
Cloud 9fin Distressed Diaries — Ghost of restructurings past
Dec 23, 2025
Emmett Mc Nally, a managing distressed credit analyst at 9fin, and Luke Viner, a senior legal consultant specializing in UK restructuring plans, dive into a year-end recap of 2025’s significant restructuring events. They discuss the impact of aggressive liability management exercises and how out-of-money creditors are gaining a voice in court. With insights on the evolving co-op landscape, the pressures on the chemicals sector, and evolving legal trends, they provide a keen outlook on what to watch in 2026. Tune in for a blend of market analysis and intriguing case studies!
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Europe Got More Aggressive
- European restructurings became more aggressive in 2025 with sponsors using loose docs to implement US-style liability management exercises.
- Creditors responded by forming co-ops and litigating, and UK courts tightened cram-down fairness scrutiny.
Ardagh Was A Multi-Angle Case
- Emmett highlighted the Ardagh restructuring as a multi-angle case combining drop-downs, LMEs and a CDS question.
- The deal closed before the CDS decision, leaving unclear deliverables if a credit event is later found.
Klockner's Rapid Liquidity Collapse
- Bianca recounted Kloeckner Pentaplast's path from refinancing talks to liquidity crunch and Chapter 11 filing.
- SVP provided new money but creditors ultimately ended up equitized, illustrating stark non-prorata outcomes.
