Tuesday, June 23, 2009

More Bad News For Boeing: Sea Launch Files For Bankruptcy

Commercial satellite-launch services provider Sea Launch, which is 40% owned by 787 on time manufacturer extraordinaire, Boeing, filed for bankruptcy last night in Delaware (09-12513). The Long Beach company which has used the Kazakhstan Baikonur Space Center for rocket launches in the past, has listed liabilities of over $1 billion.

What is hilarious is that just last week, the Company launched a $245 million one-year Term Loan underwritten by Citigroup. Is Citi doomed to have the worst luck of any investment bank for ever and ever? For what it's worth, Goldman only provides loans to soon to be bankrupt companies (ahem, Movie Gallery) if they file for chapter with at least a one month lag post refi (and long after the bank has syndicated the loan to unwitting, dimwitted credit PMs who have to generate 15% returns in 3 months or the Exit sign it is).

At least gullible investors in the recent TL issue (yielding between L+200-350) be happy that it is guaranteed by Boeing, which after its 5th 787 launch delay may be better off changing its business model to focus on making space ship launch pads. Sphere: Related Content
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