GEO Group redeems $650 million notes and expands buyback capacity

On October 15, GEO Group completed the redemption of its $650 million principal amount of 8.625% senior secured notes due 2029, paying approximately $678 million plus accrued and unpaid interest. Its amended credit agreement permits repurchases and other restricted payments when pro forma total leverage is equal to or below 2.25 to 1.00 and no default exists. GEO’s board also raised the repurchase authorization from $500 million to $1.25 billion, while gross debt fell to $625 million excluding approximately $36 million of mortgage debt.

The note retirement lowers GEO’s outstanding gross debt and removes the 2029 secured-note obligation. The larger authorization gives the company more potential capital-return capacity, but repurchases remain subject to leverage and default conditions.

  • 1GEO paid $1,043.13 for each $1,000 of original principal amount redeemed.
  • 2The company’s $550 million revolving credit facility now matures on July 14, 2031, and GEO had no borrowings under it as of the report.
  • 3The board’s $750 million increase lifted the share repurchase authorization from $500 million to $1.25 billion, with the program effective through December 31, 2029.
  • 4The amended credit agreement permits restricted payments when the post-payment total leverage ratio is equal to or below 2.25 to 1.00 and no default exists.
  • 5GEO’s $625 million 10.25% senior unsecured notes due 2031 permit restricted payments when the consolidated total leverage ratio is equal to or below 2.00 to 1.00 and no default exists.

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