LPSN issues 10% second-lien notes, $45M cash and Series B convertible to 39%
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
LivePerson entered an exchange to replace approximately $341.1 million of its outstanding 0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 with a mix of cash, secured debt and equity that will materially change its capital structure. Under the agreement the company will pay $45.0 million in cash, issue $115.0 million aggregate principal of 10.0% Second Lien Senior Subordinated Secured Notes due December 15, 2029
The New Secured Notes bear 10.0% annual interest with 100% PIK through March 15, 2027, optional cash/PIK payments thereafter, and contain customary secured junior covenants and make-whole and fundamental change repurchase provisions. Series B Preferred Stock accrues a 15.0% regular dividend
Positive
- Reduces near-term unsecured convertible obligations by exchanging approximately $341.1 million of 0% notes into a combination of cash, secured notes and equity.
- Provides $45.0 million in cash at closing which can be used to address immediate liquidity needs.
- Extends maturity of a portion of indebtedness to December 15, 2029 via the New Secured Notes.
- Defers cash interest payments initially by structuring 100% PIK interest on the New Secured Notes through March 15, 2027.
Negative
- Major equity dilution potential: Series B Preferred and closing equity together convert to 39.0% of fully diluted common stock at closing.
- Introduces higher-cost secured debt: New Secured Notes carry a 10.0% annual rate and are second-lien secured obligations.
- Accreting PIK interest can increase principal and future cash requirements if not defeased prior to conversion to cash payments.
- Governance concentration: Noteholders granted irrevocable proxies to vote for the Charter Amendment and Series B Preferred votes on an as-converted basis.
- Bylaw change lowers special meeting quorum from 50% to 33 1/3%, changing shareholder approval dynamics for special actions.
Insights
TL;DR: Debt-for-equity exchange cuts near-term cash strain but replaces unsecured convertibles with high-rate secured notes and large convertible preferred stake.
The Exchange converts approximately $341.1 million of 0% convertibles into $45.0 million cash, $115.0 million of 10% second-lien secured notes and equity representing 39% of fully diluted common stock at closing. The secured notes carry 10.0% interest with full PIK through March 15, 2027, shifting interest cash burden later but increasing principal via PIK and elevating secured claims ahead of unsecured creditors. The Series B preferred carries a high dividend (15% then 20%), voting rights on an as-converted basis and automatic conversion tied to a charter amendment, concentrating dilution and governance influence into the exchanging noteholders. This transaction is material to capital structure, liquidity runway and creditor ranking.
TL;DR: Governance changes empower exchanging noteholders and reduce special-meeting quorum, potentially entrenching support for the transaction.
The Exchange includes an irrevocable proxy from Noteholders to vote in favor of a Charter Amendment increasing authorized common shares; Series B preferred votes equal to their conversion amount. The board adopted Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws reducing the quorum for special stockholder meetings from 50% to 33 1/3%. Together, these provisions increase the ability of the Noteholders and management to secure charter changes and future approvals related to the conversion mechanics and capitalization. These are material governance shifts that affect shareholder voting dynamics and control over future corporate actions.