Forum Energy Technologies Announces Pricing of $100 Million Senior Secured Bond Issuance

Rhea-AI Summary

Forum Energy Technologies (NYSE: FET) has announced the pricing of a $100 million senior secured bond offering with a 10.5% interest rate, maturing in November 2029. The bonds will be issued at par, with closing expected on November 7, 2024. FET plans to use the proceeds, along with cash on hand, to fully redeem its outstanding 9.000% Convertible Senior Secured Notes due 2025 and repay the Seller Term Loan from the Variperm Energy Services acquisition. The securities will be offered through private placement to U.S. investors and non-U.S. persons under Regulation S.

Positive

• Successful pricing of $100 million senior secured bond offering
• Refinancing of existing debt with longer maturity (2029)
• Strategic debt restructuring to address near-term maturities

Negative

• Higher interest rate on new bonds (10.5%) compared to existing notes (9.0%)
• Increased debt service costs due to higher interest rate

Insights

Financial Analyst

The $100 million senior secured bond offering at 10.5% interest represents significant debt refinancing for Forum Energy Technologies. This move aims to refinance the 9% Convertible Senior Secured Notes due 2025 and clear the Variperm acquisition-related seller term loan. While the higher interest rate of 10.5% indicates increased borrowing costs, the extended maturity to 2029 provides improved debt structure and financial flexibility.

The private placement nature of this offering, restricted to qualified institutional buyers and non-U.S. persons, suggests strong institutional interest despite the higher yield. This refinancing should help optimize FET's capital structure, though it comes at the cost of higher interest expenses that could impact future cash flows.

Market Research Analyst

For an energy services company with a market cap of $173 million, this $100 million debt issuance is substantial. The refinancing indicates proactive management of debt obligations, but the 10.5% interest rate reflects challenging market conditions and potentially higher perceived risk in the energy services sector. The successful placement of these bonds, despite the high yield, demonstrates market confidence in FET's business model and ability to service debt.

The timing aligns with broader industry trends where energy services companies are securing longer-term financing to support operations and growth initiatives. However, investors should monitor how the increased interest burden affects profitability metrics.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: FET) (“FET”) announced today that it has finalized the terms of FET’s private offering of USD $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10.5% senior secured bonds (the “Offering”). The bonds will mature in November 2029 and will be issued at par. The Offering is expected to close on November 7, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. FET intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering, together with cash on hand, to redeem in full all outstanding 9.000% Convertible Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes”) and to repay all borrowings outstanding under the seller term loan issued in connection with the acquisition of Variperm Energy Services (the “Seller Term Loan”).

The securities offered have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any state securities laws, and unless so registered, the securities may not be offered or sold in the United States or to U.S. persons except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. FET offered and plans to sell the securities in a private placement in accordance with U.S. securities laws in the United States and only to non-U.S. persons outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.

This announcement does not constitute a notice of redemption with respect to the 2025 Notes or a notice of repayment with respect to the Seller Term Loan.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any of these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. This press release is being issued pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135c under the Securities Act.

FET (Forum Energy Technologies) is a global manufacturing company, serving the oil, natural gas, industrial and renewable energy industries. With headquarters located in Houston, Texas, FET provides value added solutions aimed at improving the safety, efficiency, and environmental impact of its customers' operations. For more information, please visit www.f-e-t.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “likely,” “plan,” “project,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “will” and similar words and specifically include statements regarding the Offering and the use of proceeds therefrom. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to vary materially from those indicated. For additional information regarding known material risks, you should also carefully read and consider FET’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, which are available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and FET undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241024828322/en/

Rob Kukla

Director of Investor Relations

281.994.3763

rob.kukla@f-e-t.com

Source: Forum Energy Technologies, Inc.

FAQ

What is the interest rate and maturity of FET's new senior secured bonds?

The new senior secured bonds have a 10.5% interest rate and will mature in November 2029.

How will Forum Energy Technologies (FET) use the proceeds from the $100 million bond offering?

FET will use the proceeds, along with cash on hand, to redeem all outstanding 9.000% Convertible Senior Secured Notes due 2025 and repay the Seller Term Loan from the Variperm Energy Services acquisition.

When is the expected closing date for FET's $100 million bond offering?

The bond offering is expected to close on November 7, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.