MONTERREY, Nuevo Leon, Mexico--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Grupo Senda Autotransporte S.A. de C.V. (“the Company”, “the Group” or “Grupo Senda”) announced today the successful closing of its first syndicated loan facility for over Ps. 2,350 million with a 5-year tenor; this transaction was widely syndicated among 9 Mexican and foreign institutions.
The Company had previously announced its original goal of raising Ps. 2,000 million, but opted to raise over Ps. 2,350 million due to the high demand for this product.
The main objective of this loan is to refinance the high-yield bond for US$150 million at a rate of 10.5% which matures in October of 2015, which Grupo Senda placed in the international markets. The excess proceeds of the syndicated loan will be used to pre-pay the Company’s higher lease costs.
The interest rate on the loan will range between 350 and 450 basis points over TIIE or LIBOR based in on the Company’s leverage levels, which the Company expects will significantly reduce its financing cost.
The syndicated loan is comprised of Ps. 1,900 million and US$35 million. Grupo Senda elected to contract a portion in US dollars in order to align its financing with its cash flow generation, which will help eliminate exchange rate volatility within its results.
The signing of a syndicated loan with payments, primarily in pesos, is in line with the Company’s strategy of reducing its debt levels. Through this transaction, Grupo Senda extends its debt maturity profile, eliminates exchange rate risk within its Financials, reduces financial expenses by nearly Ps. 90 million per annum, and extends and strengthens its relationships with, both, local and foreign banks.
About the Company
Grupo Senda, headquartered in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, is one of the leading providers of ground transportation services for passengers in Mexico, offering services in the Northeast and Central Regions of the country, as well as to the states of Arkansas, Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana, Georgia, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas and the Carolinas in the U.S. The Company currently has over 7,000 employees. Grupo Senda has two business segments: the Passenger Segment and the Personnel Segment, as well as the Package Business which is part of the Passenger Segment.