Shares of California’s biggest utility owner, PG&E Corp, jumped more than 10% on Tuesday after the company announced that it has secured bankruptcy financing worth $5.5 billion in the form of debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing from four banks.
According to the company, four investment banks JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM), Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAC), Barclays Plc (BARC) and Citigroup Inc (C) are expected to help with the financing, which is expected to comprise of a $3.5 billion revolving credit facility, a $1.5 billion term loan and a $500 million delayed-draw term loan.
The U.S. power producer, which provides electricity and natural gas to nearly 16 million customers in northern and central California, was recently hit by extensive litigation, government investigations and liabilities that could potentially exceed $30 billion because of wildfires in the state.
As the company prepares to file for Chapter-11 bankruptcy protection, its bankruptcy plan has reverberated across the power industry, and has been a drag on total return in the Utilities sector. PG&E expects to file for bankruptcy on or about January 29, 2019.