Court-supervised bankruptcy filings in the U.S. are expected to remain elevated this year, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence.
The reasoning is because “distressed companies continue to face pressure from debt refinancing at higher interest rates and, in certain industries, ongoing uncertainty related to U.S. tariff policy, inflation and consumer spending, S&P said. Moreover, should elevated energy prices continue, driven by the war in the Middle East and related oil shipping disruptions, there may be additional challenges longer term that could cause inflation and interest rates to rise.
S&P’s data shows that large U.S. corporate bankruptcies rose in March to 69 from 54 in February, marking the highest monthly total of the first quarter. The number of large corporate filings for the three months totaled 180.
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Of the 10 largest U.S. bankruptcies filed since Jan. 1, with more than $1 billion in liabilities, two were fashion companies. Saks Global Enterprises filed on Jan. 13, while Eddie Bauer LLC filed its petition on Feb. 9. A third fashion firm that filed last month on March 17 was Lycra Co. LLC., listing between $100 million to $500 million in liabilities.
One of the shoe firms impacted by the Saks bankruptcy was Caleres. The company said the impact could result in up to a 6-cent dent in fourth quarter earnings per diluted share. With a plan of reorganization filed on Sunday, secured lenders are expected to control the company upon exit from bankruptcy, which could be this summer. Shoe vendors and fashion brands that include footwear in their lines, who are generally unsecured creditors, will probably see little of what was owed to them before the Chapter 11 filing.
Among the luxury footwear brands listed as creditors, Christian Louboutin was the 13th largest unsecured creditor, owed $21.6 million. Jimmy Choo parent Capri Holding, which owns the Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo brands, is the 4th largest unsecured creditor at $33.3 million. At the top of the totem pole is fashion and accessories brand Chanel, owed $136 million, while luxury conglomerate Kering — the parent of Gucci, Balenciaga, Saint Laurent and more — is listed as the holder of $59.9 million in unsecured claims.
The Eddie Bauer Chapter 11 filing was by the outdoor retailer’s store operator for the U.S. and Canada, which was owned by Catalyst Brands. The filing has not impacted the intellectual property connected to the Eddie Bauer brand name, which is owned by brand management firm Authentic Brands Group. With no bidder for the stores, closing sales for 175 North American Eddie Bauer doors remain in progress. Outdoor 5 currently has the license for the brand’s manufacturing, e-commerce and wholesale operations in the U.S. and Canada.
Spandex and apparel fiber maker The Lycra Co. has a restructuring support agreement in place with creditors, which will help the textiles firm eliminate about $1.2 billion in long-term debt and possibly exit bankruptcy proceedings by the end of April or at the start of May.
