Why Chesapeake Energy Sank
Editor's note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Chesapeake CEO Aubrey McClendon borrowed funds from the company, rather than from third-party financial institutions. The Fool regrets the error.
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What: Shares of Chesapeake Energy (NYS: CHK) sank today by as much as 10% before recovering to close out the day with a 6% loss on concerns raised from a Reuters report that CEO Aubrey McClendon has used his stake in company wells as collateral for loans that he has taken out over the past three years.
So what: McClendon borrowed upwards of $1.1 billion from third-party financial institutions to help finance his participation in the company's Founders Well Participation Program, or FWPP, which has been around since the company was founded. Many analysts believe the potential exists for the arrangement to create a conflict of interest.
Now what: McClendon and Chesapeake maintain that there is no conflict of interest, and that McClendon's interests are appropriately aligned with shareholders. The company has no obligations to the transactions in any way. Chesapeake has issued a formal response to the report as well as provided additional information on its FWPP here.
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At the time thisarticle was published Fool contributorEvan Niuholds no position in any company mentioned. Check out hisholdings and a short bio.Motley Fool newsletter serviceshave recommended buying shares of Chesapeake Energy. The Motley Fool has adisclosure policy. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe thatconsidering a diverse range of insightsmakes us better investors. Try any of our Foolish newsletter servicesfree for 30 days.
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