Ac Stock Plunges After Moody’S Downgrade

[Kip Powick]

Air Canada’s stock price plunges after Moody’s downgrade

TORONTO—Air Canada’s already weakened shares fell 10 per cent on Tuesday shortly after the debt rating for the country’s largest airline was lowered by Moody’s Investor Service.

The company’s B shares backed off nine cents to 84 cents near midday on the Toronto Stock Exchange shortly after Moody’s said there’s an increased possibility the airline could default on its debt obligations.

The new Moody’s rating is Caa1, which is applied in situations where the company that issued the debt may have trouble meeting all its obligations to debt holders — although it’s still expected to do so.

Under the Moody’s rating scale, Air Canada’s debt securities were previously rated B3 — already below what many funds would consider investment grade.

In Air Canada’s case, the rating agency notes the airline’s spending on new planes will increase and the cap on its pension contributions will end in the next two years — putting additional demands on its financial resources.

On the positive side for Air Canada, Moody’s says the airline’s large size and leading market share will probably provide its with enough cash flow to meet its current obligations to debt holders.

Darren Kirk, a vice-president with Moody’s, said the rating was lowered because the Montreal-based company’s adjusted leverage throughout 2012 will be higher than previously expected.

“We are concerned with the company’s ability to absorb higher capital expenditures for new planes and additional funding requirements for its sizeable pension shortfalls beginning in 2014,” Kirk said

Air Canada’s stock has been battered over the past year as it endured higher fuel prices and tense negotiations with labour unions.

The company’s shares are near the 52-week low of 78 cents, with a high of $2.49 reached last summer.

Air Canada’s shares have been listed in the current form since November 2006, two years after the company emerged from court protection from bankruptcy. They were relisted at $17 and have seldom traded above that amount.

[st27]

All self inflicted by over priced management... where is the bod???? Are you engaged??

[conehead]

No problem. The new Collective Agreements will eliminate the Pension obligation due in 2014, Moody's will upgrade the debt rating, and the share price will rise again. Simple.

[internet]

Then buy some stock and get rich... just better hope CCAA doesn't show up before then

[mrlupin]

All self inflicted by over priced management... where is the bod???? Are you engaged??

At least the last big bonus was branded as a retention bonus instead of a performance bonus...

[mrlupin]

A small hiccup in the economy and AC could end up in CCAA. Efficiency is low, the margins are low to non existent, and the carrier is dependent on government aid to survive (special laws due to it's internal inability to manage it's labor force). Not exactly a solid foundation.

This latest downgrade will drive up borrowing costs at AC. Will it be the straw that breaks the camel's back? Is CCAA even possible? There isn't that much left that can be leveraged to raise capital... Where and how would an airline in AC's position go to get funds to restructure? And after a first botched attempt at restructuring, why would attempt #2 be believed to be any better? The conservatives aren't likely to help AC with money problems... Would changing more laws help AC back to profitability? Dagger rants about the ACPPA being a thorn in the maple leaf carrier's side but would it make a significant difference if it were not there?

[LongTimer V]

Everything has been tried except Removing the thieves at the top

What's the definition of insanity???