RPT-UPDATE 1-S&P cuts ratings on Chrysler debt

Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:24pm BST
 
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 (Repeats story transmitted earlier on Friday)   
    * S&P cuts ratings on debt due in 2013, 2014 
    * Says Chrysler would likely dissolve in event of 
bankruptcy 
    
    NEW YORK, April 10 (Reuters) - Standard & Poor's Rating 
Services on Friday lowered its debt ratings on Chrysler 
 loans due in 2013 and 2014, citing a lower potential 
recovery by debtors in the event of payment defaults by the 
carmaker. 
    Standard & Poor's said it lowered by two notches its 
issue-level ratings on Chrysler's senior secured first-lien 
term loan due 2013 to 'CC' from 'CCC'. S&P said its downgrade 
indicates lenders can expect an average 30 to 50 percent 
recovery in the event of a payment default. 
    The ratings agency said its corporate credit rating was 
left unchanged, at 'CC', reflecting no change in its view of 
the likelihood of default by Chrysler from either a bankruptcy 
or a distressed debt exchange. 
    Standard & Poor's lowered its issue rating on the 
carmaker's senior secured second-lien term loan due 2014 by 
one notch to 'C' from 'CC', suggesting lenders can expect a 
negligible to a 10 percent recovery if a default occurs. 
    "The lowering of our issue ratings reflects lower recovery 
estimates, given our current view that Chrysler would be 
unlikely to emerge from bankruptcy as one reorganized entity," 
Standard & Poor's recovery analyst Greg Maddock said in a 
release. 
    "If Chrysler goes into bankruptcy, I would expect it to go 
into liquidation -- that its assets would be sold in whole or 
in part," Maddock said in an interview. 
    "Instead of being reorganized, there would be no carmaker 
after bankruptcy," he said. 
 (Reporting by Ransdell Pierson; Editing by John Picinich) 
 ((Reuters Messaging: 
ransdell.pierson.reuters.com@reuters.net; 646-223-6034; 
ransdell.pierson@reuters.com)) 
Keywords: CHRYSLER/  
    
 
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