Debt question on restructuring vs bankruptcy

Based on the most helpful WSO content, it's not a given that most payment defaults result in bankruptcy. It often depends on the specific circumstances of the company and the nature of the debt.

If a company is unable to service its interest payments or mandatory debt repayments, it could potentially enter bankruptcy. However, this is usually a last resort. More often, companies will try to restructure their debt to avoid bankruptcy. This could involve negotiating new payment terms, converting debt to equity, or selling assets to raise funds.

In a cyclical or recessionary environment, restructuring might indeed be more common. This is because the issues causing the financial distress are more likely to be temporary. If the company's fundamentals are strong, creditors might prefer to restructure the debt and give the company some breathing room, rather than pushing it into bankruptcy and potentially getting less back in a liquidation scenario.

However, it's important to note that every situation is unique and the outcome will depend on a variety of factors, including the company's financial health, the nature of its debt, and the economic environment.

Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/how-to-prepare-for-restructuring-technical-questions?customgpt=1, Why You Should Consider Restructuring – Common Misconceptions/Insight on RX Groups, Restructuring technicals and their difficulty, What are the most common ways a company can enter bankruptcy?