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Hong Kong developer NWD denies rumours of scramble to manage debt, secure equity financing

The developer, which has been battling liquidity problems for the past three years, makes a statement in response to media reports

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A view of New World Tower in Central on September 26, 2024. Photo: Jelly Tse
Aileen Chuang
New World Development (NWD) denied market speculation that it is conducting a liability-management exercise involving its perpetual bonds or other debt securities and seeking equity financing from investors, according to an exchange filing on Tuesday.
The Hong Kong-based property developer, which has been battling liquidity problems for the past three years, made the statement in response to media reports that said the firm was in the process of preparing for these moves.

“Shareholders, holders of the debt and other securities, and potential investors are advised not to rely on market rumours in relation to the group,” NWD said in the filing.

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A liability-management exercise in the bond market refers to a set of techniques an issuer uses to restructure or optimise outstanding debt before maturity to improve its balance sheet, manage refinancing risks or amend bond terms.

In June, Bloomberg reported that debt adviser PJT Partners had talked with some of NWD’s bondholders about the possibility that the firm would pursue discounted exchanges as part of a potential liability-management exercise. The distressed developer had deferred some interest payments and chose not to redeem some of its perpetual bonds earlier this year, heightening concerns about its liquidity.

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In September, it was reported that NWD’s controlling shareholder, the billionaire Cheng family, was considering a capital injection and seeking a partner to provide an equity stake.
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