PKN Orlen on Wednesday signed two agreements with eight international and Polish banks to acquire a € 1.6 bn syndicated loan to finance the purchase of Mazeikiu Nafta , the PKN Orlen told in its statement. PKN Orlen signed a five-year consortium loan for € 800m with the possibility to prolong it for another two years, and a bridge loan for €800m for up to 12 months, which PKN Orlen will have to refinance. Sums have to be paid on the day of closing, December 15, 2006. Company expects Mazeikiu to be integrated with PKN Orlen within up to nine months. Company also plans the bond issue, which may take place in the first half of 2007 and to amount ca. €800m depending on market conditions.
Our view: After the financing the net debt to equity ratio will grow to 44% for the end 2006. However we see no real danger in this since we expect the ratio to decrease fast due to the rich cash generation of the company. We await the neutral market reaction to the news.