Like the agency, we expect that FI will curtail share repurchases to deleverage, consistent with its history of managing leverage within its 2.5x-3.0x target range. We do not see a downgrade as imminent despite execution risks, although will be fully dependent on the company's capital allocation going forward.
• S&P affirmed FI’s BBB rating as it expects an increase in leverage to be modest, and for FI to significantly pull back on share repurchases to lower leverage, noting FI reaffirmed its 2.5x–3.0x leverage target.
• The negative outlook reflects the risk of a downgrade if leverage remains >3x or FCF/debt <15%.
• Upgrade/stabilization criteria: If the company prioritizes deleveraging over share repurchases to maintain leverage <3x while demonstrating progress in its turnaround efforts.
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US President Trump has posted via Truth Social, laying blame for the US government shutdown on the Democrats. This post came shortly after the Senate failed to pass a funding bill, leaving the government in shut down. Trump notes that he is willing to work/negotiate with the Democrats around healthcare policies, but first the Democrat's must re-open the government. Earlier remarks from Democrats House Minority Leader Jefferies indicated that the White House had been radio silent since last Monday, indicating little progress in ending the shutdown. Still, earlier remarks from the US President and Democrats Senate Leader Schumer pointed to a willingness to talk/negotiate (via the WSJ).
A bear threat in JGB futures remains present despite the intraday spike Monday. The contract pulled well off the intraday high, keeping the bias negative for now. The latest sell-off has also resulted in a break of support at 136.19, the Sep 4 low and a bear trigger. Clearance of this level confirms a resumption of the downtrend and opens 135.39 next, a Fibonacci projection. Key short-term resistance has been defined at 137.30, the Sep 8 high.
In post-Tokyo trade, JGB futures closed little changed, +1 compared to settlement levels.