DOW JONES NEWSWIRES DaVita Inc. (DVA) announced plans to refinance $3.35 billion in debt, becoming the latest company to restructuring its borrowings amid a historically low interest-rate environment. The operator of dialysis centers has seen earnings grow in recent quarters amid increasing demand. Last month, uncertainty that had jostled its share price for months was lifted, as effects of a shift in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement were clarified. The company's commentary on the changes was cautiously upbeat, according to an analyst. DaVita said Tuesday it intends to refinance $1.8 billion of borrowings under senior secured facilities, $700 million of senior notes due in 2013 and $850 million of senior notes due in 2015. It plans to conduct the refinancing with funds from "new secured and unsecured debt." The company also plans to seek additional financing for general purposes, including acquisitions and share repurchases, it said. Shares of DaVita, which sees third-quarter results in line with prior estimates and raised the bottom end of its 2010 earnings target, closed Monday at $65.99 and were inactive premarket. They are up 12% this year. -By Matt Jarzemsky, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2240; matthew.jarzemsky@dowjones.com
