That the credit market climate has changed from a quarter ago is not news. That the new environment is imposing changes on even the most-preferred deals is, perhaps.

There's word that Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. will most likely make concessions to banks in order to facilitate the $24 billion in debt needed to purchase First Data Corp (NYSE: FDC). FDC traded up 17 cents to $33.46 Tuesday at mid-day. KKR is buying credit card processor First Data for $34 per share. KKR's bid to take FDC private for that price is considered high because the bid is 14 times FDC's cash flow.

According to people familiar with the deal negotiations, KKR agreed to maintain a certain level of earnings before interest payments, depreciation, tax and amortization in relation to senior debt, The Wall Street Journal reported (subscription required).

Continue reading Kohlberg / FDC deal terms could serve as credit market sentiment gauge

Kohlberg / FDC deal terms could serve as credit market sentiment gauge originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.'s $25.6 billion buyout of First Data Corp. (NYSE:FDC) won't hold the spot of the second-largest buyout for long.

Tthe top-ranked $45 billon TXU deal, which also includes KKR, will get eclipsed as well.

There's bound to be another mega LBO sooner rather than later. KKR, The Blackstone Group and Texas Pacific Group all have billions of dollars burning holes in their pockets.

What people seem to be forget is that these firms don't want their investments to remain private forever. Odds are good that investors will get another shot at buying shares of First Data in a few years. Maybe then being public will be back in style.

First Data should thank its lucky stars that it's being acquired by KKR.

Growth at the credit-card processing company has been slowing since it separate its Western Union payment processing business and has struggled to find a chief executive to succeed Henry C. "Ric" Duques, the Wall Street Journal said.

Duques who returned in November 2005 after his successor Charles Foote announced his retirement for "personal reasons." At the time, Duques agreed to stay for about two years to help the company find a new successor.

Investors have sat on the sidelines while First Data searched for new leadership. Its stock tanked more than 40 percent over the past year even though most Wall Street analysts rate it either a buy or a strong buy.

Analysts had said First Data would make an atractive buyout candidate for private equity. My colleague Georges Yared makes a persuasive case that the company's prospects are good.

In addition, First Data stands to profit handsomely from the private equity boon. All of those credit card purchases by investment bankers of first-class airplane tickets, suites at fancy hotels and expensive bottles of wine have to be processed somewhere, no?

First Data won't be the number two buyout for long originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 02 Apr 2007 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.