Puerto Rico Is About To Default: Your Complete Guide To An Island Debt Debacle
Submitted by Tyler Durden on 11/25/2015 20:30 -0500
Last week, we brought you the latest from Puerto Rico’s debt debacle. The commonwealth is desperately trying to restructure some $72 billion in debt while staring down a $354 million bond payment due on December 1.
As we discussed at length on Friday, some $270 million of what’s due next week is GO debt guaranteed by the National Public Finance Guarantee Corp. Defaulting on that is bad news and as Moody’s warned earlier this month, a missed payment on the commonwealth’s highest priority obligations “would likely trigger legal action from creditors, commencing a potentially drawn-out process absent swift federal intervention.”
Make no mistake, federal intervention is likely to be anything but “swift.”
A Senate judiciary committee headed by Iowa Republican Charles Grassley will meet on December 1 to discuss a legislative proposal to assist the Padilla government, but it’s hard to imagine that a decision will be made in time to avert at least a partial default.
Ultimately, the decision will be between paying bondholders and ensuring that the government can continue to provide public services, and just as Greece prioritized pensions over IMF payments last summer, Padilla isn’t likely to sacrifice the public interest at the altar of the island’s debtors.
So, as the clock ticks, we bring you the following helpful guide courtesy of Bloomberg who has made a “list of the island’s debt, how much is outstanding, when major monthly payments are due, and the source of funds that back the securities.”
* * *
From Bloomberg
* * *
As a reminder, Puerto Rico's Treasury Single Account likely has negative cash balance, which, according to Height Securities analyst Daniel Hanson, "will make it 'nearly impossible' to meet all government payroll obligations over the next six weeks."
In other words, even if the government does default in order to save money for the provision of public services, social unrest may now be unavoidable.
Submitted by Tyler Durden on 11/25/2015 20:30 -0500
Last week, we brought you the latest from Puerto Rico’s debt debacle. The commonwealth is desperately trying to restructure some $72 billion in debt while staring down a $354 million bond payment due on December 1.
As we discussed at length on Friday, some $270 million of what’s due next week is GO debt guaranteed by the National Public Finance Guarantee Corp. Defaulting on that is bad news and as Moody’s warned earlier this month, a missed payment on the commonwealth’s highest priority obligations “would likely trigger legal action from creditors, commencing a potentially drawn-out process absent swift federal intervention.”
Make no mistake, federal intervention is likely to be anything but “swift.”
A Senate judiciary committee headed by Iowa Republican Charles Grassley will meet on December 1 to discuss a legislative proposal to assist the Padilla government, but it’s hard to imagine that a decision will be made in time to avert at least a partial default.
Ultimately, the decision will be between paying bondholders and ensuring that the government can continue to provide public services, and just as Greece prioritized pensions over IMF payments last summer, Padilla isn’t likely to sacrifice the public interest at the altar of the island’s debtors.
So, as the clock ticks, we bring you the following helpful guide courtesy of Bloomberg who has made a “list of the island’s debt, how much is outstanding, when major monthly payments are due, and the source of funds that back the securities.”
* * *
From Bloomberg
- Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp.: $15.2 billion. The bonds, known by the Spanish acronym Cofinas, are repaid from dedicated sales-tax revenue. A $6.2 billion portion of the debt, called senior-lien, is repaid first. The remaining $9 billion, called subordinate-lien, get second dibs. $1.2 million of interest is due in February and again in May. Senior Cofinas maturing in 2040 last traded for an average yield of 9.5 percent, while subordinate ones yielded 18 percent.
- General-obligations: $12.6 billion. The debt backed by the commonwealth’s full faith and credit. The island’s constitution says general obligations must be repaid before other expenses. Puerto Rico owes $357 million of interest in January and an additional $805 million of principal and interest is due July 1. Securities due in 2035 last traded for an average yield of 11.5 percent.
- Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority: $8.2 billion. Prepa, as it’s called, is the island’s main supplier of electricity and repays the debt from what it charges customers. The utility owes $196 million of interest in January and $420 million of principal and interest July 1. Prepa is negotiating with bond-insurance companies after reaching an agreement with some of its bondholders, who agreed to take a 15 percent loss. Bonds maturing in 2040 last traded at an average yield of 9.2 percent.
- Puerto Rico Government Development Bank: $5.1 billion. The GDB lends to the commonwealth and its localities. When those loans are repaid, the bank can pay off its debt. The bank owes $354 million in December and $422 million in May. Federally taxable bonds maturing in 2019 last traded for an average yield of 57 percent.
- Puerto Rico Highways & Transportation Authority: $4.6 billion. The highway agency repays its debt with gas-tax revenue. It owes $106 million of interest in January and $220.7 million of principal and interest in July. The commonwealth has the ability to divert revenue that cover some highway bonds to pay its general-obligation securities, if there are no other available resources, according to the island’s most recent financial disclosure. Bonds maturing July 2028 last traded for an average yield of 32 percent.
- Puerto Rico Public Buildings Authority: $4.1 billion. The PBA bonds are repaid with lease revenue that public agencies pay for their office buildings. The agency owes $102.4 million of interest in January and $208 million of principal and interest in July. Bonds maturing 2042 last traded for an average yield of 10.4 percent.
- Puerto Rico Aqueduct & Sewer Authority: $4.1 billion. The utility, called Prasa, supplies most of the island’s water. The debt is repaid from water rates charged to customers. The water agency owes $86.5 million of interest in January and $135.1 million of principal and interest in July. Bonds maturing in 2042 last traded at an average yield of 8.7 percent.
- Puerto Rico Pension-Obligation Bonds: $2.9 billion. The taxable debt was sold to bolster the island’s nearly depleted pension fund. The bonds are repaid from contributions that the commonwealth and municipalities make to the retirement system. The system pays $13.9 million of interest every month in this budget year. Securities maturing in 2038 last traded for an average yield of 22 percent.
- Puerto Rico Infrastructure Financing Authority: $1.9 billion. Called Prifa, the agency has sold the island’s rum-tax bonds. These are securities repaid from federal excise taxes on rum made in Puerto Rico. Prifa owes $37.2 million of interest in January and $77.8 million of principal and interest in July. Bonds maturing in 2046 last traded for an average yield of 28 percent.
- Puerto Rico Public Finance Corp.: $1.09 billion. The bonds are repaid with money appropriated by the legislature. The agency has defaulted every month since August on its debt-service payments because lawmakers failed to allocate the funds. It owes interest every month, the largest being a $24 million payment in February. Bond maturing in 2031 last traded for 7 cents on the dollar, according to trade reports. The yield wasn’t disclosed.
* * *
As a reminder, Puerto Rico's Treasury Single Account likely has negative cash balance, which, according to Height Securities analyst Daniel Hanson, "will make it 'nearly impossible' to meet all government payroll obligations over the next six weeks."
In other words, even if the government does default in order to save money for the provision of public services, social unrest may now be unavoidable.
Yesterday at 12:30 pm by Rocky
» The Bank of Iraq extends working hours to complete money transfer transactions
Yesterday at 12:28 pm by Rocky
» Central Bank Governor: National Bank Lending Strategy Aims to Stimulate and Activate Economy
Yesterday at 12:26 pm by Rocky
» utube 10/5/24 MM&C Iraqi Dinar Update - Iraq Dinar News -World Bank - Report - Central Bank Govern
Yesterday at 5:18 am by Rocky
» MM&C 10/6/24 Digital Banks in Iraq
Yesterday at 5:17 am by Rocky
» utube 10/7/24 MM&C Iraq Dinar News-Iraqi Dinar-Liquidity-Sudani Report-Digital Phase-Supreme Court
Yesterday at 5:17 am by Rocky
» Kurdistan employees' salaries due to arrive within three days from Baghdad
Yesterday at 5:14 am by Rocky
» Revealing the features of the 2025 budget tables
Yesterday at 5:13 am by Rocky
» Campaign to stop exporting Iraqi oil to Jordan
Yesterday at 5:09 am by Rocky
» Makkah: Climate investment map may be launched within two months
Yesterday at 5:06 am by Rocky
» Trade: Iraq transformed from a wheat importer to an exporter
Yesterday at 5:04 am by Rocky
» "Our Baghdad" is an electronic platform that provides 25 services to citizens
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» 40 - 100 million dinars fine for violating vertical construction
Yesterday at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Closure of 400 “unlicensed” tourism companies
Yesterday at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Speculators
Yesterday at 4:59 am by Rocky
» Minister of Trade to Al-Sabah: We are working to achieve food sustainability in Iraq
Yesterday at 4:58 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Security: Our forces are ready to defend the country
Yesterday at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Iraq mobilizes the world to stop aggression
Yesterday at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Fines for owners of vertical buildings in violation
Yesterday at 4:54 am by Rocky
» Tourism Authority to {Al Sabah}: Concluding agreements with Arab and regional countries
Yesterday at 4:52 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister directs to pursue speculators in the currency market
Yesterday at 4:50 am by Rocky
» Launching the e-shopping service for social protection beneficiaries
Yesterday at 4:49 am by Rocky
» Civil Aviation and Sustainable Resources
Yesterday at 4:48 am by Rocky
» The Ministerial Council recommends adopting a schedule of values and rates of customs duties for m
Yesterday at 4:45 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi government rejects the accusations of treason directed at Arab brothers and insulting them
Yesterday at 4:41 am by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers holds its first regular session, headed by Al-Sudani
Yesterday at 4:39 am by Rocky
» Trade Bank of Iraq addresses Iraqis: Here is the mechanism for donating to Gaza and Lebanon
Yesterday at 4:37 am by Rocky
» BP in talks to invest in 3 oil projects in Iraq
Yesterday at 4:35 am by Rocky
» In the presence of a number of European Union ambassadors.. Minister of Migration chairs an importan
Yesterday at 4:33 am by Rocky
» After Al-Sudani’s message... “Roadmap” for Iraq to avoid the repercussions of Gaza and southern Leba
Yesterday at 4:32 am by Rocky
» American newspaper: The United States will not withdraw from Iraq
Yesterday at 4:31 am by Rocky
» What is the relationship between regional tension and the rise of the dollar in Iraq?
Yesterday at 4:30 am by Rocky
» "Cancellation of Iraqi privileges granted to Jordan" on the table of Parliament next session
Yesterday at 4:28 am by Rocky
» Oil expert to Al-Zawraa: OPEC counts smuggled oil from Iraq as part of its daily production
Yesterday at 4:27 am by Rocky
» Palestinian Ambassador Thanks Iraq for Political, Financial and Humanitarian Support to His Country
Yesterday at 4:26 am by Rocky
» With a $3 million grant… Iraq and the United Nations sign the “Peace and Stability” document in Sinj
Yesterday at 4:24 am by Rocky
» Baghdad Governor reveals population increase and confirms: Explosive budgets will not cover service
Yesterday at 4:23 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani directs the prosecution of speculators who exploit crises in the region to manipulate the
Yesterday at 4:22 am by Rocky
» The fate of the three-year budget is unclear: most of the allocations have not been spent and Parlia
Yesterday at 4:21 am by Rocky
» Economist calls on government, confirms: Flaring associated gas costs state billions of dollars
Yesterday at 4:20 am by Rocky
» Al-Karkh Investigation Court issues arrest warrant against acting head of the Integrity Commission,
Yesterday at 4:18 am by Rocky
» Emirates resumes flights to Iraq tomorrow
Yesterday at 4:16 am by Rocky
» Water Resources: Basra Pipeline Water Project continues to be implemented at 55%
Yesterday at 4:15 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani directs the formation of a working group to prepare packages to deal with the economic and
Yesterday at 4:14 am by Rocky
» Government Advisor: Release of 99 billion dinars as a new payment of compensation to Sinjar
Yesterday at 4:12 am by Rocky
» Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein invites his British counterpart to visit Iraq
Yesterday at 4:10 am by Rocky
» What are the reasons for the rise in the dollar price in Iraq? A specialist answers
Yesterday at 4:08 am by Rocky
» How did social media users react to the decision to include household items in the population census
Yesterday at 4:04 am by Rocky
» It provides 25 services.. What is the “Baghdadna” electronic platform that will be launched soon?
Yesterday at 4:02 am by Rocky
» Two cabinet sessions today
Yesterday at 4:00 am by Rocky
» Fines of up to 100 million dinars for building violations “number of floors”
Yesterday at 3:59 am by Rocky
» Dollar exchange rate drops against dinar in Iraq
Yesterday at 3:58 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Integrity Committee reveals latest developments in the law on recovering corruption pr
Yesterday at 3:56 am by Rocky
» Parliament reserves seat to question Minister of Transport
Yesterday at 3:53 am by Rocky
» Iraq rejects treasonous proposals directed at brothers regarding stopping the Zionist aggression on
Yesterday at 3:52 am by Rocky
» Heavy fines for owners of "illegal" vertical construction
Yesterday at 3:50 am by Rocky
» Two decades of American blood and treasure should not be left behind.. Washington revolts against "C
Yesterday at 3:49 am by Rocky
» Increase in Iraqi oil product revenues through electronic payment
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 5:13 am by Rocky
» Jordanian exports to Iraq grow by 50%
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 5:11 am by Rocky
» Foreign Ministry: Al-Sudani's visit to Britain will take place at a later date
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 5:10 am by Rocky
» With full powers.. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil is assigned to manage its affairs inste
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 5:08 am by Rocky
» Iraqis are the most buyers of real estate in Jordan during 9 months
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 5:06 am by Rocky
» Government move to establish 52 new residential cities in Iraq.. These are the details
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 5:06 am by Rocky
» Sudanese advisor: Most state employees do not know how to use computers
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 5:05 am by Rocky
» BP abandons goal of reducing oil and gas production.. What is Iraq's role?
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 5:04 am by Rocky
» Message to the world
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 5:02 am by Rocky
» Civil Service Council: Appointing (5500) before the end of the year
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 5:01 am by Rocky
» Industry opens new factory for the production of pivot sprinklers
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 5:00 am by Rocky
» Official preparations for receiving the five berths project in Faw Port
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:59 am by Rocky
» Starting the privatization of generators in Baghdad
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:57 am by Rocky
» Two experts call for activating local product protection
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:56 am by Rocky
» Privatization or partnership, which is more effective?
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:55 am by Rocky
» Industrial cities... "great hope" to support the economy
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:53 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Health holds a meeting with the Pharmacists Syndicate, the Iraqi Association of Phar
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:51 am by Rocky
» Minister of Finance discusses with the Opinion Authority the development of financial performance...
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:50 am by Rocky
» The secrets of the agreement between the factions and the government.. Two steps towards a calm Iraq
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:47 am by Rocky
» Al-Maliki calls for stopping the war
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:46 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani stresses the responsibility of citizens and state agencies in maintaining the sustainabili
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:45 am by Rocky
» The region is heading towards a strategic change.. What is Iraq's position?
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:43 am by Rocky
» 4 Scenarios for Oil Prices as War Drums Beat in the Region
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:41 am by Rocky
» Hezbollah praises the courage of Iraq, Yemen and Iran in destroying the depth of the entity with mis
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:39 am by Rocky
» Three violations recorded in the election campaign in Erbil and a deadline set for their removal
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:38 am by Rocky
» Türkiye is expanding.. 8 new roads revealed to be opened in northern Iraq - Urgent
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:36 am by Rocky
» Iraqi oil exceeds $75 per barrel in the first session of the week
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:35 am by Rocky
» 4 Scenarios for Oil Prices as War Drums Beat in the Region
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:34 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Energy Committee supports the transfer of the Dora refinery
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:32 am by Rocky
» Completion of (70%) of the inventory and numbering operations
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:31 am by Rocky
» Soon.. Launching the National Initiative for Electronic Payment Awareness and Here are its Details
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:29 am by Rocky
» Government Advisor: Expansion of electronic payment has boosted the digital economy
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:28 am by Rocky
» Masrour Barzani: The Kurdistan Democratic Party was founded to oppose oppression, tyranny and occupa
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:27 am by Rocky
» The President of the Judicial Council and the Minister of Planning discuss issues related to the Min
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:26 am by Rocky
» The Patriotic Union confirms to Al-Zawraa: No Kurdish party can form the regional government alone
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:25 am by Rocky
» Agriculture announces to “Al-Zawraa” the planting of more than 6 million seedlings within the “Iraq
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:24 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani sends a message to Biden and the European Union and warns of a dangerous slide that could
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:23 am by Rocky
» Nechirvan Barzani calls for protecting Kurdistan’s achievements: We have moved from a stage of strug
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:22 am by Rocky
» Iraq “not ready for war” with Israel, international coalition will remain a spectator
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:21 am by Rocky
» “Foreign Labor in Iraq”: Official Figures and Hidden Phenomena in the Labor Market
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:20 am by Rocky
» New rise in dollar exchange rate against dinar in Iraq
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:16 am by Rocky
» Starting the privatization of the government and private generators file in Baghdad
Mon 07 Oct 2024, 4:14 am by Rocky