Shimao Looks to Delay Repayments on $183 Million of Securities

(Bloomberg) -- Shimao Group Holdings Ltd. is asking investors to extend the full payment on a pair of asset-backed securities, fueling concern that the embattled Chinese property developer that’s suffered downgrades into junk territory in recent months could seek delays on other debts.

The company and a unit will meet with investors Monday to obtain agreements to repay 1.17 billion yuan ($183 million) of ABS in installments throughout this year, according to private filings with the Shanghai Stock Exchange seen by Bloomberg News. The original repayment dates are in about two weeks.

The move could signal Shimao might look to extend other debt, such as its $1 billion dollar bond due July 3, wrote Bloomberg Intelligence credit analyst Daniel Fan. He said given the ABS’ combined size isn’t large, “the extension may be a trial run for possible future proposals, if they become necessary.” Fellow builders including Yuzhou Group Holdings Co., Guangzhou R&F Properties Co. and China Evergrande Group have sought investor approval in recent days to push out debt-payment deadlines. 

©2022 Bloomberg L.P.

With assistance from Bloomberg