Goodyear to redeem $350 million in senior notes

Goodyear Tire & Rubber has called US$350 million of its outstanding 10.500 per cent senior notes due 2016 for redemption on May 27, 2011. The tyre maker intends to use net proceeds from its recent mandatory convertible preferred stock offering to fund the redemption. The redemption will result in savings to annualised interest expense of approximately $40 million, of which about $23 million will be realised in 2011.

The redemption price is 110.500 per cent of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to May 27, 2011.  The redemption is pursuant to provisions of the notes that allow the company, at its option, to redeem up to 35 per cent of the original principal amount of the notes with proceeds from one or more equity offerings.