
S&P warns of possible credit rating downgrade for Vedanta Resources over debt policy shifts
Vedanta Resources financial policy regarding debt transactions may result in a potential downgrade of its current 'B-' rating to 'CCC' or 'CC,' as detailed in their credit FAQ addressing the implications of a liability management exercise for Vedanta Resources' credit rating.
This rating action will happen if Vedanta tries a debt deal without enough compensation or buys back debt at a lower price than its face value in secondary markets. If Vedanta goes through with such a deal, S&P would probably lower Vedanta's rating to 'SD' and the bond ratings affected by this would drop to ‘D'.
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Offering CollegeCourseWebsiteIIM KozhikodeIIMK Senior Management ProgrammeVisitIndian School of BusinessISB Leadership in AIVisitIndian School of BusinessISB Chief Digital OfficerVisitIIM LucknowIIML Senior Leadership ProgrammeVisitThe clarification has come following a bondholder identification exercise announced by the company on August 24, 2023. Vedanta management has met investors in Singapore and Hong Kong this week and have discussed a potential extension of upcoming bonds through partial bond exchange and partial upfront payment, as reported by ET on September 12.
S&P said that according to their regular interactions with Vedanta, the company is exploring ways to meet its obligations and avoid defaults.
S&P maintains a 'B-' rating but with a negative outlook on Vedanta with the expectation that the company will secure additional funds to meet upcoming debt maturities. They estimate a current shortfall of about $600 million until January 2024, with a potential further deficit of $1 billion-$1.5 billion by August 2024. However, the negative outlook implies a significant chance
