Brightline Florida Cut Deeper Into Junk on Restructuring Risk

Passengers board a Brightline train in Aventura, Florida.

Photographer: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg

Thinning reserves and negative cash flows will likely lead Brightline Trains Florida LLC to restructure its debt within the next six months, according to S&P analysts who downgraded the struggling private rail line deeper into junk territory this week.

The ratings agency lowered the ratings on $2.2 billion of senior secured debt to CCC- from CCC and assigned a negative outlook. About $1.1 billion of those bonds are insured with an AA rating, based on Assured Guaranty’s credit grade.