Goldman Has ‘Serious Doubts’ First Brands Will Avoid Bankruptcy

Core Viewpoint - Analysts at Goldman Sachs express serious doubts about First Brands Group's ability to avoid bankruptcy due to concerning financing arrangements and high-interest rates [1][2]. Financial Concerns - First Brands Group is in discussions with creditors to restructure its $6 billion debt, with a potential Chapter 11 filing being considered [3]. - The company's loans have significantly decreased in value, attributed to worries over its off-balance sheet factoring practices [3][4]. Debt and Valuation - First Brands' first-lien loans are currently valued between 44.5 and 46.5 cents on the dollar, indicating market skepticism about the company's financial health [4]. - Creditors are assessing losses in the billions, raising questions about debtor-in-possession financing, profitability post-debt unwinding, and equity distribution in a potential bankruptcy scenario [6].