It’s starting to look like there’s only one option left for GM: bankruptcy. Now if only the Obama administration would get the guts to let the bank bondholders suffer the same fate….
To remake itself outside of court, GM must persuade bondholders to swap $27 billion in debt for 10 percent of its risky stock. On top of that, the automaker must work out deals with its union, announce factory closures, cut or sell brands and force hundreds of dealers out of business — all in three weeks.
“I just don’t see how it’s possible, given all of the pieces,” said Stephen J. Lubben, a professor at Seton Hall University School of Law who specializes in bankruptcy.
GM, which is living on $15.4 billion in federal aid, faces a June 1 government deadline to complete its restructuring plan. If it can’t finish in time, the company will follow Detroit competitor Chrysler LLC into bankruptcy protection.
Mr. Roche is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Discipline Funds.Discipline Funds is a low fee financial advisory firm with a focus on helping people be more disciplined with their finances.
He is also the author of Pragmatic Capitalism: What Every Investor Needs to Understand About Money and Finance, Understanding the Modern Monetary System and Understanding Modern Portfolio Construction.
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Actually I think normal bankruptcy law regarding secured and unsecured creditors etc should be followed, otherwise rather adverse unintended consequences could follow later. Besides who in their right mind would (nominally) value a resurrected GM at $270b and accept 10% of its stock in exchange for giving up on $27b in debt.