Since our last update on cash box structures at the start of April 2020 (see Jersey cash box structures: a fast route to funding) the UK economy has endured a turbulent Q2 and Q3. According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, GDP fell by a record 19.8% quarter-on-quarter (QQ) in the second quarter of 2020, with output expected to rebound by 17.5% QQ in Q3. Notwithstanding the rebound in Q3, significant headwinds are expected for the economy in Q4 as large parts of the UK have returned to some version of lockdown. The Bank of England's fresh GBP150billion stimulus package for the UK economy amid the second coronavirus wave, together with the extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until March 2021, will serve to alleviate some of the pain, at least in the short term, for UK businesses. In this update we explore how UK plcs have responded to the liquidity challenges presented by the coronavirus and specifically the role of cash boxes in response to such challenges.

Squeeze on liquidity

Since the onset of the crisis in early March 2020 we have seen our clients respond to anticipated liquidity difficulties in a number of ways. Well-capitalised clients have been able to tap into readily available cash following strong periods of trading prior to the crisis. Others have drawn on committed facilities taking advantage of low interest rates that continue to prevail whilst some clients have brought forward strategic asset disposals to provide liquidity buffers. In addition to the above, as was anticipated in April, we have seen a significant upturn in enquiries and instructions in connection with fundraising by using a Jersey cash box structure. According to data maintained by Thomson Reuters, there have been 46 cash box structures launched in 2020 so far (up until the end of October) which, as illustrated in the graph below, is already in excess of the 44 cash box structures launched in 2009 at the peak of the global financial crisis.

Cash Box Secondary Issues

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Source: Thomson Reuters

Cash box structures have been employed across a variety of sectors showing their versatility as a source of urgent liquidity as well as illustrating the impact of the coronavirus crisis across the global economy.

Cash Box Issues by Sector

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Source: Thomson Reuters

The average value of each cash box has been GBP198,034,783 and 42 of the 46 identified structures involved the use of a new company incorporated in Jersey demonstrating the dominant position the jurisdiction enjoys for implementing fundraising in this manner.

What next?

On 4th September 2020 the Pre-Emption Group (PEG) extended its recommendation that investors, on a case-by-case basis, continue to consider supporting placings by companies of up to 20% of their issued share capital over a 12-month period. It remains to be seen whether PEG will extend this recommendation beyond 30th November 2020, with one view being that by then, almost 8 months into the pandemic, companies should have taken the necessary steps to manage their liquidity requirements without the need for emergency fundraising. The recent imposition of a second lock-down may be a relevant factor in the PEG extending this recommendation further into early 2021.

Due to the continued uncertainty in markets caused by the crisis, we expect cash box structures to remain, for the rest of 2020 and into Q1 of 2021, a popular and reliable source of fundraising. As the economic landscape begins to settle after the crisis we expect companies with strong non-cash balance sheets to avail of opportunities to make strategic acquisitions and bolt-ons which will require access to cash in short order.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.