“On August 24, 2020 AG Kings Holdings,a grocery chain that includes regional names like Balducci’s and King’s Food Market, filed Chapter 11. According to a trade publication, the company – which has been troubled for some time -has a “stalking horse” buyer willing to pay $75mn for most of the stores in the chains. Furthermore, other buyers will be solicited under court protection. We learned that the company has “nearly $115mn in debts”. Of late the company has performed better than in the past thanks to Covid-19. Ironically, though, this recent success only encouraged management to strike while market conditions were as favorable as possible. The goal – despite unresolved issues with the company’s unions – is to be in and out of bankruptcy before the end of 2020.

Readers will know we have written about the company multiple times before, most recently on August 21, 2020. There are two BDCs with exposure of $26.9mn at June 30, 2020: Capital Southwest (CSWC) and WhiteHorse Finance (WHF). The latter recently added to its position in the first lien debt by buying an expanded position at a substantial discount. As a result, the aggregate FMV of the positions held is greater than the cost. WHF has two-thirds of the debt – including the most recent addition – and CSWC the rest.

The debt has been on non accrual since the IVQ 2018, so some sort of resolution was expected. From what we’ve learned from the Chapter 11 filing, and with the possibility of other buyers joining in, the BDCs have a good chance to get repaid in full or in part and in short order. From what we can tell, CSWC and WHFare not part of the buying group. We do know that the company’s “existing secured lender” is providing a $20.0mn Debtor In Possession facility, but we don’t know if that includes the BDCs who are principally in the Term Loan that nominally matures August 8, 2021. (CSWC does show an undrawn Revolver in its portfolio list).

We are retaining the CCR 5 rating for the moment and project the ultimate realized loss will be no greater than what CSWC – which invested close to par value – has booked : (30%) of its cost. If we’re right, CSWC will absorb a realized loss of just over ($3.0mn) and WHF – thanks to boldly buying more debt at a discount – may get away without a net loss. That could occur by the IVQ 2020 results. We expect both lenders will be happy with such an outcome and even more delighted if the company attracts more generous buyers. Much can happen in bankruptcy, but this may be the best outcome available after a year and a half of waiting around and no income coming in.

The BDC Credit Reporter will revisit this story as we learn what the final outcome looks like and we can estimate with greater accuracy what the ultimate economics might look like”.

@2020 BDC Credit Reporter