Why Read?

• Understand why and how we expect Matalan to attempt a CVA in conjunction with a debt restructuring via UK schemes of arrangement (Part 26 or Part 26A) or to consider a pre-pack administration sale or secured debt transfer scheme with respect to the business
• Understand why we think Matalan’s 1st lien Senior Secured Notes (1L SSNs) have good recovery prospects and why the business has a defendable competitive position even in a COVID-impacted world

What’s New?

• Restructuring analysis – scenarios involving CVA, UK schemes and pre-pack sales; recovery estimates across capital structure
• Comparison to CVA / debt restructuring via scheme(s) at New Look in Mar-18/Jun-19 and again in Sep-20; comparison to CVA / pre-pack administration at Debenhams in Apr-20; how Matalan is significantly better positioned (competitively and financially) than both New Look at Debenhams were and how it is not over-rented in the same way; analysis of Matalan’s negotiating power vs landlords
• Financial projections (including of liquidity) and valuation
• Market data – UK value clothing retail market size, market shares and trends, sales and EBITDA densities, rent per sq ft and selling space / store estate comparisons across major players

Questions Answered

• Does Matalan really need a CVA or would any attempt at one largely be an attempted expropriation of value from landlords in favour of secured creditors? Comparison of Matalan’s financial, business / competitive and store estate / rent positions vs prior UK retail CVA / debt restructuring cases
• What strategies are available to Mr John Hargreaves to maintain ownership of the business in a financially attractive way for him?
• Is it possible for Matalan’s 2nd lien Senior Notes (2L SNs) to see a meaningful recovery?
• What inferences can we draw from Matalan’s new financing and debt modifications achieved in COVID-impacted 9m 21 regarding: (a) banks’ willingness to support the business; and (b) Mr John Hargreaves’ willingness to support the business?
• What are the prospects for Matalan to recover its EBITDA (IAS 17) and unleveraged FCF coming out of COVID-19?
• How do project cash flow given many moving parts, particularly over Q4 21E – Q4 22E? Deferred payments (rent, HMRC, suppliers – existing at Q3 21 and potential future deferrals), FX hedge cash impacts, various cost savings, key capex
• How resilient has Matalan’s performance during COVID-impacted periods been, particularly on re-opening of stores?