August 17, 2011
Companies Look to Emerging Markets
A Weak US Recovery Prompts Search for Growth
Limited progress with economic recovery in the US and Europe as well as growing regulatory and tax headwinds are pushing companies to growth markets in Asia and other emerging economies. Tech20 members discussed these and other issues at their 2011 mid-year meeting. Other topics included:
1) Acquisition Financing. Committed funding is important for deals like AT&T’s and a well thought out take-out financing strategy remains important.
Key Takeaway: Banks offering larger bridge commitments and increasing capital market capacity add financing certainty to acquisitions.
2) Bank Credit and Issuance. Recent member experience illustrates divide between Tech20 firms that can forgo bank credit backup and those that still need it.
Key Takeaway: The timing of renewals and issuance becomes increasingly important, especially for firms needing to follow stronger sector peers.
3) Investing Excess Cash. Asset-class and ratings-driven investment policies continue to prevail with Tech20 treasurers despite their shortcomings.
Key Takeaway: More debate will occur between taking a more refined risk-based approach or dialing up cash distribution to shareholders.
4) Restricted Cash. Restricted cash deserves a separate focus from a firm’s overall liquidity optimization plan.
Key Takeaway: Banks and other counterparties can help marginally, but solutions must make sense in the context of normal business flows.
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