VK Company Limited has warned its bondholders it may not have the cash to redeem all of its bonds.
The Russian internet company formerly known as Mail.ru noted trading in its global depositary receipts (GDRs) on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) was suspended on 3 March and it is not known when trading will resume (if ever). Under the terms of the company's US$400mln 1.625% senior unsecured convertible bonds due 2025, a "de-listing event" will occur if trading of the GDRs on the LSE Main Market is suspended for a period of 10 consecutive dealing days or more and this looks very likely to happen tomorrow, which will entitle the bondholders to compel the company to redeem the bonds.
To cut a long story short, owing to banking restrictions on Russian companies, VK is unsure whether it will have sufficient liquidity to fund the payments required for the redemption if most of the bondholders choose to exercise their redemption right.
The company said it intends to start negotiations with all bondholders as soon as possible to discuss possible alternatives to the put option exercise.