Avis Budget Group Announces Pricing of €600 Million of Senior Notes

Rhea-AI Summary

Avis Budget Group, Inc. announced a private offering of €600 million senior notes due 2029, increasing the size from the initial announcement. The proceeds will be used to redeem existing notes and for general corporate purposes.

Financial Analyst

The pricing of Avis Budget Group's €600 million senior notes issuance is a significant financial move, indicating a strategic approach to capital management. The increase from the initially planned €400 million to €600 million suggests strong investor demand, which could be interpreted as market confidence in the company's creditworthiness and future prospects.

From a financial perspective, the decision to redeem the existing 4.750% senior notes due 2026 with the proceeds from the new offering could result in interest savings, given the current interest rates. However, it is important to note the interest rate increase to 7.00% for the new notes, which raises the cost of debt for Avis Budget Group. This could impact their interest expense and net income in future periods.

Investors and stakeholders should consider the implications of this debt restructuring on the company's leverage ratios and interest coverage metrics. While the immediate liquidity boost and potential debt repayment could strengthen the balance sheet, the higher interest rate may affect future earnings and cash flows.

Market Research Analyst

The automotive rental industry is capital-intensive, requiring significant investment in vehicle fleets and infrastructure. Avis Budget Group's move to secure additional financing through senior notes could suggest an anticipation of growth opportunities or a need to refresh its vehicle fleet, which is critical to maintaining competitiveness in the market.

Moreover, the use of proceeds for general corporate purposes could indicate strategic flexibility, allowing the company to adapt to market conditions and invest in areas such as technology upgrades, expansion into new markets, or enhanced customer service initiatives.

It is also essential to analyze the potential impact on the company's stock performance. Debt offerings can sometimes be perceived negatively if they lead to over-leveraging, but they can also be seen as positive if they facilitate growth or improve capital structure. The market's reaction to this news will be a telling indicator of investor sentiment towards Avis Budget Group's financial strategy.

Legal Expert

The issuance of senior notes by Avis Budget Finance plc, a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group, is structured to comply with securities regulations, primarily targeting qualified institutional buyers. The reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 allows for a private offering, bypassing the need for public registration, which can expedite the process and reduce disclosure requirements.

However, the private nature of the offering limits the pool of potential investors to those who meet specific criteria, which could influence the liquidity and secondary market for these securities. Additionally, the fact that these notes are unregistered securities means they carry certain restrictions on resale, which must be carefully considered by potential investors.

It is also important to note that this press release is not a notice of redemption for the 4.750% senior notes, which implies that a formal notice will follow, adhering to the terms of the indenture governing those notes. The legal implications of the redemption process are crucial for current note holders, as they will need to understand the timing and process for the redemption of their investments.

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Feb. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAR) (the “Company”) announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Avis Budget Finance plc (the “Issuer”), priced a private offering of €600 million aggregate principal amount of 7.00% senior notes due 2029 (the “Notes”), which represents a €200 million increase from the previously announced size of the offering. The Notes will have a maturity date of February 28, 2029. The closing of the offering of the Notes is expected to occur on February 28, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. The Notes will be issued at par and guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company and certain of its U.S. subsidiaries.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Notes offering to redeem all of the Issuer’s outstanding 4.750% senior notes due 2026 and pay fees and expenses in connection with the foregoing, with the remainder to be used for general corporate purposes, which may include, without limitation, repayment of indebtedness.

This press release does not constitute a notice of redemption of the 4.750% senior notes due 2026.

The Notes and related guarantees are being offered only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or, outside the United States, to persons other than “U.S. persons” in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes and related guarantees have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any securities. Any offers of the Notes will be made only by means of a private offering memorandum.

About Avis Budget Group
We are a leading global provider of mobility solutions, both through our Avis and Budget brands, which have approximately 10,250 rental locations in approximately 180 countries around the world, and through our Zipcar brand, which is the world's leading car sharing network. We operate most of our car rental offices in North America, Europe and Australasia directly, and operate primarily through licensees in other parts of the world. We are headquartered in Parsippany, N.J.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements regarding the Notes offering and the expected use of proceeds therefrom are “forward-looking statements” and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability to complete the offering on favorable terms, if at all, and general market conditions which might affect the offering. Additional information concerning these and other important risks and uncertainties can be found in the Company's filings with the SEC, including under the captions “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Investor Relations Contact: David Calabria, IR@avisbudget.com

Media Relations Contract: James Tomlinson, ABGPress@edelman.com

What is the total principal amount of the senior notes offered by Avis Budget Group, Inc.?

Avis Budget Group, Inc. offered €600 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes.

When is the maturity date for the senior notes issued by Avis Budget Group, Inc.?

The senior notes issued by Avis Budget Group, Inc. have a maturity date of February 28, 2029.

How will Avis Budget Group, Inc. utilize the net proceeds from the senior notes offering?

Avis Budget Group, Inc. plans to use the net proceeds to redeem existing senior notes due 2026 and for general corporate purposes.

What type of investors are eligible to participate in the offering of the senior notes by Avis Budget Group, Inc.?

The senior notes offering by Avis Budget Group, Inc. is only available to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A or non-U.S. persons under Regulation S.

Are the senior notes and related guarantees registered under the Securities Act?

The senior notes and related guarantees offered by Avis Budget Group, Inc. have not been registered under the Securities Act or any other jurisdiction.

Is the press release an invitation to buy or sell securities?

The press release by Avis Budget Group, Inc. is for informational purposes only and not an offer to buy or sell securities.