LONG-TERM DEBT |
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| Debt Disclosure [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LONG-TERM DEBT | LONG-TERM DEBT In January 2023, we issued $1.0 billion principal amount of 3.125% convertible senior notes due 2029. In February 2023, we amended our senior secured credit facility and in November 2023, we further amended our senior secured credit facility to a $1.3 billion revolving credit facility in addition to the existing $950 million term loan B facility.
Long-term debt, which includes finance leases, consisted of the following:
Future maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2023 are as follows:
All long-term debt without a stated maturity date is considered current and is reflected as maturing in the earliest period shown in the table above. See Note 7 – Fair Value Measurements for discussion of the fair value measurement of our long-term debt.
Amended Senior Secured Credit Facility
In February 2023, we amended our senior secured credit facility. The amendments provide for, among other things: (i) replacement of the benchmark reference rate of the Eurodollar Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) with the Term SOFR Rate for borrowings denominated in U.S. Dollars and for each Alternative Currency (as defined in the Credit Agreement), a corresponding reference rate, as set forth in the Amended Credit Agreement, (ii) deletion of the provisions regarding Canadian bankers’ acceptances, and (iii) the addition of our ability to draw letters of credit in Canadian Dollars.
In November 2023, we further amended our senior secured credit facility and now have a $1.3 billion revolving credit facility in addition to the existing $950 million term loan B facility. The new $1.3 billion revolving credit facility refinanced our existing $630 million revolving credit facilities and we drew down $370 million at closing to repay in full our outstanding principal of $367.5 million delayed draw term A loan facility and related accrued interest and fees. The delayed draw term A loan facility was permanently retired upon being repaid in full.
The new revolving credit facility provides for borrowings of up to $1.3 billion with a $250 million sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit and a $100 million for swingline borrowings. The new revolving credit facility allows for a $780 million sublimit for borrowings in U.S. Dollars, Euros, or Sterling, and a $260 million sublimit for borrowings in those or one or more other approved non-U.S. currencies. The new revolving credit facility will be available to us and, if designated in the future, certain of our foreign subsidiaries. The Amended Credit Agreement provides for the right, subject to certain conditions, to increase the term B loan and revolving facilities by an amount not to exceed an amount equal to the sum of (x) $1.625 billion, (y) the aggregate principal amount of voluntary prepayments of the term B loans and permanent reductions of the revolving credit facility commitments, in each case, other than from proceeds of long-term indebtedness, and (z) additional amounts so long as the senior secured leverage ratio, on a pro-forma basis after giving effect to such increase, is no greater than 4.50x.
Our obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement will continue to be guaranteed by the majority of our direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions, and the obligations of the foreign subsidiary borrowers, if any, will be guaranteed by us, the majority of our direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries, and by certain of our wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries. The obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement and the guarantees will continue to be secured by a lien on substantially all of our tangible and intangible personal property and the domestic subsidiaries that are guarantors, and by a pledge of substantially all of the shares of stock, partnership interests and limited liability company interests of our direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries and 65% of each class of capital stock of any first-tier foreign subsidiaries and, if there are any foreign borrowers, by certain of the assets of such foreign borrowers and certain foreign subsidiaries, subject to limited exceptions.
The interest rates per annum applicable to the revolving credit facility under the amended senior secured credit facility are, at our option, equal to either Term SOFR plus 1.75% or a base rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus 0.75%.
The interest rates per annum applicable to the term loan B are, at our option, equal to either Term Benchmark Loans or RFR Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus 1.75% or a base rate plus 0.75%. We have an interest rate swap agreement that ensures the interest rate on $500 million principal amount of our outstanding term loan B does not exceed 3.445% through October 2026. For the term loan B, we are required to make quarterly payments of $2.4 million with the balance due at maturity in October 2026. We are also required to make mandatory prepayments of the loan, subject to specified exceptions, from excess cash flow and with the proceeds of asset sales, debt issuances and specified other events.
We are required to pay a commitment fee of 0.35% per year on the undrawn portion available under the revolving credit facility and variable fees on outstanding letters of credit. Based on our outstanding letters of credit of $31.6 million, $898.4 million was available for future borrowings from our revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2023.
The revolving credit facility matures on November 16, 2028, provided, that if (x) any of the term loan B, our 6.5% Senior Secured Notes due 2027, or our 4.75% Senior Notes due 2027 remain outstanding on the date that is ninety-one days prior to the stated maturity thereof in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $500 million and (y) our consolidated free cash on such date is less than the sum of such outstanding principal amount plus $500 million, then the maturity date of the amended senior secured credit facility will instead be such date.
On February 9, 2024, we repaid $250 million of principal related to our revolving credit facility. No material gain or loss was recorded as a result of this repayment.
6.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2027
At December 31, 2023, we had $1.2 billion principal amount of 6.5% senior secured notes due 2027. Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year and the notes will mature on May 15, 2027. On or after May 15, 2023 we may redeem some or all of the notes at any time at redemption prices starting at 104.875% of their principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. We must make an offer to redeem the notes at 101% of their aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date, if we experience certain defined changes of control. The notes are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the tangible and intangible personal property of LNE and LNE’s domestic subsidiaries that are guarantors, and by a pledge of substantially all of the shares of stock, partnership interests and limited liability company interests of our direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries and 65% of each class of capital stock of any first-tier foreign subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions.
3.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2028
At December 31, 2023, we had $500 million principal amount of 3.75% senior secured notes due 2028. Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year and began on July 15, 2021, and the notes will mature on January 15, 2028. We may redeem some or all of the notes, at any time prior to January 15, 2024, at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption, plus a ‘make-whole’ premium. We may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes from the proceeds of certain equity offerings prior to January 15, 2024, at a price equal to 103.75% of the aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of redemption. In addition, on or after January 15, 2024 we may redeem some or all of the notes at any time at redemption prices specified in the notes indenture, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.
We must make an offer to redeem the notes at 101% of their aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date, if we experience certain defined changes of control. The notes are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the tangible and intangible personal property of LNE and LNE’s domestic subsidiaries that are guarantors, and by a pledge of substantially all of the shares of stock, partnership interests and limited liability company interests of our direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries.
4.875% Senior Notes Due 2024
At December 31, 2023, we had $575 million principal amount of 4.875% senior notes due 2024. Interest on the notes is payable semiannually in cash in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, and the notes will mature on November 1, 2024. On or after November 1, 2019, we may redeem some or all of the notes at any time at redemption prices starting at 103.656% of their principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. We must make an offer to redeem the notes at 101% of their aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date, if we experience certain defined changes of control.
5.625% Senior Notes Due 2026
At December 31, 2023, we had $300 million principal amount of 5.625% senior notes due 2026. Interest on the notes is payable semiannually in cash in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, and the notes will mature on March 15, 2026. On or after March 15, 2021, we may redeem some or all of the notes at any time at redemption prices that start at 104.219% of their principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. We must make an offer to redeem the notes at 101% of their aggregate principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date, if we experience certain defined changes of control.
4.75% Senior Notes Due 2027
At December 31, 2023, we had $950 million principal amount of 4.75% senior notes due 2027. Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, and will mature on October 15, 2027. On or after October 15, 2022, we may redeem some or all of the notes at any time at redemption prices starting at 103.563% of their principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. We must make an offer to redeem the notes at 101% of their aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date, if we experience certain defined changes of control.
2.0% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2025
At December 31, 2023, we had $400 million principal amount of 2.0% convertible senior notes due 2025. Interest on the notes is payable semiannually in arrears on February 15 and August 15, at a rate of 2.0% per annum. The notes will mature on February 15, 2025. The notes will be convertible, under certain circumstances, until November 15, 2024, and on or after such date without condition, at an initial conversion rate of 9.4469 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to adjustment, which represents a 50.0% conversion premium based on the last reported sale price for our common stock of $70.57 on January 29, 2020 prior to issuing the notes. Upon conversion, the notes may be settled in shares of common stock or, at our election, cash or a combination of cash and shares of common stock. Assuming we fully settled the notes in shares, the maximum number of shares that could be issued to satisfy the conversion is currently 3.8 million.
We may redeem for cash all or a portion of the notes, at our option, on or after February 21, 2023 and before the 41st scheduled trading day before the maturity date, if the sales price of our common stock reaches specified targets as defined in the indenture. The redemption price will equal 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued interest, if any.
If we experience a fundamental change, as defined in the indenture governing the notes, the holders of the notes may require us to purchase for cash all or a portion of their notes, subject to specified exceptions, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest.
As of December 31, 2023, the value of the notes, if converted and fully settled in shares, did not exceed the principal amount of the notes.
3.125% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029
In January 2023, we issued $1.0 billion principal amount of 3.125% convertible senior notes due 2029 (the “2029 Notes”). Interest on the 2029 Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15, beginning July 15, 2023, at a rate of 3.125% per annum. The notes will mature on January 15, 2029. The notes will be convertible, under certain circumstances, until October 15, 2028, and on or after such date without condition, at an initial conversion rate of 9.2259 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to adjustment, which represents a 50% conversion premium based on the last reported sale price for our common stock of $72.26 on January 9, 2023 prior to issuing the debt. Upon conversion, the notes may be settled in, at our election, shares of common stock or cash or a combination of cash and shares of common stock. Assuming we fully settle the notes in shares, the maximum number of shares that could be issued to satisfy the conversion is 13.8 million as of December 31, 2023.
We may redeem for cash all or any portion of the notes, at our option, on or after January 21, 2026 and before the 41st scheduled trading day before the maturity date, if the sales price of our common stock reaches specified targets as defined in the indenture. The redemption price will equal 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued interest, if any.
If we experience a fundamental change, as defined in the indenture governing the notes, the holders of the 2029 Notes may require us to purchase for cash all or a portion of their notes, subject to specified exceptions, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.
As of December 31, 2023, the remaining period for the unamortized debt issuance costs balance of $13.3 million was approximately five years and the value of the notes, if converted and fully settled in shares, did not exceed the principal amount of the notes. As of December 31, 2023, the effective interest rate on the notes was 3.4%.
In connection with the issuance of the 2029 Notes, we entered into privately negotiated capped call transactions with several counterparties. The cap price of the capped call transactions is initially $144.52, which represents a premium of 100% over the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock on January 9, 2023. The cost of the capped call transactions was $75.5 million and was charged to additional paid-in capital.
Interest Cost on Convertible Senior Notes
The following table summarizes the amount of pre-tax interest cost recognized on the convertible senior notes due 2025 and 2029 for the year ended December 31, 2023 and convertible senior notes due 2023 and 2025 for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:
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(1) There was no amortization of debt discount for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 due to the adoption of ASU 2020-06 as of January 1, 2022.
Debt Extinguishment
In conjunction with the issuance of the 2029 Notes, we used approximately $485.8 million of the net proceeds to repurchase $440.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2.5% convertible senior notes due 2023 resulting in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $18.5 million and a charge to additional paid-in capital for the induced conversion of $27.3 million. On March 15, 2023, we redeemed the remaining $110.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2.5% convertible senior notes and issued 156,750 common shares of stock.
Other Long-term Debt
As of December 31, 2023, other long-term debt includes $275.0 million for debt due in 2026 acquired as part of an acquisition of a controlling interest in a venue business in the United States during the first quarter of 2023, $126.7 million for a Euro denominated note due in 2024, debt to noncontrolling interest partners of $31.6 million and capital leases of $6.2 million. Our other long-term debt has a weighted average cost of debt of 4.2% and maturities at various dates through September 2050.
Debt Covenants
Our amended senior secured credit facility contains a number of restrictions that, among other things, require us to satisfy a financial covenant and restrict our and our subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional debt, make certain investments and acquisitions, repurchase our stock and prepay certain indebtedness, create liens, enter into agreements with affiliates, modify the nature of our business, enter into sale-leaseback transactions, transfer and sell material assets, merge or consolidate, and pay dividends and make distributions (with the exception of subsidiary dividends or distributions to the parent company or other subsidiaries on at least a pro-rata basis with any noncontrolling interest partners). Non-compliance with one or more of the covenants and restrictions could result in the full or partial principal balance of the credit facility becoming immediately due and payable. The amended senior secured credit facility agreement has one financial covenant, measured quarterly, that relates to net leverage. We are required to maintain a ratio of consolidated total net debt to consolidated EBITDA (both as defined in the Credit Agreement) for the trailing four consecutive quarters of 6.75x through December 31, 2024 with step downs to 6.25x on March 31, 2025, 5.75x on March 31, 2026 and 5.25x on March 31, 2027 through maturity. For purposes of calculating consolidated total net debt, the amended senior credit facility permits us to deduct the lesser of $500 million and our consolidated free cash from consolidated total funded debt (both as defined in the Credit Agreement).
The indentures governing our 6.5% senior secured notes, 3.75% senior secured notes, 4.75% senior notes, 4.875% senior notes and 5.625% senior notes contain covenants that limit, among other things, our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to incur certain additional indebtedness and issue preferred stock, make certain distributions, investments and other restricted payments, sell certain assets, agree to any restrictions on the ability of restricted subsidiaries to make payments to us, merge, consolidate or sell all of our assets, create certain liens, and engage in transactions with affiliates on terms that are not on an arms-length basis. Certain covenants, including those pertaining to incurrence of indebtedness, restricted payments, asset sales, mergers, and transactions with affiliates will be suspended during any period in which the notes are rated investment grade by both rating agencies and no default or event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing. All of these notes contain two incurrence-based financial covenants, as defined, requiring a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 2.0x and a maximum secured indebtedness leverage ratio of 3.5x.
Some of our other subsidiary indebtedness includes restrictions on entering into various transactions, such as acquisitions and disposals, and prohibits payment of ordinary dividends. They also have financial covenants including minimum consolidated EBITDA to consolidated net interest payable, minimum consolidated cash flow to consolidated debt service, maximum consolidated debt to consolidated EBITDA and minimum liquidity, all as defined in the applicable debt agreements.
As of December 31, 2023, we believe we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants related to our senior secured credit facility and our corporate senior secured notes, senior notes and convertible senior notes. We expect to remain in compliance with all of these covenants throughout 2024.
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