10. DEBT

 

The following summarizes Barnes & Noble Education’s outstanding borrowings at April 30, 2025 (in thousands):

 

 

Maturity Date

 

April 30, 2025

 

Restated ABL Facility

 

June 9, 2028

 

$

103,098

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance Sheet Classification:

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term borrowings

 

 

 

$

 

Long-term borrowings

 

 

 

 

103,098

 

Total Long-term borrowings

 

 

 

$

103,098

 

Restated ABL Credit Facility

On the Closing Date, Barnes & Noble Education amended and restated and extended the maturity of its existing asset-based credit facility with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, collateral agent and swing line lender, and other lenders from time to time party thereto (such amended and restated credit facility, the “Restated ABL Facility”). Pursuant to the Restated ABL Facility, the lenders thereunder have committed to provide a four-year asset-backed revolving credit facility in an aggregate committed principal amount of up to $325 million. The Restated ABL Facility has a maturity date of June 9, 2028. Barnes & Noble Education has interest only obligations until June 9, 2028, at which time the total principal is due and payable.

Interest under the Restated ABL Facility accrues, at the election of Barnes & Noble Education, either (x) based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), which is subject to a floor of 2.5% per annum, plus a spread of 3.5% per annum or (y) at an alternate base rate, which is subject to a floor of 3.5% per annum, plus a spread of 2.5% per annum, provided that, in the event Barnes & Noble Education meets certain financial metrics for a consecutive six-month period beginning and ending after the one-year anniversary of the Closing Date, the foregoing spreads shall be reduced by 0.25% per annum. During the period from June 10, 2024 to April 30, 2025, Barnes & Noble Education incurred $14.3 million of interest expense.

The Restated ABL Facility contains customary negative covenants that limit Barnes & Noble Education’s ability to incur or assume additional indebtedness, grant or permit liens, make investments, make dividend payments, make Restricted Payments (as defined under the Restated ABL Facility agreement) and other specified payments, merge with other entities, dispose of or acquire assets, or engage in transactions with affiliates, among other things. Additionally, the Restated ABL Facility includes the following financial maintenance covenants:

following the date that is six months following the Closing Date, Barnes & Noble Education is required to maintain a minimum Availability (as defined in the Restated ABL Facility agreement) of (x) $25 million for the first thirty (30) months after the Closing Date and (y) $30 million after the date that is thirty (30) months after the Closing Date;
commencing with the month ending on or about May 31, 2025, Barnes & Noble Education is required to maintain a Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Restated ABL Facility) of not less than 1.10 to 1.00, which will be tested monthly on the last day of each fiscal month for the trailing 12-month period; and
commencing with the quarter ending on or about October 31, 2024, Barnes & Noble Education is required to maintain a minimum Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Restated ABL Facility), which will be tested quarterly on the last day of each fiscal quarter for (a) the trailing six-month period for the first test date, (b) the trailing nine-month period of the second test date and (c) for the trailing 12-month period thereafter.

The Restated ABL Facility contains customary events of default, including for non-payment of obligations owing under the Credit Facility, material breaches of representations and warranties, failure to perform or observe covenants, default on other material indebtedness, customary ERISA events of default, bankruptcy and insolvency, material judgments, invalidity of liens on collateral, change of control or cessation of business. The Restated ABL Facility also contains customary affirmative covenants and representations and warranties.

As a result of the Investigation and related restatement process discussed in Note 2, Barnes & Noble Education was unable to deliver its fiscal 2025 annual financial statements, as well as its first and second quarter fiscal 2026 financial statements, by the dates originally required under the Credit Facility. The lenders provided several waivers to extend the reporting deadlines and waive certain related representations and warranties that may have been impacted by the Investigation and related restatement of Barnes & Noble Education’s previously issued financial statements. Total waiver fees incurred by Barnes & Noble Education subsequent to April 30, 2025, were $1.0 million.

The credit facility is secured by substantially all of the inventory, accounts receivable and related assets of the borrowers under the credit facility. This is considered an all asset lien (inclusive of proceeds from tax refunds payable to Barnes & Noble Education and pledge of equity from subsidiaries, exclusive of real estate). None of the liabilities of Barnes & Noble Education have recourse to the general credit of Immersion Corporation.

In connection with the Restated ABL Facility, with respect to the 1.0% fee payable in connection with the eighth amendment to the Restated ABL Facility (prior to its having been restated), (x) 50% was paid on September 2, 2024, and (y) 50% is due and payable on June 10, 2025.

At April 30, 2025, and through the date of this filing, Barnes & Noble Education was in compliance with all debt covenants under the Restated ABL Facility.

During the period from June 10, 2024 to April 30, 2025, Barnes & Noble Education borrowed $836.2 million and repaid $834.3 million under the Restated ABL Facility, with $103.1 million of outstanding borrowings under the Restated ABL Facility at April 30, 2025. At April 30, 2025, Barnes & Noble Education issued $0.6 million in letters of credit under the Restated ABL Facility.

About Debt Disclosures

Debt disclosures detail a company's borrowing structure — the types of instruments, interest rates, maturity schedule, and covenant restrictions that define its financial obligations and flexibility. This section is essential for assessing refinancing risk, interest rate exposure, and the margin of safety against financial distress.

Key signals: the maturity schedule reveals concentration risk — large maturities within 1-2 years during tight credit markets can force dilutive refinancing or asset sales. Compare the fair value of debt against carrying amount to gauge whether the market views the company's credit risk differently than the balance sheet suggests. Watch covenant compliance disclosures for tightening cushions, especially leverage and interest coverage ratios. Variable-rate debt exposure quantifies sensitivity to interest rate changes. Secured versus unsecured mix affects recovery rates and future borrowing capacity. Compare net debt-to-EBITDA against industry peers and covenant limits to assess financial health.