Rating Rationale
November 30, 2020 | Mumbai
Aditya Birla Money Limited
Rating Reaffirmed 
 
Rating Action
Rs.500 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL A1+' rating on commercial paper programme of Aditya Birla Money Limited (ABML).
 
The rating on ABML reflects the benefit that ABML is expected to derive from its parent, Aditya Birla Capital Ltd (ABCL; rated 'CRISIL A1+'). The strength is partially offset by the company's modest earnings profile, and exposure to uncertainties inherent in the equity broking business.

Analytical Approach

The ratings reflect the strong support that ABML receives from its parent ABCL.  This is because ABML is an strategically important subsidiary of ABCL, with extensive business and operational linkages, and a common brand.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Benefits that ABML is expected to derive from its parent, ABCL:  The rating factors in ABML's strategic importance to, and expectation of strong support from, its parent, ABCL. CRISIL believes that ABML, being the group's broking and distribution arm, is an important subsidiary of ABCL, as it complements the group's product offerings by providing a capital market platform. Further, financial services is expected to remain one of the key focus areas for the group. The significant holding (73.8% as on September 30, 2020) and shared brand name imply a strong moral obligation on ABCL to support ABML, both on an ongoing basis and in the event of any distress.
 
Weaknesses
* Modest earnings profile: While the company turned profitable in fiscal 2015, after reporting losses for four consecutive years, and has now been reporting profits for last six years, the earnings profile remain modest. For fiscal 2020, ABML recorded a profit of Rs 12.0 crore on a total income of Rs 173.7 crore. For the half year ended September 30, 2020, it reported a profit of Rs 7.9 crore. The company's ability to improve its earnings profile will remain a monitorable.
 
* Exposure to uncertainties inherent in the equity broking business: The revenue profile remains inherently volatile because of the high dependence on capital market-related activity, which constitutes. While the company has diversified its sources of revenue, the dependence on capital market-related activity remains high. Given the cyclical nature of these businesses, brokerage volumes and earnings are highly dependent on the level of trading in the capital markets. Thus, any downturn in the capital market business can have an adverse impact on profitability.
Liquidity Strong

Liquidity is strong due to the agency nature of business. ABML had Rs 517 crore cash and liquid investments and Rs 251 crore unutilized bank lines as on October 31, 2020. The borrowings are primarily in the form of commercial paper, with outstanding of Rs 225 crore as on October 31, 2020. Additionally, the liquidity position is supported by the parentage of ABCL.

Rating sensitivity factors:
Downward factors
* Significant weakening in the credit risk profile of ABCL could have a negative implication on the rating of ABML
* Change in shareholding by ABCL below 50%, along with material change in support philosophy of ABCL impacting the quantum and timing of support

About the Company

ABML is present in equity broking, commodity broking, depository services, PMS (portfolio management services) and distribution of products like mutual funds, insurance and loans of Aditya Birla group companies. The Chennai-based company has centralised back-office operations. ABCL, the holding company for the financial services business of the Aditya Birla Group, owns a 73.8% stake in ABML. ABML is listed on Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange. As on September 30, 2020, the company had 65 branches and 895 franchisees across India.
 
For fiscal 2020, ABML reported a net profit of Rs 12.0 crore on total income of Rs 173.7 crore, against Rs 10 crore and Rs 171.7 crore, respectively, for fiscal 2019. For the half year ended September 30, 2020, it reported a net profit of Rs 7.9 crore on total income of Rs 94 crore, against Rs 6.4 crore and Rs 87 crore, respectively, for the corresponding period previous fiscal.

Key Financial Indicators
As on/ for the period ended September 30, Unit 2020 2019
Total assets Rs. Cr. 710.7 542.0
Total income Rs. Cr. 94.1 87.6
Profit after tax Rs. Cr. 7.9 6.4
Gearing Times 7.9 10.3
Return on assets (annualized) % 2.5 2.1

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments and are included (where applicable) in the Annexure -- Details of Instrument in this Rating Rationale. For more details on the CRISIL complexity levels, please visit www.crisil.com/complexity-levels.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of instrument Date of allotment Coupon rate (%) Maturity date Issue size (Rs crore) Complexity Rating assigned with outlook
NA Commercial paper programme NA NA 7-365 days 500 Simple CRISIL A1+
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2020 (History) 2019  2018  2017  Start of 2017
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Commercial Paper  ST  500.00  CRISIL A1+      29-11-19  CRISIL A1+  05-11-18  CRISIL A1+  22-12-17  CRISIL A1+  -- 
                    13-11-17  CRISIL A1+   
Short Term Debt  ST                  21-07-17  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
                    31-03-17  CRISIL A1+   
                    13-02-17  CRISIL A1+   
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Links to related criteria
Rating Criteria for Securities Companies
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Parent Support

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