Parmalat: Bankruptcy filing expected today or tomorrow

Parmalat: Bankruptcy filing expected today or tomorrow
* According to press reports, Parmalat is set to seek bankruptcy protection either today or tomorrow, following Friday's emergence that ?3.95bn of cash and securities held by Parmalat subsidiary Bonlat does not appear to exist.
* An article in today's FT suggests that the "black hole" in Parmalat's accounts could be ?7bn or more. This appears consistent with a report in the Corriere della Serra suggesting debt is ?3bn higher than the ?6bn reported and a Reuters report suggesting total debt is in the region of ?9-10bn.
* Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi indicated at the weekend he will intervene to save Parmalat, although made the distinction between "industry" and "finance" i.e. don't expect a bailout.
* On Friday, S&P cut to default and withdrew the rating.
* The US minority investors in Parmalat's Brazilian sub are due to receive their US$400m today.
* With debts of c.?10bn, no cash and a business probably worth only c.?3bn in a stressed scenario, the recovery situation now looks bleak. Italian banks will probably gain a place at the front of the queue for ongoing support, leaving bondholders facing a recovery value of around 10-20% (assuming no further surprises emerge).
* According to press reports, Parmalat is set to seek bankruptcy protection either today or tomorrow, following Friday's emergence that ?3.95bn of cash and securities held by Parmalat subsidiary Bonlat does not appear to exist.
* An article in today's FT suggests that the "black hole" in Parmalat's accounts could be ?7bn or more. This appears consistent with a report in the Corriere della Serra suggesting debt is ?3bn higher than the ?6bn reported and a Reuters report suggesting total debt is in the region of ?9-10bn.
* Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi indicated at the weekend he will intervene to save Parmalat, although made the distinction between "industry" and "finance" i.e. don't expect a bailout.
* On Friday, S&P cut to default and withdrew the rating.
* The US minority investors in Parmalat's Brazilian sub are due to receive their US$400m today.
* With debts of c.?10bn, no cash and a business probably worth only c.?3bn in a stressed scenario, the recovery situation now looks bleak. Italian banks will probably gain a place at the front of the queue for ongoing support, leaving bondholders facing a recovery value of around 10-20% (assuming no further surprises emerge).