Liquidity Boost: Bausch + Lomb Adds $800M Revolver, Retires 2027 Loans
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Bausch Health (NYSE:BHC) disclosed that subsidiary Bausch + Lomb completed a €675 million senior secured floating-rate notes issue due 2031 and entered a Third Amendment to its credit agreement, adding a $2.325 billion term loan maturing 2031 and upsizing its revolver to $800 million maturing 2030.
Proceeds refinanced all term A/B loans and repaid the prior revolver, shifting the nearest debt wall from 2027 to 2031. The notes price at 3-month EURIBOR (0% floor) + 3.875%; the term loans bear SOFR + 4.25% (base-rate option + 3.25%). Covenants include a first-lien net leverage cap of 5.75×, stepping down to 5.50×, plus customary limits on liens, investments and asset sales. Optional redemption is at par after 30 Jun 2026; change-of-control put at 101%.
- Debt issued: €675 m notes & $2.325 b term loan
- Liquidity: new $800 m revolver
- Use of proceeds: refinance 2027 debt & repay revolver
Positive
- Maturity extension: Term loans and €675 m notes move principal repayments from 2027 to 2031, lowering near-term refinancing risk.
- Increased liquidity: Revolving credit facility expanded to $800 million, up from $500 million.
Negative
- New debt priced at EURIBOR + 3.875% and SOFR + 4.25%, likely elevating annual interest expense.
- First-lien net leverage covenant set at 5.75× indicates high leverage and limited cushion.
Insights
TL;DR: Maturity extension and larger revolver strengthen liquidity despite higher spreads.
The €675 million notes and $2.325 billion term loan push Bausch + Lomb's nearest maturities out to 2031, removing a significant 2027 refinancing overhang. Although the floating spreads (EURIBOR + 3.875%, SOFR + 4.25%) exceed the retired debt's coupons, the company gains pricing certainty via the 0% floor and redemption flexibility at par after mid-2026. Combined with an $800 million revolver (up from $500 million), the transaction adds runway for operations and reduces covenant risk. Net leverage remains high but the stepped-down 5.75× test offers reasonable cushion. Overall liquidity profile and tenor mix improved.
TL;DR: Higher interest cost offsets tenor benefit; leverage covenant still aggressive.
While 2031 maturities relieve near-term pressure, the new debt introduces materially higher floating-rate spreads in an elevated rate environment. Incremental annual interest could approach $90-100 million versus the refinanced facilities, squeezing free cash flow. The 5.75× first-lien leverage cap—just below current levels—leaves limited headroom if EBITDA softens, and the 101% change-of-control put may complicate strategic flexibility. Structure remains heavily secured and largely floating, exposing the company to rate volatility. Net credit impact is balanced.