What are PIKs, junk bonds, "Resets" debentures, and other debt securities?
I just finished reading Barbarians at the Gates. Great book.
But sometimes the discussion on the debt instruments underlying the offers confused me.
How are junk bonds different than mezzanine debt? Aren't both issued by the company to debtors who agree to be junior to the senior-secured debt?
And can anyone explain what the "resets" were that Shearson Lehman and Salomon Brothers refused to put in their bid? How do these work?
If anyone could use numbers to explain your answer, that'd be much appreciated.
Haven't read it in a while, but in general, junk bonds are the senior unsecured debt securities of a sub-investment-grade company (i.e. a CCC-rated company issuing CCC-rated debt...the CCC+ rated junior bonds of a BBB-rated company wouldn't really be "junk" in the traditional sense). Mezzanine debt refers to subordinated debt and/or capital securities.
Senior unsecured debt isn't necessarily junior to senior secured debt; the two are pari passu (AFAIK). However, the senior debt is backed by a claim on assets, so it can get tricky...and this is why corporate lawyers exist.
try google, buddy
Junk bonds are also known as High Yield bonds due to their higher risk.
PIKS = Payment In Kind: lets the borrower rollover the interest payment
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