Weakest links become weaker

Telewest and KPNQwest are the latest companies to appear on S&P’s ‘weakest link’ survey. A debt restructuring looks on the cards for Telewest but a solution to KPNQwest’s plight is more complex.

credit-may02-news1-gif
Two weeks is a long time in the distressed debt market. A fortnight after Standard & Poor’s issued its latest survey of ‘weakest links’, or companies most in danger of defaulting on their debt, Telewest and KPNQwest have been high-profile additions to the list.

As of April, the 49 issuers that make up S&P’s list – those rated CCC or lower and on credit watch negative or negative outlook – had $24 billion of debt outstanding between them. UK telco Telewest’s three-notch downgrade to CCC- has

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@risk.net or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.risk.net/subscribe

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.

Sorry, our subscription options are not loading right now

Please try again later. Get in touch with our customer services team if this issue persists.

New to Risk.net? View our subscription options

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have a Risk.net account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account here