Universal Music sounds out investors for one billion euro bond sale
It includes a 4 and 10-year tranche, each with an expected size of 500 million euros, a source says
Published Mon, Jun 8, 2026 · 07:16 PM
[NETHERLANDS] Universal Music Group is speaking to investors ahead of a possible one billion euro (S$1.5 billion) two-part bond sale on Monday (Jun 8), after rejecting hedge-fund billionaire Bill Ackman’s takeover offer.
The global music entertainment company is rated Baa1 by Moody’s Ratings and BBB+ by S&P Global Ratings.
It is now tapping the bond market to refinance existing debt and fund general corporate activities, a source said, who asked not to be identified.
Universal Music has a one euro billion bridge loan, which was arranged earlier this year, that matures in late July – as well as a 500 million euro bond due in 2027 – data compiled by Bloomberg showed.
The bond offering includes a four and 10-year tranche, each with an expected size of 500 million euros, the source said.
A spokesperson for Universal Music did not respond to queries.
The deal comes after Bill Ackman sold his 1.42 billion-euro stake in the Amsterdam-listed company.
It rejected the hedge-fund billionaire’s bid that would have valued it at about 56 billion euros.
The company said the price “fundamentally and materially undervalues (Universal Music Group)”.
BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Banking are acting as global coordinators for the bond sale.
Its active bookrunners include IMI Corporate & Investment Banking – part of Intesa Sanpaolo – Mediobanca, Mizuho Financial Group, Morgan Stanley, Banco Santander and Societe Generale. BLOOMBERG
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