Junk market takes Esprit default in its stride

Monday 18 December 2000 at 16:00

The high yield market has remained unfazed about US telecom group GTS's decision that its European subsidiary will not meet a $12m (€13.4m) bond coupon payment.

The market had been expecting the move since last month. GTS took action to ensure that default by GTS Europe, formerly known as Esprit, would not trigger defaults on its own bonds issued. The bonds had been trading at just two cents in the dollar since November.