Debt Investors

DS Smith funds its operations from the following sources of capital: operating cashflow, borrowings, shareholders’ equity and, where appropriate, disposals of non-core businesses.

The Group’s objective is to achieve a capital structure that results in an appropriate cost of capital whilst providing flexibility in short and medium-term funding so as to accommodate material investments or acquisitions. The Group also aims to maintain a strong balance sheet and to provide continuity of financing by having a range of maturities and borrowings from a variety of sources.

Borrowing facilities

DS Smith finances its operations using a number of funding instruments, including Medium-term notes, private placement debt and bank borrowings.

Borrowing facilities as at 30 April 2022

Facilities Currency Maturity £ million equivalent
Syndicated RCF 2018 various 2024-25 1,400
Euro medium-term notes EUR 2022-26 1,552
Euro RCF 2020 EUR 2024 50
Sterling bond medium-term note GBP 2029 250
US dollar private placement USD 2022 213
Euro term loan EUR 2025 23
Total     3,488

Analysis of Gross Debt at 30 April 2022

gross debt 2022.png

Available committed facilities as at 30 April 2022

Available committed facilities as at 30 April 2022.png

DS Smith has been given a credit rating of BBB- by Standard & Poor’s.

Euro Medium-term Note Programme

Maturity date  Issued amount Coupon Interest paid Date  Minimum denominations
16 September 2022* €500m 2.25% annually 16 September €100k
26 July 2024 €750m 1.375% annually 26 July €100k
12 September 2026 €600m 0.875% annually 12 September €100k
26 July 2029 £250m 2.875% annually 26 July £100k 

*Redeemed July 2022