Shimao bonds jump on report the Chinese developer plans to repay debts

SHANGHAI, Dec 17 (Reuters) – Bonds sold by subsidiaries of Shimao Group Holdings (0813.HK) rose broadly in Shanghai on Friday after a report the Chinese developer plans to repay publicly issued debts due this month, even as ratings agency Moody’s downgraded the company.

Chinese developers have been under enormous strain this year as regulators have sought to reduce leverage in the heavily indebted sector with rules capping their ability to issue new debt.

Shimao has told trust firms that it plans to make payments on its publicly issued bonds and interest that are due in the fourth quarter, financial intelligence provider REDD reported.

Shimao also plans to pay migrant workers salaries before the Chinese New Year, REDD said, citing unidentified sources.

Shimao did not respond to a request for comment.

Bonds issued by Shanghai Shimao Co Ltd (600823.SS) and Shanghai Shimao Construction Co Ltd, both owned by Shimao, were among top gainers in Shanghai Stock Exchange’s corporate bond market on Friday.

A Shanghai Shimao bond that matures in September, 2024 jumped over 7%.

Shimao saw sharp falls in its shares and debt earlier this month, triggered by worries over an asset sale and cancelled apartment deals. read more

Rating agency Moody’s downgraded Shimao’s corporate family rating (CFR) to Ba3 from Ba1 on Friday, adding the rating remains on review for further downgrade.

“The rating downgrade reflects Shimao’s increased refinancing risk due to its constrained funding access and sizable debt maturities over the next 6-12 months,” Moody’s said in a statement.

Shimao in 2022 has $1.7 billion maturities offshore and 8.9 billion yuan ($1.40 billion) onshore, according to Moody’s.

The developer has asked for trust firms for short-term extensions of loans coming due, according to REDD.

It has asked trust firms to be patient and said it expects 10 billion yuan ($1.6 billion) worth of cash to be released from presale escrow accounts from Jan. 1, REDD reported.

Shimao’s biggest creditor, China Merchants Bank, plans to increase its loan exposure to Shimao – currently at 30 billion yuan – and plans to rally financial support for Shimao from other lenders, the report said.

Shares of Shimao listed in Hong Kong dropped 3.7% in later afternoon trading.

($1 = 6.3686 Chinese yuan)

Source: https://www.reuters.com/markets/rates-bonds/chinese-developer-shimao-plans-repay-publicly-issued-debt-due-q4-redd-2021-12-17/