13 mm, which is the percentage of PVC sales to the total segment sales, and EBITDA will be reduced by 10% or 21 mm, which is a percentage of the PVC sales to total sales.

Capital expenditures – The Debtor will incur 45 mm in capital expenditures in 2009 and 2010, which includes a reduction due to the PVC additive business sale. The 8K on February 29 indicated that the company wanted to keep cap ex below 60 mm for 2009.

Working Capital – The Debtor will generate 20 mm in cash from reduction of working capital in 2009 and 30 mm in 2010 due to continuing effort to reduce inventories and account receivables. In 2011 and 2012 working capital requirement will be 20 mm and 40 mm

Potential Plan of Reorganization

Exit Facility – A 550 mm Term Loan with 50 mm amortization schedule each year. The loan will be fully amortized in 11 years.

DIP Loan –The 250 mm Term Loan will be repaid with proceeds from the Exit Facility, cash on hands and cash generated from operations. The 86 mm Revolver will become available as a new line of credit

Credit Facility – The 151 mm balance of the 2007 Credit Facility will be repaid in full using proceeds from the Exit Facility, cash on hands and cash generated from operations.

370 mm Senior Unsecured due 2009 – The Debtor will repurchase them at par plus accrued interest using proceeds from the Exit Facility, cash on hands and cash generated from operations.

500 mm Senior Unsecured due 2016 – The Notes will be reinstated and accrued interest will be paid.

150 mm Debentures due 2026 – The Notes will be converted into a 1.50% coupon mandatory Convertible Note. I assume that 80 mm will be converted in 2011 and the remaining 70 mm in 2012

Capitalization Upon emergence, the Debtor will have a 1,200 mm in debt comprised of a 550 mm Exit Term Loan Facility with an amortization schedule, an 85 mm unused Revolver balance, 500 mm in Unsecured Debt and 150 mm Convertible Note. The latter will be converted into equity by the end of 2012, bringing the debt level down to 950 mm. The end cash level in 2010 will be 116 mm; debt/EBITDA will be 5.4 and 3.2 in 2010 and 2012 respectively. Financial covenants under the Exit Facility should contain a minimum EBITDA of 190 mm per year and a minimum cash balance of 80 mm each month. Now, I am under the impression that the 2016 and 2026 Notes can be reinstated, given the fact that default on these notes was triggered only by cross-default provision included in the indenture governing them, and not by breach of their financial covenants. In order words, the default on the 2016 and 2026 Notes was the result of non-compliance with the covenants under more Senior debt, the Amended Credit Facility. It was likely that the Company couldn’t repay or refinance the 370 mm 2009 Notes due in July; therefore I anticipate that they will be repurchased at par plus accrued interest. Under this scenario I see little equity value in 2010, but can potentially appreciate to 4 dollars a share within one or two years after emergence. I am also attaching a link to an interesting article that I found on another Blog regarding reinstating the Chemtura’s Unsecured debt. Enjoy and I would greatly appreciate your feedback.

http://chemturaresearch.blogspot.com/2010/01/could-chemtura-reinstate-certain-debt.html

Company Overview Chemtura Corp is a manufacturer and marketer of specialty chemical products, most of which sold to industrial manufacturing customers for use as additives, ingredients or intermediates that add value to their end products. The Company operates on a global scale with 52% of last year sales coming from outside the United States.

Path to Bankruptcy In the 4Q of 2008, Chemtura experienced an unprecedented reduction in orders as the global recession deepened. Liquidity also deteriorated as the availability of financing under the European Receivable Facility decreased significantly due to the Company’s weak financial performance and it was eventually terminated in the 2Q of 2009. On January 2009, the US Facility was formed for the purpose of selling receivables and restoring most of the liquidity that was available in the previous quarter. However, sales and the overall financial performance deteriorated further in the first part of 2009, resulting in the company’s inability to be in compliance with two maintenance covenants under its Amended and Restated 2007 Credit Facility. On December 2008, the Company obtained a 90-day waiver of compliance with the covenants from the lenders under the 2007 Credit Facility. When Chemtura realized that it wasn’t able to refinance its 370 mm notes due in July 15, it filed for bankruptcy on March 18 2009. Foreign subsidiaries and certain US subsidiaries were not included in the filings. The Company is expected to file a plan of reorganization by February 15 2010, after the court already granted two extensions.

Capital Structure As of petition date, there are 1,020 mm of unsecured debt and 199 mm of secured debt, for a total of 1,229 mm.

Advances under the 2007 Credit Facility were originally set to 300 mm, but after it was amended on December 30 2008, the maximum allowed was reduced to 190 mm. The 2009 Notes (GLK.GA) are obligations of Great Lakes Chemical Corp, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chemtura Corp. The 2016 Notes (HTRA.GA) are obligations of certain domestic subsidiaries of Chemtura Corp, but may be released from their subsidiary guarantees under certain circumstances (exhibit 10.1 10Q filing on May 10 2006). The 2026 Debentures (CK.GE) are obligations of Chemtura Corp, the parent company, and therefore junior compared to the other notes.  The 2009 US Facility was terminated on March 23 as a condition of the debtor entering into 400 mm DIP Lending Agreement.  All receivables were sold back to the Company by purchasers for the amount of 117 mm. The CFO for 2009 already contains that charge.

Valuation For the nine months ending in September 30, the Company accumulated 169 mm in EBITDA and it will earn approximately 210 mm for the entire year. During Chemtura’s peak cycle 2005-2007, EBITDA ranged from 350 mm to 400 mm, which is not possible in this environment as demand remains weak, therefore I expect EBITDA for 2010 to be 210 mm on the conservative side, and 20% higher to 250 mm on the aggressive side. EV is calculated with a 4.5 multiple, which is conservative considering that the company never traded around these levels, but rivals like DOW and DD, traded around 5.2 and 6.2 during their peak cycles in 2005-2007. For the nine months ending in September 2009, CFO was 26 mm and it will be approximately 50 mm for the year with 60 mm in capex. For 2010, I expect the company to generate 60 mm in CFO with 90 mm in capex. Historically, capex has been around 110 mm a year with a CFO of 150 mm in 2007 and 250 mm in 2006. Keep in mind that results before 2005 are not directly comparable to more recent results due to the inclusion of operating results of Great Lakes, subsequent to the merger on July 2005.

Recovery Analysis Unsecured debt holders, excluding the 2026 Debentures, are getting 100 cents on the dollar if EV is higher then 1,035 mm in 2010. In fact, the 2009 and 2016 Notes are now trading around 107 cents on the dollar and 2026 Debentures are trading around 78 cents on the dollar, which implies that investors are expecting an EV on the high end of my valuation, around 245-250 mm. There seems to be no equity value left after restructuring at this moment, but if the company earns more then 210 mm in EBITDA for 2009 and expects to earn mote then 270 mm in EBITDA for 2010, I would be a buyer of the 2026 Debentures and the equity as well, which is now trading at 70 cents under CEMJQ.