Publication date: October 28, 2024
Over the past decade, a new term has emerged in the global economy that has stirred both interest and concern: “zombie companies”. These companies, while formally operating, live in the shadow of debt, and are only able to “survive” thanks to low interest rates and the support of financial institutions. Unable to generate sufficient profits to repay capital, they constitute an unusual economic phenomenon that affects both market dynamics and financial stability. “Zombie companies” not only hinder the potential for economic growth, but also raise questions about the effectiveness of monetary policy and government interventions in times of crisis. This article will explore the causes of their emergence, their consequences for the global economy, and possible strategies for managing them. Analyzing various cases from different parts of the world, we will also look at whether there are effective methods for “saving” zombie companies and what challenges economic decision-makers face when making decisions about their future.
Zombie companies are companies that do not have enough profits to continue operating and servicing debt, but are unable to repay their debt. Such companies, given that they survive only on overhead costs (e.g., salaries, rent, interest on debt), do not have surplus capital that they can invest to stimulate growth. “Zombie companies ” are particularly dependent on banks for financing, which is essentially their source of income. Zombie companies are also known as “living dead” or “zombie stocks.”
The key features of “zombie companies ” include:
Low profitability : Their earnings are too low to cover full operating costs and debt repayments.
High level of debt: They have significant financial obligations that cannot be repaid without external assistance.
Dependence on low interest rates: They often thrive on favorable market conditions, such as low interest rates, which allow for cheap loans.
Limited growth potential: They do not have the ability to invest in growth, which limits their ability to compete in the market.
Zombie companies, also known as “floating companies”, often fail because of high costs associated with debt or certain operations, such as research and development. They may lack the capital investment that would sustain economic growth. Given that many analysts expect zombies to eventually default on their obligations, such companies are considered riskier investments and therefore their share prices will fall.
,,Zombie companies ” in Poland
Kearney ‘s report showed that the number of “zombie companies” among listed companies in Poland in 2022 fell from 27 to 14, which is almost by half, according to the report. Their percentage among all the surveyed (approx. 500 entities) is 2.8%, so compared to Europe (5.1%) or the world (4.8%), this does not seem like much. However, the reasons for this dynamics may be worrying – out of 16 companies that dropped out of the statistics, one was taken over, seven regained liquidity, but as many as 10 went bankrupt.
In which markets is the phenomenon of “zombie companies” extensive?
According to the report mentioned above, in Poland the entities most at risk of “zombification” are the financial and insurance sector, including the debt collection and debt service industries. The situation is very similar in the USA. In 2022, three such entities were added to the list. The real estate market sector is also at risk, where “a large part of companies are financed with credit”.
Consequences of the existence of “zombie companies”
Can “zombie companies” be removed from the system?
While zombie stocks accumulate over time, there is also a mechanism in place to remove them from the system when economic growth slows significantly. In the face of negative shocks and the resulting cycles of defaults, we can indeed see creative destruction in the corporate bond market.
Although interest rates are rising rapidly now, government bond yields in the U.S. and other developed countries were low for years in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. Economic research has documented signs of corporate “ zombieification ” in Japan in the 1990s and more recently in the eurozone, as the European Central Bank took unprecedented steps to ease financing markets starting around 2012. Similarly, the Federal Reserve bought trillions of dollars in U.S. government bonds after the financial crisis to stimulate the economy and likely lowered corporate borrowing costs. But despite the unprecedented policies this century, there is no sign that U.S. credit markets are flooding zombies with financing “en masse,” according to a Goldman Sachs study Research.
Are there any ways to “save” such companies?
There are various approaches to managing and possibly “saving” zombie companies, although this is not always a simple or problem-free solution.
The first is debt restructuring. This approach involves renegotiating the terms of a debt by extending repayment terms, lowering interest rates, or converting part of the debt into shares or other securities. Banks and other financial institutions may be willing to do so to avoid a complete loss of invested funds.
As a second way, we can mention government or institutional support: in some cases, governments or financial institutions may provide temporary financial support to allow a company to restructure, restructure or optimize its operations. This support may include subsidies, credit assistance or the assumption of part of the liabilities.
Another way could be through mergers or acquisitions: other companies may be interested in acquiring the “zombie companies” because of their infrastructure, target market or other assets. Mergers or acquisitions can allow the company to be taken over by a more stable organization, which can help it rebuild or continue to operate.
Participation in restructuring programs: In some countries, there are special programs or initiatives to support companies in difficult financial situations. Such programs may offer business advice, access to capital, or other forms of support that can help transform the company’s operations.
Managed bankruptcy: In some cases, the best solution may be a managed bankruptcy of a “zombie company”, which allows the company to start over or sell its assets to pay off debts.
Sources: