Kohl’s Is Looking to Refinance Just as It Searches for a New CEO

Kohl’s Corp. is planning a high-yield debt sale as the beleaguered retailer tackles a fast-approaching bond maturity. 

The company, which is currently looking for a new chief executive officer, plans to sell about $360 million of junk bonds to raise cash to refinance debt coming due this year, according to a statement on Tuesday. The five-year secured bond offering will provide the retailer with additional capital to refinance borrowings under its revolving credit facility, Kohl’s said, and it expects to borrow under the facility to repay all of its 4.25 percent notes due in July.

Members of Kohl’s management team will conduct calls with debt investors this week, according to a person with knowledge of the matter who asked not to be identified discussing private details. 

Morgan Stanley, which is leading the debt sale, will hold a call with investors at 2 p.m. New York time Tuesday, the person said. Pricing on the bonds is expected later this week, the person added. Bonds issued by Kohl’s have slumped in recent weeks as it struggles to turn sales around following years of intense competition and changing consumer behaviour.

Banks are pitching the deal with early pricing discussions around 11 percent, different people familiar with the matter said. 

Kohl’s and Morgan Stanley didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. 

The company is currently being led by interim CEO Michael Bender, who took over after the retailer announced on May 1 the departure of its previous CEO, Ashley Buchanan, following an investigation. Kohl’s found that Buchanan had directed millions of dollars of business to someone he has had a personal relationship with, without disclosing the relationship.

That person was Chandra Holt, whom he has been romantically involved with, Bloomberg News reported. Buchanan had only been CEO for a few months before he was let go. The board has formed a search committee to find a new CEO.

The board has also faced upheaval. Last week, the company abruptly shifted its stance in relation to the departure of board member Christine Day, announcing on May 9 that she had indeed left due to disagreements with the company. 

Previously, Kohl’s had said her exit wasn’t related to any disagreements related to company operations, policies or practices. Day took issue with the company’s board procedures and its response to recommendations from a shareholder advisory firm on executive pay.

New Holding Company

The new Kohl’s notes are expected to be secured by 11 distribution centres and e-commerce fulfilment facilities among other collateral, which will be held in a newly-formed holding company, according to the release. 

Kohl’s bonds maturing in 2031 trade around 67 cents on the dollar to yield more than 13 percent, according to Trace pricing data. The new deal comes as credit markets rallied Monday, with trade tensions easing and paving the way for a rush of debt sales. US junk bonds also staged their best gain in 17 months.

By Gowri Gurumurthy, Jill R. Shah and Natalie Harrison 

Learn more:

Kohl’s Fires CEO for Directing Millions to Romantic Partner

The department store is searching for a permanent CEO replacement after Kohl’s Corp.’s board discovered Ashley Buchanan, who had joined Kohl’s in January, had directed millions of company dollars to his then-undisclosed romantic partner.