Debt restructuring appears to be the order of the day amongst a number of JSE-listed companies that have almost come unstuck due to their high gearing - while the risks remain for some.

PPC's shares rallied yesterday after it said it had struck a deal with the lenders to its PPC Barnet business in the Democratic Republic of Congo, reducing risk to its local balance sheet. It's also suspended and may cancel a proposed rights issue due to its improving fortunes.

Ascendis Health, in the meantime, continues negotiations with its biggest lenders ahead of a 30 April deadline to reach consensus on how to restructure its balance sheet. Rising debt finance payments resulted in an interim loss from the pharmaceuticals and healthcare group.

Nampak is also tackling its debt and has reduced its exposure to dollar funding. The packaging company reported an improved start to its financial year, helped by stronger demand in Nigeria.

More on those stories in your final newsletter for the week, along with results from human capital group Workforce Holdings and confirmation that Super Group's SG Fleet subsidiary is buying fleet management and leasing business LeasePlan's Australian and New Zealand operations.

Finally, all the latest mergers and acquisitions news from our partners at DealMakers. We've included it a day early this week due to the Easter weekend.

I hope you have a good long weekend.

Stephen Gunnion

Managing Editor, InceConnect

The latest from Ingham Analytics

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