Commentary & Deal Flow

+++Corrects ratings: B- (stable) by Fitch (not S&P)+++

Constellation Automotive Financing PLC GBP650m 144A/Reg S sr sec 1st lien notes due 2027 (6y), NC2. B2/NR/B- (stable/--/stable). Via Barc (B&D)/HSBC jt glocos/Santander jt books. No reg rights. List ISE. NY law.

IPT: low 5s.

Roadshow (1x1s) today-tomorrow (investor call at 2pm UKT today). UOP: along with Constellation Automotive Limited GBP785m equivalent (currency-split TBD) 7y sr sec term loan (rated B2, expect B- from S&P) and GBP325m 8y sr sec 2nd lien term loan (rated Caa2, expect CCC from S&P) via Barc/HSBC/Santander (lender call 07/09, commitments due 07/16), to repay GBP1.3bn existing debt and fund a GBP403m holdco distribution. The expectation is that the distribution will be used to invest in the Cinch online car-buying platform (which was moved outside of the restricted group in September 2020) and redeem some preference shares that sit above the restricted group. Equity sponsor: TDR Capital. In May Constellation Auto raised $1.4bn in equity from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Singapore’s GIC, as well as Neuberger Berman and Soros Fund Management LLC, the proceeds of which will also be used to expand its Cinch platform. Biz: a leading used car remarketing platform in Europe. HQ: Farnham, UK.