LDK Solar Submits Proposals to Offshore Creditors

XINYU CITY, China and SUNNYVALE, Calif., Dec. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- LDK Solar Co., Ltd. ("LDK Solar"; NYSE: LDK) announces that it executed confidentiality agreements (the "Confidentiality Agreements") in December 2013 with certain unaffiliated holders of the Renminbi-denominated US$-settled 10% Senior Notes due 2014 (the "Senior Notes") issued by LDK Solar (such holders, collectively, the "Holders"), to facilitate discussions with the Holders concerning LDK Solar's potential restructuring of its offshore liabilities. Pursuant to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreements, LDK Solar agreed that it would, immediately following the expiry of a period of time agreed with the Holders, disclose publicly the discussions between LDK Solar and the Holders and other confidential information concerning LDK Solar that was disclosed to the Holders. The information included in this announcement is being furnished to satisfy LDK Solar's public disclosure obligations under the Confidentiality Agreements.

Discussions with Holders

As a part of an ongoing liability management program commenced in September 2013, LDK Solar has explored ways to restructure its highly leveraged balance sheet and reduce its significant cash flow requirements. Following execution of the Confidentiality Agreements, LDK Solar and the Holders have further discussed LDK Solar's capital structure and various restructuring options proposed by LDK Solar in an effort to achieve a consensual restructuring and to prevent or forestall a liquidity crisis.  For the purpose of these discussions, LDK Solar has provided the Holders with the following draft restructuring proposal (the "Proposal") setting out two options for the Holders, an exchange of securities or a cash-out:

LDK Solar has discussed the terms of the Proposal with holders of approximately 40% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Senior Notes and their financial and legal advisors. But the Holders have not signed any agreement with LDK Solar to memorialize any agreed restructuring terms, and the negotiations are continuing. Unless and until the Holders execute a restructuring support agreement with LDK Solar incorporating the terms of the Proposal, they are not contractually bound to support and consummate the Proposal and may continue trading in the Senior Notes, subject to applicable laws.

LDK Solar intends to continue discussions with the Holders on the terms of the restructuring support agreement. There can be no guarantee, however, that LDK Solar will successfully negotiate any restructuring support agreement or, if a restructuring support agreement has been reached, that it will reflect the terms of the Proposal, or achieve all or any of the stated objectives of the proposed restructuring.

Financial Information

LDK Solar does not generally disclose detailed prospective financial information.  However, in connection with the discussions with the Holders and their advisors, LDK Solar disclosed certain financial information, consisting largely of forecasts and projections, to the Holders and their advisors pursuant to the Confidentiality Agreements.  LDK Solar's management prepared the forecasts and projections based on certain internal financial projections and their reasonable expectations, beliefs, opinions, and assumptions at the time such forecasts and projections were prepared. The forecasts and projections were not prepared with a view toward public disclosure and were not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or published guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or any other agency for preparation and presentation of "prospective financial information." Neither LDK Solar's independent auditor nor any other independent accountants have examined, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to the financial information. Such forecasts and projections were as follows:

The inclusion of the forecasts and projections in this announcement should not be regarded as an indication that LDK Solar or any other person considered, or now considers, this information to be necessarily predictive of actual future results, and does not constitute an admission or representation by any person that such information was or is material, or that the expectations, beliefs, opinions, and assumptions underlying such forecasts and projections remain the same as of the date of this announcement or will remain the same at any time in the future, and you readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forecasts and projections.

You should note that the financial forecasts and projections for LDK Solar, as they relate to LDK Solar's onshore operations:

• Are based on the following key general assumptions:
  • LDK Solar operates as a going concern with no insolvency proceeding in China;
  • LDK Solar will reach a consensual agreement with holders of its offshore claims, including the Preferred Obligations and the Senior Notes;
  • LDK Solar receives funding from a RMB 2 billion working capital and capital expenditure facility by December 31, 2013;
  • the upgrade to the polysilicon plant is completed by March 2014;
  • average selling prices for polysilicon, wafer, cell and module (i) were based on the third quarter 2013 report of an independent solar energy industry research company, (ii) were based on estimates as of September 27, 2013, and (iii) are held flat throughout the projection period after the third quarter in 2014; and
  • LDK Solar is not expected to be an income tax payer during the projection period;
• Are speculative by nature and were based upon numerous expectations, beliefs, opinions, and assumptions, which are inherently uncertain and many of which are beyond the control of LDK Solar and its subsidiaries and may not prove to be accurate;
• Do not necessarily reflect current estimates or expectations, beliefs, opinions, or assumptions that the management of LDK Solar may have about its prospects, and its subsidiaries' businesses, changes in general business or economic conditions, or any other transaction or event that has occurred or may occur and was not anticipated at the time the information was prepared;
• May not reflect current results or future performance, which may be significantly more favorable or less favorable than as set forth therein; and
• Are not, and should not be regarded as, a representation that any of the expectations contained in, or forming a part of, the forecasts and projections will or could be achieved.

Discussions with Holders of Preferred Obligations

Similarly as a part of the ongoing offshore liability management program, LDK Solar has also been in private discussions with certain holders of the Preferred Obligations, to explore ways to restructure its highly leveraged balance sheet and reduce its significant cash flow requirements. Affiliates of holders of Preferred Obligations have provided and/or agreed to provide financing, including a part of the RMB 2 billion working capital and capital expenditure facility referenced above, to LDK Solar for its continued operations, subject to various conditions and restrictions placed on the financing arrangements.  

Likewise, none of the holders of the Preferred Obligations has signed any definitive agreement with LDK Solar to memorialize their restructuring terms, and the negotiations are continuing. Unless and until holders of Preferred Obligations execute a definitive agreement with LDK Solar incorporating the terms of their understandings, they are not contractually bound to support and consummate the terms of their understanding below. LDK Solar currently understands that, subject to further evaluation by holders of Preferred Obligations, and subject to the approval of LDK Solar shareholders, as a preliminary understanding between the parties subsequent to their various negotiations, the Preferred Obligations may be treated as follows:

• all internal rate of return associated with the Preferred Obligations accrued since June 3, 2013 will be extinguished;
• 8.736% of the remaining amount of the Preferred Obligations will be paid in LDK Solar shares, subject to a lockup;
• 91.264% of such remaining amount of the Preferred Obligations will be refinanced by an exchange into convertible notes of LDK Solar, bearing interest at 90% of SHIBOR and having a maturity of June 3, 2016, which may be either extended or paid with LDK Solar ordinary shares at 20-trading-day VWAP, in either case with the consent of holders of such convertible notes;
• such convertible notes will be convertible at any time for LDK Solar shares at an exercise price of US$20 per share; and
• such convertible notes will be secured by (i) a pledge by LDK Solar of all of its equity in LDK Silicon, (ii) a pledge by LDK Solar of 15% of its equity in Jiangxi LDK Solar Hi-Tech Co., Ltd., (iii) a guarantee by LDK Silicon, and (iv) a guarantee by Peng Xiaofeng.

LDK Solar intends to continue discussions with holders of Preferred Obligations on these and other terms. There can be no assurance, however, that LDK Solar will successfully negotiate any restructuring arrangement with such holders or, if a restructuring arrangement has been reached, that it will reflect the terms as described above, or achieve all or any of the stated objectives of the proposed restructuring. Some of the holders of the Preferred Obligations have expressly indicated that they are continuing to evaluate the terms of the Senior Notes and the related Proposal and the implications of that Proposal on the terms described above relating to the Preferred Obligations.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, the projected financial information provided herein, LDK Solar's ability to raise additional capital to finance its operating activities, its ability to achieve a consensual solution to its onshore and offshore liabilities, the effectiveness, profitability and marketability of its products, the future trading of its securities, the ability of LDK Solar to operate as a public company, the period of time during which its current liquidity will enable LDK Solar to fund its operations, its ability to protect its proprietary information, the general economic and business environment and conditions, the volatility of LDK Solar's operating results and financial condition, its ability to attract and retain qualified senior management personnel and research and development staff, its ability to timely and efficiently complete its ongoing projects, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in LDK Solar's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on information available to LDK Solar's management as of the date such information was prepared and on its  expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about LDK Solar and the PV industry as of such date. Actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results because of such and other risks and uncertainties. LDK Solar undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections except as may be required by law.

About LDK Solar LDK

LDK Solar Co., Ltd. LDK is a leading vertically integrated manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) products. LDK Solar manufactures polysilicon, mono and multicrystalline ingots, wafers, cells, modules, systems, power projects and solutions. LDK Solar's headquarters and principal manufacturing facilities are located in Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Xinyu City, Jiangxi Province in the People's Republic of China. LDK Solar's office in the United States is located in Sunnyvale, California. For more information about LDK Solar and its products, please visit www.ldksolar.com.

SOURCE LDK Solar Co., Ltd.