NOTE 7 –  CORPORATE BORROWINGS AND CAPITAL AND FINANCING LEASE OBLIGATIONS

 

A summary of the carrying value of corporate borrowings and capital and financing lease obligations is as follows:

 

 

Minimum annual payments required under existing capital and financing lease obligations (net present value thereof) and maturities of corporate borrowings as of December 31, 2016 are as follows:

 

 

Bridge Loan Agreement

 

On December 21, 2016, the Company entered into a bridge loan agreement with Citicorp North America, Inc., as administrative agent and the other lenders party thereto (the “Bridge Loan Agreement”). The Company borrowed $350,000,000 of interim bridge loans (the “Interim Bridge Loans”) on December 21, 2016 under the Bridge Loan Agreement and recorded approximately $5,250,000 in deferred financing costs. The proceeds of the Interim Bridge Loans were used to partially finance the acquisition of Carmike.

 

On February 13, 2017, the Company repaid the aggregate principal amount of Bridge Loans of $350,000,000 with a portion of the proceeds from the additional public offering. 

 

Senior Secured Credit Facility

 

The Senior Secured Credit Facility is with a syndicate of banks and other financial institutions. The Senior Secured Credit Facility also provides for a Revolving Credit Facility, including a borrowing capacity which is available for letters of credit and for swingline borrowings on same-day notice.

 

Senior Secured Credit Facility.  On April 30, 2013, the Company entered into a $925,000,000 Senior Secured Credit Facility pursuant to which the Company borrowed term loans and used the proceeds to fund the redemption of the former Senior Secured Credit Facility term loans. The Senior Secured Credit Facility was comprised of a $150,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility, which matured on April 30, 2018 (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), and a $775,000,000 term loan, which matured on April 30, 2020 (the “Term Loan due 2020”). The Term Loan due 2020 required repayments of principal of 0.25% of the original principal amount, or $1,937,500, per quarter, with the remaining principal payable upon maturity. The term loan was issued at a 0.25% discount, which was amortized to interest expense over the term of the loan. The Company capitalized deferred financing costs of approximately $6,909,000 related to the issuance of the Revolving Credit Facility and approximately $2,217,000 related to the issuance of the Term Loan due 2020. Concurrently with the Term Loan due 2020 borrowings on April 30, 2013, the Company redeemed all of the outstanding former Senior Secured Credit Facility at a redemption price of 100% of the outstanding aggregate principal balance of $760,338,000, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Company recorded a net gain of approximately $130,000 in other expense (income), which consisted of a premium write-off, partially offset by the third-party costs incurred in connection with the repurchase due to the former Senior Secured Credit Facility term loans, during the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

First Amendment.  On December 11, 2015, the Company entered into a first amendment to its Senior Secured Credit Agreement dated April 30, 2013 (“First Amendment”). The First Amendment provides for the incurrence of $125,000,000 incremental term loans (“Incremental Term Loan”). In addition, the First Amendment, among other things, (a) extends the maturity date with respect to (i) the existing Term Loan due 2020 and the Incremental Term Loan (together “Term Loan due 2022”) to December 15, 2022 and (ii) the Revolving Credit Facility from April 30, 2018 to December 15, 2020 and (b) increases the applicable margin for the Term Loan due 2022 from 1.75% with respect to base rate borrowings to 2.25% and 2.75% with respect to LIBOR borrowings to 3.25%. The Company capitalized additional deferred financing costs of approximately $6,545,000 related to the modification of the Revolving Credit Facility and approximately $3,329,000 related to the modification of the term loans under the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The proceeds of the Incremental Term Loan were used by the Company to pay expenses related to the First Amendment transactions and the Starplex Cinemas acquisition. The Company recorded a loss of approximately $1,366,000 in other expense (income) during the year ended December 31, 2015, which consisted of third-party costs, deferred financing costs, and discount write-off incurred in connection with the modification of the Senior Secured Credit Facility. At December 31, 2015, the aggregate principal balance of the Term Loan due 2022 was $880,625,000 and borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility were $75,000,000. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had approximately $62,059,000 available for borrowing, net of letters of credit, under its Revolving Credit Facility.

 

Second Amendment.  On November 8, 2016, the Company amended its Senior Secured Credit Agreement dated April 30, 2013, as previously amended, to among other things, lower the applicable margin on base rate borrowings from 2.25% to 2.00% and the applicable margin on LIBOR borrowings from 3.25% to 2.75%, to reduce the minimum rate for base rate borrowings from 1.75% to 1.00% and the minimum rate for LIBOR rate borrowings and to allow for additional term loan borrowings of $500,000,000. On November 29, 2016 the Company borrowed $500,000,000 additional Term loans due on December 15, 2023 (“Term Loan due 2023”). The Company recorded deferred financing costs of approximately $18,791,000 and a discount of 0.25%, or $1,250,000, related to the Term Loan due 2023. The Company used the net proceeds from the Term Loan due 2023 to pay the consideration for the Odeon acquisition and the related refinancing of Odeon debt assumed in the acquisition.

 

Borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facility bear interest at a rate equal to an applicable margin plus, at the Company’s option, either a base rate or LIBOR. The minimum rate for base rate borrowings is 1.00% and the minimum rate for LIBOR-based borrowings is 0%. The applicable margin for the Terms loan due 2022 and 2023 is 2.00% for base rate borrowings and 2.75% for LIBOR based loans. The applicable margin for the Revolving Credit Facility ranges from 1.25% to 1.5% for base rate borrowings and from 2.25% to 2.5% for LIBOR based borrowings. The Revolving Credit Facility also provides for an unused commitment fee of 0.50% per annum and for letter of credit fees of up to 0.25% per annum plus the applicable margin for LIBOR-based borrowings on the undrawn amount of the letter of credit. The applicable rate for borrowings under the Term Loans due 2022 and 2023 at December 31, 2016 was 3.4% and 3.5%, respectively, based on LIBOR (2.75% margin plus 0% minimum LIBOR rate). Prior to ammendment, the applicable rate for borrowings under the Term Loan due 2020 at December 10, 2015 was 3.5% based on LIBOR (2.75% margin plus 0.75% minimum LIBOR rate). The Term Loans due 2022 and 2023 requires repayments of principal of 0.25% of the original principal amount, or $3,451,5000 per quarter, with any remaining balance due on December 15, 2022 or December 15, 2023, as applicable. The Company may voluntarily repay outstanding loans under the Senior Secured Credit Facility at any time without premium or penalty, other than (i) customary “breakage” costs with respect to LIBOR loans and (ii) in connection with a repricing transaction closed (a) in respect of the Term Loans due 2022, within six months from the date the Second Amendment becomes effective or (b) in respect of the Term Loans due 2023, within six months from the date on which the available commitments of the relevant lenders in respect of the Term Loans due 2023 are reduced to zero, in which case we must pay a 1% premium on the amount of Term Loans repaid.

 

The Senior Secured Credit Facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries, to sell assets; incur additional indebtedness; prepay other indebtedness (including the notes); pay dividends and distributions or repurchase their capital stock; create liens on assets; make investments; make acquisitions; engage in mergers or consolidations; engage in transactions with affiliates; amend constituent documents and material agreements governing subordinated indebtedness, including the 5.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022, the 5.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2025; the 6.375% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024, the 5.875 Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024 and the Bridge Loan Agreement; change the business conducted by it and its subsidiaries; and enter into agreements that restrict dividends from subsidiaries. In addition, the Senior Secured Credit Facility requires the Company and its subsidiaries to maintain, on the last day of each fiscal quarter, a net senior secured leverage ratio, as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facility, of no more than 3.25 to 1 as long as the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility remain outstanding. The Senior Secured Credit Facility also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default, including the occurrence of (i) a change in control, as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facility, (ii) defaults under other indebtedness of the Company, any guarantor or any significant subsidiary having a principal amount of $25,000,000 or more, and (iii) one or more uninsured judgments against the Company, any guarantor, or any significant subsidiary for an aggregate amount exceeding $25,000,000 with respect to which enforcement proceedings are brought or a stay of enforcement is not in effect for any period of 60 consecutive days.

 

All obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facility are guaranteed by each of the Company’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries. All obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facility, and the guarantees of those obligations (as well as cash management obligations), are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets as well as those of each subsidiary guarantor.

 

Senior Secured Notes due 2023

 

On December 21, 2016, the Company assumed $230,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.00% Senior Secured Notes due June 15, 2023 (the “Senior Secured Notes due 2023”) in connection with the acquisition of Carmike. Interest is payable on the Senior Secured Notes due 2023 on June 15th and December 15th of each year beginning December 15, 2015. The Company recorded the debt at estimated fair value of $242,075,000 based on a closing price for the Senior Secured Notes due 2023 of 105.25 on December 21, 2016. Pursuant to a supplemental indenture, dated as of February 17, 2017, among AMC, Carmike, the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee to the indenture, dated as of June 17, 2015, providing for the issuance of the Senior Secured Notes due 2023, the Company agreed to provide a guarantee of Carmike’s obligations under the Senior Secured Notes due 2023. The Company provided such guarantee solely for purposes of assuming the reporting obligations of Carmike under the indenture governing the Senior Secured Notes due 2023 and not for the purposes of compliance with any other covenant contained in such indenture.

 

Notes Due 2019

 

On June 9, 2009, the Company issued $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 8.75% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “Notes due 2019”) issued under an indenture with U.S. Bank, National Association, as trustee. The Notes due 2019 bear interest at a rate of 8.75% per annum, payable on June 1 and December 1 of each year (commencing on December 1, 2009), and have a maturity date of June 1, 2019.

 

On January 15, 2014, the Company launched a cash tender offer and consent solicitation for any and all of its outstanding Notes due 2019 at a purchase price of $1,038.75 plus a $30.00 consent fee for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes due 2019 validly tendered and accepted by the Company on or before the consent payment deadline on January 29, 2014 (the “Consent Date”). Holders of $463,950,000, or approximately 77.33%, of the Notes due 2019 validly tendered (or defective tender waived by the Company) and did not withdraw their Notes due 2019 prior to the expiration of the Consent Date. An additional $14,000 of Notes due 2019 was tendered from the Consent Date to the expiration date of the tender offer. The consents received exceeded the amount needed to approve the proposed amendments to the indenture under which the Notes due 2019 were issued.

 

On February 7, 2014, the Company accepted for purchase $463,950,000 aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest of the Notes due 2019, at a purchase price of $1,038.75 plus a $30.00 consent fee for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes due 2019 validly tendered (or defective tender waived by the Company), and, on February 14, 2014, the Company accepted for purchase the additional $14,000 of Notes due 2019 tendered after the Consent Date, plus accrued and unpaid interest, at a purchase price of $1,038.75 for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes due 2019 validly tendered.

 

On April 22, 2014, the Company gave notice for redemption of all outstanding Notes due 2019 on a redemption date of June 1, 2014 (the “Redemption Date”) at a redemption price of 104.375% of the principal amount together with accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date. The aggregate principal amount of the Notes due 2019 outstanding on April 22, 2014 was $136,036,000. The Company completed the redemption of all of its outstanding Notes due 2019 on June 2, 2014.

 

The Company recorded a gain on extinguishment related to the cash tender offer and redemption of the Notes due 2019 of approximately $8,544,000 in other expense (income), partially offset by other expenses of $158,000 during the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

Notes Due 2020

 

On December 15, 2010, the Company completed the offering of $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 9.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020 (“Notes due 2020”). The Notes due 2020 mature on December 1, 2020, pursuant to an indenture dated as of December 15, 2010, among the Company, the Guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. The Company paid interest on the Notes due 2020 at 9.75% per annum, semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1, commencing on June 1, 2011.

 

On May 26, 2015, the Company launched a cash tender offer for any and all of its outstanding Notes due 2020 at a purchase price of $1,093 for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes due 2020 validly tendered and accepted by the Company on or before June 2, 2015 (the “Expiration Date”). Holders of $581,324,000, or approximately 96.9%, of the Notes due 2020 validly tendered and did not withdraw their Notes due 2020 on or prior to the Expiration Date.

 

On October 30, 2015, the Company gave notice of its intention to redeem any and all of the remaining $18,676,000 principal amount of the Notes due 2020 on December 1, 2015 at 104.875% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The Company completed the redemption of all of its outstanding Notes due 2020 on December 1, 2015.

 

The Company recorded a loss on extinguishment related to the redemptions of the Notes due 2020 of approximately $9,318,000 in other expense (income) during the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

Notes Due 2022

 

On February 7, 2014, the Company completed an offering of $375,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022 (the “Notes due 2022”) in a private offering. The Company capitalized deferred financing costs of approximately $7,748,000, related to the issuance of the Notes due 2022. The Notes due 2022 mature on February 15, 2022. The Company pays interest on the Notes due 2022 at 5.875% per annum, semi-annually in arrears on February 15th and August 15th, commencing on August 15, 2014. The Company may redeem some or all of the Notes due 2022 at any time on or after February 15, 2017 at 104.406% of the principal amount thereof, declining ratably to 100% of the principal amount thereof on or after February 15, 2020, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. Prior to February 15, 2017, the Company may redeem the Notes due 2022 at par plus a make-whole premium. The Company used the net proceeds from the Notes due 2022 private offering, together with a portion of the net proceeds from the Holdings’ IPO, to pay the consideration and consent payments for the tender offer for the Notes due 2019, plus any accrued and unpaid interest and related transaction fees and expenses.

 

The Notes due 2022 are general unsecured senior subordinated obligations of the Company and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several unsecured senior subordinated basis by all of its existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries that guarantee its other indebtedness.

 

The indenture governing the Notes due 2022 contains covenants limiting other indebtedness, dividends, purchases or redemptions of stock, transactions with affiliates and mergers and sales of assets.

 

The Company filed a registration statement on April 1, 2014 pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to an offer to exchange the original Notes due 2022 for exchange Notes due 2022. The registration statement was declared effective on April 9, 2014. After the exchange offer expired on May 9, 2014, all of the original Notes due 2022 were exchanged.

 

Sterling Notes Due 2024

 

On November 8, 2016, the Company issued £250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.375% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024 (the "Sterling Notes due 2024") in a private offering. The Company recorded deferred financing costs of approximately $14,057,000 related to the issuance of the Sterling Notes due 2024. The Sterling Notes due 2024 mature on November 15, 2024. The Company will pay interest on the Sterling Notes due 2024 at 6.375% per annum, semi-annually in arrears on May 15th and November 15th, commencing on May 15, 2017. The Company may redeem some or all of the Sterling Notes due 2024 at any time on or after November 15, 2019 at 104.781% of the principal amount thereof, declining ratably to 100% of the principal amount thereof on or after November 15, 2022, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. On or prior to November 15, 2019, the Company may redeem the Sterling Notes due 2024 at par, including accrued and unpaid interest plus a make-whole premium. The Company used the net proceeds from the Sterling Notes due 2024 private offering to pay the consideration for the Odeon acquisition and the related refinancing of Odeon debt assumed in the acquisition.

 

The Sterling Notes due 2024 are general unsecured senior subordinated obligations of the Company and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several senior subordinated unsecured basis by all of its existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries that guarantee its other indebtedness. Following the closing of the Odeon acquisition on November 30, 2016 and the Carmike acquisition on December 21, 2016, neither Odeon or Carmike or any of its subsidiaries will guarantee the Sterling Notes due 2024.

 

The indenture governing the Sterling Notes due 2024 contains covenants limiting other indebtedness, dividends, purchases or redemptions of stock, transactions with affiliates, and mergers and sales of assets.

 

On November 8, 2016, in connection with the issuance of the Sterling Notes due 2024, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement. Subject to the terms of the registration rights agreement, the Company is required to (1) file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) not later than 270 days from the issuance date with respect to the registered offer to exchange the notes for new notes of the Company having terms identical in all material respects to the notes and (2) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the exchange offer registration statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933 within 365 days of the issuance date.

 

Notes Due 2025

 

On June 5, 2015, the Company issued $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2025 (the “Notes due 2025”) in a private offering. The Company capitalized deferred financing costs of approximately $11,378,000, related to the issuance of the Notes due 2025. The Notes due 2025 mature on June 15, 2025. The Company will pay interest on the Notes due 2025 at 5.75% per annum, semi-annually in arrears on June 15th and December 15th, commencing on December 15, 2015. The Company may redeem some or all of the Notes due 2025 at any time on or after June 15, 2020 at 102.875% of the principal amount thereof, declining ratably to 100% of the principal amount thereof on or after June 15, 2023, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. Prior to June 15, 2020, the Company may redeem the Notes due 2025 at par plus a make-whole premium. The Company used the net proceeds from the Notes due 2025 private offering and cash on hand, to pay the consideration for the tender offer for the Notes due 2020, plus any accrued and unpaid interest and related transaction fees and expenses.

 

The Notes due 2025 are general unsecured senior subordinated obligations of the Company and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several senior subordinated unsecured basis by all of its existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries that guarantee its other indebtedness.

 

The indenture governing the Notes due 2025 contains covenants limiting other indebtedness, dividends, purchases or redemptions of stock, transactions with affiliates, and mergers and sales of assets.

 

On June 5, 2015, in connection with the issuance of the Notes due 2025, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement. Subject to the terms of the registration rights agreement, the Company filed a registration statement on June 19, 2015 pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to an offer to exchange the original Notes due 2025 for exchange Notes due 2025 registered pursuant to an effective registration statement; the registration statement was declared effective on June 29, 2015, and the Company commenced the exchange offer. The exchange notes have terms substantially identical to the original notes except that the exchange notes do not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions and registration rights and additional interest payable for the failure to consummate the exchange offer within 210 days after the issue date. After the exchange offer expired on July 27, 2015, all of the original Notes due 2025 were exchanged.

 

Notes Due 2026

 

On November 8, 2016, the Company issued $595,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2026 (the "Notes due 2026") in a private offering. The Company recorded deferred financing costs of approximately $26,990,000 related to the issuance of the Notes due 2026. The Notes due 2026 mature on November 15, 2026. The Company will pay interest on the Notes due 2026 at 5.875% per annum, semi-annually in arrears on May 15th and November 15th, commencing on May 15, 2017. The Company may redeem some or all of the Notes due 2026 at any time on or after November 15, 2021 at 102.938% of the principal amount thereof, declining ratably to 100% of the principal amount thereof on or after November 15, 2024, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. On or prior to November 15, 2021, the Company may redeem the Notes due 2026 at par, including accrued and unpaid interest plus a make-whole premium. The Company used the net proceeds from the Notes due 2026 private offering to pay the consideration for the Odeon acquisition and the related refinancing of Odeon debt assumed in the acquisition.

 

The Notes due 2026 are general unsecured senior subordinated obligations of the Company and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several senior subordinated unsecured basis by all of its existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries that guarantee its other indebtedness. Following the closing of the Odeon acquisition on November 30, 2016 and the Carmike acquisition on December 21, 2016, neither Odeon or Carmike or any of its subsidiaries will guarantee the Notes due 2026.

 

The indenture governing the Notes due 2026 contains covenants limiting other indebtedness, dividends, purchases or redemptions of stock, transactions with affiliates, and mergers and sales of assets.

 

On November 8, 2016, in connection with the issuance of the Notes due 2026, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement. Subject to the terms of the registration rights agreement, the Company is required to (1) file a registration statement with the SEC not later than 270 days from the issuance date with respect to the registered offer to exchange the notes for new notes of the Company having terms identical in all material respects to the notes and (2) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the exchange offer registration statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act within 365 days of the issuance date.

 

Promissory Note

 

See Note 5 - Investments for information regarding the 5% Promissory Note payable to NCM.

 

Financial Covenants

 

Each indenture relating to the Notes due 2022, the Sterling Notes due 2024, the Notes due 2025 and the Notes due 2026 allows the Company to incur specified permitted indebtedness (as defined therein) without restriction. Each indenture also allows the Company to incur any amount of additional debt as long as it can satisfy the coverage ratio of each indenture, after giving effect to the indebtedness on a pro forma basis. Under the indentures for the Notes due 2022, the Sterling Notes due 2024, the Notes due 2025 and Notes due 2026, at December 31, 2016 the Company could borrow approximately $3,251,300,000 (assuming an interest rate of 6.0% per annum on the additional indebtedness) in addition to specified permitted indebtedness. If the Company cannot satisfy the coverage ratios of the indentures, generally it can borrow an additional amount under the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The indentures also contain restrictions on the Company’s ability to pay dividends. Under the most restrictive provision set forth in the note indenture for the Notes due 2022, as of December 31, 2016, the amount of dividends which the Company could not exceed approximately $1,901,456,000 in the aggregate.

 

As of December 31, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants relating to the Senior Secured Credit Facility, the Senior Secured Notes due 2023, the Notes due 2022, the Sterling Notes due 2024, the Notes due 2025, the Notes due 2026 and the Bridge Loan Agreement.