Blackstone (NYSE: BX) closes $1.1 billion senior notes sale in two tranches

What happened

Blackstone Inc. (NYSE: BX) completed a $1.1 billion senior notes offering on Nov. 2. The new debt matures in 2031 and 2033.

The issuer is Blackstone Reg Finance Co. L.L.C., an indirect subsidiary. Blackstone Inc. and five Blackstone Holdings partnerships fully and unconditionally guarantee the notes.

The deal has two tranches: $600 million of 5.650% notes due Nov. 3, 2031, and $500 million of 5.900% notes due Nov. 3, 2033. The underwriting agreement was signed Oct. 27.

Key numbers

Metric	Latest	Change	Source
Total senior notes offered	$1.1 billion		SEC 8-K
5.650% notes due Nov. 3, 2031	$600 million		SEC 8-K Exhibit 99.1
5.900% notes due Nov. 3, 2033	$500 million		SEC 8-K Exhibit 99.1
Rate gap, 2033 notes versus 2031 notes	0.25 percentage points		Calculated from SEC 8-K
Repurchase price after a change of control repurchase event	101%		SEC 8-K

Read more: Blackstone (BX) company research

Why it matters

Blackstone says it will use the proceeds for general corporate purposes. The notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the issuer and each guarantor.

The 2033 notes mature two years after the 2031 notes. They carry a rate 0.25 percentage points higher, by OptimistFi's calculation.

Covenants limit, with exceptions, debt secured by liens on subsidiaries' voting stock or profit participating equity interests. They also limit mergers and asset sales. If a change of control repurchase event occurs, holders can require repurchase at 101% of principal plus accrued interest.

OptimistFi has argued that Blackstone turns scale and deal sourcing into fee-bearing assets and cash earnings it can return to shareholders. A debt sale does not change that engine directly, so the direction is mixed.

The caveat is cost. The notes add interest payments that Blackstone's earnings must cover, and the stated use of proceeds is broad.

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What's next

Interest on both series is paid twice a year, on May 3 and Nov. 3. The first payment is May 3, 2027.

Blackstone can redeem the 2031 notes at par on or after Oct. 3, 2031, and the 2033 notes on or after Sept. 3, 2033. Earlier redemption requires a make-whole price.

OptimistFi would view the financing more favorably if Blackstone's next quarterly report ties the new money to growth in fee-bearing assets. It would view it less favorably if interest costs start to weigh on earnings.

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