Paid In Kind (PIK) Interest
April 4, 2025
What is “Paid In Kind (PIK) Interest”?
Paid In Kind (PIK) interest, a feature of some debt instruments, refers to the interest expense that is not paid in cash but is accrued (or rolled up) onto the balance of the loan. In the following year after issuance of the debt instrument, interest is charged both on the existing loan and the rolled-up interest. This means that no interest is paid during the term of the loan, and at the end of the term the debt (principal) is repaid along with the accrued interest.
How Does PIK Interest Work
When companies raise debt, lenders expect to be compensated through periodic or scheduled interest payments along with the principal. PIK notes enable a company to defer interest payments (i.e., cash payment of interest) until the bond matures.
PIK interest is attractive for companies that do not want to make current cash outlays for payment of interest during a growth phase, or during a leveraged buyout. It is also attractive for companies in poor financial condition that do not have the cash to pay interest now. Such companies require extra cash to survive and struggle to immediately begin paying interest on debt to investors.
Key Learning Points
- PIK notes allow borrowers to defer interest payments until the debt matures. PIK interest is not paid in cash but gets accrued each year on the loan balance.
- The accrued interest is paid at the end of the loan term along with the principal.
- PIK toggle notes give borrowers an option to either pay interest in cash or defer it
- If PIK notes are not redeemed, PIK interest can grow quickly due to compounding
Paid In Kind (PIK) Interest – Risk and Variants of PIK
The interest on subordinated issues such as junior notes and mezzanine debt may be structured as PIK interest. The interest can grow quickly if the debt instrument is not redeemed. For example, a 15.0% PIK instrument will double in size in 5 years. Basically, PIK interest can grow quickly due to compounding, which in turn can heighten the risk of a payment default.
Some instruments may pay part PIK interest. For example, a 10.0% loan with a 50.0% PIK element means that half the interest is paid in cash and half is accrued.
When interest is structured as PIK toggle, the borrower can choose to pay the interest in cash or instead roll up the interest on the loan (by paying an increased coupon in the future).
Types of Payment-in-Kind
- PIK Notes: Allow borrowers to defer interest payments until the debt matures. Interest is not paid in cash but gets accrued each year on the loan balance.
- PIK Toggle Notes: Give borrowers an option to either pay interest in cash or defer it.
- Part PIK Interest: Some instruments may pay part PIK interest, where half the interest is paid in cash and half is accrued.
How to Model the PIK Toggle
PIK toggle notes give borrowers the option to either pay interest in cash or defer it. When modeling the PIK toggle, you need to account for the choice between paying interest in cash or rolling it up onto the loan balance. If the borrower chooses to defer the interest, the accrued interest is added to the loan balance, and the borrower pays an increased coupon in the future.
PIK Interest Calculation Example
Given below is information about the PIK debt raised by a company and the steps to forecast the interest expense and the PIK note ending balance.
Given below is the PIK note balance in year 0.
Next, we calculate the PIK interest accrued each year and the PIK note balance at the end of each of the 5 years.
How to Calculate PIK Interest
The PIK interest accrued is calculated as the beginning balance (e.g., 7,400,500.0 in year 1) multiplied by the interest rate (6.0%). The PIK note balance at the end of each year is the sum of the PIK beginning balance and PIK interest accrued, less any repayment. This is also the beginning balance for the next year.
At the end of year 5, the original debt is repaid along with the PIK interest accrued. At this point the PIK note balance is 0.0.
PIK Interest in the Balance Sheet
In the balance sheet, the PIK note is shown as long-term debt on the liabilities side. When less than one year is left for repaying the debt, it is shown as a current liability (i.e. as the current portion of the long-term debt).
Continuing with the previous example, here is how the PIK note will be shown in the company’s balance sheet:
In the balance sheet, the accrued interest reduces the retained earnings and increases long-term debt (as shown above). In year 4 it moves to be a current liability, before being paid off in year 5.
In addition, in the first year, the cash (asset) goes up by the amount of the PIK note. In subsequent years, the accrued interest goes to the income statement, which reduces net income.
PIK Interest Formula
PIK Interest = PIK Interest Rate (%) × Beginning PIK Debt Balance
How to Adjust Coverage Ratio for PIK Interest
Adjusting the coverage ratio typically involves considering the impact of accrued PIK interest on the company’s financial metrics. This may include adjusting the interest coverage ratio to account for the deferred interest payments and their effect on the company’s ability to meet its interest obligations.
Paid-in-Kind Pro and Cons
Pros
- PIK interest is attractive for companies that do not want to make current cash outlays for payment of interest during a growth phase or during a leveraged buyout.
- It is also beneficial for companies in poor financial condition that do not have the cash to pay interest now.
Cons
- PIK interest can grow quickly due to compounding, which can heighten the risk of a payment default.
- If PIK notes are not redeemed, the interest can grow rapidly.
Paid-in-Kind Bonds
- PIK notes enable a company to defer interest payments until the bond matures.
- The interest on subordinated issues such as junior notes and mezzanine debt may be structured as PIK interest.
- PIK toggle notes allow borrowers to choose between paying interest in cash or rolling up the interest on the loan.
Is PIK Interest Tax Deductible?
Generally, interest expenses, including PIK interest, may be tax deductible similar to the Cash Interest Expense, but this can vary depending on the jurisdiction and specific tax regulations. It is advisable to consult with a tax professional for accurate information.
Conclusion
Paid In Kind (PIK) interest offers a flexible financing option for companies, allowing them to defer interest payments and conserve cash during critical growth phases or financial difficulties. While PIK interest can be advantageous for companies seeking to manage cash flow, it also carries risks due to the compounding nature of accrued interest, which can lead to rapid growth of debt and potential payment defaults. Understanding the various types of PIK instruments, such as PIK notes, PIK toggle notes, and part PIK interest, is essential for companies to make informed decisions about their financing strategies.