Latest News

Bankers: Vedanta Resources unit priced $500 mln bond below initial guidance

Two merchant bankers reported on Wednesday that a Vedanta subsidiary, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vedanta Resource, has accepted bids for bonds with a seven-year maturity in U.S. dollars worth $500 million.

The bankers said that Vedanta Resource Finance II would pay an annual coupon below its initial price guide of 9.50% after receiving bids totaling over $2.2 billion.

CreditSights, however, sees the fair price of the bond as 9.22%. This is based on a relative value comparison of existing debt from December 2031 and March 2033 with similar bond structures and comparable returns.

The issue will include a call option after two years. Proceeds will be used to pay off a private loan facility. The remaining funds will be used for other debts as well as general corporate purposes.

Moody's has rated the offering B2 and Fitch Ratings B+.

The company didn't respond to an email asking for comment. Bankers asked to remain anonymous as they were not authorized to speak with the media.

The company has issued a second dollar bond in 2025. In January, it raised $1.10 billion through five-year-and-six-months bonds at 9.4750% and eight-year-and-three-months bonds at 9.85%.

The demand for dollar bonds issued by Indian companies has increased in recent weeks, following the rating upgrade of mid-August by S&P Global. This upgrade helped to improve the credit profile of the country.

The State Bank of India's bond sale of $500 million dollars attracted favorable pricing, which encouraged more companies to tap the international market.

Vedanta will guarantee the latest issue. The issue will be unconditionally guaranteed by other subsidiaries including Twin Star Holdings and Vedanta Holdings Maritius II. (Reporting and editing by Ronojoy Mazumdar; Dharamraj Dhutia)

(source: Reuters)