Fears over early redemption on 15 year bonds heightens

0
299
0 0
Read Time:4 Minute, 58 Second

Ghana could be forced into an early redemption of its 7 and 15-years bonds issued in March 2017, as Franklin Templeton, the company that bought about 95 percent of the assets faces financial troubles in India.

The US-based mutual firm which bought Ghana’s bonds at a rate of 19.75percent and at total coupon value of US$2.25 billion but in local currency, is winding up six debt funds that managed over US$3billion in the Asian country after struggling to meet clients’ withdrawal requests. This, according to market watchers, could force Templeton to demand an earlier repayment from Ghana, in order to raise funds for its investors.

Should this happen, it will be an ill omen for Ghana which is already battling a decline in gross national savings, weak current account position, and an unfavorable back-end ratio, as well as, considerable slowdown in economic activity due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

“As the panic continues and anxiety heightens among the investor community, Franklin Templeton could be forced to make an early demand for Ghana to redeem its bonds held by the company in other to raise funds for its investors. “If Ghana is pushed to redeem the bond together with the 19.75 percent yield on demand by Franklin Templeton, it could trigger an early financial crisis in the country,” says Dr. Jerry Monfant, an economist and global strategist.

At the time the bond was offered, Ghana’s rating was B stable by Fitch, a rating agency, which was still far below widely accepted AA margin. However, in 2020, the country’s rating has deteriorated to B3 negative according to the Moody rating agency, which means that it will be difficult for Ghana to borrow to defray the Templeton debt should the company come asking.

“As Ghana is already debt distress and the economy becoming hopeless, it is my passionate desire that the country’s economic managers give these happenings a closer look,” he added.

Instructively, he believes that the country requires a plan B in the waiting to avoid possible default on early demand of bond redemption initiated by Templeton and also avoid a needless legal tussle.

“Ghana should be on the lookout because I hold a conviction that the issue is not simple and also not limited to the default in payment by infra-project limited, one of the defaulting companies. Templeton risk exposure is very high and they have high non-quality assets than quality ones in their portfolio.

“While others may attribute the situation to redemption pressures in the financial system due to the outbreak of COVID-19, I disagree with such a position.

And my reason is that investing in low rated bonds for the sake of high-interest payment just as in Ghana’s situation can just simply be dangerous,” adds Dr. Monfant, who is also President of MBIC Group.

Questionable terms

Dr. Monfant is questioning why a single firm could secure 95 percent of a sovereign bond. “In a situation of this nature, Ghana is boxed to pay a double rate or call it a double high cost.

One is the exchange rate and the other is the high interest rate. A fragile economy such as ours can easily be crippled by some of these economic decisions and render the country vulnerable to any economic shock.

“In the world of international finance, bonds issued at such a high yield is termed as a junk bond, because, the foundation of the yield is based on how weak an economy is rated. It also confirms our long-held conviction about how our economy is struggling.”

He, however, explained that the high coupon rate could have been the result of economic factors such as, poor growth outlook, high debt burden, a weak currency, little ability to collect taxes, and unfavorable demographics which affects a borrower’s ability to pay back its debts and to negotiate lower-cost credit.

Franklin Templeton India

The Mutual Fund Company jolted investors in India with the decision to wind up six yields oriented managed credit funds from Friday 22nd May, 2020. The six schemes are: Franklin India Low Duration Fund; Dynamic Accrual Fund; Credit Risk Fund; Short Term Income Plan; Ultra Short Bond Fund; and Income Opportunities Fund.

Together, these constitute about 25 percent of assets under management of Templeton.

With the current troubles confronting the firm, it essentially means that it will first have to liquidate the assets in the schemes and then refund the money to the investors who placed their funds in any of the mentioned schemes.

However, with the market being so sluggish and tough, investors may not get their money as early as expected, because it will be difficult to get a buyer for low-rated assets in the portfolio, so investors may have to wait longer.

Investors will also have to pay a hefty price for inappropriate investments of their funds by Franklin Templeton.

According to Dr. Monfant, the mutual fund firm has an appetite for investing in credit risk funds. Just like its investments in Ghana which is classified as a low-rated bond.

“Credit Risk funds are debt funds that play on the principles of high-risk –high-reward. By definition, credit funds invest 65percent of the portfolio in bonds that are AA rated or below. In Ghana, our rating was B stable by Fitch, a rating agency, which was still far below AA,” he said.

Check This Out: JUST IN: JHS 3 Teachers to be excluded from Temporary EC New Voter Registration job

 

Source: B&FT Online


SEND US YOUR STORIES FOR PUBLICATION VIA WHATSAPP NUMBER 0506440219

Get the Ghana Education Service New Standard – Based Scheme of Learning (SOL) HERE

Get the Ghana Education Service New Standard – Based Curriculum HERE

Get the  WAEC Marking Schemes HERE

Get the NaCCA/GES Standard -Based Lesson Plans HERE

Get the WAEC BECE, WASSCE, NTC Licensure Exam and Teachers’ Promotion Exam Past Questions HERE

7a47f9ad1497f9c076987d8d66838026?s=400&d=mm&r=g

About Post Author

Ellis Ferdinand

Ellis Ferdinand is the Founder of Education Ghana Media Network ,a parent Company of EducationGhana.net ,an Online Education News Blog and Education Television, an Online Digital Television Channel. Ellis Ferdinand is a Graduate of Accra College of Education and the University of Cape Coast respectively, where he obtained a Diploma In Basic Education and a Bachelor of Education in Accounting. Awards Ellis Ferdinand won Blogger of the Year at the 2018 National Students’ Awards and was also adjudged 14th Best Ghanain Blogger in 2018 among Top 50 Ghanaian Bloggers of 2018. He introduced the Concept of Education Blogging in Ghana in 2014 with his famous blog EducationGhana.net. His Blog won Best Media Promoting Education in 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively, an Award organized by Neogenics Education Consult. In 2019, He was adjudged the Most Promising West African Blogger of the Year in Nigeria.
Happy
Happy
0 %
Sad
Sad
0 %
Excited
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
Angry
0 %
Surprise
Surprise
0 %

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.